One of the most useful piece of baby item I bought is my sarong baby carrier.  I find it more versatile than the normal baby carrier you see in the market.  It's also very good for breastfeeding mommies to breastfeed discreetly in public.  I can actually breastfeed my baby and walk around the shopping mall at the same time!  It is also very handy, if you are a Stay at Home Mom (SAHM), and need to get some urgent things done when baby is carrying to be carried.  You can carry your baby around and still have your hands free.  And if you are a 'disciple' of Dr William Sears, who advocates Attachment Parenting, the sling is a tool for you to be, well, attached to your baby like a marsupial.  Incidentally, Dr William Sears actually has his own sling product but it's quite pricey.  For more affordable version, go for the locally produced sarong sling.

The sling gives the greatest mileage because it can be used until your baby becomes a toddler (up to 3 years old/15kg).  It takes a little practising to get the hang of it but it is worth the money and worth learning how to use it.  Check out Slinging Good Time for a comprehensive introduction to ring slings.

I also own a Babybjorn. It's  quite pricey but Dominic liked it very much, until he outgrew it.  I find baby carrier like Babyjorn is better for younger infants.  Dominic didn't like to be cradled in a sarong sling when he was younger.  Besides, your hubby may not be the most keen to use a sling to carry a baby.  Mine thinks it's sissy and I have yet to convince him that it is not.

When getting a baby carrier,  make sure it is sturdy, safe, and does not strain your back or shoulders. Wide straps are better than thin straps in spreading the weight.   Make sure the carrier provides good support for your young infant whose neck is not strong yet.  Try it on with your baby before buying it.  And don't try to stinge on this item by getting the cheap ones and compromise on safety and comfort. 

Also, not all carriers allow the baby to be carried in both front-facing (baby looking out) and back-facing (baby facing your chest) style.  Carriers that only allow your baby to face your chest are usually the kind that do not support the neck of the baby well - that's why baby has to face your chest, otherwise he will tip forward.

When your baby is older (above 8 months) and outgrow the normal Babybjorn type of carrier, you can consider getting one of those backpack carriers.  Ergo is a pretty good baby carrier that really takes the weight off.

Lastly, if you are really adventurous, there is a whole world of interesting and different baby carriers out there.  A lot of them are not available locally but if you really love them, you can always order from overseas.  If you think sarong sling is uncommon, you haven't seen anything yet!  Check out sites such as www.peppermint.com to start your 'baby carrier education'!

What I Use :

I have a Moms in Mind silk sling, a BabyBjorn carrier and a Maya wrap.  I used to use a Moms in Mind cotton sling a lot.  But these days, my favourite is the Maya wrap.