Cool Baby Carriers Free Up Your Hands

Filed under: , , , ,

Baby slings and carriers keep your hands free. Credit: Getty Images

It wasn't that long ago that parents were constantly lugging babies around in detachable car seats -- not any more. When you need to get something done and your new baby wants to be with you, try an infant carrier.

There are lots of cool options that can free up your hands, while keeping your baby safe and close to you.

"I use my Ergo when I go grocery shopping rather than a car seat in the cart, " says Jessica Morrison, a sales associate at Boston's Tadpole. "If I need my hands free to get my 3-year-old into preschool, or the baby wants to be with me while I'm cleaning or doing laundry, it's great."

Morrison tells ParentDish in a phone interview that she uses the Ergo for her 7-month-old and wishes she had it when her 3-year-old was a baby.

"I even used it when my son was 2 -- we went on a light hike," she says.

The Ergo has a waist strap, in addition to shoulder straps, and the weight of the baby is mainly on your hips, making it easier to carry the child longer, according to Morrison.The Ergo allows a baby to be held in front of you, on your hip and also on your back when they get older.

Of course, infant carriers aren't entirely new. The classic Baby Bjorn, which holds babies in front, has been a staple since 1961. But in recent years, parents have been offered a growing number of options from which to choose.

Some parents prefer fabric slings to hold their baby close and keep their hands free, Target spokesperson Jana O'Leary tells ParentDish in a phone interview. Hotslings and Munchkin's Jelly Bean are fabric slings that are top sellers in Target stores and can be found at reasonable prices, she says. The colors and prints, reversible on the Jelly Bean style, are fashion-based and appeal to busy parents.

"A lot of parents like to use the slings for newborns because they are in a reclining position, they're close to you and you can snuggle the baby as it curls into you," Morrison says.

She admits, as a nervous first-time mom, she was not as comfortable with some of the sling options, but says many people she knows have no reservations and love their slings.

Whatever you decide, be sure do a test run in the store with your baby before you buy.

"Be aware the first time you try it, your baby will scream," Morrison says. "But I think persistence pays off. All of them feel a little awkward at first because you're not holding your baby."

She urges moms to keep an open mind, because the right infant carrier offers comfort, safety and, most importantly, freedom.


Related: An eco-friendly baby carrier

Permalink | Email this | Comments


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Jenna Lyons divorce: Lesbian lover of J Crew boss outed as Courtney Crangi

Image
Add to My Stories Share The 'other woman' thought to have been behind the split of one of America's most influential fashion executives and her husband of nine years has been revealed. J.Crew president and creative director Jenna Lyons, who is divorcing her artist husband of nine years, Vincent Mazeau, is said to be seeing top jewellery executive Courtney Crangi, 38, according to the New York Post. The pair have been photographed together repeatedly over the years, most recently this summer. Modern family: J Crew' Jenna Lyons, left, posed with her son Beckett, 5, rumored girlfriend Courtney Crangi and Crangi's daughter Coco, also 5, on a red carpet in June 2011, as her marriage was ending In June they attended the WSJ OFF DUTY Summer Solstice Celebration together, posing for photographers with Lyons' son Beckett and Crangi's daughter Coco, both five. Ms Lyons and her husband are said to be in the middle of a messy divorce after splitting in the summ
Keep reading

BAFTA TV Awards 2011: The Only Way Is Essex girls lead the glamour

Image
Add to My Stories Share It was one of the most highly-anticipated events of the year, with the biggest names from the television industry attending. But at the Philips Bafta Television Awards it wasn't a TV veteran who stole the show but a group of relative newcomers - the girls from The Only Way Is Essex. Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger, Sam Faiers and Lydia Bright led the glamour last night as they arrived for the annual ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel. Essex girls leading the way: The Only Way Is Essex stars (left to right) Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger, Lydia Bright and Sam Faiers lead the glamour at the Bafta Television Awards Stealing the show: But it was Amy Childs who stands out from the crowd in her Pia Michi gold gown And it seems that the girls had possibly co-ordinated their outfits, as they all chose sparkly metallic numbers to pose on the red carpet. More... Daisy Lowe causes a stir in a see-through dress at the BAFTA Television Awards as she cuddles up to boy
Keep reading

Small Doses of Vicodin OK for Breast-Feeding Moms, Study Says

Image
Filed under: In The News , Breast-Feeding , Research Reveals Breast-feeding pain may be eased by small doses of Vicodin, a new study shows. Credit: Getty Breast-feeding may be a healthy and economical way to feed and bond with your baby, but it also can be a real pain -- literally -- for some moms who are still cramping and sore from mega hours of labor and C-sections, not to mention the whole nipple pinching thing. But now there's good news on the lactating front: Apparently, it's safe to pop a few Vicodin while you're breast-feeding. The strong painkiller hydrocodone , better known as Vicodin, may be safe in smaller doses for women nursing newborns, U.S. researchers tell Reuters . Only traces of the drug end up in the mother's breast milk, according to findings from a study out of the University of Toronto and the University of California San Diego . Researchers say in cases where weaker painkillers such as acetaminophen ( Tylenol ) or ibuprofen ( Advil ) don't t
Keep reading