There is no better way to haul a baby around than in a carrier. Of course, finding a carrier that fits can be quite tricky, especially if you haven’t had a chance to lose that baby weight yet or you are a naturally bigger person. It can be downright challenging and discouraging trying to find the best baby carrier for plus size moms but don’t worry; I’ve got you covered!
I have taken the time to do all of the hard work for you so you can spend less time shopping and searching, and more time snuggling that cute baby of yours.
In this article, you’ll find everything that you need to get your hands on the best baby carrier for a plus size person, be they a mom or a dad. I have put together an in-depth buying guide, comparison table, and detailed reviews so that you can find the perfect carrier for your needs. Sound good? Alright then, let’s get right to it!
The Best Baby Carrier For Plus Size Moms (Quick Reviews)
Baby Carrier For Plus Size Moms |
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Ergobaby Original *Best Choice* |
(*) Below, you'll find my detailed review, but you can also click the links above to see prices and read customer opinions.
1. Ergobaby Original *Best Choice*
Why We Love It
This just might be the best baby carrier for plus size moms out there on the market today. This carrier is easy to adjust and will allow you to carry your baby in a variety of ways. It also has tons of padding to allow you and your little one to get perfectly comfy and cozy as you go about your daily chores.
You also have the option of purchasing additional straps with this carrier. This makes it easy to find the right fit, which helps to make this one of the best and most versatile carriers on the market today.
Keep In Mind
Though this carrier is comfortable once you have the right straps, it doesn’t come with them right off the bat. This adds a bit of cost to the purchase price. Since this is already one of the more expensive carriers out there, this extra cost might put it out of some people’s price range.
Why We Love It
This carrier is much the same as the Ergobaby, but a bit less expensive. This makes it a good budgetary backup for someone who wants to have a high-quality standard carrier, without having to break the bank.
This carrier is a wonderful choice because it is easy to adjust and will allow you to carry your baby in a variety of ways, which is why it is called a 4-in-1. It is also built to allow more breathability than the Ergobaby carrier, which is ideal for hotter weather.
Keep In Mind
While the straps on this carrier are easy to adjust; they only come in one size. The company does not offer any additional straps for you to purchase, so if this carrier doesn’t fit you with the straps that come standard, you are unfortunately out of luck with this carrier.
Why We Love It
I love backpack carriers! They are quick and easy to use, and the straps make are nice and big, making it easy to get a comfortable fit quickly. The lap belt and chest clip also have plenty of room, making this easy to fit, no matter your body type.
This is also one of those carriers that are perfect for pretty much any size child. The weight limit on this particular backpack goes all the way up to 50 lbs, which means you’ll be able to carry your little one for a good long time.
Keep In Mind
While backpack carriers are really nice for carrying older children, this is not an ideal carrier for a newborn. In fact, it would be downright unsafe to use this carrier before your little one can hold up their head on their own.
Why We Love It
This is one of the strongest wraps out there! It can be used for a child all the way up to 36 months, which means you can use this wrap from the time your baby is born until they are three years old. Talk about value!
Wraps also come with more fabric than you could ever hope to use. This makes them an ideal choice for plus size moms since there will always be more fabric than you need, no matter how you choose to carry your baby.
Keep In Mind
Wraps can be a bit tricky to figure out. I personally have always had a tough time getting them to fit correctly. On the other hand, I know mom’s that can get their kid into a wrap in mere seconds. Wraps take a bit of practice, but they are well worth it in the end.
Why We Love It
For all those moms out there that simply cannot figure out how to use a wrap (Me included!), this is a nice alternative. Instead of having endless rolls of fabric that you need to contend with, the Baby K’tan simplifies the wrapping process by adding clear pathways for the straps to travel.
This allows you to get the feel of a wrap without all of the stress. I can tell you through experience that this carrier is quick and easy to use. The mesh is also a nice touch since it will help both you and your baby to feel nice and cool.
Keep In Mind
The breathable fabric is really nice because it will help to keep you cool. The bad thing is that this fabric is not as strong as solid cotton. It will stretch over time, making it harder to get the right fit as your baby gets bigger.
The Winner Is…
Of all the different options out there, I have concluded that the Ergobaby Original is the best baby carrier for plus size moms available today.
It is comfortable, easy to adjust, and will allow you to carry your baby in lots of different ways. You also have the option of getting extra straps if you need them, making it easy to get the right fit for both you and your baby. I highly recommend that you check it out! You won’t be sorry if you do!
