One of the best ways to go out and about with your baby is to have some form of carrier. Carriers keep your baby safe, secure, and most importantly, close.
Thankfully, it is becoming more and more commonplace for dads to take over some of the carrying duties as well. However, since most carriers are aimed at moms, it can be tough to find baby carriers for big dads especially.
But don’t despair! If you are looking for a big sized carrier for a big sized daddy, you’re in luck! I have put together this handy little guide for just such an occasion.
In it, you’ll find everything you need to know to ensure that your baby will get a snug and secure ride, and dad will be comfy too.
The Best Baby Carriers for Big Dads (Updated)
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BabySteps Ergonomic Baby Carrier *Best Choice* |
(*) Below, you'll find my detailed reviews, but you can also click the links above to see prices and read customer's reviews.
Buyer’s Guide
Types of Carriers
There are lots of different carriers out there, and each has a different way of carrying a baby. Some of them are relatively easy to use, while others can be a bit complex.
Wrap – A baby wrap is, without a doubt, one of the most intriguing ways to carry an infant. If you can figure out exactly how to do it (no easy feat!) then you’ll have a snug and secure little nest for your little one, regardless of how large the person carrying the baby might be. Believe me, there is plenty of fabric to go around.
Modified Wrap – Modified wraps are wonderful! They provide all of the comfort and security of a wrap but take out all of the wrapping.
They are also usually a one-size-fits-all wearer’s kind of thing too since they work by stretching the fabric around your baby. This makes them an ideal choice for dads who are a bit on the larger side.
Backpack – Backpack carriers work well for big dads because of their adjustable straps. Some will even come with strap extensions for the hip belt, making it quick and easy to get the perfect fit.
They also have a huge advantage for your child too, especially if they like to see what is going on. If they are up on a tall daddy’s shoulders, they have the very best seat in the house.
Standard – If you close your eyes and imagine a baby carrier, the standard carrier is what you envision. It holds your baby nice and close in multiple positions and can be easily adjusted by loosening or tightening the straps.
Most of these carriers have plenty of strap length as is, but you can also get additional or extra-long straps if necessary.
What To Keep In Mind When Buying A Baby Carrier
Just like when you buy any new kind of baby gear, there are several things to think about when you are looking for the best baby carriers for big dads.
Comfort – You certainly wouldn’t want to wear your baby if the straps are digging into your shoulders mercilessly. Always keep an eye out for extra padding in all of the straps.
Believe me, even the biggest and toughest daddies are going to get grouchy and sore if the carrier you get doesn’t have enough padding. Even though babies don’t weigh all that much, they certainly weigh enough to cause some discomfort.
Positions – Some babies will like to face out. Others will like to face in. Still, others will like to be on your hip, and some others like to be on your back.
It’s best to look for a carrier that allows you to put the baby into a bunch of different positions so that you can make them as comfortable as possible. That way, if your baby doesn’t like a position, you have different options to try out.
When and Where They Will Wear – If the dad in question only intends to wear their baby around the house, a backpack carrier wouldn’t make much sense, much like a wrap wouldn’t be too good for a walk in the woods.
You need to try to think of where the carrier will be utilized so that you have a better idea of which one will fit your needs best.
Adjustable – If you are looking to get a carrier that both mom and dad can wear, you will need to be sure to get one that is easily adjusted. If not, you’ll be stuck having to buy two different carriers to suit your different sizes, and who has the money for that?
Strap Size – As I said a bit earlier, you are usually able to get extra straps with most carriers nowadays, which will extend the length of the straps. This will allow a bigger dad to get the straps fitted to perfection.
Easy To Use – To guarantee that the carrier actually gets used, try to look for one that is really easy to use. If not, you’ll just end of frustrated by the thing, and it will sit somewhere in your house, forgotten, and gathering dust. Believe me, the easier your carrier is to use, the more your baby, and their daddy, will love it.Top Five Baby Carriers For Big Dads
1.BabySteps Ergonomic Baby Carrier
The Good: This standard baby carrier, which can be viewed here, is exactly what the doctor ordered! It is built with both mom and (even a big) dad in mind. It can be easily adjusted to fit the wearer’s size, and both the shoulder straps and hip belt have plenty of room to grow.
Something else that I love about this carrier is the number of positions you can wear your baby in. They can be facing in, out, on your back, or can even be carried with just one strap. This flexibility will allow you to find your baby’s preferred position, making it more likely that they will stay in the carrier longer.
The Bad: While this carrier is very easy to use, it might be a bit too simple to operate. The straps are fastened with a buckle, rather than a clip, which an older child might be able to open on their own.
The Long and Short of It: This is a great carrier for moms and dads alike, due to its large and comfortable straps. If you get this one, however, be sure to keep an eye on the buckles, as your child might be able to open them on their own.
2. Kelty Tour 1.0 Child Carrier
The Good: This backpack carrier is quick and easy to use, and the straps are plenty long for even the biggest of dads. Your baby will also love the view from up on high, as they’ll be able to take in plenty of sights that they otherwise might miss. I especially love how this carrier uses a five-point harness to secure the child, too.
The Bad: A backpack carrier is good for a lot of areas, like the outdoors or even errands. It will be, however, much too bulky to utilize around the house. Your baby might also not like the fact that they aren’t skin-to-skin either.
The Long and Short of It: This carrier will allow you to carry tons of gear and your little bundle with comfort and ease. If you would like more information on this great backpack, you can find it here.
3. Ergobaby Ergonomic Multi-Position Baby Carrier
The Good: As it says in its name, the Ergo can carry a baby in a variety of positions and allows you to put your baby on your front or back. This positional variety makes it a great choice for lots of different activities, whether you are at home or on the go.
The Bad: It can be a bit tricky to get your child into the right position on your own, especially if you want to wear them on your back. While it is possible to get them in solo, it’s probably a better idea to have your partner help you out.
You’ll also have to order some extra-long straps for this carrier, as the standard sized ones might not be a good fit for a larger than average daddy.
The Long and Short of It: This carrier, which you can view here, is a good choice for someone who isn’t sure exactly when and where they’ll wear their baby since it can be used with such flexibility. Just be sure that you go out and get the longer straps to ensure a proper fit.
4. Baby K'tan Organic Baby Carrier
The Good: The Baby K’tan gives you the comfort of a wrap, without all the crazy wrapping madness! You simply separate the loops and spread them around your baby to create a cozy little nest for them to rest, which is honestly the best! If you would like more info on this great system, you can find it here.
This carrier also comes with a back support band, which does not only give your back some need relief but is already big enough for even the largest of wearers, which will save you some time, since you won’t need to go looking for a replacement strap.
The Bad: The breathable fabric, while really comfortable, will start to stretch after heavy use. You’ll need to make sure that you continuously check that your baby is safe and secure in the carrier. While this carrier is much easier than a wrap to get right, you still need to be sure you spread out the fabric correctly, or it will dig into your shoulders.
The Long and Short of It: All the comfort of a wrap without the hassle, the Baby K’tan is a great way to carry your baby as long as you remember to spread the fabric out correctly.
5. Boba Baby Wrap
The Good: As I mentioned before, wraps are an intriguing way to carry your baby around in comfort and security. There is no better way to keep your little one close and secure than a wrap. This one, which you can view here, is a great example of this. Wraps are also a great choice for big dads because there is always plenty of fabric to go around.
The Bad: Of course, one of the biggest problems with a wrap is that there is plenty of fabric to go around! I personally have never been able to quite get wraps, well, wrapped correctly. However, if the dad in question is good with their hands and at following directions, this probably won’t be a problem.
The Long and Short of It: Wraps work well because they are endlessly customizable, secure, and have plenty of fabric so that everyone can use them. However, they can be tricky to get just right, so make sure you take the time to practice before you wear them.
And The Winner Is...
After lots of careful consideration, I have decided that the BabySteps Ergonomic Baby Carrier is one of the best baby carriers for big dads out there today. It’s multiple positions, long straps, and comfortable padding make it a great choice, and I highly recommend it.Now, That’s A Load Off!
And there you have it! I hope that you’ll be able to find the perfect carrier for the extra-large daddy in your life. There is nothing quite like holding your little one nice and close while you go about your day, and there is nothing so sweet as seeing a daddy wearing their baby around. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this, and if you have any questions, comments, or advice, please let me know in the comments section below. Have a great day!
