You may need to try a few baby carriers to find the right fit
The sheer number of baby carriers on the market can make an expectant parent’s head spin. Yet there are really only four types: sling carriers (also called wrap carriers), front carriers, convertible carriers and backpack carriers.
The best carrier for you is one that you and your child both feel comfortable with, is easy to use, and holds up over repeated use, including washing and drying. Most baby carriers are well padded, adjustable and made with child-safe fabrics. Organic fabric choices are widely available. One important note: Always keep your receipt. You may have to try a few different carriers before finding one that fits both you and your baby.
Sling or wrap carriers support the baby with soft fabric that is draped across the parent’s body. Most styles also drape over the shoulder for extra support. Some slings have rings that help with adjustments; others are simple pouch-like designs that are best for babies once they have full head control.
The most important thing to know about sling carriers is that a baby should never be curled in the carrier with his head forward in a C-shape. This is a suffocation hazard and has led to infant deaths and product recalls. It’s crucial to read and understand all instructions for use before using one of these carriers with a baby, especially a child under 4 months. However, when used properly they are as comfortable and enable a mother to nurse discreetly. They can be used from infancy to toddlerhood.
Front carriers are soft-structured carriers that can be used from birth, although sometimes they require an insert for newborns. Some front carriers can be worn either with the baby facing the parent, or with the baby facing outward (once he or she has good head control). Front carriers are padded and adjustable, and the best of them distribute the baby’s weight between the shoulders and hips to ease the strain on the parent’s back.
A few of these carriers have the old-style “crotch dangle” type of carry, which means the part of the carrier that holds the baby is narrow and does not support the baby’s hips. Some experts worry that this lack of support may lead to hip dysplasia or affect healthy spine development. Front carriers are a good choice for infants and younger toddlers.
Convertible carriers are front carriers that can also be worn on the back or shifted to put the baby’s weight on the hip. Most convertible carriers have an outward-facing option when used as a front carrier, but some do not. The best convertible carriers have good padding and a number of adjustments for comfortable weight distribution. These carriers are good for infants to older toddlers, depending upon the variety of carry positions.
Backpack carriers are for the active parent who wants to take their child along on hikes or long walks. These carriers enable a child to sit up high and see the action. The best backpack carriers are ergonomically designed so the child’s weight is evenly distributed between the shoulders, back and hips. It should have a five-point safety harness for the child. There should be storage options for gear as well, just like in any serious hiking backpack, and it should be possible to put it on and take it off without help. These are for older babies with good head control.
ConsumerSearch has analyzed dozens of expert reviews and hundreds of owner reviews to evaluate baby carriers in all four categories for comfort, ease of use and durability. The result is our picks for the best carriers for you and your baby.
The best front baby carrier is comfortable and easy to use
Probably every household with a baby has a soft-structured, front baby carrier in their nursery, and chances are it’s either a BabyBjorn or an Ergobaby. These two wildly popular carriers appear on virtually every best-of list, and there are good reasons why they always come out on top.
The BabyBjorn Miracle (*Est. $150) squeaks by as our top choice because it gets raves from experts and owners for its comfort for both baby and parent. It can carry an infant without an insert in a wide-legged position that supports their hips. The weight of the baby is distributed between the parent’s shoulders and waist, and owners say they can wear it for hours without discomfort, in spite of thinner padding on the shoulder straps than other BabyBjorn models.
As a bonus the baby can face forward once he or she has full head control, a feature that the Ergobaby Original lacks. However, the Ergobaby gives you the option of carrying your child on your hip or back — though parents say you can’t load the baby on your back without assistance. The Ergobaby is rated for babies from 12 to 45 pounds; using it with a newborn requires an optional insert (*Est. $25). The Ergobaby is a great choice for parents with back problems as it distributes the weight on the hips, reviewers say.
A throwback to an earlier time when it was the only game in town, the BabyBjorn Original still has the “crotch dangle” design that some experts say may lead to hip and spine issues. It gets rave reviews from parents of newborns and infants, but they say their child outgrows it long before they reach the 25-pound upper weight limit. With its ergonomic design, experts say the BabyBjorn Miracle is a much better pick in the BabyBjorn line, and it surpasses the Ergobaby in reviews.
The best convertible baby carriers shift position easily
Front baby carriers often advertise weight limits up to 45 pounds, but according to reviewers, they’re best for newborns to infants who weigh 15 pounds or less. Once they start getting past that point, it can feel like you’re hauling a carrier full of bricks. This is where convertible carriers come in — the ability to shift the baby’s weight from front to back to the hip can prolong your baby wearing without undue pain and suffering.
