“Is she asleep?” I ask my husband, pivoting my body slightly so that he can see our month old daughter’s eyes.

“Her eyes are 75% shot…okay, they’re shut,” he says.

“I’m going to *try* to set her down in the bassinet so that I can go to the bathroom, brush my teeth, put away a little laundry, and get something to eat…I’m starving,” I say.

I try to place her down gently. She squirms a little; then her body relaxes. I sigh with relief and book it to the bathroom. Then, I brush my teeth and fold laundry and check my e-mail – all at the same time! With two hands free, I can change the world! Or at least get a few things checked off my to-do list…

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There’s nothin’ like having your hands-free when you’re a mama.

But babies don’t always like to sit in bouncy seats, cribs, and bassinets…and who can blame them when the alternative is to be snuggled up in mama’s arms? My 1-month-old will sometimes sleep or sit in “something,” but usually she’ll sleep longer and/or be more content when she is awake if I’m carrying her – which is why I consider a baby carrier a newborn necessity. Baby carriers allow me to carry her AND have my hands-free – imagine that!

There are a lot of different styles of baby carriers – wraps, pouches, slings, mei tais, front carriers, back carriers, hip carriers, etc. I have a pretty extensive carrier collection (including several homemade slings, the Maya Wrap, the Scootababy, the Munchkin Jelly Bean Reversible Sling, the PortaMEe, etc.), but I recently had an opportunity to try three new ones so I thought I’d share my reviews with you in case you’re in the market for one.

Sleepy Wrap – I understand why this carrier is called Sleepy Wrap. The material is so wonderfully soft and perfectly stretchy that I don’t blame babies for wanting to snuggle right up and close their eyes. And the baby isn’t the only one who will be comfortable in this wrap! Mamas will appreciate that the baby’s weight is evenly distributed across both shoulders and the whole back. Available in 14 different vibrant colors, the carrier is reasonably priced at $38.95 and is easily machine-washable.

Wraps can be a little intimidating at first because of all of the “wrapping” they involve, but – once you get the hang of it – you’ll likely love it. The Sleepy Wrap is an ideal carrier for newborns because it keeps them cuddled up close and they won’t be “jostled” around as you move about…perfect if you have older children to keep up with throughout the day!

BabyHawk Mei Tai – BabyHawk Mei Tais are oh-so-stylish. The designs are plentiful and unique and absolutely gorgeous. They are also exceptionally easy to put on and comfortable too! The BabyHawk is suitable for newborns up to babies who weigh under 35 pounds. The baby can be worn on the front, hip, or back so it is truly versatile. I have the Tweet design and it makes me want to chirp with delight. I always get compliments on the peaceful color scheme and modern illustrations. Retailing between $80-95, BabyHawks are on the pricey side, but they also “last” for a long time.

if you decide to purchase a BabyHawk, consider buying through Parenting By Nature, a family-owned Canadian company that seeks to help parents “experience the joys of babywearing, cloth diapering, and breastfeeding.” You’ll appreciate fine customer service, free shipping, and the satisfaction of knowing that you’re helping a mom be able to stay at home with her two little girls.

BabyBjorn Spirit – Just in time for spring and summer, BabyBjorn has debuted a new line of their Original carrier in 8 bright, vivacious colors. This front carrier is machine-washable and can be used for 8-25 pound babies. BabyBjorn is a trusted brand for baby gear (have you tried their potty chairs?) and they know what their doing. The Spirit carriers typically retail for approximately $79.99 and can be found at almost every baby specialty store, plus at Target and on Amazon.com.

For a more extensive “comparison” of the various forms of carriers (including the pros and cons of each),check out How to Choose a Baby Carrier {via Parenting By Nature}.

YOUR TURN: What carrier(s) have you tried? Which “style” is your favorite?

WIN IT! There will be two winners. One winner will receive a Sleepy Wrap {in the color of his/her choice}. A second winner will receive a BabyHawk Mei Tai {in the design of his/her choice…from available options at Parenting By Nature}. To enter, leave any topic-related comment (and also indicate which carrier you would prefer) prior to Thursday, April 30 at midnight (Don’t forget to follow the rules…all generic comments like “Enter me!,” “Love it,” and “Cool stuff!” will be disqualified.).

NOTE: The Sleepy Wrap contest is open to U.S. residents only. The BabyHawk Mei Tai contest is open to both U.S. AND Canadian readers.

*UPDATE* The winners are #35 SHEVAUN (Sleepy Wrap) and #12 Jenny N. (BabyHawk Mei Tai). Congratulations!