10 Best Baby Carriers and Wraps in 2022 (Moby, Boba, and More)
But every carrier is different because every baby is different. However, there are a few things every parent can take into consideration when choosing a carrier, which will help you tailor your choice to the needs of you and your baby. We'll go over them while also providing you with 10 of our favorites, including Boba's Baby Carrier, which was our number one choice.
Quick List - Top Baby Carriers And Wraps
Boba
Easy to Wear and Adjust and Includes Foot Stirrups for Extra Leg Support
Baby K’tan
Loops Over You and Takes Just a Few Seconds to Wear
Betty is a wife and mother of two who spends her time chasing after her toddler and digging herself out of piles of diapers and laundry. She is a blogger at Mombrite, where she writes about her hilarious mishaps and glorious victories as a mom. You can laugh with her through the chaos that is parenthood on her blog or follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
mybest US' editing team consists of experienced members who have backgrounds in writing, editing, translation, and more. We are dedicated to researching what makes a product or service the best to users in the US in order to create top-quality articles. From skincare, to kitchen appliances, and to DIY supplies, our mission is to find the best ones for you.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
- Why You Can Trust Us
- How to Choose Baby Carriers And Wraps
- Understand the Differences between a Carrier and a Wrap1
- Triple-Check the Age and Weight Limit of the Carrier2
- Make Sure the Carrier Has a Wide Bottom and Supports Your Baby’s Legs3
- Find One That Matches Your Carrying Positions4
- Make Sure the Fabric is Comfortable and Breathable5
- Pick Something that Is Easy to Wear by Yourself6
- For Ultimate Peace of Mind, There’s Always Baby Wearing Classes
- Keep Your Kids Entertained
- Buying Guide Reviewed by Homeschooling Mom and Blogger Mombrite
Why You Can Trust Us
Every mybest article is crafted with hours of in-depth research and interviews with experts. Each month, we are continually expanding our database of products based on our research. By emphasizing user insight and reliable information, we deliver trustworthy content to readers.
How to Choose Baby Carriers And Wraps
Understand the Differences between a Carrier and a Wrap
Great for Long Trips: Baby Carriers Support the Baby and the Parent Carrying the Baby
If the carrier comes with a belt, it’ll shift some of the baby’s weight away from your shoulders and onto your hips so you don’t end up sore. This is great for when you’re going to be carrying your baby for a long time or if you have stiff shoulders or back pain. The only drawback, really, is that carriers are big and difficult to stuff into bags.
In general, baby carriers are wonderful for any occasion. It's quick and easy to position babies in the carrier and buckle up—plus, they provide great back support to help with the weight of your baby in the front.
Carriers are also easy to breastfeed in when you are on the go—you just need to drop your baby lower in the carrier and throw up a nursing cover (or go with the two-shirt method) and you can walk around and breastfeed hands-free!
Slings and Wraps: You Can Slip Them into Bags and Wear Them around the House
Wraps and slings are made of cloth. You can just fold them up and stick them in your diaper bag. That way, you can switch back and forth between them and your stroller when you’re on long walks. But make sure you know how to put these on correctly because your baby could fall.
Wraps are long pieces of cloth that you ravel around yourself and your baby—you essentially tie your baby to you. They’re secure, but they can also be a pain to put on outside, as they’re long and can drag on the ground.
Slings are easier to put on; you secure most of them to a ring over your shoulder. However, they don’t have as much padding or support, so you need to learn how to put them on right to ensure your child is safe. But it’ll take some of the pressure off you during sudden breastfeeding sessions.
Slings are quick to put on (though it does take more practice initially to learn how to get the ring in the right position), so it’s perfect for quick grocery runs or errands. However, you need more practice and experience to get the sling to be as secure as a carrier, so if the baby is active, you might have trouble keeping the sling tight.
Triple-Check the Age and Weight Limit of the Carrier
If you don’t think you’ll be going out much early on, you can go for a carrier targeted at infants 3 months or older—which is after the baby’s neck is strong enough to support his or her head.
Some baby carriers can be used until your toddler is three, but how you carry your baby changes as he or she grows (from cuddling in your arms, for example, to piggybacks). So consider getting carriers you can only use for half a year to a year—and then switch them out as the months pass by.
