What is the best, or just a good carrier? Let me tell you what carriers I'm less keen to shout about! Preferences can really vary, so it's finding what works for you & your little one well!

Lets talk Recommendations

When it comes to carriers these don't really work, as I find different types of straps suit different people, some have features that you may feel are over-engineered, or you might not think are the most intuitive, or lack some of your key wants - which a consultant like myself could have forwarned you about.

So many types beyond what you may know of!

There are most likely styles that are off your radar (most of my favourite brands have small marketing budgets and are independent run with good ethics) often quite adjustable to really grow with your child. Less mainstream styles top such as Half Buckles, Ring Slings and Wovens, are all perfect for exploring in a library or consultancy setting like mine / or hiring (woth fit beforehand if needed) to really try before you buy.

Is my carrier good though?!

First, if you have any of the carrier's listed below and they work for you that's great!

Please know that I'm approaching this post from a point of view of carrier overall quality, longevity, adjustability, brand ethics and comfort. (Remember I've seen and tested quite a few carriers)!

Why's the right sling important?!

Buy wrong, buy two or even three times, and then potentially give up carrying, which can not only be expensive, but a loss; I truly feel there are so many benefits to carrying when done well, and with a carrier you truly love (research backs this up too)! And I do feel there's something out there for pretty-much everyone!

Gifted or Bargain Slings

So what if you've been gifted a sling, or multiple from a well-meaning parent / friend, or you've found something on a local free group, or come across a 'great' bargain carrier while charity shopping/ looking on vinted?

Well, think about the why's around how the carrier has ended up here. It may have worked well for the previous owner, or they could be parting with it as they found they barely used it - you may or may not find this carrier works for you / and it might not safely fit your baby.

Using your gifted or preloved carrier

If you are keen to use your gifted carrier /bargain , first check the below and cross reference with some of the other pointers in this post...

1. Is your slingdevelopmentally appropriate for your little one, and will it fit them safely? Checking in with a consultant will give you the answers for sure! How adjustable is it, what's its longevity?

2. Do you know the age of the carrier? I suggest retiring slings that are more than 8 years old due to natural wear and tear.

3. Is the webbing super stiff, or is there any other obvious wear and tear that could affect the carrier's use or integrity such as holes, weak buckles etc? Remember you will be placing your baby into this, and you will want to keep them safe and snug. I'd you're unsure, why not reach out to your local sling library or consultant for a little bit of advice on the carrier, if you can't find much to go off online. You can also likely get fitting help with your gifted sling too!

4. Be mindful that carriers have changed a lot over the past 10 years, some carriers now feel quite dated – many carriers are now much more adjustable than they used to be with softer fabric options too, so some panels on older models can feel quite rigid; things like inserts (in most cases) can feel much more faffy. With many newer carriers, you can simply adjust the waist in seconds, and get really mouldable knee-to-knee support. Inserts can often make carriers feel more bulky too and in the summer this can feel warmer too (one that comes to mind particularly is the old style Ergo 360).

5. Some sling styles are a big nope from me, things you can't tighten like a pre-tied baby-ktan which are better off as a carry assist (one hand on supporting), anything you can go more than legs in water with, those bag type slings/ anything similar which places your baby horizontally into a cradle carry position - unfortunately this positioning is simply dangerous - we want to easily be able to monitor baby's airways, and have their face free from fabric, up nice and high, held tightly against our body so baby is tummy to tummy/back or seated sideways with consultant support in special situations.

6. On a tight budget? Know that there are very affordable options out there on the preloved market, I'm currently hiring out stretchy wraps up to x1 month free of charge when you book a 1:1 appointment to learn how to use these safely if you haven't got your own!
   

Buying new

If you want to buy something new yourself or you're on a budget / ideally after something below £50, (though whatever budget) I'd honestly suggest to consider sling hire first, as you'll save money in the long run. (I offer local hire from just £10 a week with no appointment) Or ÿ that's out of the question see if you can try a friend's. Always remembering your safety checks when putting on, and if you can't seek support for any reason these are my top tips:

• For newborn shopping stick to most affordable 2way stretchy wraps, some brands of 2-way stretch (more intuitive to use when learning than those with 1way stretch) I like are Lifft, Izmi breeze, Hana baby or the ring styles - Close Caboo or Koala Care.

