Best Baby Carriers in India

A lot of Moms email me asking me to share my thoughts on Baby Carriers. The most common question is about which brands are good in India and which are the individual products that one should look at. Hence, I decided to write this review about the Best Baby Carriers in India.

Intro

As a parent of an infant or a toddler, you are used to carrying around your baby in your arms. But when you step outside your home you may prefer to keep your hands free. The most convenient solution then seems to be a stroller. However, a stroller by itself is bulky and carrying it around when you are travelling long distances may be quite a task.

The other option to keep your hands free is a baby carrier. Baby carriers help you cuddle your child against your body and can easily help you navigate. Not only does your baby feel safe and snuggled against your physical self, as you move about easily, but the warm and fuzzy feeling that you experience is also simply unbeatable!

 

Summary – Which Baby Carrier to Buy?

Being a Mom is a hectic job and I understand if you do not have the time or patience to go through this entire article. If I could recommend just one product, I would advise you to opt for this particular model by Infantino.

You can use it in multiple ways in both the front as well as back facing positions. The straps are well-padded and provide comfort to the wearer. The product is also very made, durable and safe for babies. It can easily support babies up to the weight of 15/17 kgs.

However, if you are looking for a budget buy, I recommend this particular model by R for Rabbit on Flipkart. It is available in 4 different colour variations and is very comfortable to use. It has adjustable straps both on shoulders as well as back. This model is also available on Amazon, so do remember to compare prices on both website before you hit the buy now button.

 

 

The “baby-wearing” concept

Today there are a whole lot of options for quality baby gear and baby carriers in particular, but as a concept, baby carriers have been in vogue since times unknown!

Mothers have been innovative in using a wide variety of material such as long cloths, shawls in winter and even bedsheets to snuggle their infants as they got their daily chores done.

There are numerous examples of communities where “baby wearing” is encouraged and simply a part of life for new mothers trying to cope with post-partum depression.

Hand Woven Cotten Baby Carrier by Kol Kol – Check out More Designs

 

The modern concept of baby-wearing as we know it today was popularised by Dr William Sears who introduced and popularised the concept of “attachment parenting” in the early ’90s. This caught the fancy of new parents the world over.

Another major reason why babywearing with a proper baby carrier caught on was that any adult could do it. So long as an appropriate size and fit were found for the child, an aunt, uncle or even a babysitter could carry the child around safely.

 

The pros and cons of Baby Carrier – Should you use one?

Before you venture ahead to purchase a baby carrier it is always a good idea to assess its pros and cons.

Pros:

• Skin to skin contact

When a baby snuggles on your physical self, he/she feels secure and is likely to remain calm as you go about finishing your chores. It also provides bonding between the parent and child and is especially helpful for new mothers.

• Hands-free

You cannot ignore household chores or your official work when you have an infant and cannot rest easy leaving it around in a crib. Thus, it is a good idea to carry your baby around as you attend to work or your household chores.

• Less space

When you are venturing out, a stroller may take up a lot of room in your car, or if you are travelling long distances, you may have to lug it around in airports. A carrier, on the other hand, is travel-friendly and can fit into your travel bag easily.

• Fitness

If you are trying to lose weight post-pregnancy, carrying your baby around is a great workout.

Cons

• Difficult to get the hang of

Modern baby carriers are tricky to use, till you get a hang of it. If you are a new parent struggling with your baby carrier, consider going through some online tutorials before use.

• Weather constraints

In a country like India where it is hot and humid for the most part of a year, using a baby carrier can get physically uncomfortable.

• Physically exhausting

If you are moving about for a very long time with your baby in your carrier, it can be very tiring physically as you have no place to put your baby down even when you sit down for a while.

• Risk

Accidents are beyond your control. You can simply fall or slip or get pushed around badly in a crowded place. Despite the snuggles, it is risky to carry your baby around in a carrier always as compared to a stroller, especially in a crowded area.

 

Types of baby carriers

There are many types of baby carriers you can choose from depending upon your convenience, budget and the age of your baby.

