The NYC Registry Edit: Carry.

Start with whichever one matches how you'll actually use it in the first few months. A wrap is the softer, closer choice - the fabric ties snug against your body, so newborns get that tucked-in, womb-like feel, and it's forgiving no matter your body type or your partner's. A newborn-ready structured carrier gets you almost the same closeness with none of the tying - it buckles on in seconds and, with the right insert, is just as safe for a newborn. 

Most families lean toward the wrap for the earliest, most stay-close weeks, then move into a structured carrier once baby's a little bigger and getting the fabric wrapped just right stops feeling worth it. If tying anything on your body doesn't sound like something you'll do at 3am, skip straight to a newborn-ready structured carrier - you won't be shortchanging baby's comfort.

Eventually, most families own two but not necessarily both at once. A wrap or newborn-ready structured carrier gets you through the early months; as baby grows heavier and more alert, a structured carrier with a padded waist belt and shoulder straps becomes the more comfortable everyday choice, since it's built to carry more weight for longer without wearing you out.

If you already know you'd rather skip the wrap-tying step altogther, you can register for just a newborn-ready structured carrier and use it straight through - no need to buy twice. A hip carrier is a common third add later on, once your child is walking but still wants to be picked up for the last stretch of a walk. 

The carrier itself, plus a couple of small things that make it easier to use day to day. A teething or drool pad is worth having from the start -  babies drool constantly while being carried, and once teeth come in, they'll chew on whatever strap is closest, so a pad you can pop off and wash saves you from washing the whole carrier. If your structured carrier isn't newborn-ready out of the box, check whether it needs a separate infant insert before baby arrives.

If you'll be out in a city winter, add a weather shell or cover: it keeps baby warm over the carrier without bundling them into a coat that gets in the way of the straps. And whichever carrier you choose, look for hip healthy "M" position support: baby's knees should sit higher than their hips in a rounded shape, which is what supports healthy hip development as they grow. 

It's a simple safety checklist worth keeping in mind with any carrier: Tight (the carrier should hold baby snugly against you, not sag), In view at all times (you should be able to glance down and see their face), Close enough to Kiss (their head should be near enough to kiss the top of), Keep their chin off their chest (so their airway stays open), and Supported back (their back should be gently curved, not slumped). It's a good gut-check any time you put your carrier on, not just for the first few uses.

Only once they have solid head and neck control, usually four to six months in, and not every carrier supports it. Some are built for facing in only, so check before you buy if outward facing matters to you. Even then, it's generally best for shorter stretches, since facing out offers less support. 

It's a seated position where baby's knees sit higher than their hips, forming a rounded M shape, which is what current guidance points to for healthy hip joint development. It's worth checking for in any structured carrier you're considering - not a nice-to-have feature, more of a baseline.

Only if your specific carrier isn't already newborn-ready. Some structured carriers are safe from day one on their own; others need an added insert to properly support a smaller baby's head, neck, and hip position. Check your model's newborn requirements before baby arrives so you're not scrambling to order one after the fact.

Usually, yes - most structured carriers have a wide range on the waist belt and shoulder straps to fit different body types. If you and your partner are very different in height or build, it's worth trying the carrier on together in store so you can both confirm it adjusts down (and up) comfortably. 

Skip the bulky coat under the straps - it can compress the carrier's fit and restrict baby's breathing space. Dress them in thin layers instead, and add a weather shell or cover over the outside of the carrier to keep them warm without changing how the carrier fits.

Once your child can sit up steadily on their own, which is usually sometime in the second half of the first year. That's the point where a hip carrier's quick, no strap design starts to earn its keep - for the tired-toddler-on-a-walk moments a full carrier feels like overkill for.