Best front facing baby carrier

If you’ve made the choice to wear your baby, it’s important to find the right carrier. When your little one starts to get a little bigger and is ready to be front facing in her carrier, using the right one will save you a lot of time and aggravation. Maybe even a little money if you get one that can be used through toddlerhood. You know you need to keep your baby’s comfort in mind, but don’t forget about yours! Carrying a baby for long periods of time can cause a lot of strain to your back and shoulders. The right carrier will alleviate that while also making sure your baby is safe and happy.

Here are some of the best front facing baby carriers around:

1. BabySteps Ergonomic Baby Carrier (Link)

What’s so great about the BabySteps carrier is not only that it’s one of the best front facing; it’s one of the best all around. It’s suitable to carry your baby at any age, up to 44 lbs. This one will grow with your little one and save you money because it’s the only one you’ll ever need to buy! In fact, you can use this carrier with 6 different positions.

Babies can’t face forward in a carrier until they have head control, which begins around 3 months. Until then, you can carry baby inward facing after they reach 8 lbs. When it’s time to turn her around, you’ll be ready to go.

The waistband is adjustable and can expand to 48.8” total. There’s a Velcro waist belt with a strong buckle that spreads your baby’s weight out to protect you from back pain or strain. The hip seat also helps take some of the weight off of your shoulders. There’s even support for baby, including a foldable head support that you can use when she’s still really little and in-facing.

That’s not all to love about this carrier. The material is great, too. It’s made from a combination of organic cotton and soft polyester. You can use this in any season and any weather without worrying about your baby being too hot or cold. If you’re out in colder or windy weather, you’ll love the wind resistant hood. It’s removable, too, so you can easily leave it behind when you don’t need it! The soft material next to baby’s skin helps keep her comfortable and is breathable enough that you won’t have to worry about sweating.

It’s also really easy to put on and to get your baby into. This is so important because it’s likely one parent will be doing this on their own. It needs to be a simple, quick, and comfortable process. All of the buckles and straps are reinforced so they’re strong and secure. There’s even a small zippered pocket where you can keep small items you might need. All this and it comes with a 24-month warranty! This is especially great because, with all the different carrying options this one give you, you’ll likely still be using it after you baby has become a 2 year old!

2. Brighter Elements 5-in-1 Baby Carrier (Link)

This one gives you 5 different carrying options so it will be with you a long time, too. It really is a good idea to get items like this when you have a little one. Anything that you can use for a long time is a great investment.

You get plenty of back and lumbar support which helps prevent any shoulder, back, and hip pain. The waist support is soft and padded and will sit comfortably on anyone’s hips. It even fits plus-sized moms and dads.

This carrier was built to carry infants 6 months and older, up to 33 lbs. You might even find you’ll be using it when your baby isn’t a baby anymore and has moved on to toddlerhood. Something else parents will love is that it’s completely machine washable. That’s always important when it comes to baby items because babies can be more than a little bit messy. This carrier was made of high quality material and was designed to last a long time. In fact, in comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee!

3. Bebamour New Style Designer Sling and Baby Carrier (Link)

The Bebamour New Style Designer Sling and Baby Carrier can hold babies from newborn all the way up to 44 lbs. That means you could use this carrier until you little one is well into the toddler stage. There are a lot of great features that make this a good choice for you and your baby.

If you plan on carrying your little one outside, the head hood will protect them from the sun’s rays as well as gusty winds. It’s made of soft, comfortable mesh and won’t irritate your baby’s skin. The buckles were designed to be noiseless. This might not seem like a big deal until you’re trying to get a sleeping baby strapped in!

The waist belt is fully adjustable and fits anyone with a waist size up to 46.5”. That means every family member will be able to use the same carrier, no matter how big or how small they are. A hip seat takes most of the baby’s weight and gives your shoulders and back relief from tension and prevents back pain. This hip seat also gives your baby a little more space, letting him feel more comfortable and less confined.

Need somewhere to stash your cell or even keys? There’s a simple pocket on the side so you don’t have to worry about carrying a purse or a diaper bag on shorter trips. Want more convenience? Putting it on and getting baby into it are both simple and straightforward. This comes in really handy, especially when you’re on your own.

4. Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Convertible Carrier (Link)

For a carrier that’s more streamlined and looks a little less bulky, check out this one from Infantino. You get 4 ways to carry your baby with this one meaning it’s another one that will grow with you.

The narrow seat position is used when your little one is inward facing. As soon as you can turn her around, you can expand the seat to accommodate her changing needs. This one was made to hold babies that weigh between 8 and 32 lbs.

The waist belt and padded straps help distribute the weight of your child so you can avoid any back and shoulder pain. It’s also completely adjustable and can fit moms and dads of all shapes and sizes.

To help prevent messes and keep you nice and clean, a Wonder Cover bib is included to soak up and drool or spit up. This is one of those little things that you don’t realize you have to have until you see it in action. Not only that but it adds a bright pop of color to the dark grey fabric. And don’t worry if the carrier still gets a little messy – it’s completely machine washable.

5. Infantino Swift Classic Carrier (Link)

Of all of our top picks, this one has the simplest design but that doesn’t mean it’s not a great carrier! One of the best things about it is that it’s light and compact, easy to throw in the basket of your stroller or even in a large diaper bag.

It’s simple design lets you carry your baby inward facing when she’s itty bitty and makes it easy to change to outward facing once she gets a little bigger. There’s a head support for when she needs it that simply folds down when she doesn’t. It can hold up to 25 lbs so you can’t use it as long as you can some of the others.

Padded straps help keep you comfortable and spread baby’s weight around to help prevent back and shoulder pain. Adjusting the straps is really easy, too. This one is made to be simple, quick, and convenient and it delivers on all 3 of those things.

This one also comes with Infantino’s patented Wonder Cover Bib to help prevent any messes. Anyone who has kids will tell you that messes are still going to happen, though, which is why the fabric is wipeable for quick clean-ups on the go. Plus, you can just throw it in the washing machine when you get home.

Further reading

If you are trying to keep your older baby busy at home, a ball pit is another excellent purchase.