New Simple "Sash" Baby Carriers Offer Ease and Comfort for Baby Wearers

A new baby carrier out there has been dubbed the "sash" style carrier. The sash carrier is for carrying babies and toddlers in the front only, facing in or out. You can pop the child in and out quickly and easily like with a pouch or sling, but the weight is distributed evenly across your back and shoulders like with a wrap or mei tai. What's revolutionary about it is that there are no ties, straps, buckles or rings, yet it is still comfortable and secure.

The sash baby carrier is like a cross between a wrap and a pouch. It is two belts of fabric sewn into two crosses. When you hold it up, it looks like an X or a butterfly. A headrest is sewn across the front X for little babies. There are no snaps, straps, buckles, ties, or rings. It is nonadjustable, simple, and quick like a pouch, but offers two-shoulder support like a wrap.

To wear, you simply slip the whole thing over your head and put your arms through, same as you would a T-shirt. There will be an X over your back and one over your front with a strap over each shoulder. The baby's butt goes just under the front cross with his legs over the waist fabric as with a mei tai, and his arms tuck in under the front cross as with a wrap.

The first to hit the market was the Beco Obi (Japanese for sash), which retails for $70. It comes in four elegant patterns: Cinnamon Meadow, which is flowery; Lenka, a blue paisley; Anaya, a black and white paisley; and Mia, which features blue seashell-like shapes. They reverse to black or natural. There are two sizes, one for small and medium body types and another for larger moms and dads. A safety removable harness is included for newborns. The front has a flap that can be opened for popping baby in and out and then velcroed shut for a headrest. There is a little bit of padding where the baby's legs go to prevent chafing.