Top 10 #6: Front/Back Carrier

This is the sixth item in my Top 10 Things I Could Not Have Lived Without During My Baby’s First Year post.
Carriers are a huge help, especially with babies who want to be held a lot. I believe the term is “baby wearing.” We started off with an Infantino 6-in-1 Rider. When we were picking out products before we had Samantha (and even still) I look for things that can be used for different stages of development or have multiple uses, so we get the most bang for our buck. The 6-in-1 rider looked great, because it has 6 uses: carrier facing in, carrier facing out, backpack, car seat support, chair harness, and shopping cart seat. We both used it a few times as a carrier facing in and it was great. When I began using it as a carrier facing out, Samantha didn’t seem totally comfortable in it, and I actually feel like it was too tight across her chest (I thought she breathed funny when she was in it). As for the other functions, I think I used it once as a chair harness (you just strap it to a chair so she sits up). We didn’t use it at all for the other three functions.

We later decided to buy an Evenflo Snugli Front & Back Pack Carrier. We like this one a lot! It’s comfortable to wear, and Samantha seemed comfortable in it. It seems much sturdier and better made than the Infantino. We’ve only used it in the facing front position. This one has two zippered vents in the front, plus a pocket on the front for your cell phone and other small things.

My mom found us a second-hand LL Bean Kids hiking backpack. It works great for hiking, being in crowds of people where a stroller would be difficult to push, and walking up and down your driveway when it’s too muddy to drive on *sigh.* It’s got lots of cushioning in the shoulder straps, a waist strap, sternum strap, and mesh pockets on the back. It even has a detachable bag that hangs underneath. I tried to find it online so I could link to it, but I think it was actually recalled because people let their babies fall through the leg holes that stuff like that. The only one I found was on e-Bay. I’d definitely recommend something similar if you spend time in the great outdoors!

Related items

• Top 10 #3: Tummy Time Mat
• Top 10 #2: Automatic Swing
• Top 10 #10: Portable Seat
• Top 10 #9: Vehicle Mirror
• Top 10 #1: Nursing Pillow