Baby Carriers: Reviews

Updated October 2010

Carrying your chilld can help his or her development--he learns social interactions--but determining which is the best way to tote you babe can be confusing. Depending on the how and the purpose, you can rely on either soft front carriers, cloth slings, or backpack carriers. After analyzing the opinions of parenting magazines and experts as well as reviews written by parents and greandparents like you, ConsumerSearch feels confident in recommending the following carriers for your child carrying excursions.

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Front baby carrier

BabyBjorn Original

*Est. $70 Compare Prices

Both professionals and parents praise the BabyBjorn Original. Children can face inward or outward, and the carrier allows parents to unsnap the front section easily to remove sleeping babies. The carrier's comfy straps… expandalso adjust to take pressure off the wearer's back. The BabyBjorn can hold newborns if they are at least 21 inches long and weigh 8 pounds or more. Its biggest drawback: This carrier can't be used once your baby reaches 25 pounds, which could be in less than a year. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Baby Bargains: "Baby Bargains" is a well-researched baby gear book with good coverage of baby carriers.

Tibesti.com: Baby-planning experts Melissa Gould and Ellie Miller select the best baby carriers based on feedback from their clients and personal experience.

ToysRUs.com: Close to 560 owners have offered opinions on the BabyBjorn Original on ToysRUs.com, where it maintains an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Amazon.com: Amazon.com is an online retailer with a reliable user review component.

Diapers.com: Diapers.com, the official store for BabyCenter.com, has nearly 280 owner-written reviews on the BabyBjorn Original.

Target.com: Target.com falls behind both Amazon.com and BabiesRUs.com in the number of user reviews of the BabyBjorn Original baby carrier.

HowDoYouDoIt.com: This review is posted on a blog run by mothers of multiples.

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Buy from Amazon for $67.99
Albee Baby for $63.95	Diapers.com for $75.95	Zappos.com for $83.95

Convertible baby carrier

Ergo Baby Carrier

*Est. $105 Compare Prices

The Ergo Baby Carrier gets excellent reviews for its comfortable fit and versatile design. It can be worn as a front carrier, back carrier or hip carrier, while its foam-padded shoulder straps and adjustable waist belt… expandfit caregivers both short and tall (5 feet to 6 feet 5 inches). The Ergo can be used with babies from 16 to 40 pounds, and the optional infant insert (*Est. $25) allows it to be used with newborns. Babies can't face outward while riding in front, which some parents say is a drawback. Breastfeeding in it is possible, but nursing moms say it takes some practice. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Baby Bargains: "Baby Bargains" provides useful insight into a number of baby gear categories, including baby carriers.

Choice magazine: Australia's Choice magazine conducts formal testing of baby carriers by using both parent and professional raters in a formal rating system.

Amazon.com: About 180 owners have commented on the Ergo Baby Carrier on Amazon.com, where it has an average rating of 4.5 stars out of a possible 5.

TheBabyWearer.com: TheBabyWearer.com has comprehensive information on baby wearing.

Parents.com: Alisa Stoudt calls the Ergo Baby Carrier "great for toddlers" because of its 40-pound weight limit and its piggyback option.

Epinions.com: The Ergo Baby Carrier receives close to 65 mostly positive reviews, giving it a perfect average rating.

Diapers.com: Diapers.com, the official store for BabyCenter.com, has less than 40 owner-written reviews of the Ergo Baby Carrier, and most entries are very short.

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Buy from Amazon for $114.95
SmartMomma for $115.00	BabyEarth for $115.00	Diapers.com for $115.00

Wrap carrier

Moby Wrap

*Est. $40 Compare Prices

Rather than a structured seat with shoulder straps, wraps are made of long pieces of fabric that parents wrap and fasten around their baby and themselves. Advantages include a snug and close fit, and the generous fabric… expandlends privacy for nursing moms. On the other hand, wearing them can take some practice. Reviewers say the Moby Wrap is the best choice among baby wraps. Its wide, sturdy fabric securely distributes the baby's weight across a parent's back and shoulders, and the wrap can be adjusted to fit different body types. The Moby Wrap can be used by preemies and babies up to 35 pounds. Your baby can ride in front, in back or on your hip. One drawback: Because of the amount of fabric, the Moby Wrap can get hot in warm weather. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Parents.com: This review covers 15 different baby carriers, including slings, soft carriers and backpacks.

Amazon.com: More than 400 users have reviewed the Moby Wrap on Amazon.com, earning it an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Viewpoints.com: More than 200 users review the Moby Wrap, giving it an average score of just under 4.5 stars out of 5, with about 95 percent of reviewers recommending the product.

ToysRUs.com: Over 110 owners have commented on the Moby Wrap on ToysRUs.com, where it has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Diapers.com: Over 110 users have weighed in with comments about the Moby Wrap on Diapers.com, the official store for BabyCenter.com.

BabyTipsOnline.com: This site touts itself as a product research guide for parents looking for baby gear information.

HowDoYouDoIt.com: How Do You Do It? is a blog run by mothers of multiples.

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Buy from Amazon for $35.99
Diapers.com for $44.95	BabyEarth for $44.95	Amazon for $39.95

Backpack baby carrier

Chicco Smart Support Backpack

*Est. $90 Compare Prices

Backpack carriers are ideal for hiking or long outings, but can only be used with older babies who are able to support their own head and neck. Many backpack carriers are expensive, but reviewers say price isn't… expandnecessarily an indication of quality. The affordable Chicco Smart Support Backpack can accommodate babies 6 months and older who weigh up to 40 pounds. An included weather shield can be easily zipped up to protect baby from wind or rain, and a sun shield helps block glare and prevent sunburn. The shoulder straps and lumbar area are padded for wearer support, and the seat is adjustable to grow with your baby. As with all baby carriers, you'll want to try this one out before you buy; not everyone finds this type of carrier comfortable. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ToysRUs.com: Nearly 55 owners have commented on the Chicco Smart Support Backpack on ToysRUs.com, where it maintains an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

Amazon.com: The Chicco Smart Support Backpack has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, based on feedback from nearly 55 consumers.

ChildCarriers.com: More than a dozen users have weighed in with opinions on the Chicco Smart Support Backpack on ChildCarriers.com, where it has an average rating of 4 stars out of 5.

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Buy from Amazon for $84.99
Diapers.com for $95.99	BabyEarth for $81.95	eBay for $87.47

BabyBjorn Active *Est. $105

4 picks by top review sites.

BabyBjorn Air Carrier *Est. $100

3 picks by top review sites.

Peanut Shell *Est. $40

3 picks by top review sites.

BabyBjorn Synergy *Est. $130

2 picks by top review sites.

Kozy Carrier *Est. $80

2 picks by top review sites.

BabyHawk Mei Tai *Est. $80

2 picks by top review sites.


	BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Active, Black/Red In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Air - Gray/White, Mesh In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Peanut Shell Baby Sling - Blue Moon Large In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Synergy - Black, Mesh In Stock. Average Customer Review: