15 Best Baby Carriers in 2021 (Tested)

As a new parent, you want to be as close to your baby as possible. The right baby carrier will help you keep your baby close to promote bonding while allowing you to perform daily tasks.

With virtually endless options available, we've put together a list of safest and IMHO best baby carriers to help you pick the one that's best for you and your baby.

3 Best Baby Carriers

Best Baby Carriers for hot weather ​

LILLEbaby Complete Seasons 6-Position Ergonomic Baby Carrier

LILLEbaby's Complete Seasons baby carrier pulls out all the stops for a carrier that is nothing short of luxurious. Complete with lumbar and neck support, padded shoulder straps and temperature control material, it's the ultimate in comfort for both baby and parents.

The 6-in-1 design is made to accommodate your baby through birth all the way to up to 45 pounds. It's the perfect all-in-one solution for years of comfortable, safe carrying.

Your baby's head is supported with a padded adjustable head and neck support. The mesh panel keeps your baby cool when it's hot outside, or it can be zipped up for extra warmth in cooler weather.

For your comfort, the sturdy waist belt is outfitted with extra lumbar support to prevent back strain. Adjust the padded straps for either crossed X-style or backpack H-style wear.

The soft fabrics are comfortable and safe for your baby's sensitive skin. Best of all, it's machine washable for easy cleanup.

It's available in a whopping 41 colors combinations, so there's one for every sense of style.

Ergobaby 360 All Carry Positions Baby Carrier

Ergobaby's 360 baby carrier is incredibly versatile and comfortable for both baby and carrier. The structured bucket seat keeps your baby in a naturally ergonomic "M" position, which allows for proper hip and spine alignment. Transition your baby from infant to toddler with four different carry positions: front carry facing in or out, back carry, or side carry.

The wide padded wraparound waist band provides excellent lumbar support and superior back comfort. Extra padding on the shoulder straps minimizes pressure for a comfortable carry even over long periods.

An included tuckaway hood with UPF 50 protects your baby from sun and wind, and also allows for more private breastfeeding. The carrier is machine washable for easy maintenance.

Onya Baby Carrier - Outback

At first glance, Onya's carrier looks like most standard soft structure carriers. But it comes with one unique feature: an integrated seat harness that can be used to transform virtually any chair into a baby-safe booster seat.

As a carrier, it can be used for babies from seven to 45 pounds. Three carry positions allow you to carry your baby comfortably in front, back, or on your hip. Whichever position you choose, the wide waistband provides significant lumbar support for a comfortable carry. Low profile X straps allow you to cross the straps across your back for superior weight distribution while you front carry.

The shoulder straps are padded for your comfort, and feature convenient toy loops to clip pacifiers and other toys. An extra-large zipper pocket in front provides a convenient way to carry keys, phone, and even an extra diaper.

Baby Tula Ergonomic Carrier

Baby Tula's soft structure carrier is suitable for babies from 15 to 45 pounds, allowing you to carry your child from infantry into their toddler years. An infant insert can be purchased separately to allow you to carry your baby as a newborn.

The wraparound waistband is wide, providing excellent lumbar support and comfort. A convenient velcro pocket is located on the front of the waistband to store keys, pacifiers and other small items.

Padded shoulder straps evenly distribute your baby's weight and alleviate pressure and strain. Some users thought that the shoulders didn't have quite enough padding, making it less comfortable to carry for long periods of time than some other carriers.

Innoo Tech Baby Sling Carrier

Many moms swear by traditional slings for carrying their babies. Wrapping your baby up snugly creates a comforting environment that will relax their muscles naturally. Slings are also ideal for discreet breastfeeding.

This sling carrier from Innoo is suitable for newborns through toddlers up to 35 pounds. It properly supports your baby's head, neck and spine for comfortable and safe carrying.

The soft material is ideal for a baby's sensitive skin. It measures 4.5 meters long and is worn by simply wrapping and tying. Written instructions and an instructive DVD are included to help you wrap safely and effectively.