Also, pay attention to the weight limits on the carriers or slings so that you can carry your baby or toddler safely! You don't want the carrier to break down on you.
If you are able to afford it, it’s best to buy slings or carriers targeted at specific age groups. You do need to be careful carrying newborns and make sure that the carrier is specifically for young babies who need neck support. As for older babies and toddlers, use a carrier where you can lengthen the straps to fit your growing child’s body.
Make Sure the Carrier Has a Wide Bottom and Supports Your Baby’s Legs
The same goes for wraps. If the wrap secures the baby against your body in such a way that their legs are forced together, it could lead to hip dysplasia. You want something that will support the baby’s thighs and keep their legs splayed.
The knees should be at hip level or higher, which takes the pressure off the hips. A lot of popular carriers in stores these days just support the crotch and the legs are left to hang down and dangle in the air. The unsupported thighs cause pressure on the hip joints and may contribute to hip dysplasia.
Find One That Matches Your Carrying Positions
With a carrier, you can hold your baby five different ways, which we'll go over in this next section.
Face Baby Towards You or Sideways for Comfort and Protection
You can hold your baby sideways, like in a cradle. This is helpful when you’re breastfeeding or soothing a fussy baby. You can also hold him or her facing you. This way, you can follow all his or her facial expressions and know immediately when he or she’s tired or upset. It also keeps newborns from getting overstimulated.
Another way you can hold the baby is by holding him or her on your hip, which takes a good deal of strain off your back. This is great for toddlers, who are heavier. He or she also has the option of looking at you or the world around him when you hold them this way. Having your child in the front position is generally the way to go.
Once the baby is around 2 to 3 months, he or she will start turning their head to see the world around them. I would recommend still keeping the baby in the front position facing you and turning your body to where your baby is looking.
When the baby is faced inward, its spine has a natural C curve that is supported by the carrier. However, when the baby is faced outwards, it’s spine is pushed into an unnatural, arched position. With little muscles to support their spine and with no help from the carrier, the baby now feels the impact of every step the mom or dad takes.
Put Baby on Your Back to Free Your Hands
However, not all carriers can be adjusted into the above positions, so make sure you choose something that lets you carry your baby the way you want. Carriers for newborns, especially, will usually only let you cradle your baby in your arms or snuggle them facing you.
Just recognize—and this applies to facing babies outwards, too—you cannot see your baby’s face and the baby can be overstimulated easily. He or she will have trouble communicating to you that he or she is tired and wants a break from seeing everything, and he or she has no option to shield his or her face from all the stimulation.
Use Caution When Facing Baby Outward
One last position you could hold your baby in is facing outwards so he or she can see the world. This, however, is not recommended for a few reasons, which Betty explains below.
It's tempting for parents to turn the baby outwards so they can see the world. However, this position is never recommended for a few reasons, including the two above, plus:
The baby’s legs are supposed to be in a “frog” position with the legs pulled up to at least hip level or higher. With the legs dangling and unsupported, the baby is now prone to hip dysplasia.
Make Sure the Fabric is Comfortable and Breathable
If you or your baby has sensitive skin, choose a carrier made out of a gentle fabric, like 100% cotton. And in summer, your baby’s bare arms and legs will be brushing up against the carrier, so get something that feels good against the skin.
Also, don't forget to find something machine washable, since no doubt your carrier will get dirty from your child spitting up or from being outside in general!
When thinking about fabrics for carriers, you want to make sure that the fabric is the best for the baby’s skin since he or she will be in touch with the wrap for an extended period of time.
Go with a 100% certified organic fabric that is made of cotton or other types of all-natural material, and it must be free from toxic chemical dyes, especially if your baby has sensitive skin.
Pick Something that Is Easy to Wear by Yourself
But if you’re a devoted net shopper, at least take a peek at the reviews. Look out for keywords like “difficult,” “put on,” and “take off”—and go for carriers that seem simple and self-explanatory.
The soft structured carriers are the easiest to put on and take off since once you adjust the straps to the right lengths, you just have to click the buckles together and you are good to go.
