r/babywearing

TLDR: First-time mom due in September looking for realistic babywearing advice. Hoping to primarily babywear instead of using a stroller much. Interested in recommendations for a few versatile carriers (likely 3–5 total), mostly for me (5’3”) but also open to options for my 6’7”, 280 lb husband. Prefers structured carriers over woven wraps, interested in mei tais and onbuhimos, not as interested in ring slings. Also planning for elimination communication part time and wondering if that impacts carrier choices.

Hi everyone! I’m due in September with my first baby, and I’m hoping to get some advice from the babywearing experts here. I’m pretty set on making babywearing my primary way of getting around with my baby, and I’d love to know if that’s actually realistic. I definitely plan to have a stroller, but I’m hoping to rely on babywearing as much as possible.

A little about my husband and I: I’m 5’3”, was about 120 pounds before pregnancy, and I’m currently 28 weeks pregnant and around 150 pounds. My husband is 6’7” and about 280 pounds. He’ll probably babywear too, but not nearly as much as I will since I’ll be the primary caregiver and home with the baby during the week while he’s at work. Because of our pretty significant size difference, I’d love recommendations that work well for both of us, but I primarily want carrier recommendations geared toward me since I’ll be doing most of the babywearing. If there are options that also work well for him, I’m absolutely open to that too.

I’m open to woven wraps, but honestly they intimidate me. I’m worried I’ll get overwhelmed trying to learn them, especially as a first-time mom. I think I’d prefer something with a little more structure, but I’m open to hearing why you love woven wraps if you think they’re worth the learning curve.

I’m also really interested in mei tais and onbuhimos. They seem like they might be a nice middle ground between wraps and structured carriers. Ring slings don’t appeal to me as much because of the one shoulder carry, but if there’s something I’m overlooking, I’m happy to be convinced.

I’ve been looking at the WildBird Aerial Buckle Wrap for the newborn stage, and it seems like it could be a great option. If we went that route, we’d probably each have our own, since WildBird offers two size options.

I’m assuming I’ll end up with somewhere around 3 to 5 carriers, but I have no idea if that’s realistic or completely unnecessary. I’d love help figuring out what types of carriers are actually worth owning and which ones can realistically serve multiple purposes. I’m also planning to do elimination communication at least part time, so I’m curious if that changes anything in terms of carrier recommendations or practicality.

The situations I picture using a carrier are:

• Recovering postpartum and the newborn stage
• Contact naps and breastfeeding
• Around the house, including chores and soothing a fussy baby during witching hour
• Out and about, including errands, shopping, appointments, restaurants, and travel
• Outdoor walks (not leisurely) and light movement/exercise (once I’m cleared)
• Hiking with a lightweight carrier instead of a framed hiking backpack
• Water activities, like visiting the lake or pool with family. I wouldn’t be swimming with the baby, but I’d love something safe for getting their toes wet or walking in shallow water. I’m also curious whether a quick skin-to-skin shower during witching hour is considered safe with the right type of carrier. I wouldn’t be trying to shower hands-free. I just feel like a carrier would make me feel more secure since babies are so slippery when they’re wet.

For hiking, I don’t need anything super heavy duty. Before pregnancy I loved doing shorter, steeper hikes, and I usually just carried a water bottle and a small fanny pack. I’d love something lightweight, breathable, and comfortable enough for that kind of activity.

My biggest priorities are comfort and ergonomics for both the baby and the wearer, versatility, and the ability to breastfeed in the carrier.

Is relying this heavily on babywearing actually realistic? If you were building a babywearing collection from scratch, how many carriers would you own, which types would you choose, and what would you skip? I’d especially love to hear which carriers you think are worth owning for different stages and activities.

My LO is 3mo and is 11lbs.

When we go out shopping I love my momcozy carrier and she loves looking up at the lights. However recently she’s been tired of being a potato and wants to see the world and HATES the momcozy carrier inside the house. Obviously her head control still isn’t good enough to even discuss back wearing/ front facing yet.

I had a traditional wrap carrier but even inside it was too dang hot for it.

I was thinking about a ring sling but obviously you guys know best! I’m open for other suggestions and brand recommendations!

Sincerely a mom who needs to get stuff done and not be stuck holding her all day 🫩

I have a 10 week old and I’ve been using a wrap + ergo omni breeze, I’ve haven’t figured out how to nurse in either of these and would love to. I think probably getting another carrier that is easier to nurse in would maybe be my best bet. Would love suggestions on carriers that make it super easy to breastfeed in and just tips in general for nursing while wearing a carrier

I’m really hoping to get some good feedback on different carriers yall recommend. a lot of what i see is so different - you either love them or hate them.

my baby is currently 8.5 months old and about 18 pounds. I’ve used three different carriers for her, stretchy boba (which I dont feel like I can use anymore since she always busts out and tries to lay back), a baby bjorn (which I don’t like anymore), and an original ergo baby I was given from my aunt. I like it a lot more than I thought I would and it’s still in pretty good shape. I hate saying this out loud but I really want to have a cuter looking carrier to use that is still comfortable and functional. I love being able to wear her on my back now that I’ve figured out how to do it better - thanks for the help yall!

anywho - what do yall recommend for a SSC? I want one that’s nice but I also can’t convince my husband to spend $300 on a carrier. He doesn’t understand theres differences between the ones I already have🤣

So I’ve gotten good with the ring sling and feel comfortable with that as my primary form of front wearing, especially since my 7 week old is still so little (~6lbs). I will eventually get a woven wrap and learn to use that for front wearing too. But i know I eventually want to back wear, but I don’t know anything about how to do it safely.

When (weight, milestones etc) is it safe to back wear baby?

How do you load baby into the carrier to wear on your back?

Do you like a woven wrap or an onbuhimo for back wearing?

What other tips and tricks do you have?

Thank you, I’ve learned so much from this group and had my sling fits corrected in such a kind and gentle way. I’m looking forward to learning more.

Hi, I’ve been lurking in this subreddit recently after obsessing over finding the right carrier for my 6 month old that’s 18 lbs.

My son droops in an ergobaby embrace now that he’s not a newborn. The mesh baby bjorn harmony was promising until he decided it’s too hot and tight, causing him to throw up at the end of the day sometimes. The buckles also require a learning curve to pop on. I’ve tried boba wrap styles but sometimes it’s too tight, sometimes too loose, causing me to have to wrap it around myself all over again. My Lillebaby (old style from 10 years ago, not sure what) has too wide of a seat and not enough cushion under my son’s chunky thighs. I also have a tushbaby that comes in clutch for short walks or home use but I’ve read that it’s not a good carrier once you add the attachment.

Can anyone guide me as to which may be suitable for us between Happy Baby OG, Hope and Plum Lark, and Tula free to grow?

Thanks!

I just got into woven wraps with my second and have a Girasol wrap in my base. Then I tried the Didymos Trias Chai Cinnamon thru LZO’s tbyb and I LOVED how soft and cushy it was! Now I really want to get Didymos wrap and my friend is visiting from Germany soon so I’m going to have her bring me one. Which Didymos wrap do you guys like the best? I’m open to splurging a little since I’ll be saving $$$ on shipping/tariffs.

My baby is about 1 and 21 pounds. For the last few months the lark hasn’t been comfortable longer than a half hour or so. It’s as comfortable around the same amount of time as a ring sling is now. I did a fit check when baby was littler so I think I’m getting a good fit. Is this a common experience with the lark? Should I try another brand? I know a lot of people like happy baby og

I have an incredibly difficult newborn, currently 7 weeks old, who had just started rejecting the bassinet for naps. I basically have to contact nap or carry him all day and with another toddler at home, this is really taking a toll on me mentally and physically. I’m hoping to find a carrier that will allow me to stay comfortable and carry him all day while I cook, clean, and hang with my toddler. Does such a carrier exist? I’m 5’6” and have a petite frame (especially upper body). I live in Canada so must be available for purchase here. Here are the main carriers that I’ve already tried:

Ergobaby Embrace - worked ok in the very early newborn days but I find it very uncomfy especially now that baby is over 10 lbs. baby feels very squished against me and the waistband either falls and puts a lot of pressure on my abs or I have to make it so tight that I can barely breathe. Also hurts my back.

Solly wrap - can be comfy for a while but I find it way too annoying to put on and off, get baby in and out, and adjust

Mabe - I loved this carrier with my first baby but we only started using it at 5 months. It feels a bit too big for a newborn. I also foolishly bought the demim one which is not comfy at all. This one is the most comfortable for my back though.

Ergobaby omni 360 - too structured and fits way too big on my shoulders

Baby Bjorn Mini - baby seems to hate it and hurts my back.

What’s the deal with Artipoppe carriers? Why are they so expensive and why do people love them so much? Other than being fashionable, is there something superior about them?

I have 2 under 2, so a functional carrier is an essential for my day-to-day. My second is 3 months old and has outgrown our Ergobaby Embrace. I’ve started wearing him in our Ergobaby Omni Dream (I have the linen one) and in this heatwave I am reminded of how warm I get while babywearing with this carrier. Our first started fitting into this carrier in late Fall, so the heat wasn’t an issue.

I absolutely love our Omni carrier because of how comfortable it is for both me and baby, but I’m kinda over being a sweaty spaghetti. Are there any other carriers that offer the same kind of comfort/support while feeling less bulky?

I tried out the Happy Baby OG and reallllly didn’t like it. I don’t know if I had the fit wrong or what, but I couldn’t easily adjust the straps to get it on and off and that kind of frustration does not fit well for me.