What you will find in this guide
Types of baby carriers
There are several popular types of baby carriers, and the one you choose should work best for your lifestyle. Carrier styles include slings, wraps, pouches, soft carriers and packs that provide lots of baby wearing advantages.
Top rated baby carriers for 2024
If you are a new parent or caregiver, you will certainly be investigating carrying options for your little one. It’s important to purchase a baby carrier that meets strict health and safety standards in Australia. Your baby’s wellbeing is the number one priority, so start your search with top rated baby carriers at Metro Baby from trusted brands such as Baby Bjorn and Ergobaby. Here are a couple of favourites with Australian mums and dads.
1
ERGOBABY OMNI 360
The all-in-one carrier made with durable, breathable mesh to keep you and your baby looking and feeling cool in every season. Face your baby in or out using the innovative sliders that ergonomically adjust for the perfect fit. Suitable for newborns to toddlers 7-45 lbs. (3.2-20 kg).
- Four carry positions -front inward, front outward, hip and back carry
- Breathable, lightweight all mesh carrier
- Adjustable from newborn to toddler
- Lumbar support for extra back comfort
2
BABY CARRIER ONE AIR
This soft and ergonomic baby carrier is designed to make babywearing significantly cooler for you and your baby. The carrier is made from 3D mesh which helps cool the places most prone to perspiration between you and your baby.
- Soft and lightweight mesh fabric materials
- Carry your baby inwards facing in two height positions or facing out
- Featuring a sturdy waist belt and padded shoulder straps which relieve pressure
- Classified as ‘hip-healthy’ by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute
3
BABY CARRIER MOVE
Baby Carrier Move is a user-friendly and flexible baby carrier in soft 3D mesh. It’s simple to put on and take off and its two-part design makes it easy to lift out your sleeping child.
- Featuring back support, a waist belt and padded shoulder straps
- Provides correct support for your baby’s back, legs and hips
- Can be used for newborn babies larger than 3.2kg and up to 12kg
- Well suited to carrying in the facing-out position for tots that can hold their head up
4
BABY CARRIER HARMONY
The perfect choice if you’re looking for a soft-structured baby carrier with a luxurious feel. The pressure-relieving waist belt and padded back support and shoulder straps make Baby Carrier Harmony incredibly comfortable.
- Correct ergonomic support for baby’s back, legs and hips
- Adjustable seat width to ensure that your baby is always sitting comfortably
- Can be used for new born babies larger than 3.2kg up to 15kg max
- There is one height position for newborns and one for older babies
INNOVATIVE BABY CARRIER IDEAS TO GET YOU STARTED INCLUDE:
The type of baby carrier you use should depend on ease of use and comfort for parents and baby.
Features to look out for
Your baby will be the star of the show wherever you go, and that’s no disrespect to your feature-rich baby carrier. Not all carriers are created equal, so it’s worth looking for a versatile all-in-one baby carrier with multiple usage styles and babywearing advantages, such as:
BABY BACKPACK PREFERENCE
Light and compact carrier or a stronger, more supportive version.
DIFFERENT CARRYING POSITIONS
Front facing, inward facing, hip carry and back carry for ergonomic support.
RECOMMENDED WEIGHT AND AGE LIMIT
A baby backpack should be safe, durable, versatile and comfortable, suited to baby’s age and weight.
DIFFERENT DESIGNS AVAILABLE
Soft structured carrier, baby sling, wrap carrier, back carry or backpack.
Hybrid Carriers
Hybrid baby carriers combine the simplicity of a wrap with the ease of a carrier. This style is put on like a t-shirt and positioned with easy-to-adjust rings for a comfy fit. Baby is held in place with a safety sash.
Hybrid carriers can be used in multiple positions for front-facing or inward facing babies to keep them close and content. A hybrid carrier can grow with your bub until he or she reaches 30 lbs. (13.5 kg). Useful for a close snuggle and wearing around the home or while visiting friends.
Baby carriers with head support
Soft structured carriers are popular in Australia. They include adjustable straps, padding, clips and other ergonomic features for head support and baby positioning. These features are essential during your little one’s developmental stage and can be applied to inward facing and forward facing babies, providing the neck support your baby needs while looking around.
