Unlike clothes and shoes and everything else that is separated by gender, baby carriers are typically universal for both moms and dads. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a select few that are the best baby carriers for dads specifically.
While you might get into the whole baby-carrying thing late and end up only using your carrier a handful of times, the trick is to really know which ones will work in the long-term, right from the start and until your toddler is just too heavy to cart around on your back or chest anymore.
And these are some of the best baby carriers for dads to be able to take some of the load off their partners, for however long. There are some carriers that are specifically made for larger or smaller kids or just babies in general, but the best ones are those which can be used from infancy and through those early toddler years.
Because as all parents know, that two-year-old will want to be held or carried just as much as that one-year-old you have wobbling around the living room. So instead of signing them up onto Dad’s shoulders every time, or using strictly a troller when taking your infant for walks, there are plenty of good baby carriers for dads to utilize.
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1. Mountain Buggy Juno
Endorsed by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, the Mountain Buggy Juno Carrier has four medically recommended carrying options to keep the pressure off the most sensitive and crucial parts of your baby’s body as they sit against you.
This makes carrying your baby experience that much easier and longer for both you and the baby. There’s the option to turn it into a front-facing baby carrier, facing outward, on your hip, or on your back. Not only does it make it possible for you to figure out which position is most comfortable for you, but it also gives your toddler an option of how they’d like to be carried.
And since you can use the Mountain Buggy Juno Carrier from your baby’s birth, provided that he or she is at least 7.7 pounds, it comes with the Juno insert that keeps your newborn baby safe and secure until you no longer need that extra padding and security. It has a protective hood for improved neck support as well as storage pockets on the sides of the carrier, perfect for any cell phone or smaller items you may need on the go.
Child Age Range: The Mountain Buggy Juno Carrier is perfect for babies from the newborn stage up until the baby’s age of 48 months.
- Maximum Weight: The maximum recommended baby’s weight range is 44 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can buy the carrier at Target or online at Amazon or the manufacturer’s website.
- The Best Part: With so many different ways to wear the Mountain Buggy Juno, you can be sure that your baby will be less likely to be prone to hip dysplasia issues.
- The Not So Great: The weight of the carrier itself, though sturdy, might be too much for some parents to handle on top of the actual value of their child.
2. Ergobaby 360
The Ergobaby 360 Carrier is designed with a bucket seat for your baby or toddler to feel comfortable on your baby’s legs no matter which style you choose to carry them in. There’s also a tuckaway hood that provides UV protection or simply shade when your little one is tired. Not to mention the sleek and simple machine-washable design that most dads will find a lot more approachable than something too showy or complicated looking.
The padded shoulder straps mean more comfort for you and the adjustable waistband makes it possible for you to adjust it to your size once your partner needs a break and you can take over with the babywearing.
But since it can tighten or loosen as much as you might need, the transition should be relatively smooth. It also helps that it was a “Mom’s Pick” for Baby Center for 2015 and 2017.
- Child Age Range: The age range is from 0 months (with an infant insert sold separately) to 36 months old.
- Maximum Weight: The maximum weight for the Ergobaby 360 is 12 pounds with the newborn insert or 33 pounds without it.
- Where To Buy: You can find the carrier at Target, on the manufacturer’s website, or on Amazon.
- The Best Part: Being able to adjust the waistband size to fit you and your partner both is a huge plus, as some other carriers might fit awkwardly on dads.
- The Not So Great: Although it’s made with safety in mind, it can be time-consuming to deal with fastening all of the Velcro and clips.
3. K’Tan Baby Carrier Active
While dads may not necessarily sweat as much as moms do, there is the off chance that they get hotter more easily, especially with a baby strapped to their chest. Luckily, the Baby K’Tan Active is a wrap carrier made with breathable performance fabric that doesn’t absorb moisture or sweat and keeps UV rays from penetrating it.
The ergonomic design positions available ensure healthy baby development and since it basically slips on like a T-shirt, there are no awkward strips of fabric to figure out how to wrap and twist around your body. Another plus for dads who would much rather slip on the baby carrier.
The Baby K’Tan Active is also sized like clothing, ranging from XS-XL with actual measurements for each size according to both men and women’s builds.
- Child Age Range: Although the proper age range is unclear, the website for the Baby K’Tan Active does say that it can be used “from birth and up.”
- Maximum Weight: It’s suitable for a maximum baby weight of 35 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can buy the Baby K’Tan Active Carrier on the manufacturer’s website, at Bed Bath & Beyond, or on Amazon.
- The Best Part: The ability to choose the wrap based on your own T-shirt size is great for ensuring a proper fit and, therefore, the most safety for your baby at the same time.
- The Not So Great: The Baby K’Tan patches sewn throughout the fabric at seemingly random areas are scratchy and itchy to the touch and can be irritating for babies or toddlers.
4. Boba 4G
The Boba 4G Baby Carrier some in two different neutral grey shades which are both great and simple for either moms or dads to wear without feeling self-conscious as some dads tend to do even though apparel color doesn’t necessarily dictate one gender over another. Even so, having a simple and neutral looking carrier makes it more approachable for dads to use with their little ones.
