Some parents love them and can’t live without them. And some parents dislike them, possibly because they’ve had a bad experience with one.
If you’re a new parent reading this article, you likely know those baby carriers are meant to make your life easier. You know that babies love to be held. You know that baby carrying has been proven to reduce the amount your child cries and fusses.
Not to mention that it helps to have two free hands so you can get things done around the house!
And sometimes a baby carrier is simply a better option than a cumbersome stroller when you’re out and about.
Cue the baby carrier.
Hands-free parenting. Where the baby gets what it wants – snuggle time with you – while you get done the things you need to do.
With the right baby carrier, your life as a parent becomes just a little bit easier!
How to choose the Best Baby Carrier
Obviously, the baby carrier you buy needs to be comfortable for you. After all, you’re carrying a baby – and possibly a young toddler – around strapped to your body for hours. So the carrier needs to be well padded.
It also needs to be ergonomic. It needs to be comfortable and practical. Not only for you but also for your baby.
What exactly does that mean?
It needs to fit your body in such a way that your child’s weight is evenly distributed throughout your torso. So your low back doesn’t get the brunt of the weight and your shoulders don’t get pulled forward in exhaustion after five minutes.
A good carrier should fit your baby in such a way that it doesn’t negatively affect his or her posture. Baby carriers have evolved a lot over the years as pediatricians and other medical professionals are consulted on how to design of a “good” baby carrier that doesn’t strain your child’s neck, spine, and hips.
Not only that, but your baby needs to be comfortable and supported. So you’ll need to consider the material the carrier is made of. It needs to be soft yet sturdy.
Material that is machine washable is another huge plus.
Don’t forget that babies don’t stay small forever.
If you plan on using the carrier as your baby grows, it’s important to buy a carrier that accommodates their increasing size. Even though a newborn starts off facing in toward you, in a few months, he or she will prefer to face out.
Or perhaps you’d like to be able to carry your child on your back. Some carriers also adjust to carry your toddler on your hip.
And lastly, you need to consider if someone else will wear the carrier. Perhaps your spouse, a grandparent, or another care giver would also wear the baby carrier. Will the carrier you choose need to adjust to fit others who mind your child? Maybe or maybe not.
So whether you’re in the market to buy your first carrier or you’re looking to upgrade your existing carrier, this article’s got you covered.
Top Rated Baby Carrier Reviews
Easily one of the most economical baby carriers which gets great reviews, the BABY BJORN baby carrier is a classic.
This organic cotton, machine washable carrier allows you to have baby inward facing or out. All fabric and materials used for the carrier are chosen to be gentle on your child’s delicate skin and are safe should your baby decide to use it as a teething toy.
The BABYBJORN is perfect for newborns and fits babies up to 25 pounds or about 15 months. Its design gives ample support to a newborn’s head, neck, spine, and hips while allowing plenty of room for the full leg and arm movement.
Newborns are snuggled securely against their parent’s chest and a sleeping infant can gently be removed without being disturbed because of the easy to unbuckle two piece system.
This comfortable carrier is approved by medical experts and it adjusts easily to fit anyone who wishes to carry your baby.
A six position baby carrier earns the right to be called a 360˚ carrier. LILLEbaby has designed it’s baby carrier to fit babies from 7 pounds all the way to 45 pounds. From inward infant carry to back carry to hip carry, this carrier will grow with your child from newborn well into their toddler years.
Voted the most comfortable baby carrier (The 2016 Cribsie Awards), this carrier has nearly everything you can think of:
- machine washable,
- sturdy lumbar support,
- neck support for baby,
- padded straps,
- backpack or X-style strap options,
- zippered pockets,
- 2-way adjustable straps to fit more than one person.
The temperature control panels allow you to adjust how hot your baby gets and the ultra soft, ultra light material makes it easy to pack and take with you.
Approved by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
Designed for maximum parental comfort while being ergonomically correct for baby, the Ergobaby carrier is suitable for 7-pound infants to 33-pound toddlers.
This baby carrier is truly designed to grow with your baby. The adjustable back panel can be extended as your child grows.
The four carrying positions offer versatility so your child can comfortably move from inward facing as an infant, to outward facing in front, to back and hip.
The Ergobaby is made with 100% machine washable cotton. An adjustable hood provides coverage while sleeping, protection from the sun, and privacy while nursing.
The extra low back waistband and padded shoulder straps provide ample support while evenly distributing your child’s weight.
The Ergobaby is an all around solid choice for a baby carrier.
Baby Tula is a well-loved carrier. It’s designed to comfortably provide support in both front and back carrying positions.
While this basic model is designed for babies who are between 15 and 45 pounds, an additional newborn insert is available for purchase to accommodate young infants.
The name of the game for the Baby Tula carrier is easy:
- easy to care for,
- easy machine washable cotton material,
- easy dual adjustable straps for the perfect fit,
- easy click, high-quality buckles,
- easily removable hood that provides sleep support, sun and wind protection, and breastfeeding privacy.
This ergonomic carrier has comfortable shoulder padding for the parent and ergonomic seating support for baby. It also proudly exceeds safety standards that are set for baby carriers.
Another one of the more economical choices on this list of best baby carriers, the Mo+m Baby Carrier is suitable for babies 4 months (or 12 pounds and able to support their head independently) up to 3 years (or 36 pounds).
It accommodates 3 carrying positions:
- front,
- back,
- and hip.
Made out of 100% cotton, this machine-washable carrier has a soft structure while still giving your baby an ergonomic support in a natural position. The mesh cooling vents help keep baby cool and comfortable and the hood gives baby protection from the elements.
For the wearer of the carrier, it has soft padded shoulder and waist straps that help distribute baby’s weight evenly. A waist extender is sold separately.
The handy pockets are great for storage and the carrier itself is lightweight and easily storable.
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One of the carriers with the longest carrying capacity, the Boba 4G can support children from newborn all the way up to 45 pounds or 48 months with the inclusion of an infant insert.
Made from 100% cotton, you can rest assured that the Boba doesn’t contain any products that might be harmful to your child.
This carrier can be used for front and back carries and the adjustable straps make it easy for any caregiver to wear comfortably.
Just as the carrier can adapt for wearers, it also adapts for your growing child with multiple strap adjustment that can be made while maintaining the ergonomically correct fit.
The Boba also has a detachable hood that can be used to protect your little one from the elements or provide privacy while breastfeeding.
It’s soft structure, multiple pockets, and foot straps make the Boba 4G an amazing carrier that will see your child through the first four years of her life.
With a lifetime money back and replacement guarantee, the NimNik baby carrier will reliably carry your child all the way from 12 pounds (or 3 months) up to 45 pounds.
The NimNik is easy to use, with easily adjustable straps so you can get the perfect fit.
It’s made with 100% cotton material that is machine washable, soft, stretchy, yet supportive. A mesh lining keeps baby ventilated and naturally cool.
The wearer will be happy to find the NimNik has advanced lumbar support with luxuriously padded straps and multiple pockets. The waist belt accommodates waists from 25 to 50 inches.
The baby will be well supported in each of the three positions:
- front,
- back,
- and hip, with a detachable hip seat.
If you are a parent who suffers from back pain, make the NimNik carrier the first carrier you try. With the lifetime guarantee, you can’t go wrong.
The budget conscious parent will want to check out this highly-rated versatile carrier. Although you won’t be able to adequately support a newborn in the Infantino, you will be able to get a lot of use from it. It’s weight capacity ranges from 12 to 40 pounds.
Your baby can be positioned comfortably with his back and hips in an optimal position either on your front or your back. The front carrying position only offers the inward facing position.
Parents like the removable canopy hood that offers protection and privacy with its structured design. They also appreciate the fact that this carrier makes buckling in baby exceptionally convenient and quick.
The adjustable shoulder straps and wide waist belt offers the wearer equal weight distribution into the hips. The addition of a sweatshirt pocket in the front is convenient, especially in cool weather.
Lastly, the Infantino is like all the other carriers mentioned here – 100% machine washable, which is essential when you wear your child.
Conclusion
All of the baby carriers listed above have great reviews. Happy parents rave how each carrier has made their life easier while minimizing the discomforts of carrying a child.
It’s easy to look at ticket price when you compare baby carriers, but look beyond the price and consider what you need.
The biggest choice comes down to this: what is the weight or age range you want to use the baby carrier for your child safely?
A few of the carriers are only suitable after a baby has good neck control which happens at around three to four months of age. If you want a baby carrier for a newborn, you’ll need to bypass the baby carriers who can’t safely accommodate children under 12 pounds.
If you want a carrier that will see you and your child well into toddlerhood, be sure to choose a carrier that will outlast the 25-pound limit.
