Baby Carrier Weight Limits

Baby carriers improve your bond with your child while adding convenience to your life, so they’re a great option for every young family! Choosing a comfortable and safe carrier for your little one is key, and one big aspect of that is knowing the weight limits of your baby carrier.

Different baby carriers have different weight limit ranges. On the lowest end, the minimum weight limit is usually around 7 or 8 pounds, while the maximum weight limit can go as high as 45 pounds.

Your little one’s weight and developmental stage play a role in your choice of carrier, especially in the carrying style. Some carriers are only rated for babies in their first few months of life, while others are designed specifically for older babies and toddlers.

Table Of Contents

1. Types of Carriers and Their Weight Limits
2. Baby Carrier Weight Limits by Age and Stage
3. Safety Considerations and Best Practices
4. Can I Use the Same Carrier for My Newborn and Toddler?
5. Can Baby Carriers Cause Hip Dysplasia?
6. What Should I Do If My Baby Seems Uncomfortable in the Carrier?
7. How Often Should I Inspect My Baby Carrier?
8. Can I Nurse My Baby in a Carrier?
9. Can I Use My Baby Carrier for Hiking?
10. Is It Safe to Carry My Baby Facing Outwards?
11. How Do I Clean My Baby Carrier?

Types of Carriers and Their Weight Limits

Different types of carriers are designed with different weight limits. These limits are identified through safety testing, ensuring the material and design of the carrier can support the weight of your child.

Wraps and Slings are made of long fabric strips, and caregivers turn them into adjustable carriers through wrapping. As a result, they usually have a very broad weight and size range, from 7 pounds up to 25 or 35 pounds. Wraps and slings are generally better suited for the early season of baby-wearing (newborn and infant stages) although ring slings are favorite among many caregivers, who make use of these carriers into the baby stage too. The Wildbird Ringsling (highlight and add link to website here) is a beautiful option to consider in your baby wearing journey.

When baby is on the higher weight range, it is more preferable to use wraps and slings for shorter periods of time, as they tend to be less comfortable after extended periods of wearing. Wraps and slings provide less shoulder and lumbar support for the wearer compared to other carrier types.

Wrap-Carrier Hybrids like the Aerial Buckle Wrap Carrier are an innovation that gives parents the secure, comfort and close fit of a wrap with the support of a buckle carrier. They’re usually ideal for newborns and infants, although some are designed with larger weight ranges.

Soft Structured Carriers come in a broad range of weight capacities. Some are only designed for lower weight limits. Other carriers are designed exclusively for higher weight limits, in which case they might be compatible with separately sold infant inserts. There are some soft structured carriers that can be adjusted (without needing to use an infant insert) to accommodate wearing throughout the newborn to toddler phase.

Our Aerial Buckle Carrier is a great option to consider as it is a unique carrier that offers maximum versatility and comfort, with a weight capacity of 7 to 45 pounds.

Baby Carrier Weight Limits by Age and Stage

Throughout different seasons, you may find that different carriers seem to better accommodate your baby's size and abilities. You may also find that one carrier works well throughout the baby-wearing journey.

Choosing a safe and comfortable baby carrier and using it correctly is most crucial during the newborn and infant stages. It is during this phase of development that a baby is most vulnerable and therefore in need of the wearer to understand proper support and positioning in the carrier to avoid the risk of any potential injury or suffocation . Making sure to carry your little one well, with sufficient head support, a proper seat and a clear airway is very important. We discuss these factors in more detail below. If your baby is below the weight limit recommended by most manufacturers, it is suggested that you reach out to a baby-wearing educator or consultant to help guide and assist you.

As babies grow larger, it becomes more important that the carrier is durable and secure, and that your baby can still achieve a full, deep seat with the carrier running from knee to knee. Around 6 months, you might be able to experiment with carriers that allow for front-front facing or back carrying for short periods of time. 

By the time your baby is a toddler, they’ll likely want to spend less time in the carrier. At this stage, structured carriers with a padded waist belt will provide you as a caregiver with the most comfort. 

Safety Considerations and Best Practices

Weight limits are only one aspect of your child’s safety in the carrier. It’s just as important that you know how to safely position your child in the carrier, and how to make sure they’re safe throughout the day. 

