Carrier Pros and Cons

Soft Structured Carriers (SSCs) are basically buckle carriers. They have a waist buckle, square of fabric, shoulder straps and often a chest clip.

Pros:

• Quick to use
• Easy to learn to use
• Once you figure out your perfect settings there’s little to no adjusting for future uses
• The more structured waist provides lots of back support for toddlers/preschoolers

Cons: 

• It can be tricky to find your perfect setting
• It can be tricky to get a good fit for two very different sized parents
• They are the least adjustable to fit the child. You may have to buy different sizes as your child grows from infancy to toddlerhood
• Often not comfy to sit when front carrying
• Not particularly comfy in a hip carry

Meh Dais (pronounced “meh die”) are a square of fabric with straps for the waist and longer straps for the shoulders. They are just like SSC’s but instead of buckles, you tie a knot with the straps.

Pros:

• They can fit multiple wearers
• They are very adjustable
• There are adjustments that can make meh dais comfy while pregnant
• A meh dai allows for a high back carry, which many babies who like to see out really love

Cons:

• There is a small learning curve
• The straps are long and can drag on the ground
• Not particularly comfortable in a hip carry

Ring slings are basically a long fabric with two rings at one end.

Pros:

• Quick, especially for a baby/toddler that wants up and down frequently or while running quick errands
• Allow for a comfortable hip carry, which babies who want to see out usually love
• Provide excellent support for a newborn
• Can be inexpensive
• Easily adjustable for switching between adults.
• Easy to nurse in discretely

Cons:

• Can become uncomfortable with bigger babies (25lbs or heavier) for longer periods of times
• One shouldered carries are not typically comfortable for extended periods of time
• There’s a little learning curve

Stretchy wraps are a long (typically 5 meters or longer) slightly stretchy fabric. 

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• You can pre-tie and pop baby in and out
• Provide great positioning and support for newborns
• Very soft and moldable for newborns
• Can easily fit multiple adults
• Warm and snuggly in winter
• Wonderful for skin to skin time

Cons:

• Many people find them saggy or less supportive after the baby reaches 20lbs
• Cannot be used for back carries
• There’s a slight learning curve
• Depending on the brand, they can be too warm for summer time

Woven wraps are long non-stretchy fabric.  They come in varying sizes (basically lengths from about two through six meters) and different carries can be done with different sizes.  

Pros:

• Infinitely adjustable
• Can be used for front, back, and hip carries
• You can pre-tie and pop baby in and out of hip or front carries
• Allow for high back carries
• Can be used from birth-preschool
• Can easily fit multiple adults

Cons: 

• There’s a steeper learning curve
• Depending on the carry, wrapping can take a few minutes
• Cumbersome for wearing older kids who want up and down frequently unless you use a pretied carry
• The long length of fabric tends to drag on the ground while wrapping