IF you’re getting ready for a new arrival or have just welcomed a baby, you’ll probably have read about the wonders of baby-wearing.
A carried baby is generally a calmer baby, and the best baby carriers are believed to take a baby back to their safe place; a warm, comfortable position up close to their parent’s heartbeat.
More practically, baby carriers that let you take your little one with you are also a very useful way to go hands-free for walks, days out, trips to the shops and chores around the house, all while keeping your baby safe and close.
Most parents will want to add a carrier to their baby kit list, but there’s a surprising amount of choice on the market, with options such as simple slings suitable for newborns that can be used right from day one, to more structured carriers ideal for bigger babies and even innovative ways to carry toddlers about.
From ergonomic designs to face-in and face-out options and some frankly quite complicated cloth slings that look like they need origami skill to tie, the amount of choice can be baffling for new parents.
Best baby carriers, at a glance:
Najell Rise Baby Carrier
- Rise Baby Carrier, £145 from Najell – buy here
Pros: Lots of carrying positions, suitable from birth, great magnetic fastenings
Cons: Pale colourways could show stains
Structured baby carriers are brilliant, but they can start to feel hot and clammy pretty quickly in warmer weather, especially if they’re made with thick materials.
Not so Najell’s new Rise, which has a lightweight air mesh lining designed to keep you and your baby cool in hot weather.
Most read in Product Reviews
On testing, we could definitely feel more airflow while wearing the Rise than with most carriers, so we think the Rise is ideal for baby wearing in the summer months, or for taking with you on a holiday abroad.
Whatever the weather, the Rise is a super-versatile carrier – you can carry your little person in no less than five positions and pop them in and out easily using magnetic fastenings, which are far simpler to do up solo or one-handed than complicated buckles.
We also love that you can use the Rise as a hip seat once baby is bigger, and as the Rise can be used from day one up to 36 months thanks to an adjustable front panel, this is a great choice if you want to invest in just one go-everywhere carrier.
For babies aged: 0-36 months Positions: 5 Materials: Polyester Colours: Beige, grey, black Hip healthy: Yes
Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier Harmony
11
- Baby Carrier Harmony, £209 from Baby Bjorn – buy here
Pros: Very breathable, suitable for three years, great padding
Cons: Fiddly back strap
Not all baby carriers are created equal, and we think Baby Bjorn’s Harmony might just be the best all-rounder out there.
Try it on for size and you’ll immediately notice how soft and pliable yet tough this carrier is; it’s so comfortable for the parent that you’ll barely notice you’ll wearing it until you add in the weight of your little bundle of joy.
The Harmony can be used from the day you get home from the hospital to when your baby reaches three years thanks to adjustable height positions and flexible head support, so it’s a good one-stop shop of a carrier that will keep up as your baby grows.
We’d have preferred a strap-free cross back, but besides that, there’s nothing here we didn’t like when testing. The wide waist strap and padded shoulder straps really take the weight off your frame even if you’re covering miles and also pair up nicely with a changing backpack, while the cooling mesh is ideal for hot summer weather, travelling and just wearing around the house.
For babies aged: 0-3 years Positions: 4 Materials: Polyester Colours: 7 Hip Healthy: Yes
READ MORE:
Hippychick Hipseat Baby Carrier
11
- Hippychick Hipseat Baby Carrier, £38.76 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: Affordable, ideal for toddlers, quick to pop on, good for back health
Cons: Doesn’t leave you hands-free, doesn’t fit plus-size adults
Got an older baby growing out of carriers but still need a way to carry them about? Hippy Chick has come to the rescue with its clever yet oh-so-simple Hipseat.
Designed for taking your baby ‘where buggies don’t fit’, this wide strap attaches around your waist to create a flat seat you can pop a baby or a toddler on for short periods of time without the faff of fiddling with straps.
This carrier supports your lower back and prevents injury but you’ll still need to hold on to your baby while you move, so you aren’t hands-free.
However, for heading out on walks or bobbing about at festivals from the age when your baby wants to move about and change pace every few minutes, this is a very handy bit of kit to have.
A Hipseat is also ideal if you already own a traditional baby carrier but want something you can use quickly while on the go. There are some limitations, though – reviewers report that this design doesn’t suit plus-size adults, although an extension belt is available.
For babies aged: 6-36 Positions: 1 Materials: Polyester Colours: 8 Hip Healthy: N/A
Infantino Hug And Cuddle Wrap Carrier
11
- Infantino Hug and Cuddle Wrap Carrier, £67.90 from Amazon – buy here
Pros: All the benefits of a sling with an easier, more supportive fit
Cons: Only one carrying position, suitable for only 12 months
Searching for the happy place between a soft cloth sling and a hardy baby carrier? Look no further than Infantino’s Hug And Cuddle.
Inspired by soft sling wraps, this carrier pulls on like a t-shirt, so there’s no complicated tying and knotting involved. The silky-soft fabric is breathable mesh so neither you nor baby will overheat, and there’s padding on the back panel and straps for extra support, plus good side straps that keep baby sat high up on your chest.
‘Close like a wrap, easy like a carrier’ says Infantino, and we’d have to agree. You’ve only got one position – inward facing – you can use, unlike more structured carriers, but if you want more support and an easier fit than a traditional sling and like the idea of a soft, lightweight carrier, this is a lovely choice.
This carrier is also great for trying skin-to-skin with your newborn from the day they come home with you. Note that the Hug and Cuddle doesn’t have a rating from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
For babies aged: Birth to 12 months Positions: 1 Materials: Twill Colours: Grey Hip Healthy: No
Stokke Limas Carrier Flex
11
- Limas™ Carrier Flex, €149 from Stokke – buy here
Pros: colourful print designs, ombuhimo carrying option, soft cotton material
Cons: no outward-facing position
Have you ever heard of an onbuhimo? Translating to ‘back carrying strap’ in Japanese, these traditional cloth carriers for toddlers have no waist strap, look a bit like a backpack and are great for reducing pressure on the hips while carrying an older baby, or for use during pregnancy.
Stokke has designed its Limas Carrier Flex to work both as a standard carrier and as an onbuhimo thanks to a removable waistband, so that as well as carrying babies on your front you can try the onbuhimo style on your back once your baby is old enough (usually this is once they’re 80cm tall and able to sit unsupported). Meanwhile, well-padded shoulder straps make sure your little one doesn’t feel too heavy.
A blend of cotton and linen feels soft and cooling and makes a nice change from synthetic materials, and we also like the nine pretty patterned designs the Limas Carrier Flex is available in, which are easier on the eye than the plain greys and beiges of many baby carriers on the market.
For babies aged: One month upwards Positions: 3 Materials: Cotton and linen Colours: 9 Hip Healthy: Yes
Dreambaby Ergonomic Oxford 3-Way Facing Baby Carrier
11
- Dreambaby Ergonomic Oxford 3-Way Facing Baby Carrier, £39.99 from Very – buy here
Many half-decent baby carriers come with painful price tags; luckily, Dreambaby is here to prove that you can buy a functional and comfortable carrier for under £50.
We thought the Oxford carrier performed well on testing. It has padded and mesh-lined shoulder straps that are as good as those found on carriers at four times this price, and we like the well-designed leg holes for baby, which are also padded and support their hips nicely in a wide, hip-friendly position. The Oxford also folds up easily for taking on your travels or for popping in your pram’s storage on the go.
While this carrier is pleasingly lightweight, the fabric of the Oxford does feel a little cheap and flimsy compared to that of some premium carriers we tested, and it’s a pity this carrier is only suitable for a nine-month period.
However, if you’re using a cloth sling for the first three months and then want to move on to something sturdier that won’t break the bank, this is an affordable choice.
For babies aged: 3-12 months Positions: 3 Materials: Polyester Colours: Grey Hip Healthy: Yes
Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier
11
- Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier,
£184.90£174 from Mamas and Papas – buy here
Pros: light and airy, lasts for years, great design
Cons: High price point
Head to any playgroup or baby yoga class and you’ll see a clutch of little ones hanging out in Ergobaby carriers, and after testing this brand out, we can see why this brand is so popular with parents.
‘Breeze’ is a good name for this comfy Ergobaby carrier – it’s lightweight and highly breathable, claiming to keep you and baby cooler than 50% of other mesh carriers.
It definitely does feel comfier to wear over long distances than most carriers we tested out, so it’s brilliant for hiking with baby or for taking on your first family holiday.
There are lots of nice touches here, including a detachable front pocket, cross-back straps for added support and handy pockets for storing your phone or your keys on the go.
The Omni Breeze is suitable for use from birth up to a whopping four years, too, so if you want just one adventurous carrier to take everywhere (or to see you through multiple babies!) this is a good investment.
For babies aged: 0-4 years Positions: 4 Materials: SoftFlex mesh Colours: 15 Hip Healthy: Yes
Nuna CUDL Click Baby Carrier
11
- Nuna CUDL Click Baby Carrier, £160 from John Lewis – buy here
Pros: Great magnetic buckles, washable bibs
Cons: Backstraps aren’t magnetic
Cuddle your baby close in Nuna’s Cudl Clik, which has four carry positions designed to keep up with your little one as they grow.
The star feature here is the magnetic buckles, which make it quick and intuitive to do up the carrier with one hand or without looking (these magnetic can be a bit fiddly to undo at first, but are easy to use with practice). This is a lifesaver if you’re popping baby in and out of the carrier frequently for changes and feeds over the day.
That said, the back straps still require clipping together, although you can pull them over your head like a shirt, so you can still get this carrier on and off solo.
There are some nicely designed extras here, too; two handy bibs are included and are easily washable, so you don’t have to wash and dry the whole carrier in case of stains. We also like the sunshade you can whip out if it’s getting hot and there’s a removable little pouch that’s perfect for stashing a few baby wipes or your phone.
For babies aged: Newborn onwards Positions: 4 Materials: Mercerized cotton Colours: Caviar Hip Healthy: Yes
Carifit + Baby Carrier
11
- Carifit+ Carrier with 12 month subscription to the Carifit Parenting App, £225 from John Lewis – buy here
Pros: Free app subscription, good back support
Cons: Heavy, expensive
There’s lots to like about the Carifit+. This stretchy carrier is comfy to wear, suitable for babies from when they’re newly born all the way to when they’re toddling about and made from recycled materials.
We enjoyed using the free app that comes with each purchase, which includes workouts for parents that you can do even with a baby strapped to you as well as information on how to fit the carrier properly.
We were less sure about the weight of this carrier – Carifit calls the design ‘lightweight’ and it’s aimed at parents keeping fit, but we felt on testing that it was quite heavy to wear even before we popped a baby into it, at 780g.
That said, the racer-style cross back of this design feels very natural to wear, fits nicely on different body types and means there are fewer fiddly back or side straps to contend with.
The Carifit+ is ideal if you suffer from back pain as it feels very supportive for the back and shoulders, lessening the load of carting around a bigger baby, and it isn’t too big or bulky to wear for workouts.
For babies aged: Newborn-toddler Positions: 2 Materials: Recycled yarn Colours: Grey Hip Healthy: Yes
Artipoppe Zeitgeist Baby Carrier
11
- Artipoppe Zeitgeist Baby Carrier, £477 from Harrods – buy here
Pros: Gorgeous to look at, pleasingly soft and comfy, great shoulder straps
Cons: Eye-watering price, dry-clean only
Dutch brand Artipoppe is what happens when high fashion meets practical baby kit.
Its baby carriers are works of art as well as functional ways to baby wear, and are made with premium materials and through limited art collaborations, with prices reaching the really-quite-silly £3,440 for a carrier made from vicuña wool and cashmere.
If you fancy treating yourself and your baby to one of their eye-catching designs, our pick is this sumptuously soft velvet Zeitgeist, which will make you feel like a million dollars even if you’re just popping to the shops in your joggers.
