Select a Soft Front Baby Carrier

Soft front baby carriers are for parents who want their child to sit upright against their chests. Designed to center a baby's weight near the parent's body, soft front baby carriers allow the baby to feel supported. Parents should make sure the soft front baby carrier they choose adjusts to fit everyone who plans to wear it in order to ensure the baby will have the support it needs. Before settling on a soft front baby carrier, there are a few characteristics and options that parents should consider. When researching the carriers, parents should look at the weight requirements, carrier types, seating options, and strap types.

Weight Requirements

All soft front baby carriers list minimum age, minimum weight, and maximum weight limits. Parents should not use soft front baby carriers with babies who do not meet the age and weight requirements set by the carrier manufacturer. This can result in injury to both the parent and the child.

Minimum Weight and Age Requirements

Parents need to pay close attention to minimum weight and age requirements when they buy a soft front baby carrier. Most soft front baby carriers have a minimum weight of eight pounds and minimum age of one week old. This ensures that the baby is secure in the carrier and that support is provided in all of the necessary places. Some soft front baby carriers, such as the Baby Bjorn, even have snaps or a piece of fabric to reduce the size of the leg openings for infants.

Maximum soft front baby carrier weight requirements

All carriers list a maximum weight limit, usually in the 20- to 35-pound range. It is especially important to follow the maximum weight restrictions because the carriers may break under too much weight. Parents will probably want to switch to a child carrier backpack or lightweight stroller when their baby reaches six or seven months old, no matter how much the baby weighs. At that age range, parents will start to feel the baby's weight pull them forward and be hit by the baby's legs as they walk. If concerned, it is recommended that parents contact the child's pediatrician with any questions.