Best Baby Carrier for 2020

Wanting a new baby carrier for 2020? Have a baby on the way and don’t know which one gets the best reviews? We have some suggestions for you based on your needs.

The term ‘baby carriers’ can cover a lot of different products: from baby slings and wraps that are a more fluid way of carrying your baby to more robust baby hiking backpacks which you can use for long walks and sometimes have pockets or can freestand with your baby still in it.

We also take a look at which baby carriers work best with newborns and which can still be used for toddlers.

Best baby carrier

Best baby sling or wrap

A baby sling or ring sling is a long piece of material such as cotton or linen that has two rings attached at one end. The free end of the fabric is threaded through the rings to create the sling for the baby to lay in. This type of sling is easily adjustable and allows you to hold your baby in different positions including to breastfeed.

This baby ring sling gets really good reviews from Amazon- it comes in a variety of different colours and patterns, is lightweight, easy to wear and machine washable.

A baby wrap is also made of fabric which may be stretchy. The fabric is of different lengths and can easily be adjusted to suit your needs. The baby is securely held in place with the wrap which is then tied. Wraps evenly distribute the weight of your baby across your body making for a comfortable carry.

The CuddleBug baby wrap gets really good ratings from a lot of customers on Amazon- it has 9 different ways of carrying your baby, made of stretchy cotton and has easy to follow instructions.

Both these types of carriers need a bit of practice to find the right combination of position/ fabric/ tie to get it just right for you. But there are plenty of helpful YouTube videos to watch and the beauty of them are their versatility and adjustability.

Close Caboo Baby Carrier

The Close Caboo Baby Carrier is a bit of a hybrid baby sling with elements of the adjustable ring/ wrap type baby sling and backpack style baby carriers. Wide shoulder straps easily distribute weight across your body. No tying is required- just use the rings to adjust the carrying position and tightness.

The Caboo carrier is suitable from birth and this includes smaller or premature babies so you can keep your newborn close to you straight away.

Best Baby Carrier Backpack

A baby carrier backpack is a more rigid structure than slings or wraps and has less flexibility of position. However, they are simpler to put on once adjusted to your body, usually are able to carry a heavier baby or toddler, and some designs are freestanding so you can put your baby down in the backpack safely when you stop for a rest instead of having to always wear them.

As the name would suggest, the baby carrier is exactly like a backpack or rucksack with adjustable shoulder straps and waist/ hip belt for distributed support. Instead of being a bag, there is a pouch for you to carry your baby or toddler in. This can be adjusted to give your baby the best carrying position.

The Infantino Flip Advanced Convertible Baby Carrier gets good ratings on Amazon: it has four different ways to carry your baby, is suitable for toddlers up to 32 lbs and is comfortable for you and your baby.

BabyBjorn Baby Carriers

BabyBjorn is a very desirable Swedish children’s products brand that sell high-quality and innovative products for all baby and toddler stages. Their products don’t come cheap, but are a good investment if you have or are planning a large family and keep a good resale value.

Baby Carrier Mini

BabyBjorn have a number of different baby carriers available depending on your needs- the Baby Carrier Mini is their cheapest model and is for use with newborns. It has crossover shoulder straps that are easy to adjust for the comfiest fit and (as with all BabyBjorn baby carriers), the fabric is toxin-free and soft against your baby’s skin. The baby carrier is machine washable and can be used up until one year.

Baby Carrier Move

The Baby Carrier Move is suitable from birth up to 15 months and no extra insert is needed as your baby grows. The breathable mesh fabric keeps your baby cool but still safely padded in the carrier. Head support, leg openings and size of carrier can all be adjusted to keep your baby in a safe position.

To keep you comfortable carrying your baby, the carrier has adjustable shoulder straps as well as a waist/ hip strap for added support. It is machine washable so you can easily keep it fresh.

Baby Carrier One Air

The Baby Carrier One Air is suitable from birth up to 3 years of age- so should be the only carrier you will need for your child. As with all the BabyBjorn carriers, the fabric mesh is airy whilst still provided good support and can be put in the washing to keep it fresh.

The One Air provides really good support for your baby or toddler and has been certified by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute to properly support your baby’s legs hips and spine. Particularly important in developing children, especially if they are in the carrier for long stretches.

You can use the carrier in a number of different ways- forward or outward facing and on front or back depending on what your baby requires.

Ergobaby Baby Carrier Omni 360

Ergobaby is another great brand to go for if you want a reliable and stylish baby carrier. The Omni 360 is one of their bestselling carriers which will take your baby all the way though from birth to toddler (around 33 lbs). The baby carrier supports a number of different carrying positions: both front and back as well as front facing and hip carry depending on your and your baby’s needs.

The Ergobaby carrier has wide shoulder straps that can be adapted to your height as well as a strong lumbar support/ hip belt to spread the weight. The fabric and mesh design is cool and breathable and comes with a sun hood that gives UPF 50+ protection.

Chicco Easy Fit Baby Carrier

Chicco is another reliable and well-known brand to go for when you’re buying baby products. They have a range of items such as next to me cribs and high chairs that all rate really highly among parents and the Easy Fit baby carrier is no exception.

It’s designed to be worn like a T-shirt so that taking the carrier on and off is intuitive and easy. The holding position allows for your baby to get the M shape with their legs and hips so there are no stress points.

The Easy Fit carrier can be used from birth in the parent facing position and then from 6 months your baby can turn to world facing if they want to take a look around!