Babble Best Picks:
Baby Carriers

There comes a time in every parent's life when they're introduced to something so genius, so life-changing, that they simply can't imagine how they mustered through life without it. And that something is a baby carrier. Whether it's for closer baby bonding, hands-free convenience or an attachment parenting lifestyle, a baby carrier can be an essential baby product for the sleepless newborn days all the way through the heavy toddler years. You just have to find the right one for you.

To make your search easier, Babble tested dozens of baby carriers in every style imaginable - soft-structure, slings, wraps, backpacks - to find the best for your particular lifestyle. Don't see your favorite? Feel free to nominate it!

BEST FOR NEWBORNS | Baby K'Tan


Best Baby Carriers: Baby K'Tan

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While we generally agree that wrap-style carriers are best for newborns and small infants, we had a hard time deciding between the Moby Wrap and the Baby K'Tan. Both are supportive and well made, and the biggest selling point is that there's no bulky contraption to strap on and off. Parents usually wear small babies more often than toddlers (to get chores done around the house, ease colic, soothe to sleep, etc.), and these wrap carriers are basically like wearing a shirt. You can pretty much leave it on all day without it getting in the way.

That being said, we ultimately decided that the Baby K'Tan is our favorite wrap carrier. It comes in two loops of fabric that can be worn in 8 different positions - even accommodating twins. The Moby Wrap, on the other hand, is one extremely long piece of fabric that needs to be wrapped, twisted and tied, and our tester didn't find it quite as easy to put on. While both the Baby K'Tan and the Moby Wrap take some time to master (we really liked the Moby Wrap once we got the hang of it), the Baby K'Tan simply has less fabric to deal with.

There is a slight downside to the Baby K'Tan, however: Since it's fitted to each individual (sizes x-small to x-large), it might be hard for multiple caregivers to switch off. The Moby Wrap, on the other hand, can be adjusted for any body type - it just takes a little longer to do so.

3 Responses to “Babble Best: Baby Carriers – Most comfortable, best for newborns and toddlers, plus more!”

  1. lunamothmama January 19, 2011 at

    how the HECK is the BabyBjorn “the most comfortable carrier”????? it’s horrifically hard on your shoulders and upper back! And the Petunia Picklebottom sling is awfully expensive for a non-adjustable sling. Give me a Didymos or Girasol woven wrap ANY DAY overf absolutely any of these! stylish, comfortable, good for newborns & toddlers, EXTREMELY useful, awesome for back carries…..and my kids still use them for snuggle blankets!

  2. ncbelle January 19, 2011 at

    Sorry Babble, this list is mostly a big fail! Clearly, whoever put it together doesn’t know much about quality carriers. While there are some good names on here – Sakura Bloom, Babyhawk, Ergo – any list author that names the Bjorn “most comfortable” really hasn’t done her homework! Next time, try consulting some babywearing experts, like the folks over at thebabywearer.com, if you want to find out what carriers really excel in these categories. If you take the time to go beyond the big box stores, you’ll find carriers that really offer comfort, quality, and long-term wear-ability.

  3. Kassie Martin September 20, 2011 at

    Really disappointed that there is not one single woven wrap on here! Check out some wovens for versatility, style and comfort, thebabywearer.com can help steer you in the right direction. Also, many of these carriers are notorious crotch danglers which compress baby’s spine; they should be in a seated position. I hope you can research some wovens and at least add them to the list.