Baby carrier or stroller? The debate could go on and on among parents. The answer depends on a number of factors, including where you live, how you often travel, and your own personal preference, just to name a few. And while both products can come in handy with a new little one, there are certain scenarios where a baby carrier is the better option of the two.
Consider these five scenarios, and how frequent they are, or will be, in your life, to determine when and how you’d use a baby carrier instead of a stroller.
1. Walking to the local grocery store
When my son was born, I lived in a condo right smack-dab in the middle of downtown Toronto. It was fabulous for walking, because so much was nearby. And while I’d make my weekly trips to the grocery store to stock up our kitchen, being home on maternity leave
also meant that sometimes, I liked to walk down to the local farmer’s market or grocery store to grab some fresh goodies or missing ingredients for the night’s dinner, or a new puree recipe. Admittedly, I often used a stroller, which can be cumbersome for a number of reasons. Most notable is that once I was at the store, I’d have to hold a small basket with one hand while trying to manoeuvre the stroller up and down the aisles, or place the items in the stroller’s undercarriage basket and hope no one thought I was stealing. Sometimes, I’d bring a reusable grocery bag, drape it over the stroller handles, and put items in there. But it would get heavy quickly, even with just a few items. With a baby carrier, not only are both hands-free, but you can use them to push around a shopping cart, then carry the bags home.
2. When you have two kids
Double strollers are great. But if you have a child that’s at that wonderful age where they refuse to be strapped into a chair, you might appreciate having a baby carrier. This way, you can secure one child while you monitor the other child, who might want to switch from sitting to walking while holding your hand. Carriers can also be great when you have to walk to school to pick up your older child. Ones with lightweight and breathable mesh linings help ensure breathability, particularly on a hot and humid summer day.
3. When shopping
Look, moms need our time, too. And when walking around a busy shopping mall with a sleeping baby, we like to try and get it. That might mean ducking into a shoe store really quickly to check out a new pair of kicks, or peeking into that new clothing store to find a few new sports bras and workout pants. Have you ever visited some of those boutique stores? You can barely fit yourself through a laneway, much less you and a large stroller. It would be so much easier to strut around, babe in arms, so you can easily flip through that rack of dresses, workout gear, or shelves of shoes.
4. When you need to multitask
Baby carriers don’t have to be used outdoors or while out and about in public places. You probably want to always keep your baby nearby, whether it’s to help him get to sleep or enjoy the wonderful snuggles. But you also probably have a mounting list of chores to complete. In these such instances, a baby carrier can work at home as well. Strap your little one to your body, then finish prepping lunch for your other kids or doing some low-key tidying. Or, maybe you just want to multitask by picking up that book you’ve been meaning to read, binging a new show, or sending a few important work e-mails.
5. While on vacation
If you’re visiting a sunny beach, or strolling about a new locale on a family vacation, a stroller might not be the best option for a baby. You’ll likely be doing a lot of walking, heading into local eateries, and checking out plenty of sights. That can be tough with a stroller if places aren’t always accessible with ramps or elevators. Ever seen a couple awkwardly trying to carry a heavy stroller up a flight of stairs or escalator? I have, and have been in that scenario myself. Sure, you can always opt for a travel-friendly umbrella stroller. But these are often not suitable for very small babies, particularly those who can’t yet hold their heads up. In these such instances, a baby carrier makes the most sense. You can pop in and out of restaurants to enjoy daily meals, stroll along the beach in comfort, and check out all of the sights, completely hands-free. Many baby carriers let you carry babies in multiple positions, including front-inward, front-outward, hip, and back, and work with kids up to 45 lbs. thanks for features like sturdy buckles and lumbar support waist belts so both you and your baby will be comfortable.
Convinces a baby carrier is the way to go, at least some of the time? Check out plenty of baby carrier options at Best Buy Online.
