Being a new parent can be especially daunting when it comes to getting the "right" stuff for you and your baby.  The first time you step into a baby superstore or even Target, you are overwhelmed with the amount of stuff sold for babies.  That is especially true when it comes down to baby carriers.  This guide is written to help you find the right kind of carrier for your baby without spending all the money on the wrong carrier or on multiple carriers.

You'll hear from a lot of parents that the Baby Bjorn is the the best carrier ever.  There are many other carriers just like the Baby Bjorn that work in the same way.  It is a great carrier but does not fit all babies or wearers well.  For one, it holds baby as if he or she is a parachute jumper.  (I can't believe that kind of carrying can be comfy on baby's crotch after awhile.)  If you are short, expect to be walking and bumping baby's legs after only a few months.  It is also only a front carry type of carrier.  After baby grows too big or too heavy, usually after about 5-6 months, expect to be spending more money on yet another carrier.

One of my favorite carriers is the Ergo.  It is kind of bulky at first as it has large padded straps and clips and buckles all over.  It is not a great carrier for little infants as it is difficult to comfortably position a small baby in it even if the instructions state that it can be done.  My baby destested it when she was little, around 4-5 months and younger.  Now that she is older, she fits it very comfortably and loves to sit in it when I shop.  Great carrier but pretty pricey as they run around $79 to $99 each brand new.

Pouch slings and such are great for tiny babies but not at all for large babies.  One shoulder tends to bear most of the weight and the positioning of baby in the pouch gets pretty tight as baby grows.  Most people find that they don't use these very long with their baby.  It is hard to get baby in and out of it also depending on your pouch.

I spent lots of money on carriers myself and discovered a wonderful way to snuggle up with my little one when she was an infant.  I just love the mei tai  style carrier.  It is very lightweight, easy to tie and comfy for my baby.  If I'm not using my Ergo, I'm using my mei tai.  I use it around the house to do housework and stuff here and there.  If it gets dirty, I just toss it in the washer and line dry it.  It is a wonderful way for little babies to be carried. 

Not all mei tais are made the same however so be careful of the type of materials are used, how large the body of the mei tai  is, and the straps width and padding if any.  Padded bodies help make it easier to get baby in and out of the mei tai by making it a little more stiffer.  Padded straps in the shoulder area help keep the straps spread evenly across the shoulder so the weight is distributed evenly.  Wide straps are better also with weight distribution.  Even though a mei tai  may be able to hold over 30 lbs., think about it first if you'd really want an extra 30 lbs. on your back.  A six foot man may have no problem hauling a toddler but a five foot woman may struggle. 

Every baby is different and not all will like any one carrier.  The best advice is to really try before you buy, especially the high end carriers.  The best money spent is on the things you can get the most use of in the long run. 

This is just a quick guide and the opinions expressed here are solely that of the writer.  Each babywearer is ultimately responsible for securing baby in correctly into any carrier at all times.