• Alternatively you could opt for a preloved Woven, a woven style Meh Dai, or Woven Ring Sling and book a consult to get learning (these do come with a slight curve). With the ring sling and woven something stripey or with a gradient will help, so you can really track what fabric tightens where around yours and baby's body.

• Amazon - yes it's super speedy, but retails everything, so how do you sift through the rubbish?!) One of the latest fads seem to be the Momcozy carrier, popping up all over Tik Tok - These are not the worst option out there, but I really question the brands ethics, the buckles are quite stiff feeling, and will not fit baby's pre-3 months old (base is too wide, and panel not adjustable enough in height). They also only offer one position well ?facing in), and there are no instructions with their manual to hip or back carry, so although you technically could, I probably would be cautious about doing so.

• The Infantino Flip - is another seemingly affordable Amazon carrier - again they aren't megga adaptable for newborn - or the most supportive once baby starts getting bigger, so they can feel heavier sooner too, and thus you may feel your baby is simply too heavy to carry / then stop carrying altogether. I still carry my 3 year old, and it still feels super comfortable with the right sling!

• Unknown branded cheaper amazon carriers, carriers with hip seats included, or brands that sell lots of baby items as well as carriers like RedKite, Vtech, Chicco (not specialist at wearing)

• Supermarkets- I've noticed (Boots / Tesco offer seemingly 'good' carriers for very affordable prices, which I don't think are the best option if looking to carry your newborn, or for the upper limit they often suggest either!

• I've heard Shein do carriers too now, which is very worrying considering their lack of specialism in this field, and known poor quality items, and imitation of other artists work.

• Instead look to the pre-loved market, for some reputable brands - more on this towards the bottom, then seeking support if unsure on how to use safely.

Buying New before baby arrives

If you are considering asking someone for a carrier as a baby shower present, or would like to try a few things I'd actually make a blanket recommendation of asking for a 1:1 carrying consultation voucher instead - read more about what you are get at these type of appointments in this post.

But... you're thinking, I've had a good read of reviews online, or everyone's raving about a particular carrier on Insta should I get it too? ... (please stop!)

When you Google 'What is the best baby carrier' understand the brands that come up first will be the ones that have the most marketing budget, and saturate the marketplace. Does this mean they are good - well vaguely, yes, they can be for some people! Are they the only options out there, absolutely not – I also tend to find the top rankings in Google are also quite pricey and in terms of bang for buck; there really are a good number of other smaller, independent, consultant-led brands with good ethics that I feel have so much more to offer!

So when showing people what's on the marketplace these aren't usually the top of my list, unless you have certain requirements.

If, you are set on a certain brand then docontact your local sling library or consultant to see if they have it in stock for you to hire / and offer support with fitting so that you can get the most out of your hire. If they/I don't have that brand, trust them they'll likely have something better suited for your needs.

Hip healthy carriers.

Please be aware that this label is something manufacturers can buy, and no carrier will cause hip issues of used correctly. HOWEVER if we constantly over-extend baby's legs, or use a narrow-based carrier (where the base doesn't adjust, if any hip issues are present / have been missed then such issues could potentially be exacerbated.

Baby Bjorn Mini & Similar

With narrow-based carriers - a carrier that doesn't adjust in width at the base such as the Bjorn Mini (the only of this style which I dont absolutely detest) you will find baby's knees after a certain point of growth, usually 2/4 months, will have outgrow the narrow base, meaning their legs will hang down, because their knees can't physically be held higher than their bum, this in turn straightens baby's spine more (less comfy for them), and the way weight is then distributed can add more pressure to your shoulders too.

The Bjorn Mini (only narrow-base I'd really suggest as being ok for newborns, due to other dupes not fitting very safely) is a very popular buckle carrier, but it is definitely going to be most comfy in the fourth trimester (first 12 weeks postpartum) and beyond that less so!

The old models are very rigid feeling!

