The closest thing you want to hold to your heart is your child. To do that safely, and with style, there are many things to consider. Some of the things that you want to consider before purchasing a baby carrier is how will you be using the carrier, what are you looking for in a carrier, what features matter most to you – such as safety, comfort, affordability – and what are the most important factors to you. You need to consider all of this before making this purchase.
Our Top Picks
- There are multiple uses for this baby wrap. You can use as a wrap, sling, nursing cover or postpartum belt.
- Made of French Terry Cotton and Spandex material. (95% and 5%)
- Wearing as a wrap allows you to free up your hands to do other things such as housework, play with other children, computer work, read a book and much more.
- A wrap a sling brings the baby in close contact with the wearer’s body allowing for a close connection.
- The material is heat regulating, allowing to insulate the child in the cooler months and cool the child in the warmer months.
- The wrap and sling make it easier to breastfeed hands-free.
- There are 5 yards (16 feet) of material.
- The wrap is recommended for children from newborn to 35 pounds.
- As it is not structured, it can be placed in a diaper bag.
- Made of cotton material that is machine washable.
- Lightweight at only 1.2 pounds.
- Can easily be folded and placed in a diaper bag.
- Can be used 2 ways, front facing inward or front facing outward.
- Recommended for newborns or 8 pounds to 25 pounds.
- No insert is needed.
- The BabyBjorn has an adjustable head support for proper support of the baby’s head and neck.
- The carrier ensures that the legs and hips of the child are positioned correctly.
- The carrier allows the child to freely move their arms and legs.
- The compact size of the carrier makes it easy to use.
- All of the buckles are color coded for safety.
- Affordable compared to other models.
- This soft structured ergonomic carrier allows for 3 carrying positions: front facing in, back facing in and hip carrying facing in.
- There is a breathable 3D Hex mesh that is revealed when the front panel is rolled down. The mesh lining and high-tech fabric body make this baby carrier perfect for all weather climates.
- Use from 15 pounds to 45 pounds without an insert or from 7 pounds to 14 pounds with the baby booster insert.
- You can cross the high density, low-profile foam shoulder straps that are adjustable. They adjust from 17” to 36”.
- Back carry is higher than similar soft structured carriers.
- Straps unbuckle and allow to be crossed in the back when the baby is being carried in the front. This allows you to not have to buckle in the back when you are by yourself but you can buckle on the sides.
- Straps and waist belt are adequately padded.
- Available with your choice of trim colors.
- The easy clean fabric dries fast after getting wet.
- Carrier only weighs a little more than 1 pound. This carrier is very lightweight.
- There are multiple uses for this baby wrap. You can use as a wrap, sling, nursing cover or postpartum belt.
- Made of French Terry Cotton and Spandex material. (95% and 5%)
- Wearing as a wrap allows you to free up your hands to do other things such as housework, play with other children, computer work, read a book and much more.
- A wrap a sling brings the baby in close contact with the wearer’s body allowing for a close connection.
- The material is heat regulating, allowing to insulate the child in the cooler months and cool the child in the warmer months.
- The wrap and sling make it easier to breastfeed hands-free.
- There are 5 yards (16 feet) of material.
- The wrap is recommended for children from newborn to 35 pounds.
- As it is not structured, it can be placed in a diaper bag.
- Made of cotton material that is machine washable.
- Lightweight at only 1.2 pounds.
- Can easily be folded and placed in a diaper bag.
- Can be used 2 ways, front facing inward or front facing outward.
- Recommended for newborns or 8 pounds to 25 pounds.
- No insert is needed.
- The BabyBjorn has an adjustable head support for proper support of the baby’s head and neck.
- The carrier ensures that the legs and hips of the child are positioned correctly.
- The carrier allows the child to freely move their arms and legs.
- The compact size of the carrier makes it easy to use.
- All of the buckles are color coded for safety.
- Affordable compared to other models.
- This soft structured ergonomic carrier allows for 3 carrying positions: front facing in, back facing in and hip carrying facing in.
- There is a breathable 3D Hex mesh that is revealed when the front panel is rolled down. The mesh lining and high-tech fabric body make this baby carrier perfect for all weather climates.
- Use from 15 pounds to 45 pounds without an insert or from 7 pounds to 14 pounds with the baby booster insert.
- You can cross the high density, low-profile foam shoulder straps that are adjustable. They adjust from 17” to 36”.
- Back carry is higher than similar soft structured carriers.
- Straps unbuckle and allow to be crossed in the back when the baby is being carried in the front. This allows you to not have to buckle in the back when you are by yourself but you can buckle on the sides.
