The first step to making your own baby carrier is to choose what style of carrier you want to make. This is a decision that no one else can make for you. There is no “best” kind of carrier – each individual person will have their own unique preferences.
Some resources:
- Carrier Styles (brief descriptions, pictures, pros & cons)
- All About Woven Wraps
Comparing Carrier Styles
Sort the table by various columns to see what kind of carrier style you might like best. Understand that many of these are subjective opinions, and you may feel very differently. This is just meant to be a starting point to help you choose what carrier you would enjoy using the most.All columns can be sorted from 1 (Not Recommended/Most Challenging) to 5 (Best/Easiest)
Scroll left and right to view more columns, particularly on smaller screens.
| Good for Premature Newborns | Good for Full Term Newborns | Good for Toddlers and Preschoolers | Easy to Make | Easy to Learn to Use | Supportive Weight Distribution | Front Carries | Back Carries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woven Wrap | 5 - Best | 5 - Best | 5 - Best | 4 - Easy | 1 - Most Challenging | 5 - Most Supportive | 5 - Best | 5 - Best (experienced wearers can back carry all ages) |
| Stretchy Wrap | 3 - Fine (consult your pediatrician) | 5 - Best | 1 - Not Recommended | 5 - Easiest | 3 - Moderate | 4 - Ideal | 5 - Best | 1 - Worst (never recommended) |
| Ring Sling | 5 - Best | 5 - Best | 3 - Fine | 4 - Easy | 3 - Moderate | 2 - Not Ideal | 5 - Best | 2 - Not Ideal (okay for compliant toddlers) |
| Pouch Sling | 2 - Not Ideal | 3 - Fine | 3 - Fine | 3 - Moderate | 4 - Easy | 1 - Least Supportive | 5 - Best | 2 - Not Ideal (okay for compliant toddlers) |
| Meh Dai | 2 - Not Ideal | 3 - Fine (with some modifications) | 5 - Best | 3 - Moderate | 3 - Moderate | 5 - Most Supportive | 5 - Best | 5 - Best (experienced wearers can back carry at relatively young ages) |
| Nyia | 2 - Not Ideal | 4 - Ideal | 3 - Fine | 4 - Easy | 2 - Advanced (due to lack of Western resources) | 3 - Fine | 5 - Best | 5 - Best (experienced wearers can back carry at relatively young ages) |
| Podaegi | 2 - Not Ideal | 4 - Ideal | 3 - Fine | 4 - Easy | 2 - Advanced (due to lack of Western resources) | 3 - Fine | 5 - Best | 5 - Best (experienced wearers can back carry at relatively young ages) |
| Traditional Onbuhimo | 1 - Not Recommended | 1 - Not Recommended | 4 - Ideal | 3 - Moderate | 2 - Advanced | 3 - Fine | 3 - Fine | 4 - Ideal (older babies and toddlers only, though) |
| Reverse Onbuhimo | 1 - Not Recommended | 1 - Not Recommended | 4 - Ideal | 2 - Advanced | 3 - Moderate | 3 - Fine | 1 - Worst | 4 - Ideal (older babies and toddlers only, though) |
| Buckle Onbuhimo | 1 - Not Recommended | 1 - Not Recommended | 4 - Ideal | 2 - Advanced | 3 - Moderate | 2 - Not Ideal | 3 - Fine | 4 - Ideal (older babies and toddlers only, though) |
| Soft Structured Carrier - Structured Waist | 2 - Not Ideal (consult your pediatrician) | 3 - Fine (depending on the pattern used) | 5 - Best | 1 - Most Challenging | 5 - Easiest | 4 - Ideal | 5 - Best | 3 - Fine (older babies and toddlers only, low back carry allows limited view for baby) |
| Soft Structured Carrier - Apron Waist | 2 - Not Ideal (consult your pediatrician) | 4 - Ideal (with some modifications) | 5 - Best | 2 - Advanced | 5 - Easiest | 4 - Ideal | 5 - Best | 4 - Ideal (older babies and toddlers only, though) |