The Monarch Baby Carrier comes first. It's a hands-free product designed for longer wears, so you can get things done, run errands, and keep doing the things you love with baby along for the ride.

The toddler sling comes next. It's made for older babies and toddlers who are craving a little more freedom and don't want to be settled into a carrier for long stretches. It's perfect for when your toddler starts getting heavy on your hip and you want some extra support for those quick "up and down" moments.

One important note if you're new to babywearing: the toddler sling does not replace a baby carrier. It isn't a hands-free product, and it's designed for different uses than the Monarch baby carrier. Think of the sling as a quick, supportive way to carry your toddler for short stretches — not a substitute for the all-day, hands-free support the carrier provides.

And you don't have to choose just one. Many of our parents love using both, especially during that in-between stage of babyhood and toddlerhood — reaching for the carrier on long days when they need hands-free support, and grabbing the toddler sling for quick outings and a more compact, grab-and-go option.