The best bet in convertible carriers is the Beco Baby Carrier. With four carry positions – two front, one back and hip — it’s versatile and easy to shift the baby from one position to another. It’s simple to adjust, and parents say it fits so well that the baby feels secure even when they bend over. However, it’s 35-pound weight limit is not as high as that of other carriers.
The Ergobaby Performance Carrier has a 45-pound weight limit, but it has one flaw that keeps it from the top rankings: The baby can’t face forward in the front-carry position. There are also a number of complaints about scratchy fabric and stiff sides. However, unlike the Beco, parents can use the Ergobaby as a back carrier for light hiking when their babies are too young for framed backpack carriers.
The Cybex 2.go has a 44-pound weight rating and five carry positions, but it falls short on ease of use. Parents say it’s complex and confusing to adjust. It takes two people to put the baby in the back carry position, which some parents say limits its usefulness. Also, in spite of that weight rating, reviewers say it doesn’t fit older toddlers well.
All of these carriers are machine-washable, versatile and comfortable for infants, but the Beco Gemini can’t be beat for ease of use and a secure fit.
Sling- and wrap-style carriers shouldn’t be hard to adjust
Incredibly popular with some parents, slings (also known as wraps) can confound even the most determined parent with their complex assembly and adjustments. The Baby K’tan (*Est. $50) is an exception. It eliminates the extra fabric of most wraps but still holds the baby closely swaddled to the parent. The baby can be carried in at least five positions — step-by-step illustrations are in the owner’s manual — and it even accommodates newborn twins.
Unlike most carriers, the K’tan is not adjustable for different-sized parents. But owners love it as a travel carrier, since you can just fold it up and toss it in a diaper bag, unlike the Moby Wrap , which is bulky and can fill an entire tote. The Moby Wrap is also very complex to wrap and tie, and some parents say they never get the knack of it. But once they do, moms love its ability to allow them to nurse discreetly.
The Maya Wrap Ring Sling also enables moms to nurse hands-free, but like the Moby Wrap, it can be hard to adjust, and some parents say they never feel their baby is secure enough to let go with both hands. Also, there are a number of complaints of back pain and shoulder strain with both the Maya and the Moby. Some experts say this is due to incorrect installation and positioning because the two wraps are so hard to figure out.
It’s vitally important with slings and wraps that the baby is properly positioned to be sure they have a clear airway. Follow all instructions that come with your sling or wrap carrier, and if you have any doubts as to whether or not you’re doing it right, don’t use it.
The best backpack baby carriers distribute weight evenly
A backpack baby carrier is a must-have for parents who like the outdoors. Made for older babies with full head control, these framed carriers have child seats where you would normally find a place for a sleeping bag or bed roll.
The best of the best of these is the Deuter Kid Comfort III . Pricey? Maybe, but experts and parents say you’ll never regret this purchase. It’s super-safe for the child, with a five-point harness and great head support for napping. Most importantly, the weight is so well distributed that even small women say they can hike with it for hours without fatigue or strain. It’s also so easy to load and unload the baby that one person can do so without assistance. It’s equipped for serious hiking, too, with space for a 2-liter hydration system.
The Kelty Transit 3.0 doesn’t get the high marks for parental comfort as the Deuter, but it comes pretty close. It has a lower weight limit than the Deuter — 40 pounds versus 48.5 pounds — but it’s also better suited for non-trail uses. Compared to the Deuter, which is a dedicated backpack that happens to be fitted to carry a child, the Kelty is almost like a diaper bag you can wear on your back, complete with changing pad.
The Chicco Smart Support Backpack (*Est. $90) is less expensive, but reviewers say it is not in a class with either the Deuter or the Kelty when it comes to serious hiking. However, it’s a good choice for light hikes and using around town or around the house while doing housework, according to some parents. However, we saw a lot of complaints from shorter women who said this was very uncomfortable for them. As long as you’re tall enough for a good fit, experts and owners say your child will love this carrier. It gets raves for comfort for kids, and, like the Deuter and Kelty, the seat adjusts in height as your child grows. It also folds flat for easy transport.
These three carriers are more closely ranked than the carriers in any other category, making any of the three a worthwhile purchase. However, more than any other type of carrier, the backpack baby carrier you choose is highly dependent upon how you’re going to use it.
If you’re off on a demanding hike, take the Deuter. The Kelty is great for less strenuous hikes or even just for long walks through scenic park trails or through town. The Chicco, light and easy to put on and take off, is a great choice for carrying your baby around the neighborhood or for a trip to the zoo, where your child may want to walk part of the time and ride part of the time — while still being able to see what’s going on around him.
Baby Carrier Blog 