Which backpack is best for children?

You probably need to start with the fact that the opinion of the Ministry of Health and the position of some pediatricians are radically different, therefore everything you read is advisory in nature, and the specified prohibitions and restrictions are only provided that this norm is generally accepted and supported by all parties.

What is a "kangaroo"

Initially, they were conceived and created as a “Hands free” design for mothers who need to go to the store, clean the house, and cook food. Its essence is simple - holding the child under constant visual control in close proximity without hand fatigue.

Speaking about how many months it can be used, it is necessary to clarify that this entirely depends on the specific design of the individual product. One way or another, the carrier bag is a kind of backpack, dressed back to front with the same straps that hold both the structure and the child.

In modern society there are two fundamentally different models:

1. Kangaroo for a child's lying position (used for transporting children under 6-7 months of age in a car);
2. A sitting bag (in fact, it is more standing), in which the child has free arms and partially legs (the support is on the back and butt, and the chest support is connected by a belt passed between the legs). This design is intended for transporting children older than 6-7 months (that is, those who can already sit independently).

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The best inexpensive models of ergo backpacks

pros

• low cost
• nice colors
• material - 100% cotton
• strong, reliable belts, slings and fasteners

Minuses

• baby can be worn from 4-6 months
• no pocket for small items
• It’s difficult to fasten the fastex on the back yourself

The backpack has the following colors - white, beige, blue, brown, red and crimson. Allows you to carry your child on the front, side and back. Designed for children aged 4-6 months to 4 years. There is a waist belt with a clasp; the straps are fastened by crossing them on the back into fastex on the sides.

SlingMe Comfort 012

pros

• low cost
• laconic design

Minuses

• The straps on the shoulder straps are not adjustable
• no pocket for small items
• small hood

The backpack has different colors - from plain to denim-style models. You can carry your baby on your back, chest and hip. An excellent budget option for parents who are not looking for beautiful models with various additional functions. Designed for children from 7 kg weight.

Chicco EasyFit

pros

• Italian famous manufacturer
• there is support for the head
• easy to put on

Minuses

• hard belts
• shoulder straps are narrow
• no waist belt

The model is made in a sporty style. The main color is gray, on the sides there is a bright color to choose from - red, blue, white. The model is not a full-fledged ergonomic backpack, since it requires sitting both facing the mother and with her back. When sitting down, the child receives a load on the spine, because the m-position is not observed. Designed for children weighing from 3 to 9 kg, i.e. up to approximately 1-2 years.

I Love Mum Smart

pros

• affordable price
• m-position
• natural fabric - 100% cotton
• wide waist belt and good quality clasps
• designed for weight up to 25 kg
• head support and hood

Minuses

• no pockets
• It’s hard to carry for a long time with a lot of weight

The model has nice colors with embroidery on the main part. Perfect for parents with large or adult children, as the maximum load is 25 kg. The child can only be seated facing you.

TeddySling Comfort

pros

• natural cotton materials
• affordable price
• supports 25 kg weight
• strong seams and secure fastenings
• m-position

Minuses

• no pockets
• You can't strap a backpack on your back
• There is no safety buckle on the belt

The ergo backpack is made of durable natural fabric with beautiful colors and patterns on the back. Withstands up to 25 kg of weight. It has a wide belt and foam straps for comfortable wearing. The way the baby is positioned is on the chest in the m-position facing the parent. There is a hood-cape.

Mum's Era Basic

pros

• low cost
• easy to put on and adjust the straps
• there are 2 pockets for small items
• can be worn on the chest and back
• safety bands
• suction pads
• there is a hood

Minuses

• not suitable for newborns
• The belt rubs the pelvis a little when walking

A good model for children under 4 years old. It comes in 3 beautiful colors - pink, blue and beige. Suitable for children from 6 months. Holds your child securely thanks to the m-position - even if you unfasten the belt, the child will remain in its position.