• Make sure the carrier you purchase is compliant with safety standards like CPSIA and ASTM. All WildBird carriers are safety tested and certified.
• Always review the guidelines and manuals provided by the brand, to ensure you know the manufacturer’s weight limit and that you use the carrier correctly.
• The carrier should hold your little one tightly and securely, with a panel to support their head and neck. 
• Your baby’s face should always be visible and unobstructed, without any fabrics or materials to obscure their airways. Be especially vigilant about this during the newborn and infant phase. Always pay close attention that your child’s face is visible and that they’re positioned high enough for you to kiss their head. 
• Make sure that the baby is positioned high enough that you can always kiss their forehead. 
• Your child should have a nice, deep seat in the carrier with his knees higher than his bottom to create a hip-healthy M position. The carrier should also provide full support from knee to knee. 
• The carrier should support your child's natural C-curve of the spine, by providing full support from your child's bottom, all the way up to the nape of the neck.
• If your little one weighs 7 pounds or less, consider speaking to a baby-wearing consultant before adopting the practice. In general, working with a babywearing consultant can go a long way towards ensuring safe, comfortable baby-wearing and an overall enjoyable experience, especially if you run into any complications. 

Can I Use the Same Carrier for My Newborn and Toddler?

If you choose the right carrier, you’ll be able to use it to carry both newborns and toddlers. That includes the WildBird Aerial Buckle Carrier, which is versatile enough to support babies from birth until toddlerhood. Most carriers, however, are less adjustable, so they usually support more limited weight ranges and stages of life.

Can Baby Carriers Cause Hip Dysplasia?

There has always been some 'controversy’ around babywearing and how it may impact a baby’s physical development especially hip development. It is important to understand that hip dysplasia is a problem with the formation of the hip joint and it can occur before or after birth as the baby’s bone structure continues to develop. When the hip does not form well, the ball of the hip joint may be completely or partly out of the socket, it may slide in and out of the socket or the socket is shallow. There was recently a new study that was published which looked at “Ultrasonagraphic evaluation of infant hips in the Pavlik harness compared to body-worn commercial carriers”.

The main finding from this study is the following “Our study demonstrates that wide-base baby carriers hold a baby’s hip in a position that is not significantly different than the Pavlik harness, meaning that babywearing in a wide-base carrier likely promotes healthy hip development”.

This supports that new parents should consider using baby carrier options that support the ‘M’ position. So the short answer is no, baby carriers don’t cause hip dysplasia, or promote an increase in strain on the hip joints development. The practice of babywearing in proper, supportive positions could actually play a role in the prevention of hip instability. You can read more in this article from Center for Babywearing studies.

What Should I do If My Baby Seems Uncomfortable in the Carrier?

If your little one is showing signs of discomfort in the carrier take a moment to assess what might be causing the problem. Here are some check points to consider:

• Respond to baby by turning your attention to his needs. Could he be hungry or maybe in need of a diaper change. If so, attend to those needs.
• Is the carrier positioned and secured correctly around you and your baby. Check to see if baby is in a deep seat, with the carrier running from knee to knee and that baby’s legs are not stuck or perhaps coming through an incorrect hole in the carrier. Make sure baby’s arms are not restricted or stuck under a strap and then also be aware if baby is positioned high enough to kiss the top of its head, and that it’s head is not covered and baby’s airway is visible.
• Check that the carrier is not too tight or loose and if so, be sure to loosen or tighten the straps accordingly.
• If you are feeling a pressure point in the carrier, your baby may be feeling that too, therefore adjust, loosen and readjust so you feel comfortable with the fabric tight against you.
• Sometimes it can be helpful to engage in movement, so walking up and down, rocking, swaying, gently bouncing can help soothe and calm baby while becoming more familiar with being in the carrier.
• Check in with your own emotions. Sometimes if the wearer is feeling overwhelmed or anxious, baby picks up on this and may also start to become fussy and uncomfortable
• If needed, take baby out of the carrier. Take a little break; perhaps assess the carrier to ensure it is correctly adjusted to suit you and your baby before trying again.
• If baby continues to seem uncomfortable in the carrier, consider reaching out to a baby wearing consultant or educator for some guidance and support.

How Often Should I Inspect My Baby Carrier?

