Babies have an instinctive affiliation to be in your arms, no matter how comfortable their bouncy seat or swing is. We know how much you love your kid and want to tot him around all day, but unless you have arms of steel, it is going to be impossible. Not to mention all the tasks you have to carry out throughout the day. Baby carriers come in handy in these situations.
Why Do You Need A Baby Carrier?
Some parents think of baby carriers as a non-essential supply when they have a stroller for an outdoor ride and swing and bouncy seat at home. These products provide an easy way to carry your baby, but only baby carriers give you the freedom to do your thing ‘hands-free.’ Your little one relaxes against you while you have a free range of motion for your hands.
For parents whose kids can’t be separated from them for long and easily get upset when they can’t see them, a baby carrier provides a much better alternative to strollers and prams. If you are an adventurer and like hiking, baby carriers give you an option to bring your child along.
Till your little one learns to walk and gets anxious to roam free, a baby carrier is the best product to carry him around while giving your arms a break.
Types Of Baby Carriers
You will never get wrong, adding the best baby carriers to your registry. But before you shop for carriers online, you need to know that they come in 3 styles:
Slings-Simplest of all designs, it’s a wide piece of fabric that goes over one shoulder all across the torso.
Wraps: It’s a super long piece of fabric that you configure on your own based on how you feel most comfortable. Usually, wraps are tied over the shoulders and wrapped around mid-section of the body.
Structured Carriers: The best of all, they are like backpacks. They are strapped over the shoulders and have a padded carrying pack that you can place on your chest or back.
Choose a baby carrier that works best for your family. Now before we start with our list of best baby carriers that you can buy online, there are certain features you must consider before making the final buy.
Features To Look For In Best Baby Carriers
Solid Material
There’s a wide range of materials used in the construction of baby carriers. You can choose from natural or synthetic material used in baby carriers. Most carriers use cotton or polyester material, which creates a difference in strength, breathability, and comfort of the carrier. There are best baby carriers with organic material as well that provide additional strength yet being soft and breathable.
When you are picking a baby carrier, make sure to choose on that has anti-allergic properties. It must be easy to clean and durable.
Body Support
When your baby rests in the carrier, he must be comfortable. Check for the right internal padding for lumbar support for the baby. As the best quality carriers have internal padding, it must not be difficult for you to find the right product.
Size of the leg holes
Leg holes are very important when choosing a baby carrier. Look for the carriers that have loose leg holes but small enough to prevent the baby from slipping through. Usually, when the baby is facing towards you, it is easier for him to slide out.
Padded Headrest
The lack of required control over their head and neck makes it necessary that kids have ample head support when required. This is why padded headrest in baby carriers is a must to provide ample support, and it also allows you to monitor your baby’s breathing against your chest easily.
Fasteners
Buckle and ring are the two most common fasteners used in baby carriers of all types. When considering a fastener, make sure it is easy to fasten and undo. Ergonomic fasteners are a must as they allow to adjust the length as the baby grows.
Robust straps
One of the major features of a quality baby carrier, the straps bear all the weight. The straps must be strong enough to support the baby’s weight while being comfortable on your shoulders and not digging in. Especially if you are buying the carrier for a toddler pay attention to straps.
Sternum Strap
To prevent the shoulder straps from slipping, the sternum strap is an important piece. Heavy babies need much more protection when they are in carriers, and sternum straps give peace of mind with added security.
Waist belt
To properly distribute your baby’s weight across your lumbar, a waist belt is important.
Vents
For providing enough breathability in a padded space for young babies, the vents are important. They are mesh areas that allow the proper circulation of air.
Attachable hood
An optional feature, a hood comes handy when you want to cover your sleeping baby on a hot day. Attachable hoods are preferable as they can be tucked away when not in use.
That’s almost all the features that you must consider before buying the best baby carriers online. Still, you will find that there are hundreds of baby carriers that fulfil all your requirements, throwing you in a spiral of which one to buy.
Allow GreatBuyz to help you. Our experts picked the top 10 baby carriers in India that you can buy online.
Top 10 Baby Carriers
1. Kiddale Cotton Baby Carrier Sling Bag with Head Protector
A problem with sling design baby carriers is that with the added weight, it becomes difficult to use it because of extra pressure on lumbar, arms, and shoulders. Fortunately, Kiddale 5 in 1 sling bag carrier is designed to be robust enough to offer different positions to accommodate your growing baby.
Carry this baby carrier when you go for shopping, picnic, walking or even jogging. Enjoy freedom when carrying your baby with hands-free. Made from 100% cotton, this is a super light baby carrier.
Pros:
Extremely lightweight
Suitable for breastfeeding
Five different holding positions
20kg maximum weight capability
Two different size options
Extra cushion support in the hip area
Foldable weather shield/cover
Back support for both parent and baby
Cons:
Expensive
2. LuvLap Elegant Baby Carrier
One of the most popular baby gear brands, LuvLap, offers a wide range of strollers, car seats, buggies, and outdoor gears for parents.
For our list, we picked LuvLap Elegant baby carrier for its meticulous design that provided maximum comfort and safety to your child. Ideal for 4-18 months olds, this carrier comes with best-padded arm and leg holes. It can carry up to 15 kg because of the extensive strength of its polyester fabric. For added support for baby’s head and lumbar, there is a padded hardboard that can be removed if required. A well-padded waist belt and two shoulder belts evenly distribute the baby’s weight.
