How to Pick the Best Baby Carrier For Your Newborn

From the newborn snuggles to the toddler hikes, babywearing has been one of my favorite and most consistent practices since becoming a mom. Our baby carriers have been our most used (and beloved) items from our registry, with the exception of cloth diapers!

When shopping for my first baby carrier, I was overwhelmed by options. Here are the results of my research and experimentation: my thoughts on the best baby carrier for babywearing that I’ve tried, used, and loved (or not). Hopefully, it’s a helpful starting point so you can find what works for you and your baby can fall in love with babywearing like I have.

How To Choose The Best Baby Carrier

The main thing you should consider when shopping for a carrier is this: buy a baby carrier that you’ll actually use.

That sounds a little simplistic, but it’s easy to get caught up with the trendy styles and add-on features and end up with carriers that are cute but stay on the shelf because they aren’t practical. The best baby carrier should be:

1. Comfortable for you: You won’t wear it if it hurts your back.
2. Easy to use: If you need another person to strap it on, or it’s too complicated to learn how to do the fancy wrap, you won’t use it.
3. Calming for baby: Sometimes it takes a couple of tries for a baby to get used to being worn or to a new carrier, but don’t give up! They’ll adjust because, ultimately, they love being snuggled against you.

Top 10 Best Baby Carriers From Newborn To Toddler

Here are my research and experimentation results: my thoughts on the best baby carriers for babywearing that I’ve tried, used, and loved (or not). Hopefully, it’s a helpful starting point so you can find what works for you and your baby can fall in love with babywearing like I have.

Best Baby Carrier For Newborn Children

Solly Baby

The Solly Baby wrap carrier is made from TENCEL Modal from sustainably sourced Austrian Beechwood trees. It’s a lovely blend of soft, sturdy, and stretchy.

I loved my cloth wrap carrier for the early infant stage through about three months. You can use them longer, but a structured carrier was easier when my baby got bigger, and I was venturing into the world more.

While this is probably my pick for the best baby carrier wrap, I didn’t try all of the other options out there - which are available at different prices. I’ve heard great things about the Boba Wrap and Mushie (100% organic cotton!).

Izzzi Baby Carrier

A super interesting carrier I will try with my next baby is the Izzzi Baby Carrier. It’s a hybrid between a snuggly wrap and a structured carrier that cradles the baby at an angle mimicking a natural infant hold. The Izzzi enables constant eye contact and is very conducive to breastfeeding. Plus, keeping your baby cradled sideways rather than spending much time upright is good for their brain development, especially in those early months.

Honorable Mention: I recently discovered this “mama’s bonding comforter” carrier that looks like a neat, super soft wrap option for bigger babies and toddlers. It doesn't look ergonomic for carrying while walking or multitasking, but it could be a snuggly tool for regulation and bonding.

Best Soft Structured Carriers (Newborn Through Toddler)

Ergobaby Omni 360

Without a doubt, no questions asked, the Ergobaby Omni 360 is my favorite baby carrier I’ve ever used. It is comfortable, versatile, and easy to use. All the other carriers I tried put weird pressure or a disproportionate amount of weight in one place or another; the Ergo is the only one that feels comfy for my baby and supportive of my body.

The 360 is a one-stop shop: it can last from infant to toddler (I still use it daily with my 16-month-old) and can be used inward-facing, outward-facing, backpack style, and as a hip carry. 10/10; it is the best thing from my baby registry. Worth every penny.

Best Backpack Carriers (Older Babies Through Toddlers)

The Tot Pack

I love this backpack carrier because it’s minimal and lightweight, has a baby footrest, and is ergonomic for the wearer with lumbar support and a shoulder strap. The fabric is 100% cotton, and the frame is aluminum. It looks workable for hiking and everyday use.

Kelty Kids

We bought a used Kelty Kids backpack carrier that’s an older model than what’s currently available. However, even used, it works great for us! It’s ergonomic for me and comfortable for my baby.

Honorable Mention: A traditional Japanese backpack carrier is an Onbuhimo, a style, not a specific brand or model. It’s a soft carrier that supports the baby high on the back, giving them a view and mom a comfortable carry for a heavier baby without the bulk of a full backpack. It’s an excellent option for pregnant moms because the strap sits above the belly. Here’s a gorgeous one made out of organic cotton!

Baby Carriers I Would Not Recommend

LÍLLÉbaby

I tried both the 6-in-1 structured carrier and the dragonfly wrap. In my experience, they were less comfortable than the Ergobaby carrier and the Sollybaby wrap. They also had features, like the back panel on the dragonfly wrap, that added more complexity and opportunity for off-centered weight distribution than support or ease.

Sakura Bloom Scout

Sakura Bloom’s carriers are GORGEOUS. But in my opinion, for a carrier to be worth that price point, they must be pretty darn perfect, which it was not. The Scout was lovely for a few fancy events that I attended, but for everyday use, it was significantly tougher on my back than my beloved Ergo. Almost all the weight rests on the shoulder straps, which never quite sat in the right place or felt secure (and a couple of times, the h-strap even came unclasped or popped off the shoulder strap).

I haven’t tried their Onbuhimo or Ring Sling. They get all the points for aesthetics and quality materials. But I’d turn elsewhere to find beautiful carriers that are also comfortable (and affordable).

Other Baby Carriers That I Haven’t Tried

Ring Sling

I definitely will be trying this out with the next baby. Wildbird has lovely models made from Tencel modal and linen, and Nalakai makes one from bamboo and linen.

Structured Wrap

A structured wrap to replace a fabric wrap, like this one from Ergobaby, is a nice option. If tying a traditional fabric wrap is intimidating but you want the snuggly feel with your newborn, this is a great swap. Remember, pick what you’ll actually use!

Structured Carrier

An alternative to the Ergobaby could be the Nuna CUDL, which boosts many great reviews and is made from more natural materials (mostly organic cotton).

Another structured wrap brand that you could try is this gorgeous linen carrier from Wildbird that looks almost as stylish as the Sakura Bloom but more affordable and supportive! 

Honorable Mention: Baby Hip Seat

A baby hip seat is not a proper baby carrier but has been a great tool for short periods of time around the house. It puts all the weight on the lower back, so I wouldn’t recommend it for long periods of time. It’’s helpful to relieve the shoulders and arms when your baby wants to be held but you want an easy up and down. Tush Baby is a popular brand, but I don’t think this tool is worth the price point! CozyOne is the one I have.

What Are The Benefits Of Babywearing?

Many new moms wonder, is babywearing safe for their newborn? 100% – when used correctly, baby wraps and carriers are totally safe and arguably safer than cribs or strollers since you’re in direct contact with them and able to monitor their every breath and wiggle. Plus, spending lots of time physically in contact with the body of a loving caregiver has incredible benefits for your baby’s development, such as social development, nervous system regulation, core development, etc.

Snuggled up against their mamas is where a baby is supposed to be! I hope my trial and error helps you find the perfect carrier easily so you can wear your little babe with ease.