You want to keep your baby close and you want the hands-free convenience of a soft baby carrier, but what style (Mei Tai, Wrap, Baby Pouch, Ring Sling, Baby Hip Carrier, or Structured Carrier) is right for you?

Get ready for the ultimate in comfort, simplicity and practicality with a Mei Tai style baby carrier. With no buckles or rings, enjoy the all-over fabric softness of this style carrier for your newborn through toddler. With a rectangle of fabric to support your baby and shoulder and waist straps to secure the position, this carrier is convenient and easy to use on your front, side, or back. Nurse your baby comfortably in the front carrying positions. A Mei Tai (such as the Ellaroo Mei Tai) offers more support than a one-shouldered carriers and less bulk than other more structured baby carriers.

Spoil yourself and your baby with the all-over fabric softness and gentle support of a Baby Wrap Sling. This carrier consists of a long band of fabric (or fabric loops) that wraps around you and your baby to support him in the front side or back carrying positions. Enjoy the ultimate in simplicity…no buckles, no rings, no straps, no fuss. Choose a stretch wrap (like the Baby K’Tan or the Moby) for the gentle give and softness of the fabric, and choose a woven wrap (like the Ellaroo Wrap) when you need a bit more support for a heavier baby or toddler.

A Baby Pouch type carrier is one of the simplest carriers on the market today. With a fixed tube of fabric that goes up and around your body like a sash, this carrier is perfect for the minimalist in us all. Suitable for babies from birth on, you will reach for this compact one-shouldered carrier again and again. Nurse confidently and discretely in your Baby Pouch. Functionally closest to a ring sling, a Pouch offers the advantage of being compact. With no rings to adjust, just slip on your Pouch, pop in your baby and you are ready to go. Many Baby Pouches (such as Hotslings) come in a wide variety of fashionable fabrics so you can choose your carrier to suit your taste.

Every parent needs a good Ring Sling, the perfect universal baby carrier to tote your child in the front, side and back positions. This one-shouldered carrier (for example, a ZoloWear Sling, an Ellaroo Sling, or a New Maya Wrap Baby Sling) offers the maximum in versatility and convenience while offering the minimum in bulk and complication. Easy to manipulate with rings for adjustability, you can customize the fit for your baby, from birth on. Nurse confidently and privately in your ring sling. Functionally closest to a Baby Pouch, the adjustability of the Ring Sling means that one size fits most. The tail of your Ring Sling can also serve as a purse (using the zippered pocket), a nursing cover, or a sun cover.

If you find yourself naturally carrying your baby on your hip, you may be interested in a Baby Hip Carrier. You may start using these carriers when your baby gains head control (usually around four months) and continue using them through the toddler years. Some carriers can be used to carry your baby on your hip (such as the Baby K’Tan and the Ellaroo Mei Tai), while other are exclusive hip carriers (like the Mei Hip). This carrier is structured to support your baby’s weight on your hip with straps that go up and over one shoulder and around your waist.

If you are familiar with carrying your baby in a frame back pack, you may feel most comfortable trying a Structured Carrier. These soft structured carriers offer the advantage of holding your baby snugly against your body, closer to your center of gravity, reducing the effort it takes to carry him. This two-shouldered carrier can be used to carry your baby in the front or the back, from birth on (with the addition of the optional Infant Insert). Closest in design to the Mei Tai, the Structured Carrier offers buckles instead of straps, and a comfortable chest clip for added convenience.

Here are some other wonderful baby sling styles.