Nothing in the whole parent life is as exciting as the upcoming birth and the first weeks with this tender little person that suddenly becomes part of the family. In February 2022, we surveyed 2,004 parents with a child under five who own a sling or carrier, and asked them what their most important considerations were. A baby carrier adds a new level of convenience to your day. You can keep your baby close and safe while doing things around the house, going outside on a walk or hike, navigating through a crowded airport, and more.

As you maintain closeness with your baby, the bond between the two of you strengthens. If you continue that closeness through toddlerhood, that bond continues to grow as your child grows. Babywearing also allows caregivers to be more in tune and responsive to their baby’s needs. Keeping your baby close can also boost breast milk production and improve breastfeeding success. A baby carrier is more straightforward to set up and adjust, but if you want to breastfeed discreetly while you're babywearing, or want a more multi-functional piece of fabric, a sling could be a better option. This may be around four months old, but could be much later, especially if your baby was premature or has low muscle tone. Follow the manufacturer's instructions – some may only recommend this position from five months or older, or they may suggest that you only put your baby in this position for limited periods of time. Cradle position Investigate the retailer you're buying from. Be cautious when buying from third parties or unfamiliar retailers, as these can sometimes be online scams.For those who don't feel confident in working out how to carry a baby in a wrap, a more structured carrier might be a better option. Such overwhelming love, such unprecedented responsibility combined with so many questions. This magical time is marked by finding one's own gut instinct and getting to know each other, who are now forging a lifelong bond. That's why warmth, ease and lots of cuddle time is the most important thing of all. Ergobaby has infant carriers for all your needs. From simple soft-structured carriers and stretchy wraps for bonding time with newborns at home to convenient and comfortable hip seats for on-the-go outdoor adventures with toddlers, you can babywear anytime, anywhere. Here are the features you should have and can expect from our baby carriers:

Look closely at the use of branding. We heard from Moby, Beco and Ergo that unauthorised online retailers copy the promotional imagery and branding used in legitimate marketing material, which can make it more difficult to spot a dodgy retailer. Body positioning: It's important that the baby's spine is supported adequately and that their legs aren't dangling: the baby's knees should be propped up higher than their bum and slightly bent (known as the 'M', 'squat' or 'frog' position). Airways: Make sure your baby always has a clear and open airway by keeping their chin off their chest and allowing space for air to circulate around their face. Keep your baby high enough on your chest that you can kiss the top of their head, so that you can monitor their breathing and keep them in an upright position. There is currently no legal requirement for a sling or baby carrier to meet the British safety standards for construction and testing of baby carriers. Big brands undertake this testing to make sure their products meet the standards, but counterfeit carriers don't, which leaves you and your baby vulnerable.A lightweight sling can weigh as little as 400g (equivalent to a small bag of sugar), while a structured baby carrier can be a lot heavier, as well as being big and bulky to carry around. 3. Bulk