360 FULHAM ROAD, CHELSEA, LONDON, SW10 9UU

If you want it done right, do it yourself!

Different Types of Baby Carriers

Each style of carrier can include variations, and many will vary brand to brand. These general descriptions should give you a decent idea of the kind of carrier that might interest you, however. Watch the videos linked for each carrier style to get a good visual of what is involved in using each style, and to get an idea of its versatility.

Soft Structured Carrier

A structured, vaguely rectangular body panel attached to a waistband with a buckle closure and padded shoulder straps which attach to the side of the body panel using either buckles or ladder locks. Some styles are usable from newborn on; some require baby to be a bit bigger before using.

Pros:

  • Typically considered the easiest style of carrier to use. Usable by multiple sizes of wearers. Quick to put on.
  • Most wearers find this style easy to learn on their own without having to consult with an educator.

Cons:

  • Panel size is dependent on child’s size. Therefore, a parent who chooses to wear their baby from newborn through toddlerhood and into preschool may need to regularly replace the carrier with a larger sized carrier every year or so.
  • Structured, tailored design means that some brands may fit the wearer better than other brands.
  • Requires child to be fully sitting independently for extended periods of time before they can be safely used for a back carry.
  • Typically only a limited number of ways to wear the carrier (standard front, back, and possibly a hip carry or forward facing option.) No way to change up weight distribution.
  • Most difficult and labor-intensive to DIY.

Videos:

Woven Wrap

A long, narrow parallelogram of woven (not stretchy) fabric. Used by wrapping around wearer and baby and typically secured with a double knot. Dozens and dozens of different ways to tie them. Learn more about woven wraps and how their sizing affects what you can do with them.

Pros:

  • Incredibly versatile. Carries can be customized based on baby’s age, wearer’s preferred weight distribution, more layers for more support, fewer layers for more breathability, and more.
  • Usable from newborn through toddlerhood and beyond without having to upgrade to a “toddler size” carrier.
  • Nearly all size wraps usable by nearly all size wearers.
  • Good for front, hip, back, and forward facing carries.
  • One of the only carriers that allows experienced wearers to safely back carry a newborn.
  • One of the easiest styles to DIY.
  • One of the few carriers that can be used with premature newborns (consult your pediatrician)

Cons:

Videos:

  • Front Wrap Cross Carry, a standard beginner carry for a full-length wrap
  • Front Wrap Cross Carry Tied Under Bum, a shorter version of the standard beginner carry
  • Traditional Sling Carry, a front or hip carry using a very short wrap
  • Ruck Tied in Front, a standard beginner back carry suitable for even small babies
  • Double Hammock Tied in Front, a good intermediate carry for bigger babies and toddlers

Stretchy Wrap

A long, narrow parallelogram of stretchy fabric like cotton jersey. Worn wrapped around wearer and baby 3 times.

Pros:

  • Can be pre-tied so you can just pop baby in and out throughout the day without having to put the carrier on and off.
  • Very budget-friendly, especially pre-owned.
  • The easiest style of carrier to DIY. No sewing required.
  • Incredibly soft, cozy, and snuggly.
  • Typically one-size-fits-most. Some companies like Moby offer plus-sized lengths to accommodate larger wearers.

Cons:

  • Three layers of fabric over baby and wearer can be very hot.
  • Less versatility than woven wraps; cannot be used for single layer carries or back carries.
  • Most wearers find that stretchy wraps start to lose support once baby passes 15lbs (despite being safe to use up to 30-35lbs.)
  • Incredibly long piece of fabric; some people find the length overwhelming and confusing.

Videos:

  • Pocket Wrap Cross Carry (pretied)
  • Front Wrap Cross Carry (wrapping around baby)

Ring Sling

A short (typically 2-3m long) rectangle of woven fabric, with a pair of rings sewn into one end, which are threaded like D-rings and worn diagonally across the body, bearing baby’s weight on one of the wearer’s shoulders.

