Babywearing Series - What NOT To Buy

So now that we know the benefits of babywearing, let's narrow down our choices by identifying what not to buy and why.

The first carrier you should never buy, is any type of bag sling.
These slings are dangerous and have caused infant deaths even when used properly. A bag sling is impossible to use safely as the baby will either be chin to chest, or covered by material, all which can lead to suffocation. For more info, check here.

Though the next carriers I'm going to mention are highly superior to a dangerous bag sling (also known as 'the sling of death'), they still suck for their own reasons. Carriers like the Baby Bjorn, Snugli, and Infantino soft structured carrier are really bad for a couple reasons.

First, the carriers are very uncomfortable for the wearer, especially as baby gets older. Even ones that claim to have lumbar support are really bad for people with bad backs (or even with good backs!).

Second, the carriers dangle the poor baby from their crotch bone! Who would want to be carried around with all their weight resting on their crotch, as if sitting on a bicycle seat? No one!! Not only is this uncomfortable for the poor baby, it can also lead to poor spine development. Not only that, but can lead to hip dysplasia! Why take that risk just because these carriers are readily available?

So if you have one of these carriers (especially a bag sling), throw it out (or return it if you can)! Don't even give it to a second hand store, as someone else who doesn't know better will waste their money. Until we stand up against these poorly designed carriers that can cause damage or even death, the companies will continue to make them.