How to Choose a Kid Carrier / Baby Backpack for Carrying a Child on Your Back or Front

How to Choose a Baby Backpack / Kid Carrier

QUICK TIPS
Child carriers are for transporting children on an adult's back and can be used with toddlers / kids between 6 months and 5 years old. Always remember to protect your toddler / child from the weather's elements including the cold and sun. If you plan on packing a lot of belongongs and gear, select a kid carrier with extra storage capacity features.

------------------------------------------

Baby backpacks and child carriers are intended to be used by adults to transport small children who are capable of holding themselves upright. The youngest children appropriate for a child carrier are usually 6 or 8 months old. The oldest are 4 or 5 years old, or 45 pounds. Toddler carriers are best for traveling, hiking and general use around town. Because the added weight and movement of your child could cause you to lose your balance, child carriers are unsafe for climbing, hiking on loose rock, skiing, inline skating, bicycling and other such activities.

All child carriers feature an external frame, adjustable shoulder and waist straps, child harness and a foldout kickstand. If you think you will be using a child backpack only occasionally, you may not need all the features of the deluxe baby backpack models. However, if you intend to be more adventurous and carry more gear, more often, consider child backpack models with some of the following extras:

Extra storage room for gear and belongings, including removable diaper bags or day packs; More adjustability options for a nice comfortable fit; Removable sun / rain hood; Diaper changing pad, etc.

First and foremost, it is important to adjust the child carrier to fit you. When making your initial adjustments, use books to weight the backpack instead of your toddler. Adjust the suspension system to fit your torso, so that the hipbelt rests on your hip bones (not your waist) and the shoulder straps rest on your shoulders. Tighten the hipbelt so approximately 80% of the weight is on your hips. Tighten the shoulder straps so the child carrier is stabilized and the remaining 20% of the weight is on your shoulders. Adjust the sternum strap across your chest so that it doesn't interfere with your ability to breathe normally.

Before you put your child in the carrier, adjust the height of the child seat. Make sure the child's straps are loosened and the kickstand is fully extended.Put your child in the carrier, and make sure his or her feet come through the leg openings. Buckle and tighten all straps, including the hipbelt, shoulder straps, leg strap adjustments and sternum strap. Not all child carriers have all these strap options. Tighten the side compression straps. Check to make sure the children's shoulder straps fit smoothly over your child's shoulders and that the leg straps are comfortable.

The first few times you use it, ask someone to help you put an occupied child carrier on your back. Lift the child carrier by the top handles, slip on the shoulder straps and buckle the hipbelt. When removing the carrier, loosen the shoulder straps and unbuckle the hipbelt. Grabbing the handle behind your head, bring the carrier around to your front, and grasp the second handle to help you set the child carrier on the ground.

Don't leave your child unattended while he or she is in the child carrier. Children tend to fall asleep in child carriers; occasionally check your child's position and comfort. Child carriers are not entirely stable and thus are not intended to be used as a chair. Also a child carrier should never be placed on elevated surfaces such as a table, bench, bed etc. Do not use a kid carrier backpack if the frame or fasteners are or appear to be damaged. Be certain that your toddler is well-insulated and bundled up in cold weather.