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If a genie asked anew parentto make a wish, they might wish for more than two hands.
Courtesy of brands / Original photos byGlamoursenior editor Stephanie McNeal andGlamourcontributor Brigitt Earley / Gabrielle Langdon
Apart from hands-free mobility (no lugging car seats aroundpraise!
But the options are vaster than you might think.
Our editors andGlamourcontributors also personally tested all eight carriers below.
There are two main types of baby carriers: structured carriers and wraps.
Structured carriers are the ones that look sort of liketravel backpacksworn on your stomach.
Some even come with extra lumbar support.
Wrap carriers tend to be made of lighter-weight fabrics like linen or even hemp.
No matter what you reach for, we recommend keeping your eye out for machine-washable baby carriers.
After that, you’re free to turn your baby outward-facing.
Some carriers allow for other positions, like back- or hip-carrying.
For the most bang for your buck and longevity, consider carriers that allow for multiple carry positions.
Imagine their legs being an M position, with their knees higher than their bottom.
Baby carriers, both structured and wraps, tend to be one size fits most.
Also, some brands offer more than one size and are more transparent about what waist sizes they suit.
Overall, we looked for more size-inclusive brands.
Some parents see their baby carrier as an accessoryparticularly if they wear it regularly.
Why not have a little fun?!
Peep a friend’sbaby registry, and there’s a high probability this one is staring back at you.
That’s because the Ergobaby has all the versatility of other structured carriers but a more streamlined design.
A wide range of testersboth men and womenreported that this carrier was very easy to use.
We love the longevity you get from this carrier too.
I even carried a toddler in it while very pregnant!
/Carrier weight: 1.7 lbs.
/Adult size:Up to 54 in.
Real moms and dads say the Infantino is surprisingly comfortable, largely because it weighs a breezy 1.3 pounds.
It’s also machine-washable, and every parent knows how vital that is!
This baby carrier has the longevity factor too.
bang out:Structured /Carry positions:Front-inward, front-outward, back /Weight recommendation:832 lbs.
/Adult size:Up to 49 in.
Overall, parents say the polyester-cotton blend is very high-quality.
Importantly, we found this baby carrier to be one of the most size-inclusive too.
It works for tall parents as well.
There’s even have a Disney print for your family vacation to the most magical place on earth.
/Adult size:Up to 52 in., plus optional 9.5-in.
It’s also ideal for small babies, saysJennifer Perry, a mom of two.
This was one of the only carriers I could use as soon as my daughters weighed seven pounds.
One problem we had with this carrier is that we had a hard time quantifying who exactly it fits.
bang out:Structured /Carry positions:Front-inward, front-outward /Weight recommendation:724 lbs.
It all makes for what feels like infant melatonin.
My baby always felt nice and secure inside too.
I did everything from working at my laptop to grocery-shopping (usually with another toddler in tow!)
with this thing on.
Parents love how easy it is to wash too.
Banish spit-up stains or, worse, a blowout spot with a simple spin in the machine.
key in:Wrap /Carry positions:Front-inward /Weight recommendation:825 lbs.
/Adult size:5.5 yards
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kid to be seated in the lap of luxury?
Artipoppe isunsurprisinglya favorite among celebrities.
The brand’sHow They Wear Itsection is filled with A-listers that praise the carrier’s unique designs and high-quality fabrics.
So she splurged on the Artipoppe carrier when her daughter was a few weeks old.
“It became my favorite baby item, she says.
Further justification for the price: Our testers found it to be one of the more comfortable options too.
The cherry on top?
It rolls up into a tight little ball to pop in your diaper bag for travel.
throw in:Structured /Carry positions:Front-inward, front-outward, back /Weight recommendation:745 lbs.
/Adult size:Up to 47 in.
Alternatively, you could separate the double carrier so two different adults can each front-carry a baby.
This means you really need to separate the carrierone adult with each childuntil that point in time.
I felt like I could actually handle solo outings with four toddlers in tow!
/Adult size:Up to 99 in.
/Material:Cotton
Save when you shop the best baby carriers with theseAmazon promo codes.
The structured carrier wins praise from parents for, you guessed it, style.
It comes in 18 different solids and patterns, including this adorable floral.
Because of this, the carrier also has an exceptionally luxe feel.
Use it as a front or backpack carrier.
We also love the size inclusivity here.
Mark our words: We think you’re going to see a lot more of this carrier.
punch in:Structured /Carry positions:Front-inward, front outward, back /Weight recommendation:745 lbs.
