Best Baby Carrier Of 2020

One thing is certain – a baby carrier will make moving around with your baby much easier. A good baby carrier can make carrying your baby an enjoyable experience instead of a back-hurting, exhausting nightmare.

Why Use a Baby Carrier?

There are many reasons for choosing to wear your baby close to your body. It’s not only natural, but it’s also very convenient.

Furthermore, it’s not just good for you, it’s good for the baby too. Being close to your body has a calming effect on infants and helps in creating a bond between the baby and the infant.

Even though baby carries in various forms have been around for a long time, there are more options to choose from now than ever. There is a wide range of styles available, and there is certainly a baby carrier to suit every need and budget.

Types of Baby Carriers

Soft structured carriers (also known as SSCs or buckle carriers) are the most common type of baby carriers today with more and more brands producing their versions.

SSCs are worn a bit like a backpack, and many of them are ergonomically designed to be comfortable for both the parent and the child. They can come with various useful features like adjustable straps, waistbands, pockets, sleeping hoods, etc.

One of the best things about SSCs is that they can be used from the birth of your baby and well into toddlerhood. They are also quite versatile, as they can be used as a front carrier and a back carrier, and some of them have even more positions.

Keep in mind that SSCs should be worn only in the front until your baby can sit unassisted (about 6 months old). You will need to purchase an additional infant insert for some models to safely use your carrier for very young babies.

Even though SSCs are the most popular type and many parents find them the most convenient, there are several other types of baby carriers available. Mos of the fall into one of these four categories:

1. Fabric wraps, which are just a long piece of cloth, are the simplest type of baby carriers but that doesn’t mean they don’t have certain advantages. They are probably the most versatile of all as they can be tied in many different ways and positions. Tying a fabric wrap does require some skill, but most parents find it easy to learn. It just takes a little practice.

2. Ring slings are a modern interpretation of ancient one shoulder baby carriers found in many different cultures. A ring sling consists of a piece of fabric with two rings attached to one and.

The other end of the fabric is threaded through the rings which allow for easy adjustment. They are great for newborns!

Another version of this system is a pouch sling which is simply a tube of fabric worn over one shoulder. Even though they are simple and sleek, a big disadvantage of pouch slings is that they are not adjustable.

3. The meh dai baby carrier is based on traditional Chinese carriers. It has two pairs of straps without buckles, which means it’s easily adjusted to fit adults of different sizes. Modern versions often have padding added to the straps to provide more comfort.

4. Frame carriers are more structured and can be worn only as a back carrier. They are designed primarily for hiking or other instances when you are carrying your baby for long periods of time. These are not suitable for newborns. A child needs to be able to sit up straight and have full neck and head control to ride in the carrier.

Choosing a Baby Carrier: Some Considerations 

First of all, proper positioning in the baby carrier is of utmost importance for the healthy development of the little one’s hips and spine.

While in the carrier, the baby should sit in the “M” position – legs wide with the knees bent and placed slightly above the baby’s waist. In short, the legs should never be dangling below the carrier.

Baby carriers that have been endorsed by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) are the safest way to go if you are unsure about the positioning.

Ergonomics is important for the baby, but it’s important for you too. You’ll want a carrier that has support for your back too and doesn’t cause back pain.

Some other things you might need to think about might be the age and weight range of the carrier and the number of carrying positions.

5 Best Baby Carriers Reviewed 

Baby Tula Ergonomic Baby Carrier

You have to love the Tula baby carrier at least for its looks. Carriers from the Tula Ergonomic Baby Carrier series are one of the most trendy and stylish out there. There is a total of 54 color options, so there is a color combination or a beautiful pattern to suit anyone’s taste.

These carriers are made of 100% cotton, and they come in two sizes – “Baby”, with a weight capacity from 15 to 45 pounds and “Toddler” that can carry from 25 to 60 pounds.

If you want to use it for a baby that is less than six months old, you might need to purchase an additional infant insert. They are pretty comfortable and lightweight, although they could provide a bit more lumbar support. 

This baby carrier also features a wide, padded waistband which makes the carrier feel very secure once you put it on. The shoulder straps are also padded, and there is soft padding on the inside to support your baby’s legs. The Tula baby carrier can be used in two positions – front and back.

PROS

• checkVery comfortable thanks to padded waistband and shoulder straps
• checkA wide range of colorful patterns to choose from
• checkEasy to put on

CONS

• exclamation-triangleThe Tula baby carrier lacks lumbar support so it can cause back pain
• exclamation-triangleThe material is not very breathable, and this carrier could have better airflow

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Boba 4G Carrier

Boba 4G baby carrier comes with everything you need – an integrated infant insert, a detachable sleeping hood and very useful foot straps. It can be used as a front or back carrier, and the weight capacity is 7-45 pounds which means it can be used for a very long time.

The main piece of fabric wraps nicely around the little once and it provides good support when you wear the carrier on your back. However, Boba 4G shouldn’t be used as a back carrier until the baby reaches 25 pounds.

The feature that makes the Boba carrier stand out is the adjustability. The shoulder straps are highly adjustable, and even the waistband has two positions, so Boba G4 fits adults of all shapes and sizes. Keep in mind that it is suitable for adults from 5 to 6.3 feet high, according to the manufacturers.

PROS

• checkBoba 4G has an integrated infant insert, so there is no need to purchase an additional one
• checkComes with a sleeping hood and foot straps, both of which are removable
• checkThis baby carrier has easily adjustable straps on the chest and the sides, multiple pockets and a bag strap holder which make it very functional. 

CONS

• exclamation-triangleMight be too big for people that are very thin or have a small frame 
• exclamation-triangleSome people might find the straps uncomfortable

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LILLEbaby Ergonomic Baby and Child Carrier COMPLETE All Seasons

This LILLEbaby carrier is one of the most comfortable soft structured carriers you can find. The weight capacity is from 7 to 45 pounds, and the carrier can be adjusted to grow with the baby.

In fact, there are six carrying positions, and there is no need for an infant insert. When worn as an inward-facing front carrier the LilleBaby Complete can be adjusted to fit newborns, infants, or toddlers. There are three more options – the front-outward position, back carry, and hip carry. 

The LILLEbaby carrier is comfortable for the little ones, but it’s exceptionally comfortable for the parents too. The lumbar support pad is a great addition, and the waistband is very thick and wide, so it supports the weight of the carrier.

Furthermore, the LILLEbaby Complete carrier is great for moms who want to breastfeed while wearing it. All you need to do is loosen the straps a little bit to adjust the position of the carrier, and you are ready. You can even put the sleeping hood up for a bit of privacy.

A unique feature of the LILLEbaby Complete All Seasons is the airflow control system. There is a fabric panel at the front that can be rolled down if you need more airflow or zippered up if it’s cold outside.

PROS

• checksix different carrying positions, including hip carrier
• checkAdaptable to different weather conditions
• checkComes with a lumbar support pad 

CONS

• exclamation-triangleSome parents find that the material is too rough, especially when new
• exclamation-triangleThe zippered pocket is inaccessible when the front panel is rolled down

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BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One 

The Original BabyBjorn revolutionized baby carriers at the time that it was made. It was created to make babywearing easy for parents, but there was one caveat – it was not suitable to be used for long periods of time as this would cause pain and sour shoulders.

BabyBjorn Carrier One is an updated version of the Original. It is much more comfortable because of the added padding on the shoulder straps and a thick waist belt.

This carrier also features an adjustable, extra-wide seating area which allows it to be comfortable for most babies from the day they are born until the age of 3. 

This carrier is also remarkably versatile because it can be worn in for different positions – in the front with the baby facing in or facing out and on the back. The fourth position is for newborns, and it allows you to carry your baby in a higher position, close to your heart.

The BabyBjorn One is very structured and holds your baby securely in place which is good, but it can also become a bit of a problem if you are breastfeeding. You’ll need to take the carrier off to breastfeed, and this process can be inconvenient when you are out and about.

PROS

• checkfour carrying positions
• checkErgonomically designed to provide support for the baby’s hips and spine
• checkBreathable and comfortable for both the baby and the parent

CONS

• exclamation-trianglemight not be the best choice for breastfeeding moms
• exclamation-triangleit might not fit right if you are petite 

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Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling

Ring slings are great for newborns because they allow you to hold them close every minute of the day. Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling is also beautifully designed and comes with a large number of colorful options. The hand-loomed cotton fabric feels nice and durable.

Tying a ring sling properly takes some time to learn, but it is not too hard. One tip to help you relieve shoulder pain if wearing the sling for a long time is to fan the fabric out over your shoulder to distribute the weight more evenly. It helps!

PROS

• checkVery lightweight and comfortable
• checkCan be adjusted to fit any body shape
• checkCan be used for newborns and well into toddlerhood

CONS

• exclamation-triangleThe material is very heavy so it might not be suitable for hot weather
• exclamation-triangleMore difficult to get into place than soft structured baby carriers, for example

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Conclusion

We’ve carefully compared all of the most popular baby carriers. Tastes differ, of course, but in our opinion, the one that stands out is LILLEbaby COMPLETE All Seasons baby carrier. It’s adjustable and versatile enough to fit almost every parent. 

The adjustable seating area conforms to your baby’s needs, and you can carry it in any position you like. They even thought about the parents’ backs, so they added a lumbar support pad.

On top of this, the air-flow control system makes this carrier unique, and there are multiple colors and patterns for you to choose from. What more could you ask for from a baby carrier?