01.Introduction
In brief
- Baby carriers and slings come in a wide range of prices. The ones we trialled cost between $40 to $230.
- Different styles of baby carrier suit different body shapes and sizes, for both parent and baby. Try on a few different ones in the shop.
Being out and about with a baby can feel like a juggling act. As well as your child, you'll probably be trying to carry a bag of nappies and bottles, a handbag and possibly shopping bags.
With a baby carrier or sling, you can keep your baby close and secure while leaving your hands free for other tasks — especially handy if your baby is fractious and needs to snuggle close to you.
To help find the best products, we asked eight parents (six mums and two dads), plus two professional experts, to assess 12 carriers and slings to find out which ones are most comfortable, secure and easy to use.
Please note: this information was current as of April 2008 but is still a useful guide to today's market.
How we tested
The parents all had experience using baby carriers, and their babies ranged from three to six months old. They assessed each product for ease of use, comfort and security while carrying their babies on their front, with the baby facing inwards and (where possible) outward as well. The trial included walking around the neighbourhood, going up and down stairs and bending over.
The video (at right) shows them in action. Note that at two points in the video, a trialist is wearing the Baba Sling incorrectly. This may have affected her rating of the product. However, even if that trialist’s score is discounted, the overall score based on the other trialists (who wore it correctly) remains the same.
Separately to the user trial, the carriers were assessed by a physiotherapist and a chiropractor for their comfort, safety and suitability. Two mothers of differing builds, with babies of different weights, wore the slings while the experts made their assessments. The experts’ comments are included in the Product profiles.
Meet the experts
- Karen Herbert is a UK-trained chartered physiotherapist with 20 years’ experience. She’s currently employed at the Sydney Children’s Hospital as a Senior Physiotherapist specialising in child development and neurology.
- Mary Papatheocharous is the president of the NSW branch of the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia, and has been a practicing chiropractor for nine years. She focuses on families, pregnancy and paediatrics, and uses cranial and non-manual chiropractic techniques.
Brands tested
- Australian Breastfeeding Association Meh Tai Baby Sling
- Australian Breastfeeding Association Simplicity Sling
- Baba Sling Standard
- Baby Rock Comfy Carry Sling
- BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Active
- BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Synergy
- Ergo Baby Baby Carrier
- Evenflo Snugli Comfort Vent Soft Carrier 0441638
- Hug-a-Bub Baby Sling
- Kapoochi Classic Carry Pouch
- Love n Care Baby Papoose
- Tetra Comfy Baby Carrier
Our testers take their babies out for a spin in a range of baby slings and carriers.