Babies can be carried inward- or outward-facing with this sling. No matter what position you choose to carry them in, the wrap comfortably supports your spine to eliminate unnecessary strain.

For easy cleaning, it is 100% machine washable. Users were impressed with the material's durability even with regular washes.

 Brighter Elements Ergonomic Baby Carrier

Designed with the ultimate comfort in mind, this baby carrier from Brighter Elements is perfect for babies from 6 months to toddlers (13 to 33 pounds). It's both durable and lightweight so you can carry your baby comfortably for years to come.

The carrier can be adjusted to 5 different carrying positions to support inward- or outward-facing carrying. A unique detachable hip carrier can be used for short trips or for carrying your baby around the house easily.

Its unique ergonomic design takes your baby's weight and distributes it evenly to your hips, relieving strain on your back and shoulders so you can stay comfortable even on long trips.

During hot summer months, the cool mesh vent will keep your baby comfortable and prevent overheating. Two detachable drool towels are included on the straps for quick, easy cleanup of spit-up or drool. The entire carrier is machine washable.

BabyBjorn Original Baby Carrier

From one of the most well-known names in baby carriers, the BabyBjorn original carrier is a classic choice for parents everywhere. It was developed with pediatricians to ensure that it provides adequate support for your baby's hips, spine and neck.

Most experts recommend carrying your baby facing you for their first five months. After this, their hips and joints will be developed enough to support them facing out. This carrier allows you to easily convert between inward- and outward-facing positions for an easy transition.

As your baby grows, the carrier can be adjusted to fit your baby comfortably. It's made to carry babies between 8 pounds and 25 pounds. The size adjustment buckle allows you to easily fit the carrier to your growing baby. Color-coded buckles and a safety click make adjusting the carrier a breeze.

During their first five months, babies are not strong enough to support their heads on their own. This carrier has built-in adjustable neck support to safely support their head and neck.

For your comfort, the shoulder straps are designed to distribute weight evenly. A few users noted that the shoulder straps were uncomfortable after long periods of wear as they are not padded.

Infantino Cuddle Up Ergonomic Baby Carrier 

Infantino combines comfort and style with their adorable hooded baby carrier. Suitable for babies and toddlers from 12 to 45 pounds, it's perfect for babies from 6 months to toddlers.

The wide ergonomic seat is plush and comfortable for your baby, supporting their hips and spine to support healthy growth. The carrier can be adjusted to 2 positions: inward-facing or backpack.

A detachable canopy hood - adorably styled like a teddy bear - allows you to shade your baby from the sun without blocking your view.

For your comfort, this carrier is outfitted with a wide lumbar-support waist belt. The added support prevents strain on your back and shoulders by evenly distributing your baby's weight through your shoulders, hips and waist. Extra-plush adjustable shoulder pads prevent pressure on your shoulders.

Convenient hoodie-style pockets at the front of the carrier are suitable for storing your keys and cell phone, or resting your hands in the pockets.

Best Baby Carriers for a bad back

NimNik Baby Sling Carrier Ergonomics Lightweight Hipseat

This soft structure carrier from NimNik offers advanced lumbar support through a wide cushioned waistband. Suitable for children from 12 to 45 lbs., it's versatile enough to carry your child all the way through their toddler years. The 4-in-1 design allows for you to carry your baby four ways:

• Front-wearing, facing in
• Front-wearing, facing out
• Back-wearing
• Hip/side carry with detachable hip seat

To properly support your back and shoulders, the waist and shoulder straps are wide and cushioned. Your baby's weight is distributed evenly from your shoulders to your back, alleviating strain and pressure.

Boba Wrap   

This classic wrap carrier from Boba is an excellent option for parents who prefer the custom fit and closeness of a wrap. It's ideal for holding babies from birth to 35 lbs., and is even suitable for preemies.

The French terry cotton/spandex blend is exceptionally durable and won't sag or stretch even with daily use. The material is secure but stretchy enough to accommodate discreet breastfeeding.

