Top Ten Tips for
Buying and Fitting Child Carriers

You may think that the patter of tiny feet means and end to walks in the countryside.  Your pushchairs get stuck in the mud and the thought of getting over a stile is now a major logistical challenge!

If you have a baby or toddler a child carrier will give you the flexibility to take the little ones with you where ever you want to go. Plus they’ll love being up at the same height as you, seeing things at your level and feeling part of the gang.

There are a multitude of child carriers on the market. To help you choose the right one for your family Rebecca McCalla, mum of two and founder of littleadventureshop.co.uk has put together ten top tips for buying and fitting child carriers:

1. When to start using a rucksack style (rear) child carrier: your child should be able to sit up by themselves comfortably before you start using a rear, rucksack style child carrier. This is usually around six months of age.
2. Weight of the child carrier: you are going to be carrying your child in a carrier from around six months of age until they are a solid lump of a three year old. Although your baby is light and easy to lift now, in a couple of years you might be grateful for all the weight saving you can get your hands on!  Remember consider and compare the weights of child carriers before you buy.
3. Ventilation: With your child on your back once you have got into your stride, you’ll be nice a warm……. and probably getting a bit sweaty! Look for a child carrier that is designed to help keep you cool so it sits slightly away from your back with mesh style material to allow air flow between you and your child.
4. Storage: Most child carriers have a large zip pocket under the seat. You want this storage to accommodate at least a rain/sun canopy, nappies, waterproofs, drinks and snacks. Some carriers have a “third leg” style collapsible stand, these tend to have larger under seat storage. But as is always the case the bigger the bag the more you’ll be tempted to pack and then have to carry. You don’t need a vast storage compartment unless you have planned some serious trekking.
5. Adjustability: If you are going to share the carrying make sure the range of the shoulder straps and hip belt reach is sufficient to fit everyone. Also ensure that the child’s seat position and straps are adjustable. Your child’s eye height should be level or slightly above yours, but they shouldn’t be able to see over your head.
6. Comfort: Good quality child carriers all have well designed shoulder straps and hip belts.  How comfortable the carrier is to wear is largely dependent on the way you have set it up for yourself. Make sure the hip belt fit is tight so you take the majority of the weight through your hips and not your shoulders. Pull the seat towards you (straps at the back of the shoulder strap) as much as possible without toppling your child forward as this will help keep their weight closer to your natural centre of gravity. Make sure you drop the seat height down as your child grows taller, again to maintain your natural centre of gravity.
7. Accessories: There are loads of accessories available; the only real “must have” is a sun/rain canopy. These are usually sold as one; a sun canopy that attaches to the top of the carrier and then a rain hood which you put over the top when you need it. If just the two of you are walking the sun canopy is really useful especially, you won’t be able to easily see over your shoulder if your little one dropped their sun hat in a field half an hour ago.
8. Keeping your child warm and comfortable: Whilst you are working away climbing up a hill, remember that your child is sitting still. Dress your child appropriately as they won’t be as warm as you are. Use layers; their usual clothes, then a fleece jumper and trousers and an all in one windproof/waterproof suit if required.
9. Putting on and taking off the child carrier: Don’t rely on the stand to hold the carrier upright when it is on the ground and your child is in it, a few wriggles and they’ll have it over.
10. When just the two of your are out: If you are walking on your own with your child take a small vanity type mirror with you so you can check all is well in the back without taking the carrier off.

More kit for my kids….do I really need one?
A child carrier isn’t a replacement for a pushchair, but in our experience having one helped us get out for family walks from when our baby was just 6 months old. Then it started to be used for more everyday activities, like shopping, it gave us more freedom and our daughter loved being up high. Now when we are out and about, we always chuck our child carrier in the car boot, for us it’s an essential bit if “kid kit”. 

For more advice on child carriers and other outdoor gear for kids check out www.littleadventureshop.co.uk.

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