- A baby carrier lets you and your little one explore the world together. You'll be glad to have your hands free and your child nestled close, while babies love feeling warm and secure.
- The Ergobaby OMNI 360 All-in-One Carrier is our top choice because it's adaptable, comfortable, and very easy to use.
The first few years of a child's life are a unique and wonderful time for his or her parents, but it would be dishonest to say that the baby years don't also make life more complicated. The simple act of leaving the house to run an errand, grab lunch with a friend, or even just to take a walk becomes a much more involved process, requiring everything from diaper bags to bottles to bibs to a spare set of clothes in preparation for inevitable messes. While the modern marketplace is cluttered with baby gear and accessories that you can skip, there are a few items the savvy parent should have on hand. A great baby carrier ranks near the top of this list.
With a baby carrier, you and your young child can venture out into the world - whether for a walk around the block or an all-day adventure through a foreign city - with ease and comfort. Baby carriers keep your hands free while keeping your child warm and secure, offering you convenience while strengthening the bond between you and the little one.
By using your hips, shoulders, and core to support the weight of your child, a baby carrier minimizes the strain put on your body. They are also, of course, designed with child's ergonomic needs in mind, keeping a baby properly supported and comfortable at the same time.
When choosing the right baby carrier for you and your child, first consider the child. That is to say think about your baby's age and size, and about how quickly he or she is growing. Some baby carriers are ideal for newborns, while others cannot even safely be used by a child until he or she is at least six months old. Try to find a baby carrier that will provide you years of use, but don't ever choose one not suitable for your child's current size. They can "grow into" hand me down clothes, but not a carrier that can't offer proper neck support.
Then think about the types of activities in which you and your child will participate while the baby is strapped to you. A hiking baby carrier might be a ridiculous choice if all you tend to do is run errands and visit friends and family, but a cloth baby wrap is equally a poor choice for the one-year-old coming along for a trek.
Once you have considered your child's needs and the activities during which you want to keep your child close and your hands free, take a look at the baby carriers on our list. Surely one or two of them will suit your needs, with design preference and budget informing your final decision.
Here are the best baby carriers you can buy:
- Best overall: Ergobaby OMNI 360 All-in-One Carrier
- Best low-cost option: Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Baby Carrier
- Best for hiking: Clevr Baby Backpack 202 Cross Country Carrier
- Best for newborns: Moby Wrap Baby Carrier
- Best for parent comfort: Stokke MyCarrier Front/Back 3-in-1 Baby Carrier
Updated on 10/07/2019 by Caitlin Petreycik: Updated formatting, links, and prices.
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