Baby wearing is a great way to connect with your baby while keeping your hands free to make dinner or play with another child.  We get asked almost daily what baby carrier will ergonomically best support the mamas we treat, and decided what better way to find out than to try the seven we hear about most! 

In this blog :

1. Criteria you can address from the Baby Carrier Ergonomic Review that will help relieve your aches and pains while carrying your sweet baby

2. Comparison Charts for all 9 carriers to help make it easier to quickly see what we came up with for YOU 

- Wildbird Aerial

- Tula Free-To-Grow

- Happy Baby Revolution

- Bumpsuit Armadillo

- Artipoppe Zeitgeist

- Ergobaby Omni 360

- Lillebaby Elevate

- MABE Monarch

- Sakura Brown Sugar Scout

3. Comprehensive Video Review

4. Individual Carrier Video Reviews

5. What to Consider for Kidz / T.I.C.K.S.

Criteria for the Baby Carrier Ergonomic Review

Your body has already worked miracles in growing, carrying and bringing that sweet baby into this world.  It's important that you have strong ergonomic support as you continue to carry that baby. We used the following criteria to rate each of these carriers on a scale of 1 to 5. 1 means the carrier 'needs improvement' and 5 means 'this is it!' : 

1. Core [ Pelvic Floor ] Support

As our bodies heal from vaginal or cesarian delivery, it's important to consider how baby wearing impacts the muscles in our pelvic floor.  For this we looked at how supportive each carrier felt once secured around the wearer's waist, the thickness of the lower band, and where that band sat on the abdomen.  We considered the way a carrier might impact a healing cesarian scar, or take weight off of an already heavy feeling pelvic floor and support proper posture to keep the core canister in tact while wearing.  

2. Back [ Low Back ] Support

It's no mystery that the weight of a baby in the front  puts stress on your back.  We looked at how strap width, the addition of a lumbar support piece, and the ability to tighten the strap influence the way wearing your baby impacts your lower back.  We considered history of back problems, type of delivery and the overall comfort each carrier provides.  

3. Get It On Without Help 

We often wear our babies because we don't have a second set of hands around to do the dishes or dress the toddler. You almost never have someone to strap the baby into a carrier.  We looked at how you strap the carrier around your body and over your shoulders, and how easy it is to adjust each carrier to your own body.  We considered whether you'd have to have the flexibility to reach behind your back to clasp. Could clasp under your arm instead? And what features made this task easier on the parent. 

4. Shoulder Support

One of the top reasons parents quit wearing their babies is the strain on your shoulders.  We looked at padding, strap width, and style to determine how supportive each of these carriers would be.  We considered whether or not the carrier pulled your shoulders out of alignment, and how well you could maintain good posture while baby wearing. 

5. Hip Positioning for Babies ( Newborns 0-3 Months )

Something that some parents aren't thinking about when considering a carrier is what the positioning will be for their baby's hips in those early months (specifically 0-3 months).  At that phase, babies typically need to be curled up with their feet tucked in closer to their bodies because keeping them outward is difficult with the width of the strap.  All of the carriers below are wonderful for those months when baby's pelvis is bigger and hips are wider (in that 4-24 month range), but some are better than others in those early months. 

We trialed 9 BABY CARRIERS.  Here's what we found :

Comprehensive Review of All Carriers reviewed for Baby Carrier Ergonomic Review

After you watch the comprehensive review, be sure to watch the individual video(s) for the carrier you most want to learn about.  

Listed Below are the Carriers Reviewed for the Baby Carrier Ergonomic Review

MABE - Monarch

The MABE Monarch is one of mom's favorite picks for looks.  This carrier is what most call the "Artipoppe dupe" - very similar in style - but 1/3 of the price.  Perhaps it's not as substantial and sturdy as the Artipoppe, but for the price point, it's an excellent choice. 

This carrier is a great option due to its strong core / pelvic floor support. For this reason, it can be a great option for mothers recovering from pelvic floor issue like diastasis recti, incontinence, or recovery from a c-section.

This carrier also has great shoulder support due to its cross-strap in the back. It is also relatively easy to get on and off without the help of another adult.  

This carrier supports three different baby positions (front inward facing, back inward facing and front outward facing). It supports children 7-35lbs.

Sakura - Brown Sugar Scout

The Sakura Scout is a fabulous carrier choice (especially in the brown sugar tone) - as long as you're patient enough to get over the learning curve.  Because of it's ring structure, it takes some getting used to.

It's one of our top options for baby head support and baby hip positioning / stability.

This carrier is made to carry babies from newborn to toddlerhood (7 to 45 pounds).  This carrier allows for baby forward facing on front or back of person carrying.  It is lightweight while still offering great support for both carrying person and baby alike.