The fit of the Boba 4G also ranges from adult sizes of XS-XL, covering the majority of sizes that dads might need in a baby carrier.
The waist can be adjusted from 25-58 inches, while the shoulder strap adjustments can be made from 10-40 inches, giving you a totally customized fit. There’s also a zipper pocket in the thick waistband for easy access as well as other pockets for less essential items. In a sense, the Boba 4G has done its best to think of almost everything.
- Child Age Range: The age range for this carrier is listed as newborn through toddlerhood, giving no specific ages.
- Maximum Weight: The maximum recommended weight for the Boba 4G is 45 pounds.
- Where To Buy: The Boba 4G is available at Toys ‘R Us or online at the manufacturer’s website or on Amazon.
- The Best Part: You can totally customize the carrier to fit your specific body and as a dad, that can sometimes be rare with baby carriers.
- The Not So Great: For shorter individuals, the waist belt might fall a little lower on them and as a result, is uncomfortable to withstand for long periods of time.
While the Ergo 360 might be cheaper, the Boba 4G is my preference. Better weight distribution and a more snug form fit are worth the additional cost!
5. LILLEbaby Complete Airflow
Made from both cotton and 3D mesh, the LILLEbaby Complete Airflow Carrier is designed to be totally breathable and a lot less stifling for both dads and their babies or toddlers. There are six different ways for you to properly carry your infant or toddler, including a fetal, infant, facing outward, toddler, hip, and back options. This makes it possible for babies and toddlers of pretty much any age to find a way to be comfortable while in the carrier.
The added lumbar support increases lower back support for you as you wear the baby carrier and the large zippered storage pouch holds both the protective hood and any essentials.
The longer length of the LILLEbaby Complete Airflow that can be extended allows for extra support throughout your baby’s entire body, including their head, so they can not only lean against you but also nap while you’re on the go.
- Child Age Range: The carrier can be used from infancy up until toddlerhood.
- Maximum Weight: The recommended weight limit is 45 pounds.
- Where To Buy: The LILLEbaby Complete Airflow can be found at buybuy Baby, on the manufacturer’s website, or on Amazon.
- The Best Part: In virtually two clicks, you can get your baby in and out of the carrier, which bodes well for any parent who’s on the go.
- The Not So Great: Unlike some other carriers, there are no handy straps for keys or bag straps to be secured as you wear it.
Safe for baby’s hips and acknowledged as a HIP HEALTHY carrier by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
6. Beco Gemini Baby Carrier
The Beco Gemini Baby Carrier has a built-in headrest that also folds down, along with the traditional bucket seat to make the most ergonomically sound seat for your baby or toddler. The waistbelt adjusts from 27-59 inches, sure to fit most parents, including dads.
Thanks to all of the added padding for both your little one and you, there’s less of a chance of incurring the back or shoulder pain that sometimes comes along with baby carriers.
The carrier is also relatively lightweight on its own at 1.8 pounds, which makes carrying around a 30-pound toddler relatively easy and easier on you as you strap them to your chest. In addition to the outward facing position, your little one can also face in, go on your back, or switch to the hip seat carry position.
- Child Age Range: Although there’s no set age range for the Beco Gemini Baby Carrier, it’s noted that it works for babies from infancy to toddler.
- Maximum Weight: The carrier’s maximum weight range is 35 pounds.
- Where To Buy: You can find the Beco Gemini Baby Carrier at Target, on the manufacturer’s website, or on Amazon.
- The Best Part: The carrier is particularly comfortable for the adult wearing it, which is a huge plus since it’s pretty much a given that the carrier will be comfortable for the baby or toddler.
- The Not So Great: The sleep flap, though meant to promote your baby sleeping against your chest, is more of an uncomfortable nuisance for the baby and doesn’t stretch tall enough for a toddler.
Final Thoughts
Believe it or not, the babywearing craze for dads is kind of a new thing, but one that will hopefully stick around because dads are parents too and have every right and responsibility to wear their babies toddlers while spending real quality time with them.
These are some of the best baby carriers for dads overall, but your choice between them will greatly depend on how old your baby is, their size, and really what is the most cost-effective for you.
Luckily, they come in so many different options that you have plenty to choose from, and they’re all designed with your back and shoulders in mind. So, find which is best and wear your baby until they’re too big to do so because as everyone knows, the baby grows entirely too fast for parents to keep up with.
Recommended Reads
- The Ultimate Baby K’tan Original Baby Carrier Review
- One IS Better: Ergobaby vs. BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Original Comparison [Updated for 2019]
- Infantino Go Forward Evolved Ergonomic Baby Carrier vs Ergobaby Original Ergonomic Multi-Position Baby Carrier
- The Full Seven Baby Sling Review: Is This the Carrier for You?
- The Best Diaper Bag Backpack: Any Budget. Dads & Moms
Keith is the father of a 3 year old wild man that keeps him on his toes at all times. He loves being a dad and wants to help new parents find ways to embrace the chaos during those first few years of parenting.
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