- Straps and waist belt are adequately padded.
- Available with your choice of trim colors.
- The easy clean fabric dries fast after getting wet.
- Carrier only weighs a little more than 1 pound. This carrier is very lightweight.
*All product links and pictures in this article will take you to the latest prices on Amazon.com, scroll down for our in-depth reviews below.
How to Choose the Best Baby Carrier
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a baby carrier. One of the first things to choose is to consider how you will use the baby carrier. Will you be breastfeeding while using it or have a small infant or wish to use for a short period of time – then a wrap sling may be the way to go. If you have a heavier child or want to use the carrier until the child is older, then a more versatile carrier is what you should look for.
Other things to consider is if you have had back strain, if you wish to put a wrap in the diaper bag part of the time or how hot natured you are. All of these considerations can be addressed by the correct baby carrier.
What Are Some of the Benefits of a Baby Carrier?
Baby carriers have been around for years; and for good reason. There are many benefits to a baby carrier. Here are a few:
- A baby carrier is easier to navigate in certain areas than a bulky stroller. It is hard to navigate a stroller on subways, up escalators, in crowded malls as well as buses and other areas. You can get around much easier with a simple, streamlined carrier strapped to your middle or back.
- Studies have shown that babies that are held or worn may cry or fuss less than those that are not. This may be an added benefit for babies that are suffering from colic.
- A parent wearing a baby is getting in exercise while spending valuable time with their child.
- Carriers and slings can be a bonding tool for parents as well as other caregivers as it brings them closer to the child physically.
- A child is safer in a carrier in a crowd as they are not running around and have less probability of getting lost or hurt.
- Depending on the model, carriers can be economical and worn for years. Some models can be worn up to 45 pounds. As the average 4-year old is less than 40 pounds, this gives you years of wearability – if they choose to do so.
- Wearing a baby is just enjoyable. Cuddling a baby can be fun and can bring enjoyment to both parties.
- Wearing a baby promotes attachment. This is especially good for parents or non-parents who do not get to spend as much time with a child and would like to bond.
How to Best Use a Baby Carrier
How you use a baby carrier is ultimately up to you. But for the most part, there are several ways to get the most out of a baby carrier.
A sling or ring carrier is great for use of light weight infants and babies that are being breastfed. They are fully adjustable and keep the public from seeing what is going on in the sling. In addition, many are hip carriers and allow you to distribute the weight of your child off of your back if this is an issue for you.
A carrier, sling or wrap can help reduce colic. There have been studies that the more hours you hold the baby per day can help reduce the amount of crying and fussing a child does due to colic.
A carrier helps you get things done. With a baby strapped to you, you can get your chores done. Whether it be shopping, laundry, cleaning or walking around the neighborhood – your child will be safely with you.
A carrier, wrap or sling even frees up your hands so you can spend some much needed time to spend with your older children. Older children often feel neglected when younger siblings come along. When you free up your hands, you can play Legos and dolls while still knowing that you know that your young child is safe with you.
Why some are Against the Use of a Baby Carrier
There are many controversies on if it is good for the baby to be in a baby carrier. This mostly comes from a baby being worn facing out (away from the parent). Here are some of the concerns that have come up:
- Wearing a baby facing out can make the baby unstable.
- Wearing a baby facing out is not good on the back of the person wearing the baby.
- The baby’s legs and not supported as much when facing out as when the baby is facing the wearer.
- The baby can become overstimulated when worn facing out. It is said that they can still see their surrounding when worn facing their wearer bur may become overstimulated when faced with everything all at once.
- The baby’s head is not as supported facing out as it is facing in as it may fall forward or flop around.
- The parent or wearer may not respond as fast to the baby as they cannot see or hear them as well when they are facing out.
While these are mostly concerns for when wearing the baby facing out, older children should be worn this way for safety. It is up to the parent to take things into consideration and make the best decision for their child.
What to do Before Purchasing a Baby Carrier
Before purchasing a baby carrier, you need to take many factors into consideration.
- SAFETY – The number one concern should always be safety. Always read and follow the safety instructions included with any baby carrier.
- SIZE – Consider the size of the child you are getting the carrier for. If you want the carrier to grow with the child, you want to get a carrier that is adjustable. Also, consider the size of the wearer of the carrier.
- CHILD’S AGE – Carriers are available from newborns to toddlers. For newborns you may want to consider a sling or pouch carrier; for a toddler, you may consider a carrier where they can support themselves. As before, if you want it for a number of years, get an adjustable carrier.