This super-comfy carrier is safe and practical as well as stylish, with four carry positions suitable for babies up to two years and a comfy adjustable neck cushion. The padded shoulder straps are some of the best we tested, too, making it ideal for longer walks.
The downside of using the Zeitgeist in real life with a baby is that you can’t bung it in the washing machine, but if you want to treat yourself to something special, Artipoppe is the brand to choose.
For babies age: Newborn – 2 years Positions: 4 Materials: Organic cotton/velvet Colours: 46 Hip healthy: Yes
BeSafe Haven Baby Carrier
11
- BeSafe Haven Baby Carrier, £125 from Naturally Baby – buy here
Pros: Clever design features including a zip front and stretchy material
Cons: Hip straps aren’t well padded
The BeSafe Haven stands out from the carrier crowd when it comes to design. It’s a very tactile approach to baby wear and is soft and rather stretchy to the touch, so you won’t feel too restricted once you’re strapped into it.
The Haven is designed to hold your baby in the hip-friendly ‘frog’ position and on test we loved the zipper-opening front, which is super handy for popping baby in and out on the go and can even be used one-handed, making it ideal for single parents or if you’re out doing chores on your own.
The shoulder straps are great too, with lots of padding, and the buckles are oversized and easy to feel for and adjust. There’s also a handy folding head support and removable sun canopy.
Any niggles? We would have liked more padding on the hip straps, and the carrier can only be used once your baby is 55cm tall, so it may not suit tiny babies, although a newborn-friendly inward carrier is also available for £99.
For babies aged: From around 1 month Positions: 3 Materials: Polyester and tencel Colours: 7 Hip Healthy: Yes
When can babies face forward in a carrier?
Babies can be carried facing inwards in a sling or carrier from day one, but can only be popped facing outward in a carrier from around the age of five months, which is when your little one’s neck muscles are strong enough to hold their head up unaided. Babies from one year old can be also carried on your back.
Check your carrier’s label or the instruction manual before changing your baby’s positioning.
Are baby carriers safe?
Baby carriers are completely safe as long as you use them correctly.
Baby carriers and slings aren’t just a handy way to bring your baby along while you walk or do chores hands-free; carrying your baby close also strengthens the bond between baby and parent and provides a feeling of security.
Studies referenced by Babywearing UK link baby wearing to reduced crying, and Unicef recommends ‘kangaroo care’ or skin-to-skin (skin contact between baby and parent, which is easy to do with a carrier) to help regulate your baby’s heart rate, breathing and temperature.
The main safety issue with baby carriers is making sure your baby’s face is positioned so that they can breathe freely, and that babies don’t face outwards until they can hold their own head up.
And if you’re carrying your little one for hours at a time, it’s important to make sure your baby’s legs are in a safe position to protect their developing joints and avoid hip dysplasia (where the hip joint does not properly form), so make sure you choose a carrier that is certified ‘hip healthy’ by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute – most decent brands are, and most of our recommended carriers have been certified as safe.
There’s a quick way to remember how to carry your baby safely: When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S:
- TIGHT
- IN VIEW AT ALL TIMES
- CLOSE ENOUGH TO KISS
- KEEP CHIN OFF THE CHEST
- SUPPORTED BACK
How much do baby carriers cost?
Simple cloth slings start from around £20, while our most affordable structured baby carrier is under £50.
Most baby carriers aren’t cheap, however, with many popular models costing above £100. We’d recommend choosing a carrier that is suitable from newborn up to a few years and that offers multiple carrying positions, to get as much use out of it as possible.
Where to buy baby carriers
Baby carriers are available both online and in stores – if you aren’t sure what design suits you, popping into a store will let you try a few options out for size and see what styles and materials you get on with.
Many parents end up buying both a simple cloth sling for newborns and a more structured carrier that can be used for a few years.
You’ll also find over 150 sling libraries across the UK where you can borrow and test out different designs, and get help with getting a safe and comfortable fit.
If you’re looking to browse, we’d recommend trying:
