We often talk about the choice of carrying systems for hikes and walks... But less so when it comes to carrying over shorter distances. Yet, it is also a real issue! And yes... Quick trips, school/nanny/crèche runs, and other short errands punctuate the parents' daily life. So which baby carrier to choose? Can we use the same as for hikes? We tell you everything!
What is my main need for carrying my baby?
To choose the right carrying system, it’s a bit like when you want to buy a pair of shoes or clothes: you need to be clear about your main need, to avoid ending up stuck on the beach in flip-flops.
Most often, when you want to carry over short distances, you will look at the following criteria:
- Practicality: the baby carrier must be easy and practical to put on in all circumstances (including in the middle of the street)
- Quick donning/doffing: the baby carrier should be put on (or taken off) very quickly, possibly in a waiting room or in a parking lot
- No straps dragging on the ground: the baby carrier must be able to be installed in the middle of the street, for example after getting out of the car
These criteria are, of course, not exhaustive but already help to get a sense of the overall situation.
In daily life, unlike during a walk where once properly adjusted and fitted you don’t touch anything for a long time, you need to imagine that the baby carrier will be frequently put on and taken off, sometimes a bit "on the fly" (not to say completely haphazard!), so it’s really important to choose a model that is not a headache and that truly makes your life easier! If it takes too long to put on (meaning more than the travel time itself), it can quickly become frustrating and discouraging.
Then, you will find several configurations depending a bit on your lifestyle and whether you have other carrying systems to complement or not.
I just want a model to carry my baby during my short urban trips
If you only want a small carrier for short trips: the sling is your friend!
This is THE portable baby carrier par excellence. Set up over the shoulder on one side, it pre-installs and can be kept on you, for example in the car while the baby is in the car seat, ready for easy installation as soon as you arrive at your destination.
He adjusts easily and detaches with one hand: tensions are self-blocking in the rings and do not require any knot at the end.Since it is quite compact, it easily slips into the diaper bag to stay, for example, at the daycare in the baby bag during the day.
By offering off-center carrying, the sling allows you to show your little one many things and to share many beautiful moments with them. Off-center carrying is also appreciated when you have a bigger one to manage because it frees up a bit more space in front!
At the "expert" level: the sling is the only carrying system that does not require you to lay down your baby to be able to install it! Bonus? The most skillful among you will also be able to breastfeed their little one while walking (not too fast!).
Disadvantage: carrying on one shoulder is not suitable for long-term carries, where it will become quickly uncomfortable.
I also want to go hiking with it!
Want to combine the needs inherent to both small and large movements? Why not opt for a preformed baby carrier?
The Neo range is the ideal solution for parents who like to alternate between metro rides and café terraces, and open spaces. Installed in 2 clips, preformed carriers blend into daily life and provide both comfort and freedom.
Like the sling, the preformed can simply stay clipped at the waist while waiting to welcome your child, and even then , it doesn’t drag on the ground and stays clean, which is all the more appreciable when it rains.
At the "expert" level, the baby will do the shopping with you on your back and will show you all the vegetables and fruits they want to put in the basket!
Disadvantage: when changing carriers, there are a few adjustments (quick ones!) to be redone.
My toddler is walking
When the child walks, the needs change and often carrying becomes less and less necessary… Especially since toddlers love exploring their environment on their own and playing superheroes as soon as they find a nice stick!
Nevertheless, even the most enduring superheroes are entitled to be tired and need a super-parent to rescue and carry them during a more challenging journey than usual.
This obviously happens when you no longer have a backup baby carrier with you.
We recommend all parents to have a hip seat carrier support of the Hop-la type on hand in their bag!
Ultra-compact, the hop-la fits in a handbag, designed to support your child's bottom and relieve your arms. It does not replace a real baby carrier but can save your day in many everyday situations and proves to be a wise choice for many small trips with a "small-big"!
And the other carrying systems?
What about other carrying systems? Indeed, we did not mention slings and mei-tai in this article. These tend to be a bit more time-consuming to set up (especially for the sling) and/or have significant fabric lengths, making them less suited for quick uses than a sling or a preformed carrier, and we would not recommend those for specific quick-use scenarios.
However, if you already own them, do not hesitate to experiment with many different configurations to see for yourself and in your daily life whether they suit you, before considering other purchases!
As always in carrying, there is no single truth and it is up to each individual to choose based on their feelings.
You are now equipped for your small trips with babies! So, which baby carrier will you choose?
