What's the difference between a kangaroo carrier and an ergonomic backpack

You are looking for a convenient way to carry your baby when going out, and you have come to the logical conclusion that you should stop either on a kangaroo carrier or on an ergonomic backpack. Do you hesitate between these two baby products and wonder what they look like and how they differ?

Similarities and differences between a kangaroo bag and an ergonomic backpack

At first glance, both products may seem quite similar to you, especially if you have never had to buy either a kangaroo bag or ergo backpack before. However, the truth is that their similarities are lesser than you might imagine.

If we are to be completely honest, we can say that kangaroos and ergonomic backpacks are only similar in that they are both baby products. On the other hand, their differences are considerable, and if you stay with us for a little while, we will try to introduce you to some of their major differences.

Differences between ergonomic backpack and kangaroo bag

The position the baby’s legs take

The kangaroo's back is quite narrow and has no soft inserts. Because of the narrow back, the baby's legs take the position of the letter "L" and hang straight down. This position is very uncomfortable for both the child and the parent who carries it. In addition to being uncomfortable, this position also causes a lot of tension in the hip joints of the child.

Ergonomic backpacks have wide backs and thus meets the need of natural sitting position for the baby. When the baby is placed in the ergonomic backpack, his or her feet take the "M" or "frog" position, which is the natural posture that young children take. This position, in addition to being comfortable, prevents displacement of the baby's hip joints and also is the most comfortable posture for the parent to carry.

Straps and belt

The ergonomic baby backpack has wide, comfortable and soft straps and a wide belt that help to distribute the weight evenly on the shoulders, waist, and back of the wearer. This backpack is designed to carry children from 3 months to 3-4 years weighing up to 16-25 kg without any problem.

The kangaroo straps are tight and have no soft insert. In addition, most models do not have belts for better support, and if there are belts, they are also narrow and dysfunctional.

Back

The back of the baby's backpack is made of soft fabric while the kangaroo's back is stiff. If you are wondering whether a soft or hard back is the better choice, we immediately tell you that a soft back is preferable. Why?

The soft back allows the wearer to adjust the straps quickly and easily and allows freedom of movement. In addition, during infancy, the child takes a position that does not strain his or her spine.

The hard back of a kangaroo is not only uncomfortable for the baby, but also uncomfortable for the parent as it severely restricts movement.

Position of the baby's body

The kangaroo allows the baby to be worn in the  back-to-parent position while the ergonomic backpack is in the face-to-mom or dad position.

A large proportion of parents think that when the child is facing forward, he or she looks with interest the world around him and does not cry. This is the reason why many parents choose the kangaroos. But the truth is that carrying a baby this way is not advisable. Wondering why?

Firstly, this position exerts a great load on the fragile spine of the child. While the adult spine is curved similar to the letter S, the neonatal spine looks more like the letter C. This curved position is the one the baby has been in for 9 months in the mother's womb, and thus it is the most comfortable for him and in the first months of birth.

When placed with the back resting on the parent, the small man's spine is forcibly erect, causing unnecessary and harmful strain.

Secondly, the back-to-parent position can have a negative effect on the child's nervous system, as the world around is filled with information such as moving objects, colors, sounds, smells, etc. Being bombarded with all these information at the same time can be quite stressful for the little man.

However, when the baby is sitting face-to-face with the parent, the child sees the face of mom or dad and can bury their face on the parent’s chest to calm down and hide from the noisy surrounding world.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding in a kangaroo is an almost impossible or quite difficult task, because in order to breastfeed a baby, it must be removed from the carrier, which takes a long time.

Unlike a kangaroo, breastfeeding in the ergo backpack is much easier. It is enough for the mother to loosen the straps a little and lower the baby a little lower to be able to breastfeed without any problems.

Purpose

The kangaroo is intended for carrying newborns from 0 to 3-4 months, while the ergonomic backpack is intended for babies from 3 months to 3-4 years or until the baby is over 16-25 kg.

Kangaroo or ergonomic backpack?

We have already made it clear that a better choice would be an ergonomic backpack, since on the one hand its structure is adapted to the body of the newborn and, on the other hand, carrying the baby in such a backpack does not make the parents uncomfortable. Put in a backpack like this, your baby can enjoy the walk and fall asleep sweetly in the arms of mom or dad. And the parent can carry the baby for several hours without feeling any strain on their shoulders, waist, or back.

Of course, the kangaroo should not be dismissed in any way, and if you have opted for this product, there are quite a variety of kangaroo models and brands on the market.

How to distinguish ergonomic backpack from kangaroo?

We mentioned at the beginning that the two baby products look quite similar at first. Adding to the fact that many manufacturers advertise kangaroos as ergonomic, it is quite possible to be misled.

To be sure of what you are buying, do the following:

● Look at the structure of the product - if you have an ergonomic backpack in your hands, it should have wide straps with soft inserts, a wide waist belt and a comfortable, soft seat-like back.
If you are looking at a kangaroo, it will most likely look more like a "pant" with straps. The strap on which the baby is seated will be narrow, thin and slanted just like "pants", the straps will also be thin and the belt will most likely be missing.

● Look at the position of the baby - the ergonomic backpack is characterized by the fact that you can carry the little man in the front facing towards you or place your baby on your back. In the kangaroo, you can carry the baby with in the front with their face facing away from you.

● Look at the back - The ergonomic backpack has a soft, wide back that connects to the waistband. The kangaroo has a narrow and firm back.

Popular brands of ergonomic backpacks and kangaroos

Baby Bjorn

The Swedish company is one of the leading manufacturers of baby goods, especially ergonomic baby backpacks. The Baby Bjorn backpack design is practical, completely safe, and very aesthetic.

The materials that this brand puts into the production of backpacks are durable and of high quality, and the design, despite its simplicity, has many useful additions that provide a closer fit to the parent’s body.

Chicco

One of the most famous baby goods companies is Chicco. The Italian brand offers several models of ergonomic backpacks that feature very good ventilation, a tight fit to the parent's body, soft, comfortable straps, and a special tab for baby's head support.

The wide and comfortable shoulder straps cross at the back, helping to evenly distribute the load on the back, waist, and shoulders of the parent carrying the backpack.

Ergobaby

Ergobaby baby backpacks have a special insert that allows them to be used for newborns. The American brand uses light, durable, breathable fabrics to manufacture its products.

Tiny Love

The ergonomic Tiny Love backpacks are distinguished by their functionality. The Israeli manufacturer's products are designed for children from 3 months to 3 years old and are equipped with ergonomic technology that allows for 3 different leg positions according to the age of the child. Tiny Love is designed to be worn both in the front (facing the parent) and at the back.

Cybex

The distinctive feature of Cybex ergonomic backpacks is their simplicity and functionality. The German manufacturer offers a wide variety of ergonomic backpacks, which feature high quality workmanship and complete comfort for both the child and the parent. Cybex backpacks are intended for children from 3 months to 3-4 years.

BabyCare

The Polish company is known worldwide as one of the leaders in the production of baby goods and car seats. But BabyCare also produces high quality kangaroos at very affordable prices.

Inglesina

The kangaroos of the Italian Inglesina brand are designed for carrying newborn babies, which is why great attention is paid to the safety of the construction and the quality of the materials used. All Inglesina kangaroo models combine aesthetic appeal and excellent functionality.

Inglesina Kangaroos have special support for the newborn's head, comfortable shoulder straps, and a belt for more stable support and reduced load.