Best Baby Carriers for Newborns: How to Choose the Right One
- Emma – Little One Snug
- Jan 14
- 7 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
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If you're expecting a baby or already navigating life with one, you're in the right place. I'm Emma, a qualified babywearing consultant based in Hastings (UK), helping families across East Sussex choose, fit, and use baby carriers safely and confidently.
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This guide is for you if...
✔ You've got an upcoming adventure or holiday
✔ You're planning on travelling with an existing or new carrier
✔ You're browsing slings/carriers online specifically for your hols (note: this might be unnecessary!!)
✔ You want to feel more prepped before travelling
This guide is for you if...
✔ You're new to babywearing
✔ You want to know about your options for newborns
✔ You're already browsing slings/carriers online
✔ You want to feel more prepped before baby arrives
If you've started looking for a baby carrier during pregnancy, or in those first few weeks after birth, you've probably discovered something surprising – There isn't just a few baby carriers the market is saturated! Although Google might have you think it's all about Stretchy wraps and Full Buckles, and there are so many to pick from even within these categories, so it's no wonder many parents end up typing "best baby carrier for newborn" into Google.
As a babywearing consultant, it's one of the questions I'm asked most often.
My answer?
There isn't one best carrier for every family.
The best newborn carrier is actually the one that fits your body, your baby and your lifestyle - However there are some carrier styles that do work far better for newborns, and we'll get onto that below!
Why recommendations only go so far
It's tempting to ask friends or parenting groups which carrier they recommend.
The trouble is, their "perfect" carrier might not suit you at all.
Things that make a difference include:
Your height and build
Your baby's size and age
Whether you're recovering from birth or a caesarean
If you breastfeed while carrying
Whether you'll mainly use it indoors or outdoors
How confident you feel learning something new
Whether more than one adult will use it
That's why buying purely based on reviews can sometimes lead to disappointment.
Read more in detail about blind recommendations in this post here, and why trying before buying can make the world of difference.
Five brilliant newborn carrier styles
Instead of recommending five specific brands, I'd encourage parents to explore five different styles of carrier.
1. Stretchy Wrap
Perfect for those early newborn weeks if you love closeness.
Stretchy wraps offer a soft, cosy fit and can feel wonderfully comforting for many babies. Once tied correctly, they're easy to pop baby in and out throughout the day. You can get some pre-tied styles - I'd generally recommend the ones with rings at the side - others will end up being more carry assists, rather than a hands-free sling.
Good to know:
Stretchy wraps are probably the most affordable item you can get started with, but do work best in the early months. They are lovely to use once mastered. As babies grow heavier, such a wrap can start to feel less supportive, and this is because of how the fabric stretches. While (with the right knowledge) you can tie them totally differently to counteract this, at this stage, for those who wish to continue wrapping, most will then tend to opt for a more structured fabric tying-style sling (see options below).
2. Ring Sling
Ring Slings are ideal if you want something quick to put on.
They're compact, supportive and brilliant for short carries, feeding on the go and babies who like to look around as they get older.
Good to know: Because the weight is on one shoulder, these aren't for everyone, especially those who suffer with back pain - while you can of course switch between shoulders to help balance things out, you also may want to consider complimenting with a sling that goes over both shoulders for longer outings.
Note: It can be very helpful to learn with a stripe or colour-block patterned ring sling can be super helpful to track the way the fabric moves.
3. Woven Wrap
Although they can look intimidating initially, woven wraps grow with your child and offer an incredible amount of adjustability and comfort.
Good to know:
Midweight gsm wraps might be better for learning with, learning with stripes is helpful too - I do quite like Lenny Lamb and Little Frog for begginner affordable brands. There is oscha too (British) but these are more premium.
You'll have a base-size (which you can determine with a Front Wrap Cross Carry) - and can do carry's based off that (base minus 1, base plus one and so on)
Again due to the curve of learning booking a professional consultation can really help flatten that and get you understanding your wrap better.
4. Meh Dai or Half Buckle
These combine some of the simplicity of a buckle carrier with the flexibility of a wrap.
Many parents find they offer an excellent balance between support and ease of use.
