Congratulations on your baby!

One of the many decisions you make is how to transport your baby around. 

Car Seats
Of course before you even leave the hospital, you will need to have a baby car seat.  If you buy a pop-in, pop-out car seat, this can be your first way of carrying your baby in and out of the car on short errands.  We were given a Graco brand car seat, and were very happy with it.  Our son loved swinging in the car seat (it helped him fall asleep) so walking while carrying him in the car seat was a very natural and relaxing for him.  The other advantage with a pop-in, pop-out car seat is that it makes transitioning from the car to a restaurant very easy.  Make sure you take advantage of your "honeymoon" period when your infant is young and he has a good chance of sleeping through a restaurant meal.  You might even acclimate him to eating out!

Carriers versus strollers
As your baby gets bigger, you will want to transport her on longer walks.  A baby carriage (especially if it compatible with your car seat) can work very well, but I always preferred carrying my baby on my front or back.  By carrying your baby, you give her the ability to see the world as you do.  When you face someone to talk, she faces that person too, and can witness the interaction first hand.  Your baby is linked to the rhythym of your body and can feel and smell you.  This helps greatly with bonding, especially for the dad who did not have the pre-birth intimacy with the baby.  I also found that carrying allowed me more freedom and mobility (no navigating a stroller up and down curbs and through narrow sidewalks).  And the physical exertion gives you some exercise that helps keep your energy levels high.

What type of carrier?
There are three main types of baby carriers:  baby slings, bjorns (front packs), and backpacks.  Slings are targeted at the very youngest infants, while backpacks are generally designed for older babies and toddlers. 

Baby Sling
Many parents love the sling, but I never felt comfortable with it.  Slings are like little baby hammocks that go over your shoulder and which hold the baby in a roughly lying down position across your abdomen.  I always felt like my baby was at risk of falling out of the sling, which caused me to always be holding him and prevented me from using my hands for the task at hand.  Also, because he is across your abdomen, you are at risk of bumping his head against a wall or door, etc.  Although slings may be the only alternative for the first month or two, I would recommend skipping the sling phase altogether and move to the Baby Bjorn.

Baby Bjorn
I loved our Baby Bjorn!  Baby Bjorn is an actual brand name of carrier (it was the brand we purchased).  It is designed primarily as a front pack, and can carry babies who are at least a few months old.  Since the baby is totally strapped in and vertical, he is totally safe and secure (no need to hold him with your hands), and there is very little accidental bumping risk.  A Baby Bjorn makes it very comfortable to carry even a heavier child.  Since he is on your front, it is relatively easy to feed him with a bottle while you are on the move (try that with a stroller)!  And another big advantage is that some babies (like ours) can comfortably take naps in the Bjorn (especially when in airplanes).  Our baby loved the intimacy of the Bjorn so much that I would sometimes carry him even when doing errands around the house, just so that he wouldn't feel separated. 

Baby Backpack
As your baby reaches 1 years old, you probably want to switch to a baby backpack.  Although not as intimate as a Bjorn, the backpack allows you to carry more weight easily. 

We bought a Snugli brand backpack, which works very well.  Make sure you get a model with the snap-on sunshade, so that you can protect him from the sun.  Also, the kickstand is a key feature for allowing you to load your infant into the backpack without assistance. 

Our baby loves the backpack and is comfortable even on longer, multi-hour hikes or walks around town.  The backpack puts him almost at the same height as I am, so he can see over my shoulder at what I am looking at. 

I hope this guide has been helpful.  Enjoy this precious time of your child's life!  I hope you form loving bonds that will last a lifetime!