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The best (and most comfortable) baby carriers for newborns
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Baby carriers are a life-saver, especially when you‘re visiting places where using a pushchair is tricky, like crowded city centres or on woodland walks. They’re also great for bonding with your baby by keeping them close.
Whether you prefer a sling-style carrier or one that will grow with your baby, there's something for everyone.
There's some safety advice to bear in mind though if you're planning on carrying your baby in a sling. The NHS recommends parents follow the TICKS advice to reduce the risk of suffocation:
Keep your baby Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss, Keep their chin off their chest, with a Supported back.
1. BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Mini
*Carry baby on your front, facing in or out
*Super soft and stretches to hold your baby comfortably
*Easy to put on, with just a couple of buckles
Specially designed to be suitable right from the day your baby is born, this is a soft and comfortable carrier that's easy to put on and to adjust. It comes in three great fabric choices – 3D jersey, 3D mesh and satin-woven cotton, plus there are lots of beautiful colours too. It can be used until your baby is one year old or 11kg.
2. Ergobaby Embrace Newborn Carrier
*Your baby can face you or the world
*Padded shoulder straps and a supportive waist belt evenly distributes the weight of the child
*Soft knit fabric
Designed to be used for the fourth trimester, this soft and cosy carrier keeps your baby close to you. It is comfortable for you to wear, with a padded waist belt and straps that have a good bit of stretch to fit you well. It's light and compact and can easily be slipped into your changing bag under the pushchair when you're out to give you the option of carrying your baby whenever they feel like it. It comes in several lovely colours.
3. Infantino Cuddle Up Ergonomic Hoodie Carrier
*Ergonomic carrier with unique arched canopy hood that keeps baby in full sight and covered for warmth
*Adjustable shoulder straps and wide waist belt keeps both baby and parents comfy
*Can be worn on the front or back and has a pouch to keep the parent's hands warm
This cosy carrier has a hoodie-style pocket for parents and carers to keep their hands in when worn with your baby on the front. There's also a hood so that your baby's head will be kept warm and toasty – plus it has fake 3D bear ears which will make your baby look even more adorable!
4. BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier One Air
*Four carrying positions – facing in (two height positions), facing out, or on your back
*Suitable for newborn babies and fits until they're around three years old
*Fully adjustable seat width position
If you want to spend a little more money for the ultimate baby carrier, this one is a great choice. It's suitable for little ones from birth all the way up to 3, is made from child-friendly materials, and has a fully-adjustable seat width. It's comfortable for parents to wear, as it has extra-wide padded straps and an ergonomic design.
5. Ergobaby Baby Carrier newborn to toddler
*Four positions: on your front facing in or out, on the back, or on the hip
*Designed so you can breastfeed your baby whilst they're in the carrier
*Suitable from birth (7lbs) up to 45lbs
This cosy baby carrier allows parents the freedom to choose where on the body they carry their little one, including on the hip which can be good for a hefty toddler. It comes with an infant insert for smaller babies, which can be removed to allow more space when they grow. It has a wide waistband for extra back support, is machine-washable and mums can breastfeed while baby is seated in the parent-facing position.
6. Integra Baby Carrier
*Simple and easy to use
*Can be used from newborn to 8lbs
*Small and packs down neatly
This is a lightweight, non-padded carrier that has no fiddly clips or buckles and won't make you overheat, as there are no bulky waist straps. With a thin belt section and crossover shoulder straps, it's perfect for using around the house or when you go out. It also includes a sleeping or hood to protect your little one.
7. Joie Savvy Baby Carrier
*Suitable from birth to 16kg
*Can be used 4 ways – 3 front and 1 back position
*Lightweight, breathable fabrics
With several carrying positions and an ergonomic baby position, this will hold your little one from birth. It distributes your baby's weight across your torso for comfort and is easy to adjust and to take your baby in and out. There's a sun hood and even a windshield and your baby's head is held gently in a good position.
There’s a huge array of different designs on the market, and picking the right one for your needs can be tricky. So, which one will suit you best?
Front carriers
Standard baby carriers are widely available in baby stores and are designed to carry your baby on your front. They’re a bit like a rucksack that you wear on your front, with a harness that fastens with buckles or clips.
This type of baby carrier can usually be used from birth (although low birthweight babies may need to grow a bit first) until six to nine months. Your baby can be carried facing your chest for the first few months, and then facing outwards once he can support his head.
Front carriers start from around £25, although more expensive ones have extra features such as ergonomic straps that make them more comfortable to wear. They’re generally easy to use, and can be adjusted to fit parents and babies of different sizes.
Soft structured carriers
Soft structured carriers (SSCs) are the most ergonomic type of baby carrier. They have a wide panel that holds your baby in an anatomically correct position with legs spread wide, and padded shoulder straps and waistband for your comfort. They usually fasten with buckles, although some SSCs tie around you.
SSCs can be used from birth to toddler, although you may need a special insert to adapt the carrier for newborns, which may be sold separately.
Your baby can be carried on your front facing inwards or on your back. SSCs generally cost around £100 but have a good lifespan as they are great for toddlers as well as babies.
Because they’re so comfortable to wear, they can be used for longer periods.
Back carriers
As the name suggests, backpack-style carriers are worn on your back. They usually look like a large hiking rucksack with a metal frame and canvas cover, padded shoulder straps and a waist belt.
Backpack carriers are suitable for babies who can support their heads well, from about six months, and are big and robust enough to carry a heavy toddler.
They often have storage compartments for baby gear and drinks bottles, so they’re ideal for going off the beaten track without your pushchair. They’re simple to use and can be adjusted to suit parents of different sizes.
They do tend to be expensive, with good-quality makes costing around £150, but are a good investment if you’re an outdoorsy person who enjoys weekend walks and active holidays.
Slings
Slings are unstructured fabric carriers that either tie around you and your baby or have buckles or rings that hold the fabric in place. They’re great for bonding as they hold your baby close to your chest, and can be used for skin-to-skin contact and breastfeeding.
Slings can be used in a whole range of ways – there are You Tube channels dedicated to different ways to tie them – and although they take some practice to master, they’re great for giving you lots of carrying options including front, back and hip.
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