Good to know:
A meh dai is full tying – tying waist and shoulders, while a half buckle had a waistband with a buckle and tying shoulders - they work the same way pretty-much!
Due to how the panel sizes these may or may not fit a true newborn - they can still fit fairly soon compared to regular Full Soft Structured buckles
You may find the long straps not the most practical (but there are different ways you can handle this when out and about!
One of the most versatile options available.
Although they can may look intimidating initially, they do grow with your child and offer an incredible amount of adjustability and comfort.
5. Stretchy Hybrids
These are clippy slings that feel more stretchy-wrap like or adjust down very small.
They may look or feel less daunting for parents who aren't keen on tying a traditional wrap.
Adjusting can be quite precise however for a newborn.
Good to know:
They can be a lovely stepping stone into babywearing, and some are quite the investment (well in comparison to a stretchy wrap). At this price-point I really do suggest trying before buying one so buy can help you decide whether it suits you and your baby, and if you wait a few more weeks you'll have even more options if you like the clippy style.
Let's talk about Full Soft Structured Carriers
If you don't mind waiting til baby is 4-12 weeks you will likely have more options in terms of full-buckle carriers that will fit. (Some may even fit sooner if baby is on the larger side!)
Often called buckle carriers, these are what many people picture when they think of a baby carrier. Many can be used from newborn (with the correct fit) and continue well into toddlerhood.
Good to know:
Rather than opting for Amazon cheapies or Googling what is the best sling and only those with top marketing budgets coming up I'd highly suggest you book in with a sling library or babywearing consultant (Search 'The Sling Pages' to find your nearest!) and then you can explore options within those categories above that are within your budget.
We are professionals who know our stuff - qe have tried lots of carriers and seen them on lots of different body types - so are equipped to make suggestions (rather than blind recommendations) that are more likely to work well for you and baby, and you can try before buying :)
Important note – Most buckle carriers are not newborn-ready out of the box, even if marketed as so, and state your baby is an appropriate weight.
Fit, adjustability, and panel width really matter here - as does your baby's torso length vs leg length, developmental stage (i.e head control) and your body shape and size to help fill the sling out too.
A note on safety / nowing when your sling fits
No matter which carrier you choose, safety always comes first, especially with newborns.
Remember your safety checks every time:
A – Airways: Face and airways completely visible, chin off chest
B – Body positioning - baby should be well positioned so they can't slump down into the carrier
C – Close & Comfortable: Snug and secure
If you need a refresher, you can read more here: 👉 Sling Safety: Remember ABC
So... which one is actually the best baby carrier for newborn?
My honest answer is... whichever one you enjoy using.
A carrier can be beautifully designed, made from luxurious fabrics and have glowing reviews, but if it doesn't feel comfortable on your body or fit your baby safely, you're not going to reach for it.
The "best" carrier is the one that helps you carry your baby safely and confidently.
Can I try before buying?
Absolutely and I often recommend it (Here's why!)
Hiring or trying different carriers can save you spending hundreds of pounds on something that doesn't quite suit you. During a consultation we can explore different options together, adjust the fit, answer your questions and help you understand what feels right for you.
Many parents are surprised by which carrier they end up loving.
Final thoughts
If you're feeling overwhelmed by all the choices, you're not alone.
Babywearing shouldn't feel like a guessing game. A little expert guidance can save time, money and frustration—and help you find a carrier you'll genuinely enjoy using throughout your baby's first years.
Happy Carrying,
Emma
X
Every baby, every parent, and carrier is different!
Articles like this can answer general questions, but they can't check your fit / comfort, adjust your sling or tell you whether your baby is positioned comfortably and safely.
That's exactly what I do during support sessions.
I'm Emma, the babywearing consultant behind Little One Snug. I offer relaxed, personalised sling consultations, carrier hire and troubleshooting sessions for families across Hastings and East Sussex, helping you carry your baby safely and confidently from newborn through to preschool. Whether you're choosing your first sling, struggling with your current carrier or simply want reassurance that everything feels right, I'm here to help.
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About the Author:
Emma is the founder of Little One Snug, a babywearing consultancy and sling library based in Hastings, East Sussex. Supporting 240 local families (and counting) since 2024 with all their babywearing needs.
