BabyBjorn is best, but Ergo is a good alternative
Front carriers, which support babies vertically, fit like a snug, forward-facing backpack. The shoulder straps for most front carrier models are adjustable, with higher-quality carriers offering better weight distribution. The most common complaint about front-facing carriers is back and shoulder strain, especially when carrying larger babies or while on long outings. If your baby is older, or if you plan to wear your baby carrier for extended periods of time, consider a baby carrier that distributes weight to the hips or evenly across the upper body.
Experts and parents consistently praise BabyBjorn. Users appreciate the BabyBjorn Original (*Est. $70) for its adjustable leg openings (the manufacturer guarantees that the baby's arms are held in a physiologically correct position), fuss-free design (users simply unsnap the front section to remove sleeping babies) and extra versatility (babies can face in or out). Parenting experts Melissa Gould and Ellie Miller recommend the BabyBjorn Original on Tibesti.com, praising its simple design, ease of use and support for baby's head and back.
We found more than 1,000 owner-written reviews between Amazon.com, Diapers.com and Viewpoints.com, where parents and caregivers rave about the BabyBjorn Original. Overall, it averages about 4 out of 5 stars across all sites. Parents say this carrier is easy to use and adjust, and most babies seem to enjoy riding close to the wearer. There are a few complaints about shoulder strain, especially with larger babies.
Australia's Choice magazine recommends the BabyBjorn Active (*Est. $105), a more expensive version of the carrier that offers an adjustable lumbar support, an extra waist strap (to distribute the baby's weight more evenly) and contoured shoulder straps for added comfort. There's not as much consumer feedback for the Active, but nearly 200 owners posting to Amazon.com contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5. Most reviewers agree that it's easier on the back than the Original, if only marginally so. The BabyBjorn Original and Active carriers can both hold newborns, as long as they weigh at least 8 pounds and are 21 inches long (maximum weight is 25 pounds for the Original and 26 pounds for the Active).
Reside in a place with warmer weather? You may want to consider the BabyBjorn Air (*Est. $100) (based on the Original) or the BabyBjorn Synergy (*Est. $130), which has the features of the Active. Both products are made with a breathable mesh fabric to keep users cool. Though these carriers are more expensive, many users rave about both the Air and the Synergy, although the Synergy gets more points for less back and shoulder strain. Like the BabyBjorn Original, the BabyBjorn Synergy is selected as a favorite in a review on Tibesti.com.
The most common complaint about BabyBjorn carriers is price. However, many parents say these carriers are worth the extra money. In fact, several users at Amazon.com and Epinions.com say they started with a less expensive carrier, but were ultimately happier with their BabyBjorn after first suffering through the cheaper option.
The BabyBjorn carrier can't be used as a backpack carrier, but the Ergo Baby Carrier (*Est. $105) can be worn as a front or a back carrier. Babies can't face forward in the front-facing position, however, so you should consider which position you'll use a baby carrier in most often before deciding between an Ergo and a BabyBjorn. The Ergo gets excellent scores from parents and professionals alike, recognized by Tibesti.com as well as by Choice magazine, an Australian-based consumer testing organization similar to ConsumerReports.org.
Owners of the Ergo baby carrier posting to consumer review sites say it's easy to put on and adjust. Like the BabyBjorn carriers, the Ergo carrier has a foam-padded waist belt and shoulder straps to help distribute a baby's weight more evenly to reduce back and shoulder strain. However, some reviewers say the Ergo's heavier fabric, extra padding and high-density foam make it too warm to wear in hot weather. The Ergo Baby Carrier is designed to accommodate bigger children who weigh between 16 and 40 pounds. Newborns and young babies from birth to 4 months can only use the product with an infant insert (*Est. $25).
How Do You Do It?, a blog run by mothers of multiples, recommends the Beco Butterfly II (*Est. $140), which can be used by babies up to 45 pounds. The Beco can be used as a front or back carrier, but the baby can only be positioned to face the wearer in the front-carrying position. The Beco baby carrier can be used with newborns up to 15 pounds with an included, removable infant insert.
While there are only a few reviews for the Beco Butterfly II carrier on Amazon.com, users note its ease of use and comfy design. Reviews on TheBabyWearer.com are mixed. Some parents say the Y-panel gets tangled or complain of too much slack between the baby and the wearer, causing babies to get their arms stuck in the panel when they move them. Others say it just doesn't fit well or is difficult to adjust.
