We're a mobile society, so it's not surprising that we enjoy a variety of excellent designs for moving our young along with us. Backpacks, front packs, and infant "carrier" seats have become almost standard equipment for the recently born. Largely, safety depends on their correct and careful use.

Front packs
Designed to keep young babies snug against the chests of their parents, front packs are useful until baby weighs about 15 pounds. Choose a front pack that provides good head and neck support, especially if your baby is under 3 months.

While you're carrying the baby this way, it's unsafe to do anything you wouldn't do if you were holding the baby in your arms. If you have any kind of back trouble, a front pack may aggravate it.

Backpacks
Intended for older, bigger babies, the backpack you choose should have leg openings that are neither too small nor so large that your youngster could slip through.

It should have a well-padded edge wherever your baby might bump. It should fit comfortably on you and be easy to take off with minimal risk of accidentally dropping it (there are models that stand on their own). There should be a waist strap to help distribute the weight evenly.

As you carry your baby in a backpack, be sure that he or she is seated deep inside it, with the back fully supported. Bend from the knees—not the waist—while wearing the pack to lessen the risk of baby falling out (it's easier on the back, too).

Infant carriers
These come in a variety of designs, from a plastic lounge chair to a bouncing sling of fabric stretched over a metal frame. Unless used carelessly by adults, carriers are convenient and can be safe and fun.

Make sure that your baby is the right size for the seat, usually under 16 to 20 pounds (follow the manufacturer's guideline). Make sure that the carrier or bounce seat has a wide, stable base. Test to be sure the base won't skid as your baby wriggles. If the seat has a metal support that snaps into its back, make sure that it locks securely and won't pop out.

These chairs must have easy-to-use seat belts and the seat belt must be used or baby could propel right out.

Always place the seat where there is no chance of baby toppling over an edge or pushing off with his or her feet. A tabletop is not safe unless you are sitting right next to your child. Never consider these seats as babysitters, even briefly, and never consider them a safe substitute for a car seat.

Get Pre-Screened Home Childproofing Help in Your Area