The Carrier You Buy vs. The Carrier Your Consultant Recommends

Walk through any baby store or scroll online, and you’ll find shelves of carriers promising comfort, convenience, and closeness. The marketing is polished, the reviews sound glowing, and it seems simple: pick one, bring it home, and babywearing will just work. 

Except… it doesn’t always.

So many parents tell us the first carrier they bought ended up stuffed in a closet or listed on a resale site. It’s not that they didn’t want to babywear, it’s that the carrier they started with wasn’t the best fit for their body, their baby, or their lifestyle.

That’s where a babywearing consultant often comes in, but is that really the optimal time?

Why the First Carrier Often Misses the Mark

Marketing doesn’t tell the whole story.
Big brands market carriers like a one-size-fits-all solution, but no carrier works perfectly for every caregiver or every baby. The slick ad photos rarely show what happens when your newborn is tiny and floppy, when they cry, when your toddler is heavier than expected, or when you have a shorter torso, broader chest, or a healing C-section incision.

Reviews aren’t the same as guided expertise.
Scrolling product reviews or asking friends can be helpful, but those recommendations are based on their babies and their bodies. What works beautifully for your best friend might cause shoulder pain for you.

Misunderstandings about babywearing are common.
Many caregivers assume carriers are interchangeable, or that all styles work the same. But wraps, slings, structured carriers, and hybrids each behave differently. And knowing those nuances makes all the difference in comfort, positioning, and ease of use.

What Consultants Bring to the Table

Babywearing consultants don’t just know carriers; they understand babies and caregiver bodies.

Through training in infant development, caregiver needs, and the biomechanics of carrying, consultants can assess not only which carrier is right for you but why. They know:

•  How different carriers behave with a newborn vs. a six-month-old
•  Which adjustments make the difference between “kind of works” and “truly comfortable”
•  How postpartum recovery, chest size, torso length, or feeding needs influence fit
•  Which brands or styles are worth investing in, and which might not serve you long-term

A consultant’s recommendation isn’t based on a guess or a trend. It’s grounded in both technical training and real-life experience with hundreds of babies and caregivers.

But Why Wait? Prenatal Support Matters

Many parents come to consultants after they’ve already bought a carrier, had the baby, and realize that it isn’t working. By that point, they’ve often spent extra money, lost confidence, or even started to think babywearing “just isn’t for them.”

Working with a consultant, attending a workshop, or group before baby arrives changes that story. You get to:

•  Try different carriers in advance
•  Learn what to look for in fit and comfort
•  Start your babywearing journey with confidence instead of frustration

The carrier you add to your registry on a whim isn’t always the carrier that’s best for you. But the right guidance early on can save you time, money, and a lot of stress.

A babywearing consultant helps you find the carrier that fits your body, supports your baby’s development, and fits into your daily life, so that babywearing becomes the tool it’s meant to be: one that makes parenting easier, calmer, and more connected.

Looking for a consultant in your area? Check out our consultant locator!