There’s a lot to work out when you’re expecting a baby. A lot of new gadgets you never even knew existed, until suddenly your entire world became focused on the impending arrival of a little baby growing inside you...
Now, if you’ve had a baby, you’ll understand the myriad benefits of babywearing (namely that it’s often the only way a baby will actually settle and sleep for long bursts and that it means you can have your arms free to do stuff – it was a godsend for us in the early days). But from first-hand experience, there are baby carriers, and then there are baby carriers.
To save your back, you’ll need one that’s not only comfortable for the baby, but also supports you. We recently took BABYBJÖRN’s ergonomic Baby Carrier One Air for a test drive. It’s made from 3D mesh, which might not mean much to you now, but try it and you’ll discover that this means it’s super cool and airy (according to BABYBJÖRN, 3D mesh is super soft, flexible, and dries quickly after washing). As for your back, there’s a sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps that relieve pressure from your back and shoulders and make babywearing possible from newborn and up to the age of three (if you need additional back support, you might want to look at the Baby Carrier Move).
There are three babywearing positions, meaning it’s perfect from newborn and up to the age of three years.
The Baby Carrier One Air is also classified as ‘hip-healthy’ by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, provided it’s used according to the instructions. This means that it gives the correct support to your baby’s hips and encourages good hip joint development, which is especially important during the first months of life.
Newborns need lots of closeness when they first arrive, especially for the first three months, also known as the fourth trimester (the 12-week period immediately after you have had your baby when your baby adjusts to being outside the womb, and you adjust to your new, slightly terrifying and blurry life as a mother). During this stage, it’s best to carry in the facing-in position to strengthen the bond between you and your baby – essentially, you want to make your baby feel like they’re still in the womb. At about the age of five months when your baby’s neck muscles are stronger, you can start carrying in the facing-out position — curious babies usually enjoy seeing what’s happening around them. When your baby is one year old, you can start carrying them on your back, which often feels more comfortable as your child grows heavier.
Something which you’ll appreciate after you start using it, is that this carrier is machine washable (trust us, things get dirty fast). And we also love the minimalistic, Scandinavian design. But mostly, it’s incredibly comfortable to wear for both mother and child.
Our verdict? When it comes to baby carriers, this would be our top pick. The baby settled well. Mum was happy. And we got our hands back for a few hours. That’s really all we can ask for.
BABYBJÖRN BABY CARRIER ONE AIR 3D Mesh, $300
The Grace Tales was gifted the BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One Air to review