BUYER’S GUIDE
As you would expect, there is a lot to take into account when you are trying to find the best baby carrier for plus size moms.
The most important thing that you will want to consider is the sizing of the carrier. You want to be sure that the straps are going to fit you comfortably, or, in all honesty, what is the point of even using a carrier? You will also want to make sure that the fabric is breathable, since nothing will make a baby, and mom, cranky faster than being too warm!
In this section, we will cover everything that you need to know to make sure that you have the perfect carrier for you and your little one.
1. Carrier Type
There are many different carrier formats to choose from. Each of these types offers different advantages and disadvantages when compared with each other.
Wrap – Wraps, when done correctly, are the most comfortable and customizable way to carry your baby out there. They can be a bit tricky to get right, but once you figure them out, they are wonderful. These carriers have tons of excess fabric, making them super simple to find the right fit for your needs.
Modified Wrap – A modified wrap offers you all of the comforts of a wrap, without having to figure out how to actually wrap. They come in lots of different materials and always have lots of extra fabric, making it easy to get the right fit for your body.
Backpack – While backpack carriers only allow you to carry your baby on your back, they are super comfortable. They also allow you to be completely hands-free, making it easier to get work done around the house.
These types of carriers are also great for your little one, as long as they can hold their head up since they give them a great view of the world.
Standard – If you were to close your eyes and think of a baby carrier, a standard carrier is probably what would pop into your mind. These carriers have adjustable straps to get the right fit. The also will allow you to choose from a variety of carrying positions. They are usually the most expensive kind of carrier, however.
2. How To Stay Comfortable
One of the biggest things you need to take into account when you are looking for a baby carrier is the level of comfort that it will offer both you and your baby. If they aren’t comfy, they won’t let you carry them. If you aren’t comfy, you won’t want to carry them!
The best way to make sure that your carrier of choice is comfortable is to try it on and see how it feels without a little one in it to start.
The straps should be snug, but not digging into your arms. The shoulder straps should have some padding as well. There should also be plenty of support built in for your little one to make sure that they can nestle right in and stay content.
3. Types of Materials
Most carriers on the market today are made out of either cotton, polyester, nylon, or some combination of the three.
Cotton is a breathable material, making it a great choice for warmer weather. Polyester and nylon, on the other hand, are not as breathable but are a lot more resistant to stains.
I would say that you should always look for fabric that is some combination of the three materials listed above. That way, you’ll get a carrier that is breathable and stain resistant, which are both essential qualities in a baby carrier.
4. Available Positions
Depending on the activity you will be doing while you are wearing your baby or the location that you intend to take them, you will need different positions. Everyone’s body is also a bit different, and, as such, everybody has a positional preference when it comes to carrying their little ones around.
That’s why you should look for a carrier that gives you some options when it comes to toting around your tots.
There will be some days, especially when they are little, that you will want them nestled right up on your chest. As they get older, and you have more chores to do or errands to run, you might want to switch to your hip or back. That way, you can keep them, and you, comfortable, but also get done what you need to get done.
5. Level of Adjustability
Depending on the type of carrier that you get, there will be varying degrees of adjustability to keep the fit comfortable for you and your child.
The most important thing is to find a carrier that offers you a range. As I mentioned above, wraps are by far the most adjustable carrier type, since they always have an excessive amount of fabric.
Standard carriers are the least adjustable type, so you need to be sure that you get the correct size to fit your body. Otherwise, you will have a truly tough time making it work for you and your little one, which is, obviously, less than ideal.
6. Additional Straps
Even if you get the right size carrier, some of the straps that come with it might not comfortably fit your body. Some companies, such as Ergobaby, offer additional straps for their carriers. That way, you can be guaranteed to get the fit that you, and your baby, need to make sure that you are both as comfortable as possible.
7. Ease of Use
Let’s face it, not all of the carriers out there will work for everybody. Some are just more difficult to get correct, while others are super simple.
Wraps, as I have said, are great, as long as you can get them to work. They are by far the most difficult to master, with backpack carriers and standard carriers being the easiest.
No matter what type of carrier you prefer, make sure that you practice with it at home, with help, until you are comfortable trying it out on your own as you go about your day.
8. Child Size
You also need to take your child’s size and age into account when you are purchasing a baby carrier. Some carriers, such as wraps and modified wraps, are perfect for even the smallest babies right from the start, while others would need a special insert to accommodate a newborn.
