The Basics: Baby Backpack Carriers

Backpack carriers make for happy kids. Babies and toddlers love the unusually high vantage point and being close to mom and dad--and parents (most of the time) love having their little ones chattering in their ears.

Backpack carriers are best suited for children over six months who have steady head and neck control and the confidence to sit relatively unsupported. Forty-five pounds of child is usually the max for a backpack carrier--and a back! Backpack frames tend to be of metal or plastic, and they're pleasantly lightweight and can stand on their own.

Amenities might include a weather canopy, storage compartments, toy loops, key chains and more. Some even convert to strollers. Backpack carriers come with three-point or five-point harnesses; five is more secure. Fabrics are breathable and washable (you don't often get a choice of colors--usually each model has its own dedicated color), and the backpack carriers are usually sporty in appearance.

How to Shop

Your best bet is to wait until your child is ready for a backpack carrier and then try on a few makes and models for size and comfort. Look for wide and generously padded shoulder and lumbar support straps, stability and adjustability (so it suits any adults who plan to wear it). Some carriers are likely to be easier to put on than others, and some will surely seem more comfortable for the child than others. Many parents prefer open footing, meaning the child has no foot rest (some toddlers use the foot rest to "jump" up and down, much to their parent's discomfort).

There are other features to consider. If the carrier will be used by two or more persons who are of different heights or sizes, having a carrier that easily adjusts to the person doing the carrying is important. Some models have a brace or a stand that allow the backpack to stand on its own. This helps when you have to put the backpack on by yourself. Others have removable compartments, washable burb clothes, adjustable heights or reclining seats.