Abstract
Holding baby is a natural and universal human behavior. Baby carrier is a popular product to baby tenders. However, there was not much research focus on this product.This paper evaluates the physiological and psychological effects of three front baby carriers with different designs. 41 people including 11 mother and their baby were recruited to participate this study. The three baby carriers were chosen because each claims to provide comfortable wearing for parents, but yet with very different design. The three different front baby carriers include, one with padded shoulder straps and padded waist-belt (A), one with two-part design and mesh fabric (B), and one with ring sling (C). Each subject was asked to carry two different weighted baby dummies (7kg and 10kg) using 3 different baby carriers and walking for 20 minutes. The average electromyography (EMG) of right upper trapezius, lumbar erectus spinae and rectus abdominis during walking were recorded. Skin temperature of right shoulder area and abdominal area as well as heart rate were recorded during walking. Immediately after walking, the Borg’s rating of perceived exertion scales (score: 0-10) were used to collect discomfort rating at neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, upper back, mid-back, lowback, and belly area. After the experiment, participants were asked to write a questionnaire and a Kano questionnaire.The results showed that significant differences were found in contact area and average pressure among 3 different baby carriers. Baby carrier C had the biggest contact area and the smallest pressure. In EMG recordings, using Baby carrier B and C had higher right upper trapezius recordings than using baby carrier A. In skin temperature, using baby carrier B had higher shoulder temperature than the others. For Borg’s scale, significant differences were found in neck, right shoulder, left shoulder and upper back under different baby carriers. Using baby carrier B showed better performance than the others. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations about the improved design of baby carrier are proposed.