Some baby carrier designs are so versatile that you will be fine with just one. However, the use cases will still have limitations.
Whether you need multiple baby carriers or not will depend mostly on your lifestyle and whether an additional carrier will help you access certain activities… Or you may just be looking for an upgrade on what you have.
In this article, we will explore whether you really do need multiple baby carriers and what circumstances may warrant the extra purchase.
Do I Need Multiple Baby Carriers?
You do not need multiple baby carriers if your intended use is within the guidelines of the manufacturer for that style of carrier.
For example, if you want to use your carrier from the birth of your child and do not plan on babywearing into the late toddler years then a baby wrap is all you will ever need – assuming you have the patience to tie the knot correctly.
Another suitable design could be a soft structured baby carrier that has a compatible infant insert that will allow you to use the carrier with a newborn and before the usual recommendation of being four months old for this style of carrier.
However, there are plenty of reasons why you will want more than one baby carrier. Especially for those with diverse lifestyles.
When is Having Two Baby Carriers Helpful
Here we will cover six common scenarios where having a second baby carrier can be extremely helpful.
1. You have Twins
If you have twins you have the option to buy two separate baby carriers, or you could buy a dual baby carrier designed for tandem babywearing.
The advantage of two separate carriers is that when you have mom and dad there you can split the load and carry a baby each!
2. You Have a Sick Baby
A sick baby will chew, cough, and drool all over a carrier. If you have two children that use the same carrier you will want a spare to keep them away from these germs.
Even if you only have one child it can be handy to have a second one so they are always going into a clean carrier. This brings us to our next point.
3. Cleaning Your Carrier
Your carrier will be subject to all kinds of mess from your baby. If you use your carrier often then having a spare will allow you to continue to babywear while the other is in the washing machine.
In reference to the previous point, if your baby vomits (or worse) in the carrier then you will have no control over the urgency of the cleaning process. Having a second carrier at hand could be a godsend!
4. Age Differences
Some carriers are more suitable for children of different ages. Coming back to the baby wrap example that we used earlier, you will find that the weight capacity of most wraps is around 33-35lbs.
If you have one infant and one older toddler you may not be able to use the same carrier due to the weight difference. A structured carrier can usually handle 45lbs depending on the brand and can accommodate the older child.
5. Both Parents Babywear Frequently
You may find that constantly adjusting the shoulder straps and waistband is an annoyance and you just want your own carrier set up the way you like it.
A poorly fitted carrier can cause back pain and is a risk that you could do without. So in many cases, it is just easier to get a second carrier.
6. Lifestyle Demands
It is also very common to buy additional carriers that are designed for specific purposes.
For example, a framed backpack carrier can be used to take your child hiking. This is a heavy-duty baby carrier that is not suitable for everyday use.
Practical Baby Carrier Combinations
If you are looking to buy more than one baby carrier then you will generally want them to serve a slightly different purpose (unless you have twins).
Below we have summarised the suitable baby carrier designed by age and other purposes. If you select one from differing segments then you can see how you will cover all of your babywearing needs.
Suitable for Newborns
- Baby Wraps
- Ring Slings
- Soft-structured carriers + infant insert
Suitable for Toddlers
- Soft-structured carriers
- Hipseat carriers
Suitable for Twins
- 2x Soft-structured carriers
- Tandem baby carrier
Lifestyle Carriers
- Backpack carriers for hiking
- Quick-dry carriers for swimming
Do People Buy More Than Two Carriers?
Yes, people often buy more than two baby carriers. The motivations for doing so can either be practical or frivolous – but if you can afford it who cares!
We have covered most of the practical reasons already in this article. Especially for parents with active lifestyles that want an everyday carrier and then one for an additional activity like swimming or hiking.
On the frivolous side, you will find that some parents just like owning multiple baby carriers and have made a hobby out of collecting them.
Conclusion
You can get by just fine with only one baby carrier and we have provided a stack of resources in our baby carrier info hub to help you choose the most suitable carrier for your circumstances.
As you can see there are so many options available that you may want to explore how a second baby carrier can complement your lifestyle, or if you just want a spare.
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