Soft Structured Carrier Tutorials

Also referred to as: SSC, Buckle Carrier, Full Buckle

Ergobaby Original Baby Carrier Teal Ergonomic Carrier, Front Carry Image sourced from ergobaby.com	Tula Toddler Carrier - Trendsetter Navy Ergonomic Carrier, Back Carry Image sourced from tulababycarriers.com	Babybjorn Miracle Carrier Narrow Based Carrier, Forward Facing Image sourced from johnlewis.com

Description

A structured, usually shaped body panel attached to a waistband with a buckle closure and shoulder straps which attach to the body panel above the leg holes. Straps use buckles and ladder locks.

Good For

• Front Carries: depends on brand; typically good for all ages. Some brands require an infant insert for newborns.
• Hip Carries: depends on brand; for brands that allow it, good for babies with strong truck control
• Back Carries: depends on brand; for brands that allow it, good for babies who fit the carrier without inserts/modification and can sit independently.
• Forward Facing: Depends on brand; requires a carrier with either a narrow base or an ergonomic base that snaps in to a narrow setting. If so, good for babies with strong head and trunk control.

Advantages

The easiest style of carrier to learn to use. Very dad-friendly for fathers reluctant to learn wraps or slings. Usable by multiple sizes of wearers.

Disadvantages

Panel size is dependent on child's size. Therefore a parent who chooses to wear as their baby reaches toddlerhood or preschooler age may need to upgrade to a toddler-size or preschool-size carrier.

Structured, tailored design means that some brands may fit the wearer better than other brands. Preferable to try carriers on in person before purchasing.

Requires child to be fully sitting independently for extended periods of time before they can be used for a back carry.

Variations

• Narrow Based Carriers (NBCs) like <a href="http://wiki.babywearingdiy.com/do/edit/Main/BabyBjorn?topicparent=Main.CarrierTypes;nowysiwyg=0" rel="nofollow" title="BabyBjorn (this topic does not yet exist; you can create it)"> BabyBjorn </a>: has a narrower base that does not support baby's legs in an ergonomic "M" position. Not a safety risk for healthy babies, but may possibly exacerbate problems in babies predisposed to hip displasia.
• Unstructured, unpadded carriers like the Connecta or Sew Toot Voyager. Unpadded waist band is worn "apron style" (like a meh dai) and means that the carrier is less bulky and folds up smaller in a diaper bag.
• Hybrid carriers (Emeibaby, XOXO) combine aspects of a wrap with the ease of buckles.

Sizing

Body panel size is based on child's size. Body panel should be tall enough to reach at least up to baby's armpits but not so tall that baby's airway is obstructed. For new babies who still need neck support, panel should come up between the nape of their neck and the base of the ears. Some carriers recommend a brand-specific "infant insert" to provide core support for newborns, transitioning to the use of a "pillow" (or a rolled up receiving blanket) once the child fills out the body panel but is still a little too short for it. The width should be wide enough to support baby's legs from knee-pit to knee-pit (in an ergonomic carrier; narrow based carriers are not designed to do so) while still allowing the legs to swing freely at the knee. Babies whose legs are too short for the knees to swing freely off the sides of the panel should either be using an insert or (if the carrier allows) should be using the carrier snapped in to a narrow base setting. The straps on most soft structured carriers are one-size-fits-most, although some can be made with extra-length straps or can be sold with waist extenders.