Baby carrier recommendations to save your back
Ergobaby
Price: new £164.90 (depending on model), second hand £60-80
Age: newborn - toddler
Why I like it: this carrier can be used in a front, back and side carry - although I wouldn’t recommend the side carry as it is very awkward! It comes with a water proof hood and zip pockets (ideal for phone, keys, and in my case dog poo bags!). But the main reason I recommend this is because it fits both me and my husband. He wears it in the traditional way, with the straps around each arm with another small strap at the back connecting them, whereas I wear it with the straps crossed over as my shoulders are too narrow to wear it in the traditional way.
Hippy chick
Price: new £25, second hand £5
Age: 6mo - 3yrs
Why I like it: This is great for when your baby is feeling a bit clingy, or when you need to hold them for a prolonged period, but not long enough to warrant faffing around with a carrier*. It saves your back and hips, you still have to steady them with your arm but it saves so much energy! It allows you to hold them and get on with whatever jobs you can manage with one hand!
*There is another brand where the hip wedge also converts into a carrier, I haven’t tried it personally but could be a great idea to combine hip and traditional carrier so that you have one less bit of baby paraphernalia to worry about!
Osprey back carrier
Age: 6mo - 4yrs
Price: new £400 (depending on model), second hand £180
Why I like it: we bought this for longer walks. It does take a bit of getting used to, and can take a bit of adjusting to make it comfortable enough, but out of the ones I’ve tried its the most adjustable which is great for people like me that have short torsos. It holds the baby up high enough so that they can see where they’re going, which keeps them occupied (just remember to duck through doorways if you’re tall!
The Mumsie overalls
Age: 4mo (once they have adequate head control), up to 14kg-18kgs/ 30lbs-39lbs
Price: new £111 (currently on sale at £83), other styles available at different prices , second hand £60
Why I like it: this one is more for fun, they’re not the most comfortable option out there when compared to actual baby carriers, but they’re great for a little bit of support when running errands when you don’t want to bring too much stuff with you.