Baby-wearing is a great way to bond with your new arrival and keep your little one safe and snug, but if you plan to carry your tot for any length of time then it is worth considering both safety and developmental risks. According to Grint, the two most important things to consider when carrying your baby from newborn to toddler-hood and beyond include the following: Are you going to be sharing baby-wearing duties with a partner? Then look for something that works for both caregivers. A dinky little sling might be a tight fit for Dad and not all caregivers will be as passionate about leopard print and tassels as you are. Style

You might also want to get a bike cover if your bike will be open to the elements whilst at work, school or elsewhere. A cover will protect your bike’s surface from wear and tear, helping to keep it in the best condition possible. Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet, and mum to a one-year-old. Comfort in a carrier is key too, for example the hip belt pivots whilst you’re walking so the load is shared more evenly across your body. Our advice is to take your time studying factors like the reputation of the brand, the materials used to manufacture the product and also comparing it to other products of a similar price in the Child Carriers category. With a minimalist and lightweight design, the Deuter Kid Comfort Active is well suited to parents with a smaller frame or those who may struggle with the weight and bulk of a larger carrier.The new-and-improved head support was a hit with our tester’s son who had no problem falling to sleep while in the seat. Are there any extra features? Weight of the carrier: How much does the carrier weigh when empty? Considering the weight of the carrier itself, along with the weight of your child, is important, particularly if you are petite or small-framed. Lightweight designs are often more comfortable to carry, however they don’t tend to be as feature-rich as the heavier, more robust designs. Read next: The best umbrella strollers for easy travel and storage Is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 easy to clean? Whilst the rain cover is sold separately, it comes with a generously sized sunshade, ensuring your child has a high level of sun protection without reducing their visibility, although you’ll find a larger sunshade on the Osprey Poco Plus.

For other adults involved in the baby's care, using a carrier also gives them a great opportunity to bond. 'It can reduce the chance of postnatal depression increasingly recognised in men and partners,' says Ruth. 'It also helps to share the load of parenting and to get out and about!' Help choosing the right baby carrier The Cross Country S4 is the ideal choice for those who require a great all-rounded child carrier with more than enough features to keep you and your child happy throughout the day.

Pros

It sits midway in terms of weight, so isn’t the lightest option in the LittleLife catalogue, but alongside the Freedom S4 and Voyager S5, it allows for a greater adult fit (from 5’2” to 6’4”) and comes with more accessories, including the stirrups, sun shade and rear view mirror. This is a very simple but very important question. You may have heard the old adage ‘all the gear and no idea’. This concept is very much applicable to new riders that want to make sure that they have everything they need before their first trip on the pedals. You might be a cycling newbie or a relative De-France competitor, but anyone can fall victim to the common buying mistakes when it comes to cycling gear. Unfortunately, while the internet makes shopping easier than ever before, it has also increased the difficulty for newcomers to discern the good from the bad. The best part about cycling is that you need very little to get going. There are a number of must-have pieces of equipment such as a helmet, high visibility clothing and lights, but apart from this small group, you don’t need anything extra. Despite the feather-light design, it's surprisingly sturdy, with chest and waist straps that ensure it feels perfectly secure for both parent and child. The ideal progression from a front carrier, the Ranger is a great alternative for short to mid-length journeys if you want to leave your pushchair at home.

But what do you need to look out for when shopping for cycling gear? What are the best brands? What kit is really necessary? Do you really need it? Read next: The best baby carriers: soft-structured carriers, wraps and slings How easy is the LittleLife Cross Country S4 to assemble? Big brands are typically a good place to put your money, and these companies pay lots of money to professional cyclists to advertise their goods.

Best baby carrier backpacks at a glance

Of course, this doesn’t mean buy the most expensive items, but it does mean to think about if the price tag has more to do with the bragging rights than the actual quality of the product. You’ll find two sturdy grab handles at the top of the carrier, which are invaluable for helping you pull the carrier onto your shoulders once your baby or toddler is securely positioned in the seat. While I would have liked to see this carrier available in the blue colourway seen on other LittleLife carriers to give buyers more than one colour option, the overall design is in a neutral grey that will appeal to most families. What’s the difference between the LittleLife Cross Country S3 and S4?