Baby Wrap Or Stroller?

You may have seen baby slings in the news recently. There have been warnings about potential dangers in some models. But most baby carriers/slings/wraps are perfectly safe, and a godsend for busy mothers. In addition to their utility, they happen to offer an inexpensive option for porting that precious load.

A baby wrap can certainly cost less than most strollers, and the New York Times is declaring the hottest trend in baby transport is “mom and dad”… via the uber-popular slings and wraps.

Apparently New Yorkers are parking their strollers in favor of baby carriers, which place infants close to the body for additional bonding and hands-free maneuvering. Baby expert Dr. William Sears also claims “babywearing” makes for a smarter, calmer, less colicky infant, with better sleep habits. Can your average stroller do that?

Photo By Paul Netto

I love my Moby Wrap and Baby Bjorn, and they are indispensable around the house and for shorter walks. It can be a great workout, and indeed a chance to bond with baby. Carriers, slings and wraps are definitely cost-effective, stylish options for hauling the kids, but at times, nothing beats the convenience of a stroller.



Still, a high-end stroller can cost upwards of three-hundred dollars all the way to one-thousand dollars, while cotton wraps like the Moby start at about $40 and the ubiquitous Baby Bjorns range from approximately $80 to $180. If you are looking for the Cadillac of baby slings, you could invest in organic, fancy silk or cashmere fabric and pay hundreds more. But you can easily find an ergonomic, affordable baby carrier in your price range that won’t break the bank, or your back. You could even make one yourself — like this dad:

Photo by Jennifer Rosenberg

Some sites to find a variety of slings include www.babysling.com and www.theslingstation.com. Babies R Us, Buy, Buy Baby and Target also carry several of the more popular brands online.

Note: The Consumer Product Safety Commission is warning against possible suffocation dangers associated with bag-type slings, which can double a baby over. These sorts of slings are distinguishable from the baby wraps and carriers discussed above.