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Baby carriers help make it possible for parents to actually get things done, even on their child's most fussy and clingy days.- The Ergobaby 360 carrier ($139 and up) is safe for babies 12 to 45 pounds and lets you carry your child in four different positions. If you purchase a separate insert ($34), you can use this carrier earlier on.
- My daughter and I love this carrier, and we're both comfortable using it for long periods of time.
When my daughter Ellie was a newborn, she was much more content snuggled close to me than she ever was in her stroller while on outings. As a new mom, I always felt better having her next to me too.
I'd used various carriers to carry Ellie facing me, but when she was about 6 months old, she started to look outward and would try to see what I was looking at. She would constantly whip her head back and forth and try to squirm out of the carrier if she couldn't see what was going on.
My husband and I needed a versatile carrier that would let Ellie face outward as she got older, and after some research, we found the Ergobaby 360 ($139). It quickly became one of our favorite carriers, and Ellie loves to be in the front carry position.
It's my go-to on clingy days when Ellie just won't let me put her down. She can face outward while I get things done around the house, narrating what I'm doing to keep her interested. I also love using it on walks and hikes.
The design of the Ergobaby 360 carrier and what it's like to use
The Ergobaby 360 carrier shouldn't be used until your baby is at least four months old and 12 pounds, although you can buy a separate insert for $34 to use the carrier sooner. There's also an adjustable head support flap on the carrier that you can have in the highest position for an infant. But always check with your pediatrician first to see if your child is old enough or big enough for a carrier.
Once your baby has control of their head movements, there are four different carrying positions — front facing outward, front-facing in, hip, and back. Be careful not to put younger babies in the outward-facing position for very long because they can get overstimulated very easily. The back carry position is convenient when Ellie wants to be held, but I need to use the oven or stove; this way, I'm able to safely cook without worrying about her getting burned.
No matter what position I have Ellie in, the Ergobaby 360 is comfortable for both of us. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) has deemed the carrier to be safe for babies' hips; it's important to make sure your baby's legs form an "M" shape in any structured carrier to support proper hip development.
The straps are padded and adjustable so my husband and I can both easily wear it. There's also a lumbar support strap. Even though Ellie is more than 20 pounds, I can still carry her comfortably as long as she's content in the carrier. When she wants out, it's because she's an energetic toddler and not because she's uncomfortable.
Once you get the hang of getting your baby in and out of carriers, the Ergobaby 360 is easy to use.
There are two different sets of buttons depending on the carrying position. The grey set should be used when carrying your baby facing outward, and the black set should be used for every other position. This provides the right support for each position.
If I have Ellie in the different front carrying positions, I'll secure the carrier on my hip and then slip Ellie's legs into the leg holes while holding her against my body. Then I'll pull the straps around my shoulders, adjust to make us both comfortable, and we're ready to go. If I'm carrying her on my back, my husband will help hold her against me while I do the straps.
Some other specs of the Ergobaby 360 include:
- Suitable for babies and toddlers 12 to 45 pounds
- ErgoPromise lifetime guarantee
- Privacy hood to shield from elements (UPF 50+)
- Machine washable
- Breastfeeding friendly
The cons
My biggest complaint about the Ergobaby 360 is that it doesn't have a pocket to store things. When I'm already carrying a 20+ pound toddler, I don't want to add a diaper bag or purse on top of that.
Regardless of pockets, Ellie loves the Ergobaby 360 because she can see everything while still being close to me, and I love it because it's comfortable, versatile, and keeps my hands free. Once you get the hang of using a baby carrier, you'll be able to slip your child right in and get things done.
The bottom line
I know shopping for the right baby carrier can be overwhelming, so if you're looking for options, I've loved using the Standard Tula baby carrier as well. You can read my full review of it here, but long story short — I find the Tula more user-friendly than the Ergobaby 360, but it can only be used with your baby facing your carrying positions are very limited.
Ergobaby has a similar carrier called the Omni 360, which can be used from birth without an infant insert and comes with a storage pouch. I haven't personally used it but Amazon shoppers give it good
In my experience, the Ergobaby 360 does it all. If you're looking for a convenient way to keep your baby safely and happily close to you from birth through toddlerhood, this is a great pick and one that I — and Ellie — recommend.
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