Facts about Baby Carriers

Parents often bring their baby with them for a stroll around the park, when they visit the shopping centre, or when they visit a friend. However, carrying a baby, especially when the infant gains weight, can eventually become tiring for parents. That is why they use some sort of baby transport. One of the most common types of transport is the baby carrier.

As its name implies, a baby carrier is a device that is used to clutch a child against an adult's body. These on-the-body carriers can either be baby slings, backpack carriers, soft front carriers, or hip carriers. They come in a wide variety of materials and decorations.

In the Western world, the baby carrier is a recent phenomenon; traditional baby carriers were often wheeled prams or push chairs. However, placing babies in baby slings has been practised in many cultures for generations. In fact, archaeological diggings in Egypt revealed ancient paintings of children being carried in slings, the artworks dating back to the time of the Pharaohs.

In many cultures of today, especially in Asia, Africa, and South America, baby slings are still the primary means of carrying babies. Large pieces of cloth are made into slings by wrapping the material around the carrier and the baby. The ends are tied in a simple, tight knot. The mother then places the cloth around her neck with the baby in front of her.

The practice was adopted in most Western countries during the 1960s when the structured soft pack was introduced in the market. It was also at the same time when the frame backpack was used to carry babies and toddlers. In the late 1980s, the ring sling was made popular. Accessories like padding and adjustment buckles were added.

Today, baby carriers have become some of the most popular baby transports around.