Pros:

  • Moderately easy to learn how to use.
  • Incredibly fast to put baby in and out of.
  • Usable newborn through toddlerhood.
  • The most breathable, heat-friendly style of carrier.
  • Easy to DIY for the beginner sewer. Inexpensive to DIY due to small amount of materials needed.
  • One of the few carriers that can be used with premature newborns (consult your pediatrician)

Cons:

  • One-shoulder weight distribution can make it less comfortable for larger babies and longer wearing.
  • Not recommended for back carries except with experienced wearers and trustworthy toddlers.
  • Can be difficult to use between 4-6months when babies tend to go through a leg-straightening, “seat-popping” phase.
  • Not a lot of versatility. One shoulder front or hip carry is the standard way to wear it, although it can be used for short periods of forward facing in babies 4+ months old with good core support, or for one shouldered back carries for trustworthy toddlers.

Videos:

  • Front Carry with a newborn
  • Hip Carry with a toddler
  • Back Carry with a toddler
  • Forward Facing with an older infant

Pouch Sling

A single closed loop of woven fabric, with a curved seam to make baby’s seat. Worn diagonally across the wearer’s body with the baby centered or on the hip.

Pros:

  • If sized correctly, it is quite literally the quickest carrier to get your baby into, and rolls up incredibly small.
  • Small enough to keep tucked in a cell phone pocket of your back for emergencies.
  • Uses a very small amount of fabric to DIY.

Cons:

  • Can be very difficult to size correctly. An incorrectly sized pouch sling can be either worthless or even dangerous.
  • May require some trial and error to make a correctly sized one.
  • Does not distribute weight as well as a ring sling.
  • No ability to adjust tightening while wearing.
  • May not fit after a few months if baby’s weight (or yours) changes significantly.

Videos:

  • Front Carry with a newborn
  • Hip Carry with a toddler
  • Forward Facing with an older infant

Dual Pouch Carrier

Two closed loops of either woven or stretchy fabric, worn diagonally in opposite directions on the body, with baby sitting in the “X” where the two loops intersect. A third loop or sash is tied around horizontally for additional support, particularly in stretchy version. Common brand name is the Baby K’tan. DIY Dual Pouch Carriers are typically made out of t-shirts and known as “T-shirt Carriers.”

Pros:

  • Fairly easy learning curve
  • All the snuggliness of wrapping with a stretchy wrap with none of the overwhelming length
  • Incredibly cheap and easy to DIY (no sewing required)
  • Very newborn-friendly
  • Poppable: wear the carrier all day and just pop baby in and out as needed

Cons:

  • 3 layers of fabric can make this style of carrier very hot
  • Not a lot of support. Typically only usable for a few months before it starts to sag
  • Must be sized to the wearer. Too big will not offer enough support to be hands free

Videos:

  • Front Carry with a newborn

Meh Dai/Bei Dai

Both of these terms are synonymous, both replacing the now-defunct term “mei tai” which was a poor transliteration of a carrier originally from China. A meh dai has a roughly rectangular body panel, typically without darts or much shaping, and four long tie straps at the four corners. It is put on upside down, with the two horizontal straps at the bottom of the panel tied around the waist, and then the body panel is flipped up to hold baby and the top straps (which can be horizontal or diagonal out of the top of the panel) are wrapped around the wearer and baby and tied in a double knot.

Hybrid versions exist with a tie waist and buckle shoulder straps, tie shoulder straps and a buckle waist, or a waist with a double ring closure.

