The best baby carriers you can buy

The Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier offers the same baby support, parent comfort, and versatility of use as baby carriers that cost four times as much money.

Let's start with the drawbacks on this one, because they are relatively few in the scheme of things. The Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier is only rated for use with babies weighing between eight and 32 pounds, so for smaller newborns or premature babies, it's not going to work in those first few weeks. And that 32-pound maximum capacity is a good deal smaller than what's offered by many other carriers. Also, the leg straps can be a bit confusing to configure.

But here's the thing: This baby carrier costs thirty dollars. Yes, you could pay significantly more than that and get a carrier with a 40-pound weight capacity and with simpler adjustment points, but think long and hard about the value there. Will you even still be using a baby carrier when your child is that large? And are those few minutes of time spent readjusting the unit now and then to accommodate the growing child worth the savings? The answers are likely no and yes, respectively, so go ahead and save some cash if your family is on a budget.

The Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier can carry a baby face in or out on your chest or face in on your back. They call it a "four position" carrier because in the chest face-in configuration you can use a neck and head support flap or fold it out of the way, so really it's more of a three position carrier, but that's not really a strike against it, just a matter of semantics.

Parents love this carrier, giving it an average rating of 4.5 stars with hundreds of reviews logged. One mommy loves how easy it is to adapt the shoulder and waist straps to her frame and "to daddy's size as well." Another mom reports that she puts her son "in it while doing dishes, vacuuming, walking, really anything."

A writer with Baby Carrier HQ praises the Infantino seat's "natural positioning that helps to keep your baby happy," while a video reviewer with Positively Mommy demonstrates how easily she can remove her child from the carrier and place him back into the unit single-handedly.

Pros: Great low price tag, easy to adjust to fit different adults, inward and outward facing positions

Cons: Only suitable up to 32 pounds, leg adjustment points can be a hassle to use

With the Clevr Baby Backpack 202 Cross Country Carrier on your back, you and your child will be ready to trek into the backcountry.

Hiking child carriers differ from regular baby carriers in several notable ways, and the Clevr Baby Backpack 202 Cross Country Carrier exemplifies all of these major design elements. First and foremost, as with a good hiking pack, this carrier features an extra wide waist belt and lower back support system that allows you to carry most of the pack and baby weight on your hips. The shoulder straps are also thicker and more substantial than those of most standard baby carriers.

Quite unlike most baby carriers, this and other similar hiking baby backpacks do not carry the child directly against the parent, but instead, house the child in his or her own compartment. This snug and secure compartment is outfitted with internal straps that hold the baby in place, and the child can be protected against sunshine using a built-in hood and even against rain with moveable plastic panels.

Also unlike standard baby carriers, the Clevr Baby Backpack 202 Cross Country Carrier has a large storage pocket that can accommodate diapers, snacks, spare clothes, a camera, and other such sundries. There are also two side pockets perfect for an adult's water bottle or a baby bottle. When you need to take a break from the trail, you can set the backpack down without removing your child thanks to its folding stand.

Pros: Good price for category, excellent hip and shoulder strap system, good storage pockets

Cons: Not suitable for smaller infants, not comfortable for shorter adults

The Moby Wrap Baby Carrier is the closest thing to a parent's embrace that does not actually require use of the hands.

Having used a Moby Wrap many times myself, I'm going to start out with a qualification: While this product is positioned as suitable for use with children weighing up to 35 pounds, I don't know any kid that size who is going to want to be wrapped up in bands of fabric and tied to his or her mom or dad (or nanny).

That said, I also know of no better system for recreating the natural feeling of a parent's embrace for kids still in their infant stage, a period during which most babies want nothing more than to be held close and fast to the chest of a loved one.

Proper use of a Moby Wrap Baby Carrier comes with a bit of a learning curve. There are no buckles to clip, straps to tighten, or snaps to secure. You simply wrap this 18-foot-long band of soft fabric around your torso and around your baby in various ways to create a sling-style carrier.

At first, using the Moby Wrap can be intimidating, as it's hard to tell if you're using it properly. With practice, though, it becomes liberating, because unlike with a two-, three-, or even four-position carrier, there are almost endless ways you can carry your child using this unique band.

A Moby Wrap Baby Carrier is a great way to help nurture the bond between a newborn and a mother or father and can be a great way to calm and soothe a child who is sick, colicky, or just generally upset. Just keep in mind that you will probably need to switch to a more traditional backpack style of carrier as the child grows.

In an article on Top10Reviews.com, a writer called the Moby Wrap one of the "most versatile" baby carrier options available. A LongLiveGrow.com reviewer called the wrap "the perfect carrier of comfort is your goal." What To Expect also places the Moby baby carrier high in its rankings.

Pros: Soothes and comforts child, highly adaptable positioning options, easy to wash

Cons: Proper use takes practice, uncomfortable for use in warm climates

The Stokke MyCarrier Front Baby Carrier is designed to spread a baby's weight out across its wearer's torso, with padding and adjustment points that allow for an easily customized fit.

Our first baby carrier was a Stokke, and with a few qualifications, I can say that we chose well and that I recommend the Stokke MyCarrier Front Baby Carrier. Let's talk about the issues first.

The Stokke uses a few more straps, buckles, buttons, and snaps than most baby carriers and learning how to properly adjust and secure it can be frustrating. Once you have it down, it's simple enough to use, but I definitely lost my patience a few times in the early days. Second, as the name suggests, you can only use this carrier on the front of your torso, which is great for snuggling your baby and fine for errands, social visits, and so forth, but limiting for longer wear such as an all-day tour of a city or a hike in the woods.

Those points aside, Stokke makes a fine carrier. And with all those many adjustment facets comes one extremely comfortable, secure carrier, for the record. It's remarkable how well you can customize this carrier to fit your body, creating the ideal arrangement for your own comfort even while your child is kept securely tucked into the seat in the "happy hips" position that is so natural for babies. Parents will also appreciate the two little storage pockets built into the carrier.

One satisfied mother who uses the Stokke MyCarrier Front Baby Carrier says it is "much more comfortable on [the] upper back" than many other carrier options. She also noted that she could breastfeed while her baby was in the carrier.

A review on MadeForMums.com called the Stokke a "hip-healthy baby carrier," while a writer from Magic Beans said the MyCarrier was "supportive and comfortable, with good weight distribution."

Pros: Great weight distribution, holds baby's hips in natural position, durable and well-made

Cons: Only worn on front of torso, proper use takes practice

The best strollers you can buy

With the right stroller, you and your young one are ready for anything, from a quick trip to the stores to a week-long overseas vacation. The Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller is our top choice because of its versatile configuration, its ease of steering, and its many handy accessories and enhancements that let you customize it for your family.

• Best stroller overall: Nuna DEMI Grow Stroller
• Best stroller for multi-kid families: UPPAbaby Vista
• Best affordable stroller: Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
• Best rugged umbrella stroller: Ergobaby Metro
• Best jogging stroller: Chicco Tre

The best breast pumps you can buy

If you're a nursing mom who plans to spend more than a couple hours away from your baby, pumping is a necessary evil: It keeps your milk supply up and ensures your kiddo has enough to eat. The Medela Pump In Style Advanced is a great option for moms who want to get their pumping done quickly and easily.

• Best breast pump overall: Medela Pump In Style Advanced
• Best closed-system breast pump: Spectra Baby USA S1
• Best breast pump for travel: Yunbaby Portable Breast Pump
• Best manual breast pump: Philips Avent Manual Comfort Breast Pump