• A front carrier

This consists of two shoulder straps that support a seat made out of fabric. It is designed to be worn close to your chest. Some are adjustable and can be worn on the back when the child is older and heavier, usually beyond a year.

• Sling

This is essentially a wide swath of fabric worn across your torso. You can choose from the padded, unpadded, with or without rings variety. This kind of carrier makes it easy for a breastfeeding mum.

• Wrap

A wrap is a wide piece of fabric that can be worn over both shoulders and sits around your body. Stretchy wraps are great for new-born babies but tend to sag once the baby starts getting heavier. Woven wraps that come in a variety of fabrics and blends are better as they can support older babies right up to their pre-school years.

• Buckle carriers

In recent times, buckle carriers are becoming increasingly popular for their ease of use. They have a top and bottom or waist and chest buckle closure. With no intricate wrap, they are easy to strap on and adjust. They are suitable to carry babies up to 20 Kgs.

 

Things to consider while buying a baby carrier

• Safety

Although this goes in without saying, this is the first factor to consider while buying a baby carrier. The carrier should seat the baby comfortably and have adequate hip support. The hips should be supported while they fall naturally to the sides and the knees are slightly bent. Skip the carriers in which the baby’s legs fall straight down.

• Age of your child

Just like any other baby gear such as carry cots, strollers, car seats etc, there is a minimum and maximum age limit and/or weight limit for baby carriers. Make sure you know the age and weight requirements before you select a carrier.

• Style Preference

As is evident there are a plethora of baby carriers available in different fabrics and styles. Consider who will be carrying the baby more often (the mom or dad) before you pick an appropriate style.

• Comfort

You, the mother, or the father is going to be carrying the child around possibly for a long stretch of time, so concentrate on your own comfort and practicality of the carrier while choosing the appropriate one.

• Price

Everything about babies is expensive, so you don’t want to incur unnecessary costs. Taking all the above factors into consideration, buy a carrier that is best suited to your budget. Do remember, an expensive product does not always equate to being a good product for you and your baby. You may be able to find one that is reasonably priced and extremely comfortable.

 

Best Baby Carriers in India

I will now list down the top baby carriers available in India. I have taken into consideration all the points that I mentioned above while curating this list. Special emphasis is given to durability (which in turn also co-relates to the safety of the baby) and your comfort as a wearer.

 

1. Infantino Baby Carrier with Multiple Pockets

Infantino as a brand is more popular in the United States. It currently has only limited sales in India as people still lack awareness of the quality of the brand.

This product is no doubt expensive compared to a lot of Indian brands like R for Rabbit and Luvlap but you will also find a difference in the quality of these brands.

Check the Latest Price & More User Reviews – Amazon India

Key Features:

• Can be used till your baby grows up to around 15 to 17 kgs in weight. I stopped carrying my baby in a carrier around this weight as it gets difficult to carry so much weight on you.
• You can use this product to carry your baby in four different ways. It helps the baby to remain in a comfortable position.
• You can also adjust the head support as your baby grows.
• The pockets provided on this product are quite handy to carry some baby food, water, pacifiers or napkins. They are also designed in a way so that you can use them easily while carrying your baby
• The shoulder straps are well padded and provide enough comfort for you.
• Has an ergonomic design and keeps the baby as well as you safe for posture errors.

 

2. R for Rabbit Upsy Daisy

For someone looking for a more economical option, the R for Rabbit Upsy Daisy is a really good choice. It provides similar comfort to the product above. However, it has a slightly inferior build quality.

Please do note that the quality is good, however, Infantino is better. After using this product for about 4 months, I could notice some wear and tear on it. But it is still a good product compared to the price that you are paying for it.

