Frugal Babywearing
We believe that the carriers we offer are a great value. You will get as much
use, if not more, out of your baby carrier as you will your stroller, which
you are likely to pay substantially more for! That being said, many of us are
on a budget and interested in frugal options.
In general, pouches and ring slings are the most economical carriers, since
they have less material and sewing involved. Buckle carriers are the most expensive,
due to the extensive sewing, the cost of buckles, webbing, padding etc.
Do keep in mind that part of the value of the carrier lies in its versatility
and how long you will be able to use it. One woven wrap or mei tai, for example,
can last you from birth to toddler hood and beyond, in a variety of positions
and fitting differently sized people. A pouch, while a smaller outlay of cash,
usually only fits one parent and may become uncomfortable for very long carries
as the baby gets older due to being one-shouldered.
The most economical baby carriers available at Carry Me Away are:
To this list, we add that the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouch (especially
in fleece) is an exceptional value, due to its comfort over time and some adjustability
between wearers.
Why the Baby Carriers at Carry Me Away May Be More Expensive than
the Ones at Your Local Big Box Store.
Many people are surprised at the price of the baby carriers sold here at Carry
Me Away. Jan Andrea of Sleeping Baby.net has written a great piece explaining
why baby carriers made by WAHM (work-at-home-mother) businesses are priced
the way they are. You can read it here.
Making Your Own Baby Carriers
If you are an excellent seamstress, making your own baby carrier can be a
great way to get a good carrier for the cost of materials plus the cost of
your time making the carrier.
Since we are not seamstresses here at Carry Me Away, we humbly defer to others
for advice on making your own baby carrier. Jan Andrea of SleepingBaby.net
(again!) has collected many of the best ones (as well as patterns
for other baby and natural parenting related items) at her
site.
A note on buying carriers on EBay or other similar venues:
Many sellers on EBay offer homemade baby carriers at a reduced rate. It is
important to be sure before you buy that these carriers have undergone testing
and research to be sure that they are safe. Ask the seller questions about
testing and safety prior to buying! | 
