Having a newborn baby is a magical, yet often overwhelming time. Ensuring you have the right baby carrier can make a world of difference during this period: they can allow you to hold your baby close to your body while keeping your hands free, and removing the strain of your baby’s weight from your arms.
There are several types of baby carriers available that are suitable for newborns. So which one is best for you?
Keep reading to find out the top-rated baby carriers as well as the different styles available for carrying your newborn.
Ring Slings
The first type of baby carrier we’ll look at is a kind of baby sling wrap fastened with a ring. This is a very versatile baby carrier, as it can be adjusted as your baby grows. It is suitable for newborns, as well as babies and toddlers.
This is one of the best baby sling wrap options because your baby can be secured to your body in several different positions. Depending on your personal preference and comfort, a ring sling carrier can allow you to carry your baby on your front, your hip, or off-center.
Ring slings are formed of a long piece of fabric with two rings attached to one of the ends, which is worn over one shoulder. There are many beautiful fabrics and makers of ring slings. Some of our favorites are Beloved and DidySling.
Because ring slings are so adaptable to you and your baby, they can take a little time to find the perfect fit. But once you get the hang of them, ring slings are one of the best options, being lightweight and allowing close contact between the two of you.
Stretchy Wraps
For many, a stretchy wrap is the best baby sling carrier because it offers the perfect transition from womb to newborn life. A stretchy wrap consists of a single piece of material in a soft knitted fabric, unlike woven wraps that we’ll get to later.
While stretchy wraps can be adjusted for different carrying positions, they are best for front-holding, tummy to tummy carries. They are suitable for newborns up to the age of 12 months or so.
Stretchy wraps are tied to your body before placing your baby in the carrier, making it a favorite for parents of newborns. You can leave the wrap tied to you all day, while you take your baby in and out for feeds and changes. This way, the wrap doesn’t have to be re-tied throughout the day, leaving you more time for the important things.
Woven Wraps
Next up on our list of the best types of baby carriers is the woven wrap. The woven wrap is similar to the stretchy wrap, consisting of a single piece of material, however, the fabric is woven rather than knitted.
This results in a stronger and more supportive fabric. While woven wraps are suitable for carrying newborns, they are also better suited to carrying older infants than stretchy wraps, as the material allows for older toddlers and pre-schoolers to be easily supported.
These woven sling wrap baby carriers are popular with many parents for this reason. They are often a cost-effective option as there is no need to swap to an alternative baby carrier as your little one grows out of sling wraps for newborns.
Buckle Carriers
Buckle carriers are another great choice for carrying newborn babies against your body. They are more structured carriers than the slings we have looked at so far.
It’s worth noting that not all buckle carriers are suitable for newborns, so make sure you read the product description carefully and that the buckle carrier meets your needs.
Buckle carriers are adjustable and easy to use. They allow you to carry your baby on both your front and back, with some allowing for hip carrying too. There can be great variation within the buckle carrier style: different fabrics, patterns, shoulder and back supports vary from carrier to carrier.
Our favorite brands of buckle carriers include Ergobaby, Tula, and Integra. Click here to see a range of the different buckle carriers available.
Meh Dais
Next, let’s take a look at meh dais, which fall somewhere in between woven wraps and buckle carriers. They do not feature buckles or rings, so in some ways, they are closer to a baby sling. However, with extra straps and knots, they are more structured than wraps.
Meh dais are popular with parents as they allow an even distribution of weight across the hips, shoulders, and back, making carrying your baby comfortable and easy. What’s more, they can be used to carry newborns as well as older toddlers, so they are a versatile and long-term investment.
Meh dais often have padding where it falls on your shoulder and waist, but none where your baby will lie, meaning the meh dai adapts to your newborn’s shape and size.
What Are the Other Kinds of Carriers Available?
We’ve now discussed the main baby carriers that are best suited for wearing your newborn to your body. However, there are a couple of other types of carriers that deserve a mention.
Cold weather carriers are available for those facing wintery conditions. These adorable coats and covers allow you and your baby to share warmth and block out the cold. It is important to keep as few layers as possible between you and your baby and opt for multiple, light, outer layers to protect you both.
Finally, you might come across the half-buckle carrier. The half-buckle carrier is similar to the buckle carrier, but it has a thick fabric that is wrapped around your waist and is thus also similar to the meh dai.
Those Are the Top Types of Baby Carriers
We’ve now covered the different types of baby carriers available for newborns, so you can make the best decision for you and your baby. It’s worth bearing in mind that different types of carriers are more suitable for older infants, to make carrying your child more comfortable for you both as your baby grows older.
If you found this article helpful, make sure you check out our other parenting posts!
