I discovered them with my third, and WISH I'd known about them since day 1!! I've used them for my third, fourth, and fifth babies! They are fantastic! My favorite gift to give at showers too!
For newborns, your hands are completely free. Not that they aren't later, but babies do get bigger, and so some jobs get harder as they do. I still use mine for shopping (dd is 18 mths) and things like that. Now, for walks and things she'll be in for alonger period, I use a mei tai (maya tai) on my back.
HTH!!
Good Luck!!