This ergonomic soft structured carrier from Mother Nest was designed with the comfort of babies and parents in mind. Suitable for babies from 12-33 lbs., it's a versatile and comfortable carrier.

It allows for two carry positions: front carrying (with the baby facing toward the chest) and back carrying. Some users were disappointed that it doesn't allow for front carrying with the baby facing out, but most were satisfied with the two positions.

To provide exceptional comfort and back support, this carrier has an extra-wide padded waistband.
At 5.5" wide, the waistband is designed to relieve pressure by distributing your baby's weight as evenly as possible.

Users were very impressed with the comfort the Mother Nest carrier provided, even during long periods of wear.

Best Baby Carriers for Dads

Moby Wrap

As the name suggests, this is a wrap-type baby carrier that is designed quite cleverly. It is very comfortable for both the baby and the parent alike.

The fabric used in the manufacture is soft and comfortable. The cotton jersey material is soft to touch and keeps the baby warm as well. It is just one big piece of cloth that wraps you and your young one in a nice cozy hug! As the piece of fabric can be stretched to your liking, it will fit almost everyone. Even if you are a skinny dad or a big and tall dad, the Moby has you covered!

There is a downside to this simple wrap-type baby carrier, sort of, that is. As I said, it is just a big piece of cloth so, to use it, you will need to watch the instructional videos over and over again to learn how to use it properly. Although the instructions are obvious and easy to follow, it is an added step nonetheless.

The weight limit of this carrier is between 8-35 pounds, which means you can use it for quite some time till your baby is old enough to walk. It is effortless to wash and clean as well. Just throw it in a washer and wash with cold water that's it!

As a bonus, you get as many as three positions to hold your baby with this carrier- front, sling, and hip. Just watch the instructional video, and you will become an expert in no time.

Boba 4G Carrier

I love this carrier a lot. It is also a structured carrier, but what sets the Boba apart is the unique design and usability. Unlike some other structured carriers, the Boba aims to fit most parents between 5 to 6.5 feet in height.

One of the best things that I love about this carrier is the fact that it has a number or zipped compartments to carry your wallet, cell phone, and other things. The removable straps are super comfortable, and the inside padding is also nice and thick.

The only concern with this carrier is that as the waistband is made from a softer fabric, it does not offer as much support as some other carriers. That said, it is not a matter worth worrying either.

Baby K'tan Organic Baby Carrier

The baby K'tan carrier combines the versatility of a wrap around carrier with the simplicity of the structured carriers. Although this carrier is a wrap around carrier at heart, it is designed to eliminate the hassles of wrapping it up around you and the baby.

The carrier is designed with two metal hoops to help to set up the carrier in less than 30 seconds and boom! You are ready to go. There is an additional fabric sash for extra protection as well.

The fabric is super-soft and comfortable. It wicks away the moisture and keeps both you and your baby comfortably dry. As an added benefit, the K'tan carrier uses a specialized fabric that can block the harmful UV-A and UV-B rays of the sun as well.

On the flip side, the K'tan is not as universal as some other wrap around carriers. Although it is available in almost all sizes, you will need to pick a size while buying this carrier. I would suggest you get the K'tan one size smaller than your clothes size as it tends to stretch after a few days of usage.

There are several different types of carriers. We'll take a look at a few of the main types and their best uses.

Structured carriers

A structured carrier consists of a baby seat attached to 2 shoulder straps. The carrier is worn close to the chest. During your baby's first 5 months of life, they should be carried facing inward. Once they're a bit older and can support their neck, they can be turned to face outward.

Some structured carriers allow for up to 6 different positions, while others only support the 2 basic positions of inward- and outward-facing.

Wraps

Wraps are made of a single very long piece of fabric which wraps around you and your baby. Their versatility makes them very popular, since they can be tightened or loosened for a custom fit of your baby. They are ideal for discreet breastfeeding.

Because the fabric piece is so long, they can be somewhat cumbersome especially for petite women.

Slings

A sling is similar to a wrap, but only wraps over one shoulder to form a pouch for your baby. There are some concerns about slings and their correlation with hip dysplasia in infants, and they are not recommended by many experts.

Look for a baby carrier that can support your child as they continue to grow. Ideally, you will only have to buy one carrier from the time of their birth to the time they are a toddler.

The best baby carrier will allow you to seamlessly transition from newborn to toddler. Many carriers on the market today are highly adjustable and suited for just that.

Type of carrier

SSCs and wraps are typically your best bet for relieving back pain. They both have benefits, but neither is truly "better" than the other; it's simply a matter of preference. If you prefer not to fuss with knots and fabric, an SSC will be your best bet. But if you like the versatility of being able to tie and wear your carrier any way, you'll probably prefer a sling.

Positions

The most basic carriers usually support at least 2 carrying positions: inward- and outward-facing. For the first 5 months after your baby is born, they should be carried facing your chest to support their neck. After that, they can be turned outward or carried on the back.

Some baby carriers have up to 6 positions, providing ultimate versatility.

Look for material that is both durable and comfortable for you and your baby. Material should be soft enough for your baby's sensitive skin. Ideally, it will also be breathable enough to prevent your baby from overheating.

It's also important that it's easy to clean. You will face inevitable spit-ups and drool, so the ability to throw it in the wash and go is a huge convenience.

Comfort​

Both you and your baby should be comfortable with the carrier. Proper alignment of your baby's neck, spine and hips is essential, especially during their early developmental stages. Look for something with added neck support and a wide ergonomic seat.

Your comfort is also important. If you choose a structured carrier, look for padded shoulder straps and a wide waist belt to distribute weight evenly and prevent strain on your back and shoulders.

Weight distribution

It is imperative that your carrier distributes your baby's weight evenly, especially if you have back problems. Uneven weight distribution will cause unnecessary strain on your body as it tries to compensate for misplaced weight.

Extra support

Some SSCs have added lumbar support built in to their waist straps. If you have mid-lower back pain, this added support can greatly increase your comfort while baby-wearing. Ideally, look for something with a wide waist strap and wide shoulder straps, as they will increase your comfort.

While you might be able to get away with just using a stroller for most of your day-to-day routine, a carrier is a huge convenience. It allows you to hold your baby while keeping your hands free for other tasks.

The closeness that a baby carrier provides promotes the bond between you and your baby. Especially during their first few months of life, this closeness is essential. Being held snugly against your chest can help soothe a fussy child and make them feel safe.

T.I.C.K.S.

The acronym T.I.C.K.S. is used to outline some of the basic guidelines you should follow when babywearing.

Carrying position

Until your baby's neck is strong enough to support their head on their own, always use a front-carry position with the baby facing in towards you. In this position, their head will be supported by your chest.

Once your baby is a bit older - typically around four months - they can be carried in a facing-out position, if desired. Your baby should be able to comfortably support his or her head on their own before facing them out.

Some carriers also allow for back carry positions. Because this position doesn't allow you to see your baby, it is best to reserve back carry for children who are a bit older. It's recommended to front-carry until at least six months, although some experts recommend it exclusively for toddlers.

Keep your baby's airway clear

Babies in carriers are susceptible to suffocation, so it's essential to always monitor their position to ensure they have a clear airway. Allowing a newborn baby's chin to touch their chest can cause suffocation, especially while they are under four months of age. To ensure that they have a clear airway and are not at risk for suffocation, there are a few steps to follow:

• Make sure your baby's face is visible to you at all times
• Ensure their airway is never obstructed by fabric or your body
• Keep the baby's chin away from their chest by at least two finger widths
• When carrying the baby facing you, position their one side with one cheek pressed against the chest

Preventing falls

It is imperative to make sure your baby is always secure in their carrier, as a fall can result in serious injury. To prevent a fall, always keep the following in mind:

• Proper fit is essential: Your carrier should fit your baby snugly. The fabric should support the baby's entire back. While your baby is very young (until about four months or so), the fabric should also support the back of his or her head.

