Four of our Favourite Wraps and Carriers for Baby Wearing
Life changes dramatically when you have a baby – but it doesn’t stop. Soaking up every second of time with your bub is priority #1, but sometimes you might want to prepare a meal, get out of the house, or just head out for a bit of sunshine.
Some babies are more than happy to go with flow and chill out in a pram or another safe spot, but others much prefer to stay close to their favourite humans.
Wearing your baby in a baby carrier or baby wrap lets your baby (or toddler!) stay close to you as you go about your day. They will hear your heartbeat, feel your warmth, and appreciate the movement as you move about. Being in contact with you helps them feel safe. And feeling safe means their brains are free to focus on learning about the world around them.
Of course, every baby is unique, and not every bub enjoys being in a carrier. This doesn’t mean they won’t feel safe – it simply means they are comfortable experiencing life in a different way.
If your baby is one who does enjoy being carried though, carriers and wraps are extremely handy to pop on at the shops, before a walk, or just while you’re at home needing some hands-free time.
What is the difference between a baby wrap and a baby carrier?
A baby carrier is structured and might have straps, buckles, padding, or even convenient pockets for your phone, keys or other bits and pieces. Depending on the style of carrier, you might be able to use them from birth through to older baby or toddlerhood – check the manual of each carrier to see the weight range it’s suitable for.
Baby wraps are typically one long piece of fabric that you weave around your body and tie off to secure. They are lightweight, and because you do them up each time you wear them, you get the right fit for you and your baby with minimal fuss.
Using baby wraps and carriers safely
Having your baby right on your body is amazing for supervision, but there are a few safety aspects to know about before you head out to the shops with your little one.
TICKS is a handy acronym to help you remember the most important points when baby wearing. It stands for:
- Tight
- In view at all times
- Close enough to kiss
- Keep their chin off their chest
- Supported back.
To learn more about this, Raising Children has a detailed page on baby wearing safely where they go into depth on TICKS and provide extra info around safety.
Here are 4 of our favourite wrap or carrier options:
Moby Classic Wrap
Made of soft, breathable and durable fabric, the Moby Classic Wrap helps to evenly distribute the weight of your baby across the back and hips so that you can enjoy on-the-go comfort and hassle-free snuggles along the way. This award-winning cotton wrap helps keep your baby in your desired position for long periods.
Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh
With a ‘hip-healthy’ bucket seat and adjustable head and neck cushion, the Ergobaby All Position Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh Carrier helps you safely carry your baby from their first days through to their first years. Plus, lumbar support, extra-cushioned shoulder straps and a 3D Air Mesh Panel make for a cooler, more comfortable carry experience for carers and tots alike. The innovative sliders allow you to effortlessly switch baby from inward-facing to outward-facing as you need on the go.
Keep your cool as you carry with this breathable and supportive carrier.
Mothers Choice 3 in 1
Enjoy all-day comfort with thoughtful features on the Mother's Choice baby carrier, including lumbar support and adjustable padded shoulder straps for you, and an adjustable leg opening that allows you to create a customised fit for your baby. Plus, the carrying positions empower you to carry the way that suits you and your baby best – baby facing in, baby facing out or, once your baby is old enough and has the required muscle tone, baby on the back. There’s also a handy front pocket to keep essentials in arm’s reach!
LilleBaby Complete Airflow
Prepare for the journey ahead from day one with this carrier designed for newborns through to toddlers. The LilleBaby Complete Airflow is all about adjustability, allowing you to customise the fit of the seat and leg openings as well as the back panel, so your baby stays comfy and cosy as they grow. When the weather gets warm, you'll love the zip-down air panel to reveal a breathable mesh panel to enhance airflow and keep you and baby happy in the heat.