Baby Carrier For Petite Mom: The Ultimate Guide

I fell asleep earlier for about 2 hours putting the kids to sleep so this is a bit of a late-night blog edit session for me (#momlife).  I’ve been watching Carpool Karaoke with James Corden on YouTube to keep me company and just saw the latest one with Michelle Obama — highly recommend if you haven’t seen it yet!  Meanwhile, this is a post I’ve been meaning to write for awhile as babywearing is something near and dear to my heart.  There’s something so emotionally gratifying about being able to have your little ones koala-beared around you.  But, even from a necessities standpoint, there were also times for me at which having my baby strapped onto me was the only way that I could manage going about my day and take care of my errands!  I have quite the collection of different baby carriers (I went through a period at which point I was obsessed with them and was even part of a local babywearing Mom’s group!) so I figured it would be helpful to share my thoughts on each and give a few recommendations especially for those of you who might be petite as not all carriers fit the same! So here is ultimate guide on baby carrier for petite mom!

PREFOLDED WRAP

wearing the Baby K’Tan

I figure I’d cut straight to the chase and tell you about the pre-folded wrap.  It’s my all-time favorite and hands-down the one I used the most.  I own the Baby K’Tan and I love that it is suitable for newborns up through toddlers (8-35lbs).  Personally I find that these are best when your baby is under two years as beyond that the wrap tends to stretch out and can’t quite support a wriggly toddler very well.  The main selling point of the stretchy wrap for me at least is that it has all the soft coziness of a larger wrap but you don’t need to worry about all the tying and knotting involved with larger pieces of fabric.  It’s a no-fuss solution without a steep learning curve, and I love that I can put it on and have it ready to go in just a few seconds — key for when your baby is crying and fussing!  (I tried using the Moby wrap for awhile as a baby carrier but it was just too much of a hassle with all that wrapping every time.)  For young babies that need head support, I also find that these wraps are the best since you can tuck that baby’s head into the wrap so that it’s fully supported.  Also, the Baby K’Tan doesn’t take up much space and can be easily stowed away when not in use.  The Baby K’Tan is individually sized (5 sizes from XS – XL) so the only drawback would be that if you and your husband are different sizes, you won’t be able to share the carrier.

• Suitability: newborn – toddlerhood (better for babies)
• Learning curve: easy – medium
• Carry positions: front, side, front-facing (see graphic)
• Pros: easy to use, stores easily, machine washable, petite friendly!
• Cons: individual sizing limits sharing, stretches out with little ones 25+ lbs (wash/dry will shrink it back to size)
• Buy: Baby K’Tan (own + love!), Babypeta

Soft-Structured Carrier

wearing the ERGObaby Original Organic

My next favorite is soft-structured carrier (SSC) and I actually own both the Beco ‘Gemini’ and the ERGObaby Original.  Dylan was a baby who did not like the stroller for the longest time so I originally wanted a SSC so Adrian could carry Dylan for longer periods of time when we were out.  The Beco Gemini was our favorite for months (it’s since been replaced by the new and better Beco ‘Soleil’) and I loved that it was suitable for newborns (no insert or anything extra needed) all the way up through toddlerhood.  Moreover, it was super simple to use and comes in lots of different “manly” prints that Adrian actually loved!  The Beco carriers in general are also designed to be more petite-friendly as the waist adjusts down significantly and there wasn’t so much padding that it felt bulky.

I later bought the ERGObaby as I wanted a SSC that had the option of a hood for naps and coverage while nursing as well as a pocket for storage that my Beco ‘Gemini’ previously lacked (the newer Beco ‘Soleil’ option has been updated with these 2 features) and while I did like this carrier, I would not recommend if for petites.  The carrier is bulkier in general and the shoulders don’t adjust to be narrow enough for smaller petites.

• Suitability: newborn – toddlerhood (better for toddlers)
• Learning curve: easy
• Carry positions: multiple (some up to 4 positions)
• Pros: easy to use, some styles have a pocket for storage, some feature hoods for covered naps, allows for discreet nursing
• Cons: bulky, difficult to store
• Buy: Beco ‘Soleil’ (highly recommend – from newborn to toddler!), ERGObaby Omni (can use for newborns!), ERGObaby 360, Tula, Boba

 Ring Sling

wearing the Sakura Bloom ring sling (similar color)

I love the look of baby slings (it’s like the quintessential crunchy mom accessory!) and you can’t beat it for versatility.  Not only can the sling be used from newborn to toddlerhood as a baby carrier, but it’s also great to nurse in (I use the excess fabric as coverage) and even doubles up as a blanket or car seat when needed.  I love the beautiful fabrics of the Sakura Bloom ring sling personally but another perk of these carriers is that there are so many out there with absolutely gorgeous prints and colors!  The sling is highly adjustable and would be a great option for petites, but I do have to warm that they take a bit of practice first.  Also, if you’re a mom who’s had a c-section birth, the sling may be a better option as they don’t have any sort of tie around the waist.

Do you wear your baby?  What is your favorite baby carrier?

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