Being active parents and taking your baby around with you is a great way to help stimulate their brain development and curiosity. However, sometimes a stroller, portable car seat carrier, or just carrying your baby around is just not a practical way to get around. Thankfully, baby carriers have come a long way, and they are now made in a variety of styles from front packs, to slings, to backpack styles that are easy to put on, store, and wash. Most importantly, the best baby carriers are more comfortable for you and your precious cargo.
In this post, we will detail some of the styles and features of various baby carriers to help you decide which one will best for you. Up next, we have written reviews on the 5 best baby carriers available to you, so that you can easily make your buying or registry decision.
5 Best Baby Carriers: Wearing is Caring
So what is the best baby carrier?
Here are a few of the best baby carriers that we’ve chosen for you based on high consumer reviews. We’ve tried to find a variety of brands and types so that you can easily compare features and benefits. The main differences between the best baby carriers will be the fabric content, amount of support, and weight range. Consider all these things when making your final decision.
1. CuddleBug
Baby Wrap Ergo Carrier Sling
Award: Best Baby Carrier for Breastfeeding
Type: Sling suitable for newborns and babies up to 35 lbs.
Features: The CuddleBug Sling has a fabric content of cotton and spandex and is machine washable (an absolute essential). There are eight different color options available online, and has some of the highest consumer ratings on Amazon.
Like most slings, it takes a bit of practice to master the wrapping technique, but this product offers some instructive videos so you can get the hang of it. Once learned it takes less than 60 seconds to put on the wrap and get baby snuggled inside. Customers have noted that it wraps and holds the baby tight in all the right places, while still giving the wearer room to move around.
2. Boba
Boba Wrap
Award: Best Baby Wrap Carrier
Type: Sling suitable for newborns and babies up to 35 lbs.
Features: The Boba Sling is 95% spandex and 5% cotton. It’s also machine washable! It’s currently available in 7 different color and print options.
Boba was really the first brand to master the modern stretch wrap for active moms and dads to be able to comfortably carry their babies hands free, without readjusting numerous buckles and straps. They have developed a lot of customer loyalty, with many consumers stating they’ve bought them for multiple pregnancies, as well as making them the go to choice for baby shower gifts.
Something to keep in mind is that neither of these slings is approved to carry infants in any other position than chest facing. So for babies that like to face out a backpack carrier might be more suitable. However, because of it’s long standing history as a great brand, Boba has earned our blessing as the best baby wrap carrier available.
3. Infantino
Infantino Flip 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier
Award: Best Front Facing Baby Carrier
Type: Backpack and Frontback suitable for newborns and babies up to 32 lbs.
Features: Unlike the slings listed above, there are four approved positions for baby in the Infantino carrier. It’s machine washable and available in a medium heathered gray (perfectly gender neutral).
The material is incredibly breathable, making it a great choice for summer or warmer outdoor and indoor activities. It will also mean that you can wear it for longer without overheating yourself or baby.
4. Baby Bjorn
Babybjorn Baby Carrier
Award: Best Baby Carrier for Newborn
Type: Backpack suitable for newborns and babies up to 25 lbs.
Features: It’s available in 7 different but neutral cotton fabric options. It’s machine washable, but it’s recommended that you let it air dry. The BabyBjorn is approved for chest or outward facing positions.
Many customer reviews stated that the Babybjorn carrier is better suited for newborns both because of its size and neck support. That’s why we gave it the award for best baby carrier for newborn. So while this carrier might not be in use as long as the other options, many report that they felt more comfortable using this sling until their babies had more neck strength.
5. Lillebaby
SIX-Position Ergonomic Baby & Child Carrier
Award: Best Baby Carrier Backpack
Type: Backpack suitable for newborns and babies up to 45 lbs.
Features: There are over 10 different color options available online now, and it’s machine washable. One of it’s highest selling points are the six approved positions for baby and the weight range.
The great part is that this baby carrier grows with your child without the addition of extra parts or straps. It’s also noted to be most ergonomic to help protect the backs and hips of the carriers, making it the best baby carrier backpack.
An Introduction to Baby Carriers
As a new or soon-to-be parent, it’s normal to ask this question: What’s a baby carrier and what’s the purpose of one? Well, to be honest, it’s quite simple. It’s any device that allows you to carry your baby as you go throughout your day more easily.
Let’s face it. It doesn’t matter how bouncy their bouncer is or how much they enjoy playing on the ground–babies love to be cradled in their parent’s arms most of all. But it’s simply not possible to tote your little one around all day in your arms while you accomplish your to do’s. That’s why baby carriers are super helpful. They let you carry your baby with you while still allowing you to be hands-free and finish your tasks.
Slings vs. Backpack Styles
The next thing you need to do when deciding on a baby carrier is to pick which style you prefer. Right now, the two most popular options are slings and backpacks. Here’s a little rundown on each of them.
Slings
A sling is a long piece of fabric that you can wrap in a variety of ways to hold your baby. The most popular technique is to wrap it over the shoulder and then stretch it around your midsection, creating a perfect carrier. Slings are also engineered to familiarize your little one with you and let your baby hear your heartbeat. When worn tummy to tummy or chest to chest, a sling is a great way to bond with your infant.
Babies, especially newborns, enjoy feeling snuggled because it imitates the womb environment. And the more babies are held, the less they tend to cry. In this way, a sling can make for a happier and less stressful environment for your little one.
Backpack and Frontpack Style
A backpack or frontpack style is just that–it has straps that you can place over your chest or back with a carrying pack where baby can sit. Another benefit is that on some of these baby can face in or out. These are also some of the best baby carriers for newborns because they support your baby’s head. Their head makes up a third of their entire body weight, and newborns aren’t ten enough to hold them during their first five months. That’s another reason backpack style carriers are a great option.