Check Colour Options and Prices – Amazon India | Flipkart

Key Features:

• Available in 4 different colour variations
• Comes with a hip seat. A seat where your baby can be comfortably seated
• Can be used for babies from 3 to 24 months or up to 15 Kgs (Whichever is earlier)
• Has an ergonomic design
• Can be used to carry the baby in multiple different postures (front as well as back facing)
• This product is EN-13209:2-2005 safety certified as per European standards

 

3. Kol Kol Baby Carriers

This is an Indian brand started by Bayiravi. The brand is headquartered in Delhi. They specialize in designing ergonomic baby carriers. Their main USP is the use of Indian textile & designs.

I am not mentioning a specific model for this brand. However, I will help you understand the difference between their offerings. I have detailed out the difference below the image.

Check out Amazing Design Options – Flipkart | Amazon India

Key Differences:

• Compact: This is their most popular product. This is also because it is the most economical baby carrier that they offer. This carrier can be used for babies aged from 6 months to 3.5 years. Max weight 20 Kgs
• Leela: This product can be used for newborn babies till the time the baby turns 4 years of age. It is a good investment for people who step out of their home frequently. Max weight 20 Kgs
• Toddler: This is a good product for parents who are looking to buy a carrier for a slightly grown-up baby. It can support babies weighing 11 to 22 Kgs and is ideal for babies aged 18 months to 4 years
• There are two more products that they offer. But these three models I discussed are easy to use. The remaining two will need some practice to get used to it.
• Their remaining two product ranges are named Onbuhmo & Meh Dai.

 

4. Trumom 3 in 1 Baby Carrier

The next two products in my list are for those parents that are looking to buy an affordable carrier for short term or limited use.

Trumom is a US based company and has quickly made its name in the Indian Baby care market. They are known for providing good quality products at a very affordable price.

You will be surprised by the price of this product – Amazon India

 

5. LuvLap Elegant

Same as the product I showed above. This is a really good product for parents who use the carrier only occasionally.

It is available in around 6 to 8 different colour combinations, so you are sure to find one that suits you and your baby’s likings.

Check out all Colour Combination & More User Reviews – Amazon | Flipkart

 

 

FAQs on baby carriers

To conclude, let us answer some frequently asked questions on baby carriers.

Q. Is a baby carrier safe to use, especially for a new-born?

A. Baby carriers are extremely safe for newborns and infants up to 6 months. Slings and wraps that allow babies to curl up in froggy style or cradle carry are best for infants up to 6 months.

 

Q. Is it safe to use forward facing baby carriers?

A. A forward facing baby carrier is not recommended, till a baby is at least 6 months of age. Preferably, the child should be able to sit herself before you consider moving around with her in a forward-facing carrier. At this stage, ensure that the carrier supports the back of the baby’s thighs and not only the bottom, creating more of a seat.

 

Q. Till what age can I use a baby carrier?

A. More than the age, it is the weight that matters. Check the maximum weight limit on your carrier, when your baby starts getting heavier. Usually, though, you can use a sturdy carrier till the pre-school years.

 

Q. What is an ergonomic baby carrier? Are they available in India?

A. An ergonomic baby carrier is one that distributes the weight of a child comfortably and evenly for the child. The most important factor to consider while choosing an ergonomic carrier is the position of the child. The hips legs and spine of the baby must be aligned in the same way as you hold your child in your arms. At the same time, it is comfortable for the wearer as well and lets you carry around the child with minimum discomfort.

Ergonomic carriers are slightly more advanced and have extra functions and settings. They also ensure that the baby’s back and hip development happen naturally, and the baby is not seated in an unnatural position.

As a result, these carriers right from the infancy of the child to the toddler years. These carriers are generally more expensive for the variety of features that can be used as the child grows. The price range of ergonomic baby carriers is Rs 2700-12,000 in India and are available both online and offline.

The first three product on the list above would be my pick of an ergonomic carrier in India.

 

This brings me to an end of my article on the Best Baby Carriers in India along with the review of top brands.  Hope now that you know all about baby carriers. And this enables you to make an informed and appropriate choice, keeping all the above-mentioned factors in mind.

So which product and brand did you opt for? Do you have any further questions about the product and/or its safety? Do let me know in the comments section below.