- CLIMATE – Where you live can play an important part in what type of carrier you choose. If you live in a colder climate, you may want to choose a carrier that can be worn under a coat. If you leave in a warmer climate, you may want to choose a carrier with breathable material.
- MATERIAL – Carriers come in all types of materials such as natural and synthetic fibers and an array of materials from neutrals to color pleasing patterns. Choose one that best suits your needs but keep in mind that this is an investment and you will have it for a while.
- LIFESTYLE – When choosing a carrier, think about what you want to do while wearing the carrier. You may be influenced to buy a different carrier depending on your normal lifestyle.
- CARRYING POSITION – There are several types of carrying positions that carriers offer: on the back, on the hip, front outward facing, front inward facing and hammock style.
- AFFORDABILTY – Baby carriers come in an array of price ranges from the extra affordable to the ultra-extravagant. Price does not directly dictate how good or bad a baby carrier will be. Some of the best carriers are affordable while some carriers with the least amount of features can cost the most.
- STYLE OF CARRIER – The most common styles of carriers are Ring Sling, Pouch Sling, and Soft Structured Carrier.
Things to Look for in a Carrier
A carrier can range in price from the inexpensive to the outrageous. Because of this, you need to take this as an investment purchase. Here are some things that you need to look for in a carrier:
Keeping these things in mind while purchasing a baby carrier will help insure that you make the right choice for your needs.
- Price – Some carriers, wraps, and slings are more affordable while others are a week’s worth of groceries. Take all factors into consideration before making this purchase.
- Fashion Style – You will have this carrier for a while. Do not purchase a carrier with a print that you like today only to get tired of it tomorrow. It is best to get something that will withstand time – and stains.
- Features – It is just like purchasing a car, just on a smaller scale. Each carrier is different and has different features. Decide which features mean the most to you. Some may be pockets, mesh webbing for cooling, removable hip seats, hoods or others may be more important such as lumbar support or extra padding.
- Bang for your buck – Some carriers can be worn for years while others can only be worn for a shorter period of time. In addition, some carriers require that you purchase inserts in order to use for infants. There are even some models of carriers that have seats that come out that you can use in addition to as a carrier. Weigh all of these factors and see which model is going to offer you the most. Sometimes price does not mean only the amount of money you pay for an item but what you are willing to give up to have another item.
List Of Best Baby Carriers:
360° Ergonomic Baby & Child Carrier by LILLEbaby
This baby carrier by Lillebaby is the Cadillac of baby carriers and is a soft structured carrier. If you are looking for pure luxury, this may be the carrier for you.
The cons of this carrier are fewer than the positives: While this carrier has a lot of great features, it is high priced and not for everyone. It can be hard to get off and on if you are by yourself. If you can get past these little things, then this may be the carrier for you. The Best Baby Carrier by Brighter Elements has a detachable Hip Seat. This allows you to use it for multiple uses besides in just the carrier. Let’s see what else this carrier has to offer. There are also a number of cons associated with this carrier as well: While a good carrier, you need to weigh the pros and cons seriously before buying this product. It does not have the life span as some other carriers. This carrier is not a good choice for plus size wearers as it does not accommodate their waist size. Other than that, this is a good model. It does have the added bonus that it has a hip seat in the carrier. BabySteps offers a Baby Carrier that is great for many of those looking for a versatile baby carrier. When looking for an ergonomic baby carrier, look no further than BabySteps. Some of the cons are: This model has more pros than cons. This model is suitable for small children and will last awhile. The removable hood is a nice touch. It also has the hip seat in the carrier. If you are looking for a model with several nice features, this may be the one for you. The hip seat makes this model great for people with back problems and is nice for older children. The main drawback is that this model is not advisable for plus size wearers. This wrap by CuddleBug is different than your traditional carrier. If you are looking for a closer connection to your child, this may be for you. Some of the cons are: If you are not looking for a traditional, structured carrier, a wrap may be the way to go. This wrap by CuddleBug has lots of great features. Just do your research beforehand and know all of the pros and cons before committing to this type of carrier. If you are unsure of how to wear one, there are even videos on YouTube on how to wear the CuddleBug in various ways. It’s always best to be fully informed before making any decision. BabyBjorn Carriers have been around for a number of years. And for good reason. BabyBjorn is known for reliable, safe carriers that will help you bond with your child and help free up your hands to accomplish some tasks.
Konny Baby Carrier
Bebamour Baby Carrier with Hip Seat 6 in 1 Ergonomic
Baby Wrap Baby Carrier by CuddleBug
BABYBJORN Baby Carrier by BabyBjorn
