Best Toddler Carriers

Jul 13, 2011
Lisa Baker

A baby in an Ergo soft structured carrier - Photo used under Creative Commons from Salim Virji

An overview of the types of baby carriers that are most comfortable for heavy babies and toddlers.

Many parents enjoy wearing young infants but switch to strollers when the baby reaches a certain age or weight. But just because your child can walk and talk doesn't mean he won't enjoy the benefits of babywearing. Whether you're trying to cook dinner while dealing with a clingy toddler who just wants to be held or trying to negotiate safely through a crowded airport, wearing your toddler can be a safe and comfortable way to keep your child close. Here are some carriers that will support the weight of a heavy toddler without breaking your back.

Soft Structured Carrier

Soft structured carriers are one of the most popular choices for carrying toddlers. Because they attach with buckles, soft structured carriers are easy to put on and take off quickly--perfect for a toddler who wants to be held for a few minutes before getting down again to play. They are simple to learn to use; putting on a soft structured carrier is little different from putting on a backpack. Padded waistbands and shoulder straps make these carriers comfortable for heavier children. Soft structured carriers are designed to support your child's weight on your hips, not your shoulders, making them a safe and ergonomic way to carry a toddler. Most can be worn on the front, back, or side and have weight limits of approximately 40 pounds.

Ergo is one of the most well-known brands of soft structured carrier. Its simple design includes a zippered pocket and a hood for sleeping. Beco is another popular brand; its innovative butterfly design includes a built-in newborn insert, making it a versatile carrier for your child from newborn to toddler. Kanga carriers come in different sizes, with an extra large size especially for toddlers and children from age 12 months to five years.

Is a soft structured carrier best for me?

Soft structured carriers are best for putting your toddler on and off quickly. They also are the easiest carriers to learn to use; if you are new to babywearing, then a soft structured carrier is probably your best choice.

Mei Tai Carrier

Mei tai carriers are modeled after traditional carriers in Asian cultures. The basic design of a mei tai consists of a square or rectangular piece of fabric with a strap attached at each corner. The straps on the bottom corners are shorter and tie around your waist; the straps on the top are longer and are wrapped over your shoulders, crossed over your body, and tied around your waist. Like soft structured carriers, mei tais are designed to support your child's weight on your hips, making them an ideal carrier for heavier toddlers. However, because they have to be tied instead of buckled, they take slightly longer to put on and take off. Some parents find mei tais more comfortable because of the wide straps and lack of buckles or padding. Mei tais can be worn on the front or back.

Popular brands of mei tai include BabyHawk, Mei Tai Baby, and Kozy. BabyHawk offers a large mei tai for toddlers ages 18 months to 40 pounds. The Kozy has lightly padded straps and includes an optional pocket. The Mei Tai Baby can be adjusted for newborns and widened for toddlers, and it has an optional feature that allows you to switch the decorative panel to different colors and patterns.

Is a mei tai carrier best for me?

Mei tais are a good choice if you want the comfort of a fabric-only carrier but don't want to learn complicated wrap patterns. Although mei tais are not quite as simple to put on as structured carriers, they are still easy to learn to use. Most mei tai brands also offer the widest variety of patterns, colors, and designs, so if the beauty of your carrier is an important consideration, then mei tai might be the best choice for you.

Wrap Carrier

Wraps are the simplest design of baby carrier; they consist of nothing more than a long piece of cloth. When wearing a toddler, it is better to choose a wrap made of a non-stretchy material such as woven cotton; a stretchy wrap of knit cotton may not safely support a toddler, especially in a back carry. Wraps are one of the most portable types of carriers; you can roll up your wrap to keep it in a diaper bag or purse and pull it out when needed--a valuable feature when you never know if your toddler will want to walk or be carried. Learning to wrap does require some practice and skill; there are many different ways to tie a wrap, and your ability to wrap and tie correctly will determine how safely your toddler is secured. Wraps are extremely versatile and can be used in front, on your side, and in back.

Wrap carrier brands include the Moby Wrap, the Sleepy Wrap, the Storchenwiege Wrap, and the Gypsy Mama. The Moby and the Sleepy are both knit wraps that are best for younger babies, although they can be used with children up to 40 pounds. The Sleepy Wrap is made of a thicker, denser knit than the Moby and is more supportive for heavier toddlers. The Gypsy Mama Wrap is made of a thin, woven cotton gauze that is a good choice for wrapping a toddler, especially if you live in a warmer climate. The Storchenwiege Wrap is made of thick woven cotton and is one of the most supportive wraps for older toddlers; it can be used for children up to four years old.

Is a wrap carrier best for me?

Wrap carriers are best if you want a simple, portable carrier that can be used in a wide variety of ways. Wraps are also best for parents who are especially tall or short since they are so adjustable. They are ideal for families with parents of very different sizes who both want to be able to use the same carrier.

Buying Your Toddler Carrier

Once you've narrowed down your choices to one or two carriers, look for a way you and your toddler can try them out before you buy them. A store that sells your top choice might have sample carriers you can try on, or a local baby wearing group might have different types of carriers you can try. Your toddler will probably have an opinion too, so make sure to spend some time wearing him in the carrier before you make a decision. It's worth it to take your time to find the best carrier: a good carrier can enable you to comfortably wear your toddler for several more years.