• Bend at the knee: If you need to bend down to pick something up, do not lean forward from your torso. Doing so can cause the baby to fall out from the top of the carrier, even if you think it is fit correctly. Instead, bend at the knee, taking care to keep your baby upright.

• Keep a hand (or two) on the baby: When you first start carrying or are using a new carrier, it is good practice to keep at least one hand on your baby. Doing so will allow you to get a feel for how securely your baby is positioned within the carrier. As you get more used to your carrier, you will be able to take your hands off and carry them hands-free.

Protecting your baby's hips

Babies in their first few months of life are susceptible to hip dysplasia. Proper carrying technique is essential to protect your baby's hip and spine alignment, especially as they grow from infant to toddler.

What is hip dysplasia?

Hips are a ball and socket joint; that is, the femoral head forms a ball which fits into a socket located in the pelvis bone. Hip dysplasia occurs when the ball slips out of the socket, either partially or completely. There are several potential causes, including:

• Breech position in pregnancy
• Family history of hip dysplasia
• Large birth weight
• Improper carry position during the first several months of life

Preventing hip dysplasia

Because your baby's hip joint is comprised largely of soft cartilage when they are born, it is susceptible to becoming misaligned. Over time, the cartilage is replaced with hard bone, significantly increasing hip stability.

To prevent hip dysplasia, proper carrying position is absolutely essential during their first year or so of life. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute stresses the importance of keeping your baby's legs spread naturally to each side with the thighs supported and knees bent, sometimes called the "M" position.

One of the primary benefits of babywearing is the bonding it provides between the baby and his or her carrier. The physical closeness fosters an attachment that helps both baby and parent feel secure.

Decreases crying

In a randomized controlled trial, babywearing was directly connected to reducing crying in infants. Even fussy babies tend to be soothed quickly and easily when worn.

Promotes physical development

When done correctly, babywearing actually aids in a baby's physical development. The right carrying device puts the baby's body in a comfortable, correct position and allows for correct development. Correct carrying decreases the chances of hip dysplasia or scoliosis.

Colicky babies

When you wear your baby facing in towards you, you promote healthy digestion. Their tummy is constantly stimulated and massaged, helping them to produce more regular bowel movements. The comfort associated with carrying can also ease tummy-aches.

Hands-free

Taking care of your baby is a constant task. Babywearing allows you to keep your baby close while leaving your hands free to prepare food, clean up, run errands and finish chores.

Can make breast​feeding easier

If breastfeeding in public is a point of anxiety for the mother, babywearing can make this easier. Because the baby is already close, it is easy to adjust the position to allow them to nurse. It is also easier for the mother to notice when they start to show cues of hunger, so the baby doesn't need to resort to crying to let their mother know they're hungry.

Decrease chances for postpartum depression

Babywearing can have positive effects on mothers suffering from postpartum depression. Studies have shown that physical, face-to-face contact between mothers and their babies can reduce instances of depression.

Tips for using a baby carrier when you have back pain

Carry your baby in front

Many carriers allow you the option to carry your baby in front or on your back. When you suffer from back pain, it's advisable to carry your baby in front to avoid extra strain on your back. If you choose a carrier that allows you to side-carry your baby, make sure you switch sides regularly to prevent strain on one side.

Keep your baby sitting upright

Having your baby sitting upright rather than at a slant or an angle will ensure that you can stand straight and support your back. When babies are carried at an inclined sitting angle, you are forced to bend forward and risk hurting your back.

LILLEbaby's ergonomic baby carrier checks all the boxes when it comes to finding a great baby carrier. It's highly adjustable and can take your baby from newborn to toddler stages comfortably and safely. The 6-in-1 design ensures that you can carry your baby in virtually any position. A wide waist belt with added lumbar support allows you to carry your baby for hours without discomfort or strain.

Although it is the most expensive on our list, its impeccable quality and adjustability ensure that it's the only carrier you'll ever need, from birth to toddler.