Which Baby Carrier Is Best? Take The Quiz

Last updated on April 1st, 2026 at 09:56 pm

During the newborn months, I spent many a 3 a.m. feeding session browsing online and getting targeted with ads from all kinds of baby carrier companies. Naturally, I fell deep into the rabbit hole that is babywearing. And that exploration eventually led to my two extensive baby carrier reviews.

However, I realize those reviews might not be the most helpful starting point if you’re not even sure which types of carriers to research in the first place.

A friend recently commented that there should be a decision matrix for baby carriers – and that idea stuck with me. This quiz became a fun weekend project aimed at helping parents, caregivers and friends narrow down what might work best!

Which Baby Carrier Is Best? A Quiz

Please note: this is a simple guide and not a strict rulebook. The best carrier for you and your baby will always come down to personal preference – and sometimes your baby has the final say 🙃. With so many brands and styles available, my goal is simply to help narrow down the options so you know where to start your research.

Additional Considerations

H-Back vs. X-Back Straps Carriers

This largely comes down to personal preference. H-back straps are similar to backpack straps, and I originally thought I would prefer them. However, I actually found it difficult to reach behind my back to clip the connecting strap. That said, many people love this style and have no trouble with it.

Apron vs. Waterfall Waistband Carriers

Waterfall waistbands tend to be more supportive, but they’re also bulkier and can add extra height to the overall carrier.

• If you have a long torso, you may prefer a waterfall waistband for the additional support.
• If you have a shorter torso (like me), an apron-style waistband can work better so baby’s head doesn’t sit too high or bump into your face.

tl;dq aka Too Long, Didn’t Quiz?

If you’d rather see all the options at a glance for newborn and baby options, check out the handy baby carrier decision diagrams below.

Featured Above: Ergobaby Embrace, Wildbird Aerial Wrap, Hope & Plum Ring Sling, Hope & Plum Sprout Carrier, Happy Baby Haven, Artipoppe Ring Sling, Tula Free-to-Grow, Lennylamb LennyLight

Featured Above: Happy Baby OG, Happy Baby Onbuhimo, Solly Baby Soft Structured Carrier, Hope & Plum Lark, Wildbird Aerial Carrier, Oscha Bairn, Sakura Bloom Onbuhimo, Tula Free-to-Grow, Lennylamb LennyLight, Artipoppe Baby Zeitgeist, Oscha Nook Encompass

A few notes:

• Budget friendly ratings take into account retail price and/or ease of finding discounted on places like FB Marketplace
• Ring slings are great for babies, in addition to newborns and toddlers. I didn’t include them in the baby (3mo+) diagram because… I ran out of space :)
• Oscha Slings makes lovely woven fabric carriers; unfortunately, with recent tariffs and price increases, they are very solidly in the “splurge” price bucket if you are in the US like I am
• Back-wearing Onbuhimos are nicely portable, but primarily for babies 6mo or older once they can sit unassisted. Additionally, they are bump-friendly due to reducing pressure on the abdomen, but require more shoulder strength to carry for longer stretches

Lastly, for more babywearing resources, I highly recommend the following:

• Jordan @thebabywearing.ot – Extremely educational posts and videos, and she offers 15-minute virtual fit checks for $15. I booked one as a first-time mom and found it incredibly helpful.
  • That’s how I learned that my fit was OK but baby at that time (3 months) was fussy likely due to slight torticollis and silent reflux. Which he eventually grew out of and enjoyed being carried after!
• Cassidy @letstalkbabywearing – Another great source of educational content. I especially appreciated her posts because her build is similar to mine.
• And last but not least, the r/babywearing on Reddit. This community can feel a little intimidating at first, but it’s generally very knowledgeable and helpful.

Happy wearing!

Partnership Disclosure: This blog post was not sponsored by any of the brands listed above. As always, all opinions are my own. This post may contain affiliate links, in which I earn a commission on purchases.