Just like babies, moms come in all shapes and sizes, so it’s important to find a carrier that is comfortable without compromising support when wearing your baby. With so many carriers on the market — from wraps to backpacks to slings and everything between — it might take a minute to find the one that’s perfect for your lifestyle.

By now, you probably know that babywearing provides all kinds of benefits: eye contact, sensory stimulation, social interaction, bonding, the list goes on. So it’s not necessarily a question of why get a baby carrier, but rather, which baby carrier to get. Keep reading for some tips on how to choose the best baby carrier for moms.

How to Choose the Best Baby Carrier for Moms

Choosing a Carrier

Before taking the plunge and purchasing a carrier, take a trip to your local retailer to try some on or see if a trusted friend or relative will let you test drive their favorite to see if it might work for you. With so many different kinds of carriers on the market, it’s easy to get confused, so start with what’s comfortable, and let’s face it, stylish. You’ll likely be spending lots of time wearing your baby, and you’ll not only want to feel good while doing it, but you’ll want to feel like yourself. Finding a color, pattern and style that you like will be a good thing in the long run.

Also, go to the company’s website (or even YouTube) and watch their tutorials — this will help give you the confidence you need to make sure that you’re using the carrier properly. Even better? Read the reviews! Insight from fellow parents can really help inform your decision.

Which Baby Carrier is Right For You?

It's likely that the carrier will be used at different times and places, so it’s ideal to look for a carrier that will work at home and on the go. Keep in mind that depending on the type of carrier you choose, you’ll have to consider baby’s age and weight as well. You may find that the best carrier for a young infant isn't as suitable for when they're older. A newborn infant without head control will need more support, while a toddler will probably protest if you don't have an easy way to put them down and pick them up again. Many families utilize more than one carrier through the years. Remember, these can always be used again for future siblings.

Consider that you’ll likely want to use the carrier in the following ways:

•   at home when multitasking
•   to help calm a crying baby or help them sleep
•   to hip-carry an older baby or toddler who wants to be held
•   when out and about on errands

Beyond considering when and how you'll want to carry your baby, these are other features to look for:

Feature #1: Ease of Use

This may be the number one feature you'll want to look for in a baby carrier. Some carriers may look darling in photos or seem fashionable, but after you purchase them, you soon realize all the things you didn’t consider, from getting your baby in and out repeatedly to what to do with the carrier when it’s not in use. First-time moms might think babywearing is a bit more glamorous than it really is; while the main appeal of babywearing is to have your hands free, you’ll soon come to realize there’s a lot more to babywearing. 

Picture this: your baby is fussy and fighting sleep. Your arms and back are tired from attempting to rock them to sleep—so you strap on a baby carrier for support, and finally, you have a sleeping baby. But, now what? Somehow, you have to unstrap the carrier while supporting your baby and transition them to their bassinet or crib. 

Baby carriers provide support for carrying your baby; and while the ability to babywear hands-free is valuable, it’s not always a reality. As your baby demands to be picked up and put down throughout the day, it’s useful to have a baby carrier like Tushbaby that simplifies that. The Tushbaby hipseat carrier straps high and tight above the wearer’s natural waist while the baby sits on the plush hipseat. The wearer supports the baby with one or both hands with the open-style design—and it’s that simple. You can easily take your baby on and off without taking the carrier on and off. 

For the times that call for hands-free babywearing, we’ve got your back there, too—pair the Tushbaby with The Snug attachment for hands-free babywearing! Just attach The Snug to your Tushbaby Carrier, place your baby on the seat, wrap the straps over your shoulders, then buckle up and go. When it’s time to stretch those little legs, stash The Snug in the under-seat pocket of your Tushbaby and carry on. 

To add to the much-loved convenience of the Tushbaby Carrier, it features a feeding position and is adjustable in size for all caregivers. It can be used for babies 0-3 years old, or up to 45 pounds. It features a generous 23-44 inch waistband with added storage that can be extended 23 more inches with our Waistband Extender. As you and your baby change, Tushbaby’s flexibility provides the support you need from a baby carrier, from infancy through toddlerhood. 

Feature #2: Versatility

Since you'll likely want to carry your baby in more than one way, you'll want to look for a carrier that can accommodate different positions. The more versatile the carrier, the more likely you’ll be able to use it during different stages of your baby's life.

Versatility also comes into play when discussing baby carriers for pregnant moms. It is absolutely possible to wear your current baby while expecting your next; just pay attention to your body and make sure it’s still comfortable. Some pregnant moms swear by wrap style carriers and Meh Dais due to the variety of ways they can be secured, avoiding your pregnant belly altogether.

Of course, it’s always a good idea to talk to your health care practitioner when it comes to your changing body and continued baby wearing throughout your pregnancy.

Feature #3: Comfort

Does the carrier feel good when you wear it? Does your baby look safe and comfortable in it?

The answers to these questions should be a resounding "YES." No part of your body should hurt when you're carrying your baby. And if your baby is uncomfortable in any way, it negates all the benefits.  

