Buying guide
How to choose a baby carrier
Wrap, ring sling or ergonomic carrier? What the “M” position means, the five rules of safe carrying and why it’s worth trying one after the birth.
In short
- A good carrier holds your baby in the “M” position – knees higher than the bottom, back supported along its whole length.
- For the first months, a stretchy wrap or a carrier declared suitable from birth. A ring sling is quick, but loads only one shoulder.
- Your baby’s face is always visible, with the chin lifted off the chest.
- It’s best bought after the birth, tried on with your baby in it.
A baby carrier doesn’t replace the pushchair, but it solves exactly the situations where the pushchair gets in the way: the stairs of the block, the bus, the market, a baby who only falls asleep held close to someone. It costs little compared with the rest of the list and, for some families, ends up the most-used item of the first year. For others it stays in the wardrobe. That is why it is one of the purchases worth putting off until after the birth.
The types, in brief
| Type | Suitable from | How long it takes to put on | What you need to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stretchy wrap | Birth, up to about 7–9 kg | 2–3 minutes, once you’ve learned | Soft and forgiving; you tie it once and your baby goes in and out without you undoing it |
| Woven wrap | Birth, until walking age | 3–5 minutes | The most versatile and the hardest to learn |
| Ring sling | Birth | Under a minute | Quick, compact; all the weight sits on one shoulder |
| Mei-tai / half-buckle | Birth or a few months, depending on the model | 1–2 minutes | Halfway between a wrap and a structured carrier: a fabric panel, straps that tie |
| Ergonomic buckle carrier | Birth or 3–4 months, depending on the model | Under a minute | The simplest to use; the adjustments matter a lot |
What to check on any carrier
- The “M” position. The panel supports the thighs from one knee to the other, and the knees reach higher than the bottom. If the legs dangle straight down, the carrier is too narrow.
- The rounded back. In a newborn, the spine is shaped like the letter C. The material must follow it, snugly, without forcing it straight and without letting your baby collapse into it.
- Support for head and neck. The top edge of the panel reaches up to the nape, for as long as your baby can’t hold their own head.
- Adjustable panel. On structured carriers, the width and height of the panel should reduce for a newborn. A separately sold “insert” is a poorer solution than a panel that adjusts.
- Conforming to EN 13209-2, the European standard for soft carriers. Wraps and slings don’t fall under this standard; for them there is only a technical guide (CEN/TR 16512), so the manufacturer’s instructions matter even more.
- Declared for your baby’s weight. Read the label: some carriers start from 3.2 kg, others from 7 kg.
- Comfort for you. A wide belt on the hips, straps that can be crossed or worn parallel. The weight should sit on your hips, not your shoulders.
The rules above are known in English by the acronym T.I.C.K.S. and are used by babywearing consultants. If your baby was born prematurely, has a low weight or a breathing problem, talk to your doctor before carrying them.
What to avoid
- Carrying facing outwards with a small baby. The head has no support and the back arches.
- Pouch-style slings, in which your baby lies, sunk into the material, with their face covered. They don’t follow any of the rules above.
- Narrow carriers, in which your baby hangs with straight legs.
- Thick clothes under the carrier. The carrier’s fabric takes the place of a layer of clothes, and your body warms them. In winter, dress them thinly and zip a roomier coat over both of you.
- Cooking, hot drinks and cycling with your baby on your front.
Wrap or structured carrier?
If you like the idea of tying and have a week’s patience, a stretchy wrap is the best fit for the first three or four months: it moulds to any newborn and any parent. After 7–9 kg it starts to sag, and that is when you move to a structured carrier or a woven wrap.
If you want something you can put on in thirty seconds and that two parents of different builds can use, choose an ergonomic carrier with an adjustable panel, declared from birth. You will still be using it at a year and a half.
A ring sling is a good second carrier: for short trips, for climbing the stairs, for the baby who wants to be held for ten minutes. Worn for hours, it tires the shoulder.
When and how to buy one
After the birth. The reason is simple: it fits or it doesn’t on two bodies, yours and your baby’s, and one of them isn’t here yet. Many towns have babywearing consultants and carrier libraries where you can borrow a model for a week before you buy. An hour with a consultant does more than any tutorial.
Second-hand, baby carriers are a good choice: they wash, are easy to inspect and are found almost new. Check all the seams, buckles and rings and ask for the exact model, so you can find the instructions. More in what to buy second-hand.
Our recommendation
Don’t buy one during pregnancy. After the birth, try two types – ideally with a consultant – and keep the one in which your baby sits in the “M” position, with their face visible, and you don’t feel the weight in your shoulders. For most parents, that means a stretchy wrap in the first months or an adjustable ergonomic carrier, from birth.
If you climb stairs every day, the carrier also changes which pushchair you need: see pushchair for a walk-up flat.
Frequently asked questions
From what age can a baby be carried?
A healthy, full-term newborn can be carried from the first days in a carrier declared by the manufacturer for their weight (usually from about 3–3.5 kg). For premature babies, babies with a low birth weight or with breathing problems, ask your doctor first.
What is the “M” position and why does it matter?
In the “M” position, your baby’s thighs are supported as far as the back of the knees, and the knees sit higher than the bottom, so the legs draw the letter M. It is the position recommended for healthy hip development. A narrow carrier, in which the legs dangle straight down, doesn’t provide it.
Can I carry my baby facing outwards?
Not in the first months. Facing outwards, the head has no support, the back arches, and your baby can’t withdraw when they are tired. Some carriers allow this position only once your baby holds their head firmly, for short periods. Carrying on the hip or on your back gives them the same view, in a better position.
Think it could help someone else?
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