The Best Baby Carriers, Tested and Approved by Parents

• Weight range: 7 to 45 pounds
• Carrier positions: 6
• Machine-washable? Yes

This top-rated carrier is our overall pick for many reasons: it’s lightweight and comfortable, thanks to padded lumbar support, a wide seat design and cushioned shoulder straps that can be worn straight or crossed over the shoulder for even more support; it can accommodate six different carrying positions; it has a wide seat and narrow seat option for optimum positioning; and it can be used from birth with no separate newborn insert needed. We also love the zip-down front panel—zip it up on cooler days to keep her cozy, or unzip it and let the mesh fabric provide extra airflow on hotter days. There is also a removable sun hood to protect the baby's face, plus a pouch to store your phone and keys. One mom raves: “I’ve used this carrier with both of my kids and it’s gotten so much use—both my kids loved napping in it (including on an 8-hour flight, thank god), it saved my back and I even nursed in it one time (not recommended, but it is technically possible). The only downside is that the narrow/wide seat feature took some figuring out (you have to fold in and button up the bottom paneling to make the seat more narrow for newborns), and that there are kind of a lot of straps and buttons on it so it’s not as sleek-looking as some other carriers out there, but overall I really loved it.”

• Weight range: 7 to 45 pounds
• Carrier positions: 4
• Machine-washable? Yes

One of Brown’s top picks, Ergobaby has a lot of similarities to the LILLEbaby, including an ergonomic design, structured lumbar support to prevent lower back strain and plush padding on both the shoulders and the waist belt. And like the LILLEbaby, the X-strap option helps evenly distribute your baby’s weight (something one mom of a 10-pound newborn we spoke to definitely appreciated). We’re also big fans of the side pockets and fanny pack pouch for storing your phone, keys and baby essentials like diapers and wipes (because carrying a baby and a diaper bag is a lot). So yeah, there’s a lot for parents to love. And your kid will love it too, thanks to the specially-designed mesh covering most of the carrier for maximum breathability, plus an attached hood to shield them from the sun (no sweaty naps here thank you very much). The diamond-shaped mesh is designed to optimize airflow and can even be found on the waistband so that parents don’t overheat either. With four cute colors to choose from (like olive and twilight blue), you can’t go wrong with the Ergobaby Breeze.

• Weight range: 8 to 35 pounds
• Carrier positions: 3
• Machine-washable? Yes

We get it—choosing a carrier is complicated. Between the wraps, slings, more structured options and newborn inserts, it’s a lot to think about. Which is why we love the ComfyFit Baby Carrier from Boppy in those early days. A previous Happy Kid Award winner, this no-fuss carrier requires zero brainpower, which—let’s face it—is in short supply in the first few sleep-deprived months. You simply clip the band around your waist, then slip the shoulder straps over each arm (no special tying configuration required). The result is a carrier that has the support you need but has the look and feel of a wrap or sling. With three different positions (front face-in with legs in frog position, front face-in with legs out and front face-out), it’s also a cinch to pivot back and forth between parents.

• Weight range: 8 to 35 pounds
• Carrier positions: 5
• Machine-washable? Yes

Slings are not for everyone (“I’m quite busty and could never get them to fit right,” one mom told us), but they can be incredibly comfortable and easy-to-use once you figure them out, not to mention totally adorable (slings are the ultimate choice for that precious skin-to-skin contact). But back to the whole, how the hell do I get this wrap on thing. We’re not going to lie to you—it’s not easy. Fortunately, baby experts K’Tan have come up with a genius wrap that slips on just like a T-shirt and gives you all the benefits of a wrap without actually having to, well, wrap anything. This means no fabric dragging on the floor as your start wrapping (fine if you’re at home, less sanitary if you’re wrapping post-diaper change in a public bathroom); no buckles, rings, snaps or zippers to content with; and it even has a little storage pouch that holds the wrap when not in use or can hold a small item when wearing. The downside is that it’s individually sized (use your pre-pregnancy size to determine carrier size), meaning that you likely won’t be able to share one carrier between parents or with other caregivers. Not sure which size to choose? There’s a handy size calculator on the site to help you figure it out.

• Weight range: newborn to 45 pounds
• Carrier positions: 4
• Machine-washable? Yes

Another Happy Kid Award winner, this carrier looks like a tiny baby seat atop a fanny pack… and that’s essentially what it is. TushBaby evenly distributes your baby’s weight, so there’s less pressure on you, and it’s made of memory foam, so it’s comfy for little booties, too. We tested the TushBaby with a 23-pound kid and are pleased to report that setup is as easy as putting on a belt—far simpler than other carriers we’ve tried. It’s not designed to be completely hands-free (you’ll have to keep them secure with one arm) but it is a huge help for kids who just love to hang on your hip all day long  (i.e., all kids). It also has some serious packing power, allowing parents to put diapers and wipes in the storage beneath the seat and access their keys, phone, and wallet in the side pockets. (You can even attach toys to the loops and tuck bottles in the holder.) One thing to keep in mind, however, is that it’s designed to be a feeding support for newborns rather than a carrier; once your child has decent neck control (around four months or so) you can use the hip carrier in the front-facing, face-to-face and side carrying positions.

• Weight range: 7 to 35 pounds
• Carrier positions: 4
• Machine-washable? Yes but requires line drying

For the newborn and small baby stage, Brown absolutely loves stretchy wraps and ring slings for quick ups and downs and feeding on the go. But what is a ring sling, exactly? It’s a type of wrap carrier that uses a piece of fabric sewn at the shoulder with rings to create a “sling” to carry a baby. And this one from Nalakai is a top-rated Amazon pick with more than 2,000 five-star reviews. Crafted from eco-friendly bamboo and linen, the material is soft, antibacterial, UV reflective and, did we mention super soft? Newborns in particular will love the womb-like sensation of being cradled in this sling that holds baby in the hip-healthy “M” position, while parents will love how no-fuss it is to put on (simply slip over your shoulder and adjust the fabric tail to get the right fit). Lightweight and temperature regulating, the tail fabric can also be used as a nursing cover. Just keep in mind that because ring slings hang on one shoulder, they’re not as ergonomic as other carriers in the long term. Available in 20 different chic shades.

• Weight range: 7 to 45 pounds (infant insert required)
• Carrier positions: 3
• Machine-washable? Yes

This soft structured carrier works for children weighing 7 to 45 pounds and, like other carriers on this list, features padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waist strap with three different carry positions. It’s made from 100 percent cotton and is machine washable, plus boasts a variety of fun prints. And with a 57-inch waistband (plus the option to add a 10-inch waist belt extender), the Tula can easily be adjusted to fit most bodies, not to mention easily passed around between different caregivers. Reviewers note that there are quite a few buttons on this design, although they also like that the extra padding around the leg openings and a wide base keep bigger kids nice and comfy.

• Weight range: 8 to 32 pounds
• Carrier positions: 4
• Machine-washable? Yes

Having a baby is so affordable… said no one ever. The truth is that between the crib, the stroller and all those diapers, the cost of having a kid can feel extortionate. Fortunately, it’s possible to save money on your baby carrier while still getting one that’s adjustable, comfortable and safe. This convertible baby carrier from Infantino offers four positions: an expandable and ergonomic two-position seat for wearing newborns and bigger kids inwards, forward-facing and on your back. “Back wearing can be an absolute game changer as it leaves your front and hands free, but it's important for the baby to have not only good head control but trunk control as well in most carrier styles,” Brown tells us. There’s padded head support to keep inward-facing kids comfy, adjustable shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt for lumbar support. No wonder it boasts more than 50,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.