That’s why, when it comes to baby carriers for small moms and baby carriers for plus-size moms, it’s great to find options that come in standard sizes; from extra-small to extra-large and everything in between. Baby K’tan is a parent fave thanks to its double-loop design that functions as a sling, wrap, and baby carrier without any wrapping, buckling, or adjusting any rings. It also has a sizing calculator to ensure the most accurate fit for moms of all sizes. But while the Baby K’tan can be ideal during certain moments, as your baby grows, they may crave more freedom. The ability to pick them up and put them down or change the carrying position without much effort is valuable. An open-face carrier like Tushbaby is ideal for babies that like to see the world from new perspectives and need to be picked up and put down often. With the addition of The Snug, parents can take advantage of two additional wrap-style carry positions once their baby reaches 12lbs.

Feature #4: Ease of Cleaning

Life with a baby is messy, so almost everything your baby goes near should be easy to clean. Baby carriers with padding in various places and lots of straps can be harder to clean than a baby carrier with a simple design. The Tushbaby hipseat carrier’s convenient design and abundance of features help streamline life with a baby, and it’s easy to clean! To wash the Tushbaby, hand wash with mild soap and warm water, or remove the plastic insert, wash on a cold cycle, and lay it out to dry. (Wash instructions vary depending on the fabric material, so we recommend checking our user manual for the most accurate instructions.)

Feature #5: Breathable to keep mom and baby cool

Carrying a baby requires effort, baby carrier or not. You might start to sweat, even if it’s not actually hot, so a breathable open-style carrier can help maintain a comfortable temperature for mom and baby. When your baby is literally attached to your body, changing your layers (and theirs) can be difficult. With Tushbaby, it’s easy to take your baby on and off the carrier, making it easier to modify outfits to match the weather. While you can babywear hands-free with the Tushbaby and The Snug attachment together, without The Snug, the Tushbaby is not a hands-free carrier. This means you have the flexibility to easily switch carrying positions without additional effort or adjust your baby to make you both more comfortable.

Feature #6: Multifunctional add-ons

As a mom, you’re constantly trying to keep up with the demands of life and a baby simultaneously. The right products can undoubtedly make life with a baby easier, but you’ll want to choose products based on safety and functionality. A house filled with baby products and toys that you don’t use can add to the chaos.

At Tushbaby, we make products for moms (and all other caregivers) that are designed by moms. Our products streamline life with a baby by seamlessly pairing together and can be used without breaking your stride. Some of our most-loved add-ons are The Crossbody Strap, Waistband Extender, and The Snug attachment. Our Crossbody Straps allow you to transition from wearing your carrier around your waist to toting it like your favorite purse in seconds. Having your beloved baby carrier nearby at all times is a great way to simplify life with a baby, especially when you can keep all your essentials inside it and by your side. Our Waistband Extender adds an additional 23 inches to the waistband of your Tushbaby Carrier to fit caregivers of all shapes and sizes; parents love this handy helper for sharing their Tushbaby with friends and family to ensure everyone is comfortable and supported when they carry. For moms craving hands-free convenience, The Snug attachment connects to the base of the Tushbaby to create the first-ever 2-in-1 carrying combo, combining hands-free babywearing with the storage and support of a hipseat.  

Another mom favorite is the Tushbaby Lite. Compared to the original Tushbaby carrier, the Tushbaby Lite is a streamlined version designed for hot days, quick errands, or the days when less is more. With three storage pockets and a slimmer profile, Tushbaby Lite is also loved by petite caregivers with shorter torsos and folks who prefer less storage space. Just like the original Tushbaby, the Tushbaby Lite features storage, lumbar support, a fold-up design, a memory foam-lined seat, and breastfeeding support. 

Feature #7: Hipseat Carriers

For parents who want to keep their baby close but may have issues with their back, neck or shoulders, a hipseat carrier could be life changing. A hipseat is a simple seat for your baby to sit on that evenly distributes their weight, so you can carry them longer and more comfortably. Hipseats alleviate pressure sometimes associated with more traditional babywearing devices by fastening just above your hips, allowing your hips and legs to do most of the work. Most hipseats require that you have one arm wrapped around baby at all times, so they’re not totally hands-free, but they still offer the benefit of skin to skin contact while keeping your baby close against your body.

Benefits of a Hipseat Carrier

• Takes pressure off your back and shoulders
• Puts your baby’s hips in the “M” position — a natural position for baby which keeps their knees slightly higher than their tush while supporting their thighs
• Allows for close contact with baby without complicated straps or instructions
• Acts as a shelf for feeding and nursing in infancy
• Promotes independence in toddlerhood
• Transforms into a multi-use carrier with a hands-free option when paired with The Snug attachment (Please note: The Snug is exclusively designed for use with Tushbaby Carriers)

The Tushbaby hipseat carrier doubles as a fanny pack with plenty of storage built in so you can carry your kid, stash your stuff and save your back. It’s the perfect place for your little one to hang out while you hold on. The Tushbaby hipseat can also be used as breastfeeding support starting from infancy, making it the perfect carrier for not just mom, but dad, grandma, and anyone else who cares for your baby.

Pro tip: store The Snug in Tushbaby’s under-seat storage pocket so you’re ready for hands-free babywearing when the need arises. To wear The Snug, simply buckle it around the sides of your Tushbaby’s seat, place your baby on the seat, wrap the straps over your shoulders, then buckle up the side straps to go hands-free! The Snug is compatible with two of the four Tushbaby carrying positions: face-to-face and forward-facing. When you remove The Snug, you can use the breastfeeding position and side-carrying position.

The Tushbaby is a versatile carrier offering support for babies 0-3 years of age, and for mom and her best helpers—including dad, grandma, and everyone else who cares for your baby.