Ring sling rings need to be nice and high on your shoulder so you can properly tighten the sling around your baby. Woven straps can also be hard when you're on the go and your children are active and thrash about. Both can take a few tries, so it can be difficult to adjust.
10 Best Baby Carriers And Wraps Ranking
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Boba Boba 4G Carrier｜Classic 4GS - Dusk | | Easy to Wear and Adjust and Includes Foot Stirrups for Extra Leg Support | |
2 | Ergobaby Ergo 360 All Carry Positions | | The Most Ergonomic for You and Your Baby | |
3 | Baby K’tan Baby K’tan Original Baby Carrier｜Black, large | | Loops Over You and Takes Just a Few Seconds to Wear | |
4 | Hip Baby Wrap Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling Baby Carrier | | Perfect for Short Trips and Indoor Activities | |
5 | Boba Boba Baby Wrap Carrier | | A Stretchy Wrap that Provides a Lot of Support and Comfort | |
6 | Beco Baby Carrier Beco Gemini Performance Baby Carrier | | Best for Hot, Sweaty Summers: Mesh Carrier, No Infant Inserts Necessary | |
7 | TULA Baby Tula Multi-Position, Ergonomic Baby Carrier | | Offers Two Ergonomic Carrying Positions and A Bunch of Stylish Designs | |
8 | Moby Moby Wrap Bamboo Warp Baby Carrier | | Keep Your Baby Close and Snug | |
9 | LILLEbaby LILLEbaby Complete All Seasons 6-in-1 Baby Carrier | | Easy to Control Airflow and to Slip In and Out Of | |
10 | Infantino Infantino Sash Mei Tai Carrier | | A Seat for Your Baby and Wide Straps that Will Conform to Any Body Type |
Easy to Wear and Adjust and Includes Foot Stirrups for Extra Leg Support
It comes in lovely colors and patterns. There’s also a hood and foot stirrups for extra leg support. In fact, reviewers say that babies are so comfortable that they fall asleep almost as soon as you stick them in the carrier and start walking.
The straps distribute weight evenly across your back and onto your hips. There are also a bunch of ways you can adjust the carrier so that it’s comfortable on your body.
The Most Ergonomic for You and Your Baby
According to reviews, the most annoying thing about it is probably the Velcro fastener. You have to undo the entire waistband to refasten it. And Velcro is loud and will probably wake up sleeping babies.
However, it has a deep and wide seat, so no matter how you wear your baby, his or her legs are in that splayed M-position that's comfortable and healthy for them. The carrier itself can be used by both newborns and toddlers, but you do need an infant insert for babies under 12 pounds.
Baby K’tanBaby K’tan Original Baby Carrier ｜ Black, large
Loops Over You and Takes Just a Few Seconds to Wear
It’s tight and sturdy. It’s great for colicky babies; when they start fussing, you pick them up and in a blink of an eye they’re wrapped snug against your body. But because you don’t have to tie it yourself, it’s not one-size-fits-all. Pay close attention to the sizing chart and, when in doubt, contact a customer service representative.
However, reviewers love K'tan because it's super soft, comfortable, and easy to put on.
Perfect for Short Trips and Indoor Activities
It is machine washable, though the dye bleeds a bit. Reviewers say it also shrinks in the dryer and the fabric is not stretchy and a bit stiff, actually, so you have to look up ways to break it in.
However, the sling does shift and loosen over time, and you need to keep adjusting it. That’s why it’s best for short trips or for chores around the house or for rushing around the airport because you can sit down in this sling—much more comfortably than you could in a carrier. It's also super fashionable.
A Stretchy Wrap that Provides a Lot of Support and Comfort
It provides a lot of support; it keeps the baby snug to your body and under many layers. But, according to reviews, that also means that it gets really, really hot. And it works best for kids that can’t walk yet; you’ll need an alternative carrier after 18 months.
It is really long, so you don’t want to put it on outside because it’s going to drag along the floor, but that’s also what makes it one-sized-fits-all and comfy on plus-sized parents.
Beco Baby CarrierBeco Gemini Performance Baby Carrier
Best for Hot, Sweaty Summers: Mesh Carrier, No Infant Inserts Necessary
According to reviews, the biggest weakness is the safety buckle. To undo it, you have to press a button in the middle and pinch the sides at the same time. Some struggle with it, but some also find it reassuring to know the buckle’s not going to come undone accidentally.
