The Best Baby Carriers and Wraps I’ve Found Since My 8-Month-Old Was Born
For the first month of my daughter’s life, I would sit on the couch with her happily snoozing on my chest as I stared at piles of dirty dishes in the sink. The moment I’d put her down, she would cry. I soon learned that my most valuable tool as a new mom would be a baby carrier. But the one I owned (something a well-meaning friend added from myregistry) just didn’t feel right. Mybaby’shead felt unsupported, and I constantly worried about her breathing. I knew I needed to find a new carrier that was safe and cozy for us both. So I pored through dozens of Amazon reviews,baby-gear websites, and even went to a few local baby-wearing meet-ups on my quest for the perfect carrier — now I’m passing the knowledge on.
New! You can now save this product for later.
The general consensus among Amazon reviewers and postpartum doulas I spoke with was that theMoby Wrapis the most comfortable and supportive for a newborn baby. Unlike theBaby K’tanI was using before, which allowed my baby’s head to wobble around, the Moby Wrap hugged us both firmly in all the right places and supported my newborn’s head as I ran chores around the house. I never felt like it was anything but fully secure. Also key: The long fabric could easily be adjusted so that my husband and I could both use the same wrap.
New! You can now save this product for later.
Eventually, my daughter became too heavy to comfortably lug around in just a stretchy piece of fabric. My local baby-wearing group suggested I try theLilleBaby Complete Airflow 360, a soft-structured carrier that could accommodate my growing baby in up to six different positions. The mesh fabric kept us both cool during the muggy summer months, and the generous lumbar support meant that I could go for long walks without an aching back. And yes, before you bring it up, the LilleBaby had a more practical design than the very chattered-aboutErgoBaby 360I tried, which had a Velcro back enclosure that got stuck to all my shirts and woke up my sleeping baby (she was not pleased).
New! You can now save this product for later.
As my baby reached the 6-month mark, though, she began insisting on facing outward to see the world. I experimented with a friend’sBeco Geminicarrier, and was instantly sold: The generous shoulder padding and easily adjustable snap seat means that I can seamlessly transition my kid between an outward-facing position for exploration and an inward-facing one for nap time. I have a petite frame, so the crisscross back straps sit nicely on my shoulders and never droop down the way they typically do with other soft-structured carriers. A total winner.
New! You can now save this product for later.
As my baby continues to grow, though (she’s 8 months now), I fear her bum may soon become too wide for the Beco Gemini’s narrow seat, so I’m already set on wearing her in one of the interestingly patternedTula Ergonomic Carriersby her first birthday. These carriers, which have a cult following, have consistently been rated top incomfortandusabilityon baby-gear websites. They’re so trendy that some of the limited-edition patterns (like thisdoughnut one) resell for more than their original price on resale websites.
The Strategistis designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the bestwomen’s jeans,rolling luggage,pillows for side sleepers,ultra-flattering pants, andbath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
Every editorial product is independently selected. If you buy something through our links,New Yorkmay earn an affiliate commission.
