• Check Baby Product and Toy Safety Information

• Discover Baby Carriers

• Choose a Soft Front Baby Carrier

• Strap on a Baby Sling

• Find Baby Carriers on eBay Australia

• Buy Baby Carriers With Confidence

• Need More Help?

• Legal Disclaimer

Check Baby Product and Toy Safety Information

Check Baby Product and Toy Safety Information

It is prudent when buying items for your baby or child to ensure that the product meets current safety standards. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) has published safety information about baby products that you can read for important safety advice. Before buying, check if the product you are intending to purchase is on the ACCC ban list or recalled items list.

Discover Baby Carriers

Discover Baby Carriers

When shopping for baby carriers, you'll notice they are available in a variety of sizes and designs. There are two major choices available to parents: soft front baby carriers and baby slings. Child carrier backpacks and hip carriers will also work for older babies and toddlers.

• Soft front baby carriers: Front baby carriers are a good choice for parents who prefer a baby carrier that distributes weight across both shoulders, and allows the baby's legs to freely stretch outside of the baby carrier. Soft front baby carriers have a fabric seat with leg openings and straps that crisscross over your back. Your baby sits against your chest in an upright position, with his or her head supported by the back of the baby carrier. As babies get older, some soft front baby carriers will also allow them to face outwards.

• Baby slings: Baby slings are made of a long stretch of fabric and distribute your baby's weight across your back and over one shoulder. Baby slings let you nurse discreetly and you can use it in various positions optimised for infants, older babies, and toddlers. They are easy to remove and you simply slip the baby sling over your head to take it off. As newborns tend to curl up into the foetal position when they're initially placed in a baby sling, if you would rather have your baby's legs stretched out, then choose a front carrier instead.

• Child carrier backpacks: Child carrier backpacks have the appearance of hiking backpacks. They are useful for taking your baby on hikes and for long walks. It is essential that your baby is able to sit upright without assistance to go in a child carrier backpack, usually around 6 months old. Several child carrier backpacks also have a handy storage compartment so that you can leave your nappy bag at home.

• Hip baby carriers: Hip baby carriers have a canvas seat that sits on your hip, a shoulder strap that swings around your body like a sling, and a strap that fits around your waist. Hip carriers are a good choice for carrying older babies and toddlers as they generally have less fabric than a sling, and also have higher weight limits.

As your baby will spend a lot of time in the baby carrier sitting close to your body, it's important to choose the right baby carrier for you and your child. Look for a baby carrier that is made of a soft and breathable fabric to avoid overheating. A washable fabric will also make for easy maintenance.

Choose a Soft Front Baby Carrier

Choose a Soft Front Baby Carrier

If you're shopping for a baby carrier that will allow your child to sit upright on your chest, then a soft front baby carrier is the right choice for you. Not only will your baby feel supported but their weight will be distributed evenly across your shoulders.

Meet soft front baby carrier weight requirements

Ensure that your read the specifications regarding the minimum age, minimum weight, and maximum weight limits, that come with all soft front baby carriers. Never use soft front baby carriers with babies that do not meet the age and weight requirements set by the carrier manufacturer.

• Minimum soft front baby carrier age requirements: All soft front baby carriers will list a minimum weight and age requirement. Most soft front baby carriers have a minimum weight of 3.6kg and minimum age of 1 week old. You'll find that some soft front baby carriers, like the Baby Bjorn baby carrier, even have snaps or a piece of fabric that reduce the size of the leg openings for infants.

• Maximum soft front baby carrier weight requirements: Listed by all soft front baby carrier manufacturers, the maximum weight limit, is usually between 9kg and 15.8kg.

When your baby reaches 6 or 7months of age, you may want to switch to a child carrier backpack, or a lightweight stroller. At this stage you will start to notice the baby's weight pull you forward, and your baby's legs will probably hit your own legs as you walk. Contact your paediatrician with any questions.

Select soft front baby carrier seating options

Soft front baby carrier seats should give your baby complete head and neck support. Leg openings that have additional padding for comfort are also ideal. Look for a seat that you can fully remove or unsnap at one side. If your baby falls asleep in the carrier, you can take it off easily and lay your baby down for a nap.

Buy convertible soft front baby carriers

For maximum flexibility, look for a soft front baby carrier that lets you face your baby towards you, as well as out towards the world.

• Forward-facing soft front baby carriers: Infants can face your chest for security, comfort, and head support.

• Outward-facing soft front baby carriers: Once babies reach 4 or 5 months of age, they like to see what's going on around them. Outward-facing babies that have a decent amount of head support, can freely kick and experience their environment without a struggle.

Some soft front baby carriers also convert into a basic cloth backpack.

Evaluate soft front baby carrier straps

When shopping for soft front baby carriers, look for well-padded and wide shoulder straps that crisscross at the centre of your back. Carriers that cross between your shoulder blades put greater pressure on your neck and back and aren't as comfortable for long-term use. Evaluate the photos provided in item listings to see where shoulder straps are on a carrier. If you can't determine the shoulder strap position from the photos, send the seller an email and ask them directly.

Ensure the soft front baby carrier you eventually buy is adjustable and can fit everybody who plans to wear it. If you or your spouse is tall, buy a carrier with extra-long straps or extendable straps designed for larger people.

Parents who are more active will need a soft front baby carrier with a waist belt. Front carriers with waist belts, including particular models from Snugli and the Active Baby Bjorn, distribute weight more evenly across your body, thus relieving stress on your upper back and shoulders during long-distance walks.

Strap on a Baby Sling

Strap on a Baby Sling

Popular and traditional baby slings, cover your infant in fabric and can be converted into a seat as well for toddlers. The baby-sling fabric, which cradles your newborn close to your chest, also allows for discreet nursing. Use a kangaroo-carry position or hip-carry position for older babies and toddlers who like to see more of the world. Ensure the baby sling you buy includes its original instruction manual or videotape demonstrating the different holding positions.

• Padded baby slings: Baby slings, typically have a maximum weight limit of 13.6kg. They have a shoulder pad that you can use as a newborn head support, padding on the edge of the fabric, and a plastic ring which holds the fabric in place. Move the fabric through the plastic ring to achieve the right fit and change seating positions.

• Wrap baby slings: Wrap baby slings generally have a maximum weight limit of 15.8kg. They are made simply of sturdy, unpadded cotton fabric. They typically have more material than traditional baby slings, with the extra fabric providing more adjustability options. Many baby wraps can also work as a back carrier.

"Attachment parenting" encourages emotional bonding through close contact and breastfeeding so that children grow into secure and caring adults. This phrase was coined by Dr William Sears, an American paediatrician who designed the Original BabySling from NoJo with this parenting philosophy in mind. Parents who subscribe to the attachment parenting philosophy, and mothers looking for the easiest carrier for breastfeeding, will often select a baby sling over other types of child carriers.

Find Baby Carriers on eBay Australia

Find Baby Carriers on eBay Australia

Once you know what type of baby carrier you want, visit eBay Australia's Baby & Maternity portal, click the Carriers & Backpacks link under Travel, and start searching for item listings.

• Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down choices. For example, under Travel, you will find links to Carriers & Backpacks, Car Seats & Accessories, Portable Cots and Other.

• Keyword search: Search eBay Australia listing titles for specific keywords. For example, if you want to find a Baby Bjorn baby carrier, type "baby bjorn carrier" or simply the brand name, "baby bjorn" (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Click "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay Australia's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Australia Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay Australia will email you when a match becomes available.

Buy Baby Carriers With Confidence

Buy Baby Carriers With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay Australia and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

• Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

• If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

• Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay Australia (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay Australia are not covered by eBay Australia protection programs.

• Never pay for your eBay Australia item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

• What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

• What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

• Most top eBay Australia sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay Australia and PayPal are there for you.

• Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorised payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to $1,500.

• eBay Australia Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay Australia's quick and efficient resolution tools.

Need More Help?

Need More Help?

Visit our help pages or start a thread on one of our Community Discussion Boards - If you have a quick question that needs answering, try posting it on our community Answer Centre - there's bound to be a seasoned eBay Australia veteran with just the information you're looking for!

Legal Disclaimer

Legal Disclaimer

Buying Guides are intended merely as a guide or review for members when considering what products or services they may be interested in bidding on or purchasing. eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the accuracy of the information or content contained in these Buying Guides. Furthermore, eBay does not make, and nothing in these Buying Guides is intended to constitute, any warranties, guarantees, representations or assurances about the nature or performance of the products or services appearing in the Buying Guides. Content, trademarks and brands referred to and contained in the third-party links provided are the property of their respective owners, and eBay has no control over and accepts no responsibility for their content. eBay is not affiliated with nor does it endorse the use of any particular product or service.