A belt is included and the backpack straps are crisscrossed, which distributes weight a little better over your body so you’re not sore after a long day. The carrier can also be adjusted into four carrying positions, which is helpful, since the carrier is designed to accommodate little 7-pound newborns and big 35-pound toddlers.
Offers Two Ergonomic Carrying Positions and A Bunch of Stylish Designs
You also can only carry your baby facing you or sprawled on your back—but remember that these are the most ergonomic positions anyway. The Tula comes with a removable hood, which will support your baby’s head if he or she falls asleep.
Reviewers say there’s no place to store the hood (there’s only a small Velcro-fastened pocket in front), so it could get annoying flopping around. But Tula has fashion going for it. There are many patterns, and the design is straight-forward—it’s oddly flattering to wear.
Keep Your Baby Close and Snug
This wrap is great because it’s soft, stretchable, easily washable, and secure. It is a lot of cloth, and it’s overwhelming at first. But you need that much to make sure your baby stays in place. Plus, you can use it as a convenient blanket or pillow when you're not using it to carry your baby.
The wrap will also accommodate petite, plus-sized, or any sized parents in between. You get an instruction manual too, which details all the ways in which you can wear your baby, and it’s easy enough to understand.
If you still find yourself struggling—which some reviewers have—make sure you ask a local babywearing group for help before giving up on the Moby. However, reviews love that it accommodates your baby while it grows and is comfortable.
LILLEbabyLILLEbaby Complete All Seasons 6-in-1 Baby Carrier
Easy to Control Airflow and to Slip In and Out Of
It’s easy to put on, and there’s also a detachable hood for the baby. Overall, it’s a great concept, but reviewers note that there have been some quality control issues. Another minor annoyance—the pockets expand inward so anything you put in them will dig into the baby’s back.
But it’s made for long-term use and allows for 6 positions, which match up to the stages of your baby’s development (from 7 to 45 pounds). The lumbar pad distributes the weight across your shoulders and back, and it comes with adjustable straps and an integrated infant insert.
A Seat for Your Baby and Wide Straps that Will Conform to Any Body Type
First, sashes are flexible, and you can wrap them around you so that it feels comfortable (whereas buckles are sometimes in hard-to-reach places). Second, it is supremely adjustable and fits well on plus-sized moms and dads.
The shoulder straps are wide and padded, so they don’t dig into you. However, make sure it’s tied correctly! Reviewers say the ties can loosen, or put a disproportionate amount of pressure on your lower back. Take time and find out how you can fasten the carrier safely and ergonomically.
For Ultimate Peace of Mind, There’s Always Baby Wearing Classes
If you’re looking for an extra twist, there’s always babywearing dance classes. You can learn Latin American dance, belly dancing, hip-hop, or ballet—without ever having to put down your baby.
I would highly recommend taking a babywearing class when you are still pregnant to get familiar with the different types out there. Often, the instructors bring different carriers, types and brands, to class for you to try out.
There are also tons of babywearing support groups out there that meet frequently so that you can ask the more experienced baby wearers for help. Some groups even have a library of carriers you can borrow so that you can try them out.
Keep Your Kids Entertained
When kids start growing up, they'll inevitably experience days where they feel bored and want to experience something new. Why not allow them to find creative outlets for their nervous energy? Check out these tools that can keep your kids busy and satisfied!
Buying Guide Reviewed by Homeschooling Mom and Blogger Mombrite
This expert reviewed the contents of the buying guide for accuracy and provided factual corrections when necessary. They did not participate in the product selection process, nor are they affiliated with any of our choices unless explicitly stated so.
Top 5 Baby Carriers And Wraps
No. 1: Boba｜Boba 4G Carrier｜Classic 4GS - Dusk
No. 2: Ergobaby｜Ergo 360 All Carry Positions
No. 3: Baby K’tan｜Baby K’tan Original Baby Carrier｜Black, large
No. 4: Hip Baby Wrap｜Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling Baby Carrier
No. 5: Boba｜Boba Baby Wrap Carrier
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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