The Bjorn Mini is however particularly expensive if brought new in comparison to a stretchy. But if you dont fancy the tying and like the convenience of buckles something like an Izmi breeze, would offer much better knee to knee support and much more longevity too.

Knee to knee support?!

Once baby's hips have fully developed knee to knee support is more of a comfort thing for both parties, as opposed to safety, and I often like to highlight that airways will always trump hips!

Pouch & hip carriers - Senarah

Pouches - Unless you are importing a Hippie Joey, then anything on Instagram that claims to be like one, hands free, hip style carrier thing or wildride I don't particularly rate, I'd instead suggest a lifft pouch perfect from 6m up.

Ring sling or alternatives - Another style for smaller baby's I like is the Mini Monkey mesh sling (essentiallya bucklering sling) - again, if considering, I would stick to this brand rather than similar looking imitations.

Carriers with inner harnesses

Not my favourite (Infantino flip, Najelle, Baby Bjorn Mini/One/Move/Harmony - out of all their models the Bjorn Harmony offers the most longevity and is by far mu favourite- yet they are very bulky!

This style aren't the simplest or most comfy to breastfeed in, due to the inner layer between you both. Some of thess harness styles can also feel quite complicated (personally from what Ive seen I would avoid the seraphine caripod!). But some of these carriers and how they buckle can be great if you lack mobility.

It's worth noting if you have a short torso you may need to crunch these up a bit to sit right (which is not the most comfy). These may also come with an infant setting, which is yet another thing to ensure you've checked that it's set-up right.

Outward-facing slings.

Know that you don't have to face your baby out past a certain age, a lot of carrier marketing shows baby facing out, simply as you can see baby's face which can make for a 'better' campaign. Slings with this functionality tend to have less longevity, because the shoulder straps sit in a narrower position, and the main panel tends to be narrower in width to effectively synch well & still hold baby tightly against you. Facing baby out naturally will be less comfy for both of you, due to how baby's weight will pull forward. Note there are more safety considerations with this positioning too, simply because it's less easy to monitor baby, and if they were to fall asleep it'd place their chin-on-chest which we are actively avoiding so as not to compromise airways.

If you do decide to outward face brands that offer such functionality, and well in my opinion are Ergobaby (only new though, through a verified retailer such as John Lewis due to counterfeits) Tula Explore, Beco Gemini or Bjorn Harmony.

How much is too much to spend?!

On the flip very expensive carriers - particularly Artipoppe - are they worth it when they only do inward facing well and dont fit newborns at all well. Read my post comparing this brand with another here. If spending over £150 what you are getting tends to be style over function most of the time. Carifit, unless you are purchasing as a fitness carrier with the app workouts, then again I think this is very expensive for it's offering. Caripod - by Seraphine – a big consultant has recently reviewed it and it took her half n hour to figure it out, I think even I'd pass up on fitchecking one, hell to the no!

Trained consultants vs shop assistant

Don't rely on staff when fitting you to get the settings right! I have alsp had consults where customers have been sold un-needed inserts, simply because staff don't really know what they are doing!

There are retailers like Bundle of Love, Sling Spot and Bambino Baby where your £'s on a carrier will be much better spent instead, if you have questions all are sling experts who can answer your queries before purchasing. With some of these brands I also have discount perks for Little One Snug Customers.

There are also some brands I will definitely shout about over others after trying so many! I will highlight though that any of these brands fitted poorly will not feel comfy either, and could be a reason why baby gets upset when you put them in the carrier - and is another reason why seeking support is so important (in my opinion) when you're unsure, to ensure things are safe, and get confident :)

Brands

So without any further ado some brands I like include but are certainly not limited to: Beco, Boba, Caboo, Diddymos, Firespiral, Kahu, Hana Baby, Integra, Isara, Izmi, Joy & Joe, Lenny lamb, Little Frog, Mamaruga, Manduca, Mini Monkey, Neko, Oscha, Storchenweige, Tula, Yume - also remember all of these feel very different to one another when on, and will fit baby's from different ages, plus some of these brands offer a number of sling-types.

So, one more time, if you can try before you buy, I have most of the above in my library or similar!