When choosing an ergo backpack, the priority is the safety of the child, the reliability of the fastenings, the comfortable placement of the baby in the m-position, and the even distribution of weight over the parent’s body. A nice bonus is the presence of a pocket for small items. The presented top contains all the popular models, from which you can easily choose the best option.

For a kangaroo to last a long time, you need to choose it correctly. To do this, when purchasing, the selected model is checked according to a number of criteria.

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The basis of the kangaroo is fabric. It must be:

• Natural. At least the inner layer. It is better that the entire carrier is made of environmentally friendly material.
• Don't shed. If the paint is washed off from the fabric when washed, this means that in order to reduce the cost of production, this process was simplified and cheaper materials were used.
• The seams must be strong and durable. They have to withstand the load of the child's weight.

The fittings should also be durable, without peeling paint. It is preferable to use metal fasteners and zippers. In second place is a tree. Plastic is best avoided.

The metal can also be different. Snaps are less durable than carabiners, so keep that in mind. Also, a transformable backpack for newborns from 0 should not have a cardboard bottom insert.

Functionality

The more functions this item has, the longer it will last. Therefore, it is necessary to balance expectations and purchasing possibilities. If you plan to wear a baby carrier only at 7-8 months of life, then there is no point in choosing a transformer from birth and vice versa.

It is important to consider how the backpack is fastened. The better it is thought out, the more valuable it is. You can buy the first one you come across, regardless of convenience. Then you will almost certainly have to face the fact that putting it on will be long and difficult.

Note! Most often, the mother has to put on, fasten the backpack, and put the baby in it herself. Therefore, when purchasing, you should definitely check whether it can handle this.

An example of a well-thought-out kangaroo pouch

Easy to care for

There are no clear restrictions on the choice of fabric, except naturalness. You can choose a kangaroo with a top layer of expensive silk, all at the discretion of the parents. But this will be impractical - such fabric requires special care. Therefore, it is better to choose a carrier based on the following criteria:

• Thick fabric. It is less subject to wear and easily tolerates washing. There are no clues on it. For example, linen will do.
• It is ideal if there is a special impregnation of the fabric - waterproof, for example.

A child's dowry is an expensive preparation. There is no need to skimp on quality. An inexpensive carrier will most likely be made from cheap materials. And, if it is not dangerous to health, it will simply last a very short time. The average price of a normal kangaroo bag starts from 3,000 rubles. It can reach up to 12000-15000.[2]

When not to use

"Kenguryatnik" is contraindicated for children:

• with diseases of the musculoskeletal system,
• with mental or neurotic disorders.

In certain circumstances, it is undesirable to use a bag for broken limbs, as well as for overweight or severe underweight.

All restrictions on the orthopedic profile are related to the physiology of the child’s body and the incompletely developed (not fully formed) skeleton.

kangaroo for newborns from how many months

KANGAROO SLING

is a hybrid between a kangaroo and a sling. It is designed for children from four to six months to three years of age. A unique thing - visually it looks like a kangaroo backpack, but at the same time it is physiological and safe, like a sling.

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Kangaroo sling “Classic”

is a child-wearing device that can be used
from 4 months to 3 years
.

The product has a foam pad in the back area that supports the baby's head. The side parts of the product are not lined with foam rubber, which allows the child’s body to breathe. The product has soft pads in the area of ​​the baby's popliteal cavities to alleviate pressure.

IN A KANGAROO SLING

the lower part of the device is expanded. The fabric supports the baby from knee to knee, while the baby's legs are spread apart, and the load on the perineum and spine is minimal. In addition, orthopedists recommend carrying the baby with his legs wide apart around the mother's waist. This position promotes the proper development of the hip bones and is the prevention of a number of diseases associated with the spine.

Design requirements or how to choose the right one

The simplicity of the “kangaroo” presupposes compliance with several basic rules and requirements, on which the safety of the child and the health of the mother depend.