Pros:
Head and neck support
Wide adjustable belts for superior lumbar support
Soft bib
Excellently cushioned arm and leg holes
Easy to clean fabric
Cons:
Confusing traps and buckles
No instruction manual
3. Mee Mee Breathable Baby Carrier
A relatively new brand in the Indian markets, we included Mee Mee Breathable baby carrier because of its high value for money factor.
Most suitable for kids weighing less than 12kg, this baby carrier is best for 0 months to 2 years old kids. Well designed to provide enough space for free movement for both child and parent, it also has enough padding at the right places to maximum comfort. It is made from the premium quality cotton fabric and offers the best breathability factor.
Pros:
Premium cotton fabric
Lightweight
Well-padded headrest support
4 holding positions
Durable and easy to clean
Cons:
No proper back support for parent
No headcover
4. U Grow Hip Seat Baby Carrier
Due to the comfort they offer, hip-seat baby carriers are becoming more and more popular. GreatBuyz team picked U Grow hip seat baby carrier for its wide cushioned hip-seat that is ideal for carrying up to 15 kg weight. For maximum comfortability of 3-24 months old kids, this is an ideal baby carrier that is available in five colour options to choose from. Made with polyester cotton, it is lightweight (2kg), which makes it easier to carry around.
Well-padded seat, straps, and belt provide additional comfort. You can place the adjustable seat at the centre, the left or right position for the best comfort during long journeys.
Pros:
Build for durability
Overall best-padded baby carrier
Adjustable seat
Belts and straps are padded for added comfort
Breathable fabric
Spacious pockets to carry essentials
Wide waist belt support
Cons:
No head support
Missing bib
5. R for Rabbit Upsy Daisy Smart Hip Seat
R for Rabbit Upsy Daisy Smart Hip Seat baby carrier is an exceptionally well-designed product that channels most of the weight around your waist. This helps in keeping the shoulders relaxed while the extra seat cushioning provides maximum comfort for the child too. You can adjust the straps in a few seconds, making it one of the best baby carriers for long journeys. Suitable for kids up to the age of 3, it can support 20 kg weight easily.
Pros:
Extra cushion
Adjustable straps
Ergonomic head, neck, and spine support for child
Cons:
Expensive
6. Infantino Zip Travel Baby Carrier
Infantino Zip Travel carrier is for those parents who travel a lot and don’t want to leave their newborns and toddlers behind. Suitable to hold weight up to 18 kg, this baby carrier is well adjusted for kids 4 months to 24 months of age. Made from pure cotton, the fabric is highly breathable that provides the most comfort for baby’s soft skin. You can easily store the entire carrier in the waist belt pocket that makes it much more convenient.
Pros:
Portable and lightweight
Wide waist belt support
Naturally round back supports the child
Waist belt can house the whole carrier
Easy to carry
Breastfeeding friendly
Cons:
No head support
Not for long time use
7. Nina 3 In 1 Functional
Nina 3 In 1 Functional baby carrier is a product that is hailed for its wider head support and additional safety for the baby’s neck. Made from waterproof fabric with quick-dry mesh, you can machine wash this baby carrier for easy cleaning.
Well-padded design that can support weight up to 10 kg, it is best suited for kids up to the age of 24 months.
Pros:
Waterproof fabric
Wider head and neck support
Three carrying positions
Highly padded shoulder support straps
Cons:
Quality can be better
8. Chinmay Kids 4 in 1 Adjustable sling Baby Carrier
The most affordable best baby carrier on the list, the Chinmay baby carrier, has all the features like its opponents. Made from durable polycotton material, it can support weight up to 15 kg. The ergonomic design allows for four carrying positions. It is most suitable for kids aged four months to 24 months. This baby carrier grows with your child, and for added security comes with double protection buckles.
Pros:
Most economical baby carrier
4 carrying positions
Breathable pad support
Double protection buckles offer additional safety
Cushioned head supporter
High-quality fabric
Cons:
Small waist size
Bottom padding can be better
9. Luvlap Galaxy
Another Luvlap baby carrier on the list, we were amazed how comfortably designed Lulap Galaxy is so lightweight. Certified as per European Standard EN 13209, you can rest assured that this product is safe for your young ones.
Removable head support, comfortable cushioned interiors, three carrying positions, a soft bib to keep baby and parent dry and sturdy waist and shoulder belts, what else would you want from a premium baby carrier.
Pros:
European Standard EN 13209 certified
3 Carrying positions
Removable Head Support
Soft Bib
Adjustable side opening buckles
Cons:
Tight-fitting
Expensive
10. Ineffable Sling Adjustable Baby Carrier
When you need a baby carrier that is available in most versatile designs, no other product can offer you as many options as Ineffable Sling Adjustable baby carrier. Available in 10 colour variations, you will have one that is designed for your preference.
On the practical side, this polyester and cotton fabric baby carrier can easily carry weight up to 12 kg that makes it ideal for kids aged 4 months to 24 months.
Pros:
Low price
Adjustable straps
Double buckle protection
Ventilated pads
4 carrying positions
15 colour options
Cons:
Stitching quality is poor
Durability is not best
Conclusion
Baby carriers are important utilities that make it easier for parents to care for the child while attending to their daily chores. As the carriers contain babies, they must be chosen wisely based on several factors such as quality of the fabric, safety features, comfort factor, and more.
GreatBuyz has assorted the top 10 best baby carriers that are handpicked after a thorough review.