At the other end of the spectrum, certain types of carriers are better suited for older children. A backpack carrier can be used the longest, with wraps bowing out the earliest as far as weight restrictions go.
The 5 Best Baby Carriers For Plus Size Moms (Full Reviews)
1. Ergobaby Original *Best Choice*
The Ergobaby Original is one of, if not the first, carriers out there that allow parents to carry their baby on their hips. It also can be used to as a rear-facing or forward-facing chest carrier or a backpack. This makes it a really versatile carrier that can keep your baby nice and close, while also giving you the freedom to use your hands while they get a nice vantage point.
This carrier, is designed without a rigid frame, which allows it to support your baby in an anatomically correct manner. It provides plenty of support for both your baby’s hips and spine, which is super important. If these parts are supported incorrectly, it could have lasting effects on their growth as they get older.
The company also offers an infant insert. This insert will allow you to carry your baby when they are a newborn comfortably and safely. This insert helps to position your newborn correctly so that they can breathe. With this insert, you will have the ability to carry your little one all the way from birth until they are about four years old.
This carrier is made out of thick, and very soft, cotton. This gives it a high level of breathability. It is comfortable to wear no matter what the weather throws at you, be it cold or hot.
This is also one of the easiest carriers to clean on the market, because of its high cotton content. Even if your baby spits up on you, you should have no trouble getting the stains out.
The Ergobaby Original is my choice as the best baby carrier for plus size moms. I picked this carrier for a variety of reasons, but the biggest thing has to be the level of comfort that it offers to anyone who wears it.
The shoulder pads and back strap are really comfy, making it feel like you aren’t wearing anything at all. The fabric is also breathable, which will help to keep you and your little one comfortable in warmer weather.
The company also offers longer straps in addition to the ones that come with the carrier. This makes it easier to get the right fit, no matter your size. That way you will be able to keep your baby, and yourself, as comfortable as possible.
This, when coupled with the fact that you can carry your baby in so many ways, and for so long, is why I think that this is the best carrier out there for plus size moms.
If you are looking for another standard carrier, but don’t want to spend the extra money necessary to purchase the Egrobaby Original, then this carrier is a good substitute.
It will allow you to carry your baby in a variety of ways. This includes on your back, hip, and front. When you are carrying your little one on your front, you can have them facing out or in, depending on their age. When you kids are younger, you should always have them facing in, as this is better for their hips and spine. As they get older, you can switch them around, so that they can have a better view of the world.
This carrier can easily be adjusted to get the proper fit for you and your baby. It also has a cool system of straps and clasps on the side.
These straps and closures allow you to get your baby in and out without having to take the carrier off of you. This makes it really easy to change your baby when you are out and about without having the hassle of having to undo the whole carrier. You simply pop them out, change them, and put them right back in.
The fabric that this carrier is made with is primarily cotton. It is nice and thick, which will keep you and your baby warm in the cold months. It is also, however, quite breathable, which will help to keep the both of you cool in the warmer months as well.
The straps, unfortunately, are not all that thick. They are made without any extra padding. This might make this carrier a bit more uncomfortable to wear as your child gets older.
Of course, this carrier is only rated for a child weighing 23 lbs. as a maximum, so won’t be able to wear carry them much past one year old anyway.
While the straps that are standard with this carrier do allow for a wide range of adjustments, they still might not quite be big enough for some body types. Unlike other carriers, where you can get additional straps for extra length, this carrier does not give you that option. This might make it a bit too small for some moms.
I would still highly recommend you try it out, since the price is right and it comes with lots of great features, all while allowing you to carry your baby in a variety of ways.
While the first thing you might think is that it is only appropriate for hiking that simply isn’t the case.
While it would be a welcome addition to any distance hike, it is also well suited for simple daily tasks. To start with, it is extremely comfortable. The straps are well padded. You can also adjust the chest clip and hip strap to fit your specific body type, which will provide you with all the support you need.
In fact, the hip strap can even be adjusted up and down, which allows the wearer to get the support exactly where they need it.
The bag itself is extremely lightweight, weighing in at a minuscule 5 lbs. It has a maximum carrying capacity of 50 lbs, which will allow you to carry your baby all the way through preschool if you want to!
Of course, being a backpack, this carrier also will allow you to carry any baby essentials along with you as you go about your day. There is plenty of space for wipes, diapers, cream, and pretty much anything else that you might need as you run your errands or do your housework.
