Many dad or other male caregivers are interested in using baby carriers both because it’s convenient and because it offers a wonderful opportunity to bond with baby. They prefer something easy and simple. While there are plenty of men who proudly sport floral prints, most prefer more traditional colors and masculine prints. Let’s dive into the most popular choices.
Soft Structured Carriers (SSC)
SSCs are very much like a backpack.
Most have padded straps, several adjustable buckles and a pocket.
Pros:
-Supportive over long periods of time
-Great weight distribution
-Can be adjusted to fit different wearers
Cons:
-Slightly bulky, does not fit in diaper bag
-Most require insert for newborns
-Not as cuddly, though some woven wrap conversions are very soft
-Less budget friendly than other options
Most companies sell a solid color, like black, tan or grey. There are also more manly prints available. Consider making a carrier more fun with custom suck pads or even a slip cover.
Ring Slings
A ring sling is the only baby carrier invented by a man, Rayner Gardner in 1981. Men like them because they are easier than adjusting a big woven wrap but are still very snuggly. Ring slings come in a variety of colors, prints and fabrics.
Pros:
-Easy to adjust, take on/off and share between multiple caregivers
-Can pop child in and out for running errands
-Compact carrier that fits into diaper bag, stroller or the trunk of your car
Cons:
-Weight not distributed well, so not ideally for carrying babies for a long time
-Not a great choice for caregivers with existing shoulder/neck problems
Mei tie
A mei tai is an Asian style carrier, consisting of a rectangle of fabric and four straps. Two of the strap tie around the waist and the other two go around the shoulders.
Pros:
-Little learning curve
-Comfortable for long periods of time
-No buckles, not bulky
-Distributes weight somewhat well
-Inexpensive (the Infantino are only $35 and you can get custom made ones on Etsy for under $100)
Cons:
-Inconvenient for toddler who want up and down
-Not as padded or supportive as SSC
-Long straps can drag on ground
Written by our Baby wearing EXPERT Ashley
