Newborn carriers: how to choose
Currently there are a huge number of buckle carriers that are adaptable for carrying newborn babies without requiring wraparound inserts. Wraparound inserts can be very warm and tricky to use correctly. These can be an excellent option for carrying newborns and beyond. They are great for people who struggle with the idea of stretchy wraps.
The methods of adjustment differ between carriers. This article shows you some of these methods to help you decide on the best option for your family.
Buckle carriers come with a huge range of different features, and everyone’s ‘best sling’ is slightly different. For this reason we have compiled a comprehensive table of carriers and their features. This allows you to see which carriers have the features you’re looking for.
Buckle carriers in particular, all fit slightly differently, a bit like jeans. Many shops sell jeans, however, the width in the leg, fitting around the bottom, and waist and their length and style all differ. You’d trying jeans on before buying from a new shop, if you wanted to be sure they’d fit. Similarly, we suggest trying out the buckle carriers that appeal to you before buying them. They can be an expensive investment if they aren’t a comfy fit for you! All of the carriers in this table are available to hire from us and many are available on Try Before You Buy. When you hire from us you get a discount code off retail orders to ensure you get the best deal.
Newborn carriers: adaptability features
Width setting adjustments
Panel length adjustment
The height of the panel on unstructured buckle carriers, such as this Integra Baby Carrier is shortened by having a deeper apron seat.
Whilst other carriers use drawstrings, and webbing adapt mechanisms, or have panel extenders the lengthen the panel for older babies.
Our comparison chart
Here we have listed all the adjustable carriers available across It’s A Sling Thing and all their features. We hope you find it useful when deciding what might be the right carrier for you! Scroll across to view all the features and let us know if there’s something you think we’ve missed!
| Insert Free | In-built panel cinch | In-built panel shortening | Waistband Structure | Crossable Straps | Ruck Straps in Front Carry | World (Forward) Facing Possible | Hip Carry possible | Dual Adjust Buckles (tighten forwards or backwards) | Lumbar Support | Padded Straps | Hood | Suitable up to age | Available to hire from It’s A Sling Thing | Available to Try Before You Buy from It’s A Sling Thing | Available to Buy from It’s A Sling Thing |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Integra Baby Carrier Size 1 | Yes | Using accessory strap | Yes-Using depth of apron seat | Unstructured | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Lightly Padded | Yes- in-built | 18months-2 years (larger sizes available after this age) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Mamaruga Zensling | Yes | Yes- panel gathers along waistband | Yes- webbing adjust | Structured | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Lightly Padded | Yes- in-built | up to 2 or 3 years | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Ergobaby OMNI 360 | Yes | Yes- velcro tabs with suggested positions | Yes Using button down panel | Structured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes- fixed | Padded (firm) | Yes- in-built | 2 years | Yes | Yes | |
| Ergobaby Adapt | Yes | Yes- velcro tabs with suggested positions | Yes-Using button down panel and bucket seat deepening press studs | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes- fixed | Padded (firm | Yes- in-built | 2 years | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tula Free-to-Grow | Yes | Yes, 3 positions secured with press studs | Yes- webbing adjust | Structured | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Padded (firm) | Yes- detachable | Up to 2 or 3 years | Yes | ||
| JPMBB (Je Porte Mon Bebe) Physio Carrier | Uses booster cushion and neck support | Uses booster cushion for newborn width ergonomic position | Yes- webbing adjust (and booster cushion to add additional height) | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Padded (firm) | Yes- in-built mesh hood | Up to 3 or 4 years | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Beco Gemini | Yes | Yes-two position options using press studs | Yes- Buckle up panel extender | Structured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Medium padded | No | 18 months | Yes | No | Yes |
| Storchenwiege Baby Carrier (Half Buckle carrier) | Yes | Yes, using webbing adjustment | Yes- using toggle adjustment | Structured | Yes | No | No | Yes | Tie shoulder straps | No | Lightly Padded | Yes- in-built | 2 years | Yes | Yes | |
| Bimbi Mini | Yes | Yes, using cord to gather panel secured with a knot. | Yes- webbing adjust | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Padded (soft) | Yes- detachable | Up to 2 or 3 years | Yes | No | No |
| Boba x | Yes | Yes- incremental adjustment using velcro | Yes- webbing adjust | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Padded (soft) | Yes- detachable and in zip away pouch | Up to 4 years | Yes | No | Yes |
| Lenny Lamb Up | Yes | Yes- gathers along waistband secured with velcro | Yes- webbing adjust | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Padded (soft) | Yes- detachable | Up to 3 or 4 years | Yes | No | Yes- via preorder |
| Pouchlings Unstructured baby carrier | Yes | Using accessory strap | Yes-Using depth of apron seat | Unstructured | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No | Lightly Padded | Yes- in-built | 2 years | Yes | No | No |
| Boba 4G | Use Booster cushion | Uses booster cushion for newborn width ergonomic position | Using booster cushion to give baby extra height inside panel | Structured | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Padded (firm) | Yes- in-built | Up to 2 (or possibly 4 with stirrups) | Yes | No | Yes |
| Izmi Baby Carrier | Uses Booster cushion | Yes- using velcro in 2 suggested positions. | Press stud extender panel Using booster cushion to give baby extra height inside panel | Structured | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | 12 months | Yes | No | No |
| Kibi | Yes | Yes using toggle adjust and press studs | Yes-webbing adjust | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Padded (soft) | Yes- in-built | Up to 5 years | Yes | No | No |
| Beco 8 | Uses Booster cushion | Uses booster cushion for newborn width ergonomic position | Using booster cushion to give baby extra height inside panel | Structured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes- removeable | Padded (firm) | No | Up to 2 or 3 years | Yes | No | Yes |
| Emeibaby | Yes | Yes- using rings to adjust panel width | Yes- using rings to adjust panel height | Structured | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Padded (firm) | No | Up to 2 or 3 years | Yes | No | No |
| Soul Anoona | Yes | Yes- using press studs and webbing adjust | Yes-webbing adjust | Structured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Medium padded | Yes- in-built | 2 years | Yes | No | No |
| Manduca | Yes | Using accessory strap (Manduca Size-It) | Yes- Zip down panel shortener | Structured | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Padded (firm) | Yes- in-built | Up to 2 or 3 years (with panel extender) | Yes | No | No |
| Connecta Baby Sized | Yes | Using accessory strap | Yes-Using depth of apron seat | Unstructured | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | Sold separately | Lightly Padded | Yes- in-built | 18months-2 years (larger sizes available after this age) | Yes | No | No |
| Lillebaby Complete | Yes | Yes- using press studs | Yes, using buckle clipped panel extender | Structured | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes- removeable | Padded (firm) | Yes- detachable | Up to 3 years | Yes | No | No |
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