1. Softness and strength of fastening (applies equally to belts and elements for fixing their required position). Here you should understand the quality of the belt support as a whole:

• the material from which these parts of the structure are made (soft, non-irritating, not a source of a possible allergic reaction and comfortable for the mother’s back - selected individually according to the characteristics of the body constitution);
• additional elements (rivets, zippers, buckles, buttons) must be made of hypoallergenic materials and not have sharp edges or corners to prevent injury;
• firmware, lining (for softness) and the quality of the seams with which the belts are connected to the main supporting “cradle”.

1. The material and rigidity of the supporting frame (it is, as a rule, fabric, possibly two-layer with a soft interlining made of artificial filler, batting, padding polyester). Stiffness refers to the tension of the fabric and its ability to stretch under the influence of the child’s weight.

1. The number of elements holding the baby and the presence of several operating positions for the product.

In general, if you look more closely and carefully, there are signs by which you can distinguish a good, worthwhile item from consumer goods sewn in the basement, for example: changes in color, size and density after washing, stretching of belts and fastenings during long-term use.

All children's products must have the necessary documents confirming the certification, and a copy of the product quality guarantee certificate must also be available.

Especially for hurrying and fussing mothers, we remind you that children's carrier bags are sold (if they are branded and of high quality) in individual packaging, where along with the product there must be paper with the name of the manufacturer, place of production and the seal of the quality control department (if the model is dismountable, then assembly diagrams and a verified list of completeness of the supplied product must be attached.

Review of popular brands

Kangaroos for newborns are produced under different brands, each of which has its own nuances and features.

Baby Bjorn

The convenience of products of this brand lies in the following indicators:

• ease;
• compactness;
• strength;
• distinguished by a recognizable laconic design.

The most popular model for infants is the Miracle model, since the development of the design was based on the body features of the growing baby. It can withstand weight up to 15 kg, making it possible to place the child in 2 positions - on the chest and on the back.

The advantages include a special belt designed to support the parent’s lower back and optimize the load. The presence of a special insert and headrest promotes the correct position of the baby.

Globex

The brand was founded in 1998 and specializes in the production of a variety of children's products from environmentally friendly natural materials. This Russian company offers products that successfully compete with the products of foreign brands, since its performance and convenience are excellent, and the cost is lower than Polish products.

A popular model is called “Panda”, recommended for children over 2 months old. However, due to the presence of a lying position, many people use this kangaroo from the first walk in their life. The compacted frame makes the baby's sleep not only sound, but also physically correct.

Chicco

One of the famous brands of children's products. Consumers highlight Go Baby - a classic option when you can carry a child in a carrier from birth. The smallest children are positioned facing their mother, and after 4 months they can be moved to another position - facing the outside world.

The product does not have a lying position, but it is different:

• thoughtful design;
• hard back;
• comfortable headrest.

This ensures the correct fit of the child and allows you to carry babies without fear of injuring their spine. The maximum load is limited to 9 kg.

A Russian brand that produces reliable kangaroo backpacks in which a child can be carried from birth to 2 years. For sewing, cotton fabric is used, to which some synthetic threads are added to increase its strength. The products are wear-resistant.

Kangaroo Lux is the choice of most parents; they recommend it for its special insert, which allows you to comfortably transport newborn babies. As your child gets older, you can use the adjustable straps to adjust the product to the desired size.

The manufacturer has taken care of such an accessory as a double-sided waterproof bib. This allows you to protect the kangaroo itself from various surprises. The model confirms its thoughtfulness by the presence of an external pocket where you can put small items. The downside is the lack of a headrest.

Baby Care

The Polish brand offers popular transformers that are inexpensive and easy to care for. The most popular model among all kangaroos is HS-3184.

Since it is assumed that the child will be carried in this product from the first days of life, the kangaroo can easily be transformed into a sling, which will be held on one strap and guarantee a horizontal position on the chest.

The inner part of the product is made of natural fabric, and the outer part is made of lavsan. Caring for the carrier is easy: it can be machine washed at 30°C.

The maximum permissible load is 15 kg.

Inglesina

A manufacturer from Italy offers stylish kangaroo models. Safe operation and selected materials for construction are what the manufacturer pays attention to, since it positions the products as intended for walking from the first days of a child’s life.

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Among the advantages:

• strict international safety and quality standards;
• elegant shape;
• high functionality.

In this kangaroo, the baby can be carried after discharge from the hospital and up to 9 months. You don’t have to worry about the correct position of the newborn’s head: special support will provide it. The manufacturer also took care of the mother by creating a belt system with lumbar support, which minimizes the load on the back.

Kangaroos differ from this manufacturer:

• intuitive simplicity;
• practicality;
• security;
• anatomical comfort for the child and parent.

What stands out is the First Go design, which can be used to carry babies. The advantage of the model is the possibility of a horizontal position, which is the most comfortable for the child. Being in close proximity to his mother's body, he will feel as if he is in a cradle.

The baby can remain in this position in the kangaroo until the baby is 4 months old, after which the backpack is placed in a vertical position to secure the baby on the chest, back or side. The kangaroo backpack is designed to be used by children from birth to 4 years of age. The manufacturer offers models in 3 different colors - black, red and blue.

Kangaroos for newborns from this Italian manufacturer are famous for their good load distribution.

Pod is an original carrier that has one strap that is put on the shoulder so that additional support points are formed in the chest area of ​​the parent and under his arm. Because of this design, the weight of the child is practically not felt, so the kangaroo can be worn for up to 4 years. Since the baby is located on the mother's hip, she does not experience lumbar discomfort, which is common for ordinary kangaroos.

The fabric for sewing is cotton, and since the manufacturer is aware of the importance of the correct position of the child's head, he added a padded headrest to the kangaroo.

Womar Eco

This is a type of ergo-backpack from a Polish manufacturer of sports design. Children from six months to 3 years old are worn in it in a sitting position. The baby can be positioned in front of the mother on the chest or behind the back. The disadvantage is that the product is not designed to position the child with his back to the parent.

A kangaroo for a newborn from this manufacturer has the following advantages:

• thoughtful seating: the baby sits in the “toad” position with legs wide apart and a natural position of the spine;
• soft back: thanks to its design, it follows the curves of the child’s body;
• natural materials: the fabric of the product is pleasant to the touch, does not rub and allows the body to breathe;
• the presence of wide straps: thanks to them the weight is distributed evenly;
• adjustable design of the straps: this allows you to change the distance for a comfortable fit for the baby in clothes of any season or when breastfeeding;
• comfortable soft headrest: supports the head and protects from external influences;
• hood: protects from bad weather.

golden goose

The domestic manufacturer attracts those who choose:

• naturalness;
• quality;
• comfort;
• availability.

The company from the Moscow region has its own image, which has developed over 20 years of impeccable work for the benefit of small customers. By supplying the shelves of children's stores with products, the manufacturer tries to make it better, improving and developing it. Reliable sewing technology and only natural materials make these kangaroos the choice of responsible parents.

The JOY model is one of the most popular from this brand. It involves 2 positions for the baby - lying and sitting, and he can sit with his face or back to his mother. This type of carrier is a backpack with thick straps that cross on the back.

The kangaroo's back is rigid and has a removable visor in case of bad weather. You can even purchase such a model for a baby: in a lying position, his neck is provided with reliable support.

Miracle Child

Among the products of this company, most parents highlight BabyActive Simple. This functional backpack is designed for the fact that the baby will start wearing it right away, and can be finished at 2 years old, if the child does not weigh more than 15 kg. The device can be easily expanded into a cradle or placed in a breastfeeding position.

Changing position is easy: you can do it while wearing it. The fabric from which the product is made simultaneously breathes and repels water, so the demi-season use of the kangaroo will be comfortable.

Article design: Svetlana Ovsyanikova

World experience and domestic developments

According to European and North American statistics, about 70% of mothers have used a kangaroo at least once, while only 43% of them continued to use the product. This suggests that in most cases mothers prefer to carry the child in their arms, since control over the position of the child’s body is more complete.

If we compare baby carriers before and after 6-7 months, preference is given to recumbent options because of their functionality. And at a later date, strollers and boxes that are inserted into them are more often used.

Recently, more and more often, young mothers give preference to the eastern versions of “kangaroos” - it’s quite difficult to call them full-fledged bags, but the child sits in them quite confidently, and only the mother’s neck and shoulders get tired. The design, developed in Japan, is a frameless fabric (wool for cold weather, bamboo for hot weather) sling across the neck and under one arm (optional). It is interesting that in this design there is only one component and one single fastening - a wide strip of fabric, cut at an angle and a standard buckle with two or three jumpers for more precise fixation of the required position.

Domestic pediatrics, represented by leading doctors and research specialists, is inclined to the opinion that the use of “kangaroos” at a very early age is undesirable, but after the child begins to sit confidently (individually, usually after 6-8 months) - as much as necessary (without fanaticism, of course).

Separately, it is worth noting domestic developments, which provide not only for carrying a child, but also for feeding without unfastening or removing the device from the shoulders.

Oddly enough, only in domestic models there is an additional supporting “section” for the abdomen and chest (for comparison, in foreign models they are usually limited to belts).

What kind of baby kangaroos are there?

Depending on their age, kangaroos are different. Some are designed for children from 6 months of age who are already sitting. Others suggest use from birth to a year and a half, gradually rebuilding the carrier to suit the changing baby.

Classical

It looks like a backpack. Its task is to hold the baby, who sits confidently on his own. It is not suitable for bedridden children. It looks like this: a seat made of dense material has several straps. They fasten the backpack onto the belt to the parent, waist, and shoulders. Moreover, several positions are available: both facing the mother’s chest and facing the world, even on the parent’s back.

Classic backpack carrier

Important! The load here is not placed on the baby’s entire bottom, but only on the perineum. It is as if an adult, instead of sitting on a chair, sat on a narrow bar and dangled his legs. You won’t be able to stay in this position for a long time – it’s uncomfortable. You definitely need to give your baby a massage afterwards, paying special attention to the back.

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Kangaroo transformer

Kangaroo carriers, which are allowed from birth, can usually be slightly modified to suit the baby's age. Most often these are the following steps:

1. Kangaroo bag for baby. It has a horizontal position, a rigid back and sides. The strap for an adult is often thrown over one parent's shoulder and goes obliquely across the chest and back.
2. Backpack for baby. In it, the baby is positioned only facing the mother. Another difference is the high back, which protects the baby’s head.
3. Backpack for older children. Part of the backrest is lowered in it. The baby can also be seated facing the world (psychologists recommend resorting to this as late as possible).
4. Backpack for babies from 9 months (on average). Babies at this age already sit well and confidently. They can even be attached to the parent's back.
5. Hipsit. This modification of the baby carrier for a child involves a hard pad, a “balcony” on the waist belt. It is used for children after a year, when they can no longer sit fastened for a long time. Hipsit does not imply the use of straps that should support a one-year-old baby; only an adult holds him.

An example of a transformable kangaroo

Many parents believe that all of the above are the same thing. However, this opinion is wrong. The difference is as follows:

• A sling is a long scarf that can be wrapped on its own, using rings or simple clasps. It is the safest for the baby (from birth) and the parent, but at the same time it is difficult to wrap.
• An ergo backpack is a more complicated carrier than a kangaroo. The main difference is that the load on the baby’s pelvis is distributed correctly, its legs are in the “M” position, not “P”. At the same time, the ergo is more difficult to put on, it does not have positions facing the world and on the parent’s back.
• A kangaroo is a simple device that has many uses.