Bumpsuit - Armadillo

Another carrier we consider to be worth the hype is the Bumpsuit Armadillo carrier.  It's equipped with cross back shoulder straps that make it great for caretakers that experience forward rounding in their shoulders.  With strong low back and core support, we also consider this one a top option for those moms experiencing postpartum core and pelvic floor challenges. 

This carrier is made to carry babies from newborn to toddlerhood (7 to 45 pounds) in two positions.  Made from plush boucle fabric with padded shoulder and lumbar supports, the Armadillo is designed for baby and wearer comfort.  A water bottle hook doubles as a leash holder for furry friends making it friendly for the whole family! Plan ahead! The Bumpsuit Armadillo carrier is often on backorder. 

Ergobaby

The Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier is a top ranking option in our review.  With strong lower back, core and pelvic floor support it is a great option for all moms. It is  certainly great for those dealing with diastasis recti and other postpartum core canister challenges.  Similarly, we recommend this one to our c-section moms who need all the support! 

The Ergobaby Omni 360 carrier supports four different positions. It is breathable and a great option for all seasons. Designed to grow with your baby from their earliest newborn stage through toddlerhood by confidently supporting children between 7 and 45 pounds.  

LilleBaby

The Lillebaby Elevate baby carrier is also a great option for our moms needing additional core, back and pelvic floor support.  A feature we can't stop talking about with this one is the magnetic clasp in the back that makes it a breeze to put on without help!  

This carrier also holds children between 7 and 45 pounds and can be worn in four ways.  Your purchase includes an infant positioning pillow that allows you to carry your baby in a fetal position while they are very young.  Plushly padded and made from cotton, it is comfortable yet breathable.  With an adjustable head support, sun shade, and coming in a variety of colors we highly recommend this carrier.    

Happy Baby

The Happy Baby Revolution Carrier is a nice lightweight option for our moms who already have a strong core, pelvic floor and lower back and babies that aren't experiencing any issues with hip development. 

This carrier has four supported positions, and is made for babies between 7 and 45 pounds.  It is one of the lightest carriers on the market and has an included sun shade making it a great option for families that travel often or live in warmer climates.  The Happy Baby Revolution Carrier also comes in many stylish colors  giving you the option to express yourself while wearing your baby.  

Happy Baby is offering our community a discount on carriers purchased through their website.  Use code CHIROFORMOMS to receive 10% off your purchase!

Artipoppe

Worth the hype, the Zeitgeist carrier is a dreamy carrier designed with comfort in mind.  In addition to soft fabric and unique details, this carrier is a great option for all caregivers.  It offers strong support for the wearer and baby alike.  

The Zeitgeist Baby Carrier can be worn in three ways and support babies between 7 and 45 pounds.  The padded shoulder straps, waistband and neck cushion make the carrier easily customizable.  The Zeitgeist has a minimalistic design and unique fabrics that offer an appealing aesthetic. Artipoppe prides themselves on responsibility and longevity.

Baby Tula

The Baby Tula Free to Grow baby carrier is another top choice for our c-section moms and moms with postpartum core and pelvic floor challenges!  It adjusts easily to support proper hip development, and encourages a nice wide "M" position for baby as they are held close to your chest.  

The Free to Grow carrier is designed to carry your baby in two ways from 7 to 45 pounds.  It is easily adjustable for growth and comfort, and comes in a variety of materials and patterns making it highly customizable.  The wide waistband helps hold baby's weight, and the padded shoulders give the wearer a secure and comfortable support.

Baby Tula is offering our community a discount on purchases made through their website!  Use code CHIRO15 for 15% off your purchase.  

Wildbird

If you are looking for strong upper body support (what postpartum mama isnt?!), this is the carrier for you!  With a double-wrap waistband, this carrier is a home run in overall back support. It helps support pelvic floor, and encourages that deep 'M' in baby's hips.   

You can choose to wear your baby in two ways with this carrier while baby is between 7 and 45 pounds. The organic linen material comes in a variety of colors and patterns, and is machine washable!  With padding on the shoulder and waist straps, it is is made with your comfort in mind! You can even wear the straps in TWO ways.

Purchase the Wildbird Aerial baby carrier from wildbird.com and use the code CHIROFORMOMS10 for 10% off your order. The Wildbird Aerial carrier is also available on amazon. 

What to Consider for Kidz

It is important to ensure any carrier you buy is considered "hip healthy" by the IHDI (International Hip Dysplasia Institute). In a carrier, baby's hips should make an 'M' shape to support proper hip development. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recommends all babies be worn inward facing until 6 months because that promotes the best hip development by keeping baby's legs in a deep 'M' shape.  This 'M' shape is the shape a baby's legs take when we are carrying them without a carrier. 

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) is currently in transition and has temporarily closed applications for the Hip Health Acknowledgment Program.

Additionally, you want to make sure that you are following TICKS when you place your baby in the carrier.  We explain TICKS here: