Free your hands
Mom's hands are always busy. Baby wants to be near you, and until he starts walking, you have no other choice but to constantly carry him in your arms. Or in a baby carrier.
A baby carrier frees up mom's hands (in the most literal sense). In addition, it promotes the formation of attachment in the baby [1] and helps to maintain breastfeeding [2].
The British Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents recommends [1] to choose a baby carrier and backpack that keeps the child in an upright position and follows the TICKS rules. TICKS stands for:
Tight: The carrier (sling, wrap or kangaroo backpack) should firmly fix the baby on the parent's body without the slightest opportunity to fall out.
In sight: The crown of the baby's head should not be lower than the edge of the carrier and shouldn’t be covered by the fabric of the carrier. You should always be able to see baby’s face with a quick glance down.
Close enough to kiss: Baby should be at such a level that you, tilting your head, can kiss the top of his head so he doesn’t get overheated or starved of oxygen.
Keep chin off the chest: That is, a baby in a carrier should not sit huddled or in a fetal position as it could prevent him from breathing. There should be at least one finger width of space between his chin and chest.
Supported back: This point intersects with the first: the carrier should support the baby's back so he doesn’t slump, which could also prevent him from breathing.
