When choosing a carrier, you should consider the age and weight of your baby. Most baby carrier manufacturers have specific weight recommendations. You want to make sure that the carrier is made to hold the weight of your baby now, and possibly for the next few months. On the other hand, having a baby that weighs less than the manufacturer recommends may not be safe because your baby may slip through the openings and possibly fall out.

Many baby carrier manufacturers have carriers that come in different sizes to make baby wearing more comfortable for moms and dads. You want to make sure that the carrier that you choose is made for your body size. Usually for slings and pouches, it’s just a matter of measuring from the top of your shoulder to about the middle of the side of your waist. You want to check with the manufacturer for specific models, as each one would have different measuring techniques and sizes.

Some baby carriers can be adjusted with rings or fasteners, while others may just be a matter of wrapping the fabric around your body and tying to secure. Either way, once you get the carrier, you may want to practice getting it on and off before you put your baby in it. Practice getting your baby in and out of the carrier. You may also want to try carrying some other object in it, such as a sack of potatoes or a heavy doll to get a sense of what it feels like and make any necessary adjustments.

After you decide to try carrying your baby in the carrier, you should still support your baby with one hand just to make sure that it feels safe and secure for both of you. For many moms it’s still a little scary to let go, call it the mothering instinct. It may be hard to let your guard down and relax, but the more you and your baby get used to the carrier, the easier it will become.

When in doubt, you should always err on the safe side when using a baby carrier. Never cook or reach over the stove. Be careful when drinking coffee or other hot liquids. And keep in mind that your baby might be reaching for things. You also will need to get a sense of feeling larger and wider, and being aware of the size of you and your baby while going around corners and other tight places. You don’t want your baby bumping in to things. Also, always support your baby with your hands if you bend over as to prevent your baby from falling out of the carrier.

With these tips, you should hopefully be better educated when choosing a baby carrier. Now go ahead and shop for that beautiful and stylish carrier, or carriers. Just always remember to have fun and be safe.

If you are a new dad, you need guidance, without having to feel like less of a man by asking others for advice. So here are some tips as to how to care for your new baby:

1. First, you must realize that the first couple of months may make you feel second in line. Only the mother can breastfeed, and her maternal instincts are kicking into overdrive by trying to care for the baby’s every need. However, new dad, you may not be able to breastfeed the baby, but you can still feel important by changing the diapers, rocking the baby to sleep, caring for a crying baby, and etc… Do not let yourself feel second in line. Not only will you feel better about your parenting skills, your wife will greatly appreciate the help.

2. Since the baby’s routine in the first couple of weeks is to eat, sleep, cry, and poop every couple of hours, alternate caring for the baby with your wife. You both will benefit greatly from this tagged team effort. You will not only get more sleep, you both will be less irritable and happier loving parents. If you work during the day, when you get home, watch the baby so she can sleep for a couple of hours. At night, let her care for the baby for a couple of hours so your refreshed for work. Make sure you offer this to your wife! This is a no lose situation.

3. This next one is very important. Not only has your wife’s body changed in many ways, she may be suffering from the postpartum blues as her emotions act like a roller coaster. Simple things like telling your wife how beautiful she is, and how proud you are of her being such a great mother will make her feel happier, and lessen the brunt of insults that may fly your way. And if your caught in the cross hairs of these emotions, let the emotion-filled words slide right off your back and continue to show your love to her. This is the true test of being a good husband, dad, and a man.

4. Finally, no manual in the world can tell you how to raise the perfect child. You may learn what the best food to feed your baby is, or the latest safest toys, but parenting comes from first-hand experience. Everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. Not your wife, your mother, father, or even you. Stop trying to live up to these idealistic fantasies of how to be the perfect dad. He does not exist. What you can do, is make a conscious decision to love your child endlessly no matter what, and to support him or her through thick and thin. Just try your best and at the end of the day hopefully you can learn from your mistakes.