You can also zip off the backpack compartments, which will allow someone else to carry your gear in a backpack while you lug your kid around.
The biggest drawback to this carrier is that it cannot be used with younger babies. It would be completely unsafe to carry a newborn or young infant that doesn’t have any head control in this carrier. This is because there is NO head support system to speak of in this pack.
Of course, once your baby has head control, all of that doesn’t really matter. This backpack carrier will give you little one a great view of the world, since it lifts them up above your head, making them the tallest kid around.
This is also one of the easiest carriers to get your kid into. This is because, unlike other systems where you need to have the carrier on you before you put your little one in it, this carrier allows you to put them in it before you put on the pack.
The Pathfinder 3.0 has a kickstand that deploys when you place it on the ground, which keeps the bag upright while you put your baby into it.
After they are strapped in and secure, you simply have to hoist the bag onto your shoulders, strap yourself in, and go about your day. Of course, as your kid gets older, you might want to make sure that you have the bag on a higher surface before you try and put it on you since they will way more.
As you would expect with a wrap, the Boba has plenty of fabric to make sure that you and your baby have the right fit.
This wrap comes as a one size fits all, and for once, this is actually the case! There is more than enough fabric for anyone to get the right fit, regardless of their size. This makes it a great choice for plus size moms that want to carry their kids.
Another great feature of this wrap is that it is perfect to use with a newborn, as long as they weigh a minimum of 7 lbs. The strong, stretchy cotton fabric will allow you to keep your baby nice and close.
This wrap also has one of the higher weight limits for a wrap. It will allow you to carry your little one all the way up to 35 lbs. This makes it a great value since you can use it all the way from birth, right up until your little one turns into a toddler.
Of course, the only real problem with a wrap is, you know, mastering the art of the wrap. This model tries to simplify the process by including multi-step instructions and allowing you to simply tie off the end when you are done. With a bit (a ton!) of practice, you should be able to to master this wrapping process.
The Boba Wrap is also only meant to be used as a front carrier. Your baby will also have to be facing in towards your body. While this is perfect for younger babies, you might have a tougher time convincing a toddler that this is the best way to travel.
When they are younger, though, you should have no problem carrying and breastfeeding right in the wrap itself, making this wrap perfect for a busy day of hands-free errands and chores.
The fabric that this wrap is made out of is a 95% cotton 5% spandex blend. This combination of fabrics is both stretchable and supportive, all while being really breathable. This makes it great for warmer and colder weather and will help to support your little one as you go about your daily routine.
5. Baby K’tan ACTIVE Baby Carrier, Black Sport Mesh (XL)
The Baby K’tan takes all of the guesswork out of the world of wraps. This makes it ideal for those moms who want the closeness and security of a wrap, without all of the hassle.
The company promises that it is as easy “as 1, 2, 3!”, and surprisingly, it actually is! With a quick review of the instruction manual, you will have no problem getting this modified wrap on and your baby in.
This carrier, just like most wraps, is lightweight and comfortable. This particular model is great for active lifestyles or hot weather. It is made out of a breathable mesh for your baby and thick cotton for your shoulder pads. This combination of mesh and cotton makes it really comfortable to wear, especially in hot weather.
It won’t, however, keep you very warm in the cooler months, so make sure you have an oversize coat ready to fit over both you and your baby.
While this is meant to be like any other kind of wrap, there is a big difference to keep in mind between the K’tan and other wraps. Unlike regular wraps, the K’tan needs to be sized to the user.
Luckily, it comes in a variety of sizes, from small up to extra-large. These different size options will give you plenty of choices to choose from so that you can get the one that best fits your body type.
Like other wraps, this one is perfect for newborns and breastfeeding. Even while you are wearing your little one, you can easily adjust it so that they can breastfeed.
This will help to keep them happier, and will also make it easier for you to go about your day since you won’t need to take them out of the carrier to feed them. This will not only help with their comfort but will also help to make the breastfeeding process more discreet in public.
The carrier is mostly meant to be used as a front pack, though it could also be used for a hip carrier. As it is, there isn’t too much built-in back support for whoever is wearing the carrier.
Luckily, you can purchase an additional strap that wraps around your back and goes under your baby’s bottom. This will give you the extra support you need as your baby gets older and heavier.
In Conclusion
Thank you so much for taking the time to read through this article. I hope that it will help you to find the best baby carrier for you and your baby! Good luck, and have a great day!