I’ve owned a total of four different baby carriers, with varying degrees of success and enjoyment, and now have the one which I feel is the ultimate. I’ll go through them individually, and hopefully it will help you choose the right one for you and your baby.

The first one I got was a Snugli front pack (much like a Baby Bjorn, but I’ve never owned one of those). You know, the ones that can face the baby toward you, or away from you. I was never very pleased with it. It basically worked, but I disliked several things about it. The criss-crossed straps in the back made it difficult to put on without help, and they were rather unattractive. Putting the baby in was another complicated maneuver. (This was years ago, but the new ones look just as bad, maybe worse!) And if the baby fell asleep…well, let’s just say I never had a baby sleep through the process of being removed from the carrier!! And I’ve since been told by a chiropractic neurologist that these upright carriers are physiologically inappropriate for a baby’s growing spine. Babies’ heads are very heavy, and the upright position puts undue pressure on the neck, as well as the spine.

The next one was much better - a hand-me-down from my sister. I wish I knew what it was! This one was an off-brand, but it just felt better. The whole thing was softer and more snug for the baby - no hard head support, this one was made of foam, but firm enough to offer support — and it could be removed when baby was older and could support his own head. It also offered better support around the baby’s shoulders, so he was less slumped. And it had an extra piece that covered the baby for cooler weather, and could be taken off when it was warm. The straps were easier to do by myself, as it went on much like a book backpack, only backwards, and there was just one hook in the low center back - easier to reach than the side latches on the Snugli. And I could actually get the baby out without waking him, by leaning over a bed until the baby’s weight was on the bed, then unhooking the one latch in back of me. I could either leave the baby there to sleep, still in the soft carrier, or just slip his arms and feet out of the holes and lift him into his bed. All in all, a much better carrier than the previous one.

Eventually it came time for a back pack (baby got bigger, and wanted to see the world from Daddy’s shoulders!). This one we picked up at a baby flea market for $5. It has lasted beautifully. It’s a simple frame pack, nothing fancy, but it has the nice feature of a pull-out frame that allows it to stand freely. This is useful if you’re putting it on alone. You can set it on a low, solid table, get the child seated and buckled in, then stand with your back to it and put your arms through the straps. There are a lot of fancy, expensive models available, with built-in food packs, and even built-in strollers! But this one has served us quite well for $5!! A word of warning - you have to be very careful not to bend over with these on - the baby could easily come sliding out head first!!! As with anything, pay careful attention to what you’re doing and use common sense!

Well, now we’ve had our third baby, and at last I’ve found the ideal carrier!!! This is the Mayawrap Sling, a traditional Guatemalan baby sling. It’s not like the slings you can buy in the baby stores. There is no padding to get caught up in the adjustments or make you sweat when it’s hot out. This is like a big piece of Guatemalan cotton with 4-inch double rings at one end. It looks beautiful, not only because of the lovely fabric but also the design - its gentle, draped look is simple and almost elegant. It’s totally adjustable, holds newborns to toddlers, and your baby can be “worn” in a wide variety of positions, including on your back! Newborns can be snuggled in lying down, and toddlers can sit in it like a sling on your hip, while your hands are free, and their weight is evenly distributed across your back and shoulders. The tail end makes a fantastic cover for discreet public nursing, or you can use it for extra wind protection on cool days. It’s not padded, so you can wear it under a jacket when it’s cold, and you won’t dread putting it on when it’s warm outside.

If you haven’t noticed, I can’t say enough about this one - it’s simply the best carrier I’ve ever used. My baby loves it, and I get compliments on it everywhere I go. There is also a simpler version called the Mayawrap Pouch. It’s a little less versatile, but it’s the ultimate in simplicity and convenience. And it comes with a video that shows how to use each of them.

I must add a caveat that not all babies love the Mayawrap…at first. I find it best to start when they are very young, not when they have gotten used to sitting up in a Snuggli. For a very young baby, it’s a lot like the womb: very snug! For an older baby, this might feel restrictive at first. You have to find what works for you and your little one. In any case, when you first buy a Mayawrap, spend some time practicing with it in front of a mirror. Use a doll, stuffed animal, or small pillow instead of your baby at first! This will help you get the hang of putting in on and off. Then be patient with yourself and your precious cargo, as you both get accustomed to the new and different feelings of a sling.