The Good Housekeeping Institute’s product experts annually review must-haves for parents, caregivers and babies. The results are in for the best baby carriers for 2024, including Baby Bjorn Baby One Carrier and Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier.
Baby Carriers with newborn inserts
It’s important for both you and your baby to feel secure and comfortable during precious bonding time. That’s why we recommend high-quality baby carriers and infant inserts for certain types of carriers. The best baby carriers include infant inserts that can be used in a couple of different ways.
Use the whole insert to fully support a newborn baby inside the Ergobaby Original carrier or All Position 360 carrier. Use just the insert pillow part as a cushioned booster when your baby develops a stronger neck and better head control. Infant inserts aren’t necessary with Adapt and Omni 360 baby carriers as they are designed with built-in support.
Baby backpacks available
Choosing the best baby carrier can seem like a daunting task, but it is easy once you know what to look for. A baby backpack should be safe, durable, versatile and comfortable, with ergonomic features and back support to protect both you and your little one. Considerations prior to purchasing a baby carrier or backpack include your preference for a light and compact carrier or a stronger, more supportive version plus different carrying positions: front facing; inward facing; hip carry; back carry.
Super soft material
Super soft natural and man-made fibres are one secret behind the success of the best baby carriers available at Metro Baby. Innovations such as Airmesh padded shoulder straps and waist belts provide lightweight comfort and support so you and your baby can have the best time ever during toddlerhood.
Babies love to nestle into soft supportive spaces that ergonomically protect your baby’s hips, back, neck and face. There are several carrying options available, such as baby wrap carriers, ring slings and backpack carriers, so take the time to explore the full baby product range at Metro Baby, and enjoy bonding time in harmony with your little one.
Carriers with storage pockets
If you are a new parent or caregiver on the go, it’s a good idea to have plenty of storage options for all your baby essentials. Explore Ergobaby and Baby Bjorn baby carriers that deliver ultimate comfort plus extra space for storing items such as a carrier rain cover, soft toy, bib, pacifier or bottle. Contemporary baby carriers offer loads of advantages for taking best possible care of your little cutie at all times.
Lightweight and machine washable carriers
Lightweight carriers are designed to keep parents and baby cool during summer and warm during the colder months. The best baby carriers are also machine washable and made from non-allergenic materials for optimal baby health and comfort. High-quality machine washable babywearing products can be washed and dried fast so they are ready for their next use – all while bubs has a little snooze or downtime.
Baby Carriers with hip and belt supports
The best baby carriers are designed with both baby and caregiver in mind. Sure, you may consider yourself supermom or superdad, but that reputation won’t last long if you develop a bad back or sore hips from constant heavy lifting of your bundle of joy.
The health of your little one is reliant on your own health and wellbeing, making the investment in a baby carrier with hip and belt supports a must-have. Explore options that suit your size and style, so you and your baby can continue to explore your home and beyond together in harmony.
Take the time to experiment with favoured baby carrying positions so everyone is comfortable with the arrangement, and the focus can be on love and care.
Hands free baby carriers
As an alternative to a pram or stroller, you can’t beat a hands-free baby carrier. There are times when newborns and toddlers demand to be picked up and carried close to mum or dad for bonding time, so it’s good to have the right option available. Here are a few more advantages of hands free baby carriers from one of our favourite brands, Ergobaby.
- Strengthens the bond between parents and baby
- Babywearing for around 3 hours per day results in a contented baby who cries less
- Mothers in close contact with their baby are less likely to suffer postpartum depression
- Carried babies are generally calmer, with optimum emotional development
- Provides a responsive environment for quickly adapting to your little one’s needs
- Significantly improves breastfeeding outcomes for some mothers and babies
- Promotes neural development, respiratory health, and gastrointestinal health
- Helps build parents confidence by being closely attuned to baby’s needs
- Hands-free ability to navigate and explore safely
- Allows discreet breastfeeding while on the go
Hands-free babywearing puts your baby in their safe place close to you, where they feel protected and loved.