Pros:

  • Fairly easy learning curve
  • A lot of the snuggliness of wrapping without a lot of the fuss
  • Tie straps can be easier to adjust than webbing/buckle straps for some people
  • Usable newborn through toddlerhood, although a toddler may start to outgrow the panel size
  • Can be used safely for back carries a little earlier than a soft structured carrier
  • Size-flexible; the same carrier can be used for wearers of different sizes
  • “Unpoppable” seat great for wiggly babies

Cons:

Videos:

  • Front Carry with a newborn, making adjustments for panel size
  • Standard Front Carry
  • High Back Carry
  • Hip Carry with an older infant
  • Forward Facing with an older infant

Onbuhimo

The term onbuhimo actually covers 3 main styles of carriers, all with roots in Japan, where the term onbuhimo refers more to the style of parenting when you keep your child close (although the word itself most closely translates to “back-carrying strap.”) All three styles of onbuhimo are designed primarily for back carrying older infants (current safety recommendations are to wait until baby can hold themselves up in a sitting position independently.) They are not recommended for newborns or younger infants, and are typically considered a bit awkward for front carries. They are popular due to their lack of waistbelt, which prevents the appearance of a “muffin top” which a typical Soft Structured Carrier waistband can do, and reduces pressure on the stomach for an expectant mother carrying an older child on her back.

A Traditional Onbuhimo has a rectangular body panel with long straps on the top two corners, and either short loops or small rings at the bottom corners. The straps are threaded through the rings, and the child is put on the wearer’s back like a backpack. The straps are then threaded through the opposite-side shoulder straps and tied in a knot in the middle of the chest.

A Reverse Onbuhimo has a rectangular body panel with wide, single-layer wrap straps at the bottom corners, and padded shoulder straps on the top corners with a pair of small rings at the end of each shoulder strap. The wrap straps are threaded through the double rings like a pair of D-rings, and child is worn like a backpack. The straps can simply be pulled through the rings to tighten and secure them, or knotted together for extra support.

A Buckle Onbuhimo has a rectangular body panel with padded shoulder straps on the top corners of the panel, which connect to the bottom corners via webbing and either buckles or ladder locks. The child is worn like a backpack and the straps are tightened with the webbing.

Pros:

  • Incredibly quick to put baby up on your back (great for toddlers who may want up and down often)
  • Fairly small and compact
  • Very high back carries allow nosey toddlers a great view
  • No waistband means no pressure on your stomach and no “muffin top” effect
  • Open sides make it more breathable in the heat
  • “Unpoppable” seat great for wiggly babies

Cons:

  • Moderate learning curve; can be difficult to learn how high to carry baby on your back
  • Puts all of baby’s weight on your shoulders
  • Not terribly versatile; designed primarily for back carries
  • Not usable with newborns or smaller infants

Videos:

  • Back Carry with a Traditional Onbuhimo
  • Back Carry with a Reverse Onbuhimo
  • Back Carry with a Buckle Onbuhimo

Podaegi & Nyia

The Podaegi and the Nyia are similar carriers, which is why they are grouped together. They tend to function very similarly.

The Podaegi comes out of Korean culture, and consists of a wide blanket (sometimes quilted), and a long strap that runs along the top edge of the blanket and extends out the sides. Baby is worn typically on the back (although they can be used up front) with the blanket wrapped around both baby and the wearer. The straps are then wrapped around the wearer and under baby’s bum to support their bottom and knees, and tied up front. There are a few other ways to wear them as well, but that is the typical method.

A Nyia is a Hmong carrier that is similar, but the blanket is much more narrow, only covering the baby when being worn. They can either have horizontal straps at the top like the Podaegi, or angled straps out of the top of the blanket like a modern meh dai. This allows them to be used for the same torso back carry as a Podaegi, but also for other carries like an over-the-shoulder rucksack carry.

They can both be used for front or back carries, and the Nyia can be used in a hip carry as well. Neither is designed for use forward facing out.

Pros:

  • Easier learning curve than wrapping
  • Wide podaegi blankets great for cold weather wrapping, as they cover both the wearer, the baby, and the baby’s legs.
  • Narrow Nyia blanket is extremely breathable for hot weather

Cons:

  • Not as common a carrier, so educational documentation can be hard to come by
  • Less structured body puts more weight on the straps

Videos: