Babywearing for New Moms: Our Favorite Carriers

By Nikki M

Want to try baby wearing but don't know where to begin? For novices, we recommend something easy and straight-forward. Something with actual straps, buckles, loops, and leg holes, so that nothing's really left for interpretation. It's like a paint-by-number kit. Or a peg puzzle with the picture still printed on underneath. This is Baby Carrying 101. We're talking, of course, about baby carriers!

Utilitarian in looks and designed with ergonomics in mind, nothing beats baby carriers when it comes to ease of use, support, and comfort. While you might have to fumble around with swaths of cloths for wraps and slings, carriers are pretty straight-forward.

Ergobaby Four Position 360

The Ergobaby Original carrier is a cult favorite for a good reason. It's extremely comfortable to wear. The weight is evenly distributed at the hip— no aching back and shoulders here! It's also wonderfully padded throughout, so nothing's digging into your skin. There are a ton of great features such as loops on the end of straps, a nice hood with snaps, and a small zip pocket in front. So what makes the Ergobaby Four Position 360 EXTRA special? You can finally wear your baby outward-facing!

Baby Bjorn Original

We can't make a list about baby carriers and not have the old-school favorite Baby Bjorn Original high up there. This thing is sleek, lightweight, and small— perfectly sized for newborns. While it looks quite minimal, you still get the awesome feature of wearing your baby inward (recommended until 5 months old) or outward-facing. Can be used up to 24 pounds!

Beco Gemini

This carrier is simply gorgeous. It's modern, minimal, and comes in the most beautifully understated prints. We love the hip triangles on "Steps,” and the ultra-cool "Arrow" print. But it isn't just eye-candy, it’s practical as well: it's comfortable to wear, can be worn in four different ways (front inward, front outward, back, hip) and can be used from birth without an additional insert.

Boba Carrier 4G

The Boba 4G is a stunningly streamlined—this isn't your typical bulky carrier. It's soft, yet structured, and comes in the quirkiest prints that you'll just love to show off. We love the multi-colored, geometric "Peak,” and the insanely adorable "Tweet" (it has birds on it! Birds!). It has an integrated infant insert, customizable hood and foot straps, and can carry up to a whopping 45 pounds. Did we mention the purse strap holders? And POCKETS? Awesome for baby, and for mom!

Moby Go

If you need a carrier for an older baby (4 months +), this is the way to go. If you don't need all the extra bells and whistles, this carrier simply works, and it does its job well. It features wide, crossed shoulder straps for supreme comfort and can be worn on the back. It's beautiful in its fuss-free simplicity—no need to worry about clashing with your outfit!

Stokke MyCarrier

Created by the Scandinavian brand that brought us the modular Tripp Trapp highchair and ultra-luxe Xplory stroller, Stokke bestows upon us yet another striking piece: the MyCarrier. It's gorgeously modern (snag it in red!), made with organic cotton, and features double locks and a zipper harness for maximum safety. It's ergonomically designed to provide optimal support for baby, and can be worn on the front (inward and outward facing) and on the back.

Get the mesh "Cool" version with moisture-wicking properties and extra-breathability if you live somewhere warm.

Onya Baby Outback

If you're an adventure-seeker and need something that'll survive your outdoorsy lifestyle, the Onya Baby Outback is for you! Made with an extremely durable, waterproof, rip-stop nylon exterior, this carrier can withstand anything that comes your way. The interior is made out of a breathable, air-mesh lining, perfect for wicking moisture and staying cool on those strenuous hikes. Can be worn on the front or back.

Which one is your favorite baby carrier? Perhaps you prefer a wrap? Maybe a sling?

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Tags : baby gear   babywearing   

Nicki Kanwal
I had the Baby Bjorn original and LOVED it. So lightweight and simple to use, unlike most bulky carriers.
Lindsey Velasco
Love the print on the Beco Gemini
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