It is important to firstly be familiar with your carrier; so knowing what you should expect to see on the carrier, the features and mechanisms to adjust and accommodate you and your baby and making sure these are all functional and secure is crucial. It is then a good idea to do a quick overview every time you use your carrier as this will train your eye to notice if there is any wear and tear. Inspecting your carrier should become a very familiar habit.

Can I Nurse my Baby in a Carrier?

This is a very common question among many new parents. It is important to understand that both breastfeeding and babywearing are two separate skills that need to be learned and practiced separately. It is crucial that the mother establishes a good breastfeeding relationship with her baby and feels confident and secure with nursing before adding babywearing into the mix. Once breastfeeding is established and mom also feels confident babywearing then yes, you can combine the two skills. However, baby needs to be repositioned in an upright position after nursing is complete. It is crucial that this repositioning occurs (and baby is not left asleep at the breast in the carrier) to avoid potential risk of restricting baby's airway and suffocation. If you are wanting to nurse in a carrier, consider reaching out to a babywearing consultant for assistance and support

Can I Use My Baby Carrier for Hiking?

Hiking is a beautiful activity to do while babywearing and allows you to bring your baby into an experience in nature and the outdoors. There are however some important factors to take into account.

• Consider your current season and phase of postpartum as well as your baby’s developmental phase and the length and difficulty of the hike. In the newborn phase going for gentle walks with your baby in the carrier around the neighborhood is a wonderful idea. As your baby gets a little older, increasing the length and difficulty of the hike can gradually increase.
• Be aware of your own physical ability in the different seasons and know that you are carrying an added weight.
• Hiking while babywearing will demand that you are vigilant about temperature regulation. Your baby is not able to regulate her temperature so be aware of overheating. Dressing down a layer of clothing is a good idea for both you and baby.
• Different types of carriers will be better suited for hiking than others. A more structured carrier with padded shoulders and waist band with lumbar support will be more comfortable and practical than a wrap or ring sling especially for a longer or more difficult hike.
• If your baby is over 6 months and sitting independently you can consider back carrying which could be helpful as the baby’s weight is more evenly distributed on your back.
• Ensure proper positioning at all stages and phases of babywearing and check in regularly with your little one during the hike.

Is it Safe to Carry My Baby Facing Outwards?

Facing out is typically encouraged for older infants (from 6 months of age) when your baby is able to hold himself up more securely with good head and neck control. Babies who are showing more curiosity and enjoy seeing and interacting with the outside surroundings may enjoy facing out for a short period of time. Facing out can encourage more active engagement with the environment however this position tends to lead to babies becoming overstimulated so therefore a short period of time of facing out is recommended. Perhaps for a short walk or for a little while during a social event. It can be tricky to check in with your baby if he is facing out as it makes it more difficult to pick up on his facial cues and expressions.

It is not recommended that a baby falls asleep in the facing out position as there is no head support. When a baby falls asleep while facing out in the carrier, his head will naturally fall forward which can cause an uncomfortable position and possible airway obstruction.

It is a nice option if a carrier has the versatility to face out, however just still be aware of obtaining a good supportive seat with knees higher than bottom and consider your baby’s age and developmental stage before trying this out.

How do I Clean My Baby Carrier?

Each manufacturer will have recommendations on how to clean your carrier. The way you wash your carrier will depend on the fabric and type of carrier. Most companies will suggest cleaning and hand washing in cold water with a gentle liquid detergent (fragrance, dye and chemical free) Some carriers are machine washable and therefore using a gentle detergent on a cold, delicate cycle is recommended. If you machine wash, it can be useful to use lingerie or wide mesh bags; a larger one for the carrier and smaller ones for any accessories, such as lumbar support and carrier hood/head support that you might have with soft structured or buckle carriers.

When washing a ring sling, you’ll want to unthread the sling before washing and when machine washing a ring sling, you can use a sock to cover the rings. Here is some more information on Wildbird fabric care of the ring sling.

If washing a soft structured carrier in the machine, it is helpful to buckle all the buckles and undo all the elastic banded straps, and undo any and all the zippers. You can also pretreat any stains before you wash your carrier.

To dry your carriers, most companies will recommend you hang dry or dry flat.

WildBird Carriers

All WildBird carriers are tested and confirmed suitable from 7 pounds up. Our newest creation, the WildBird Aerial Buckle Wrap, marries the close, comfortable, secure fit of a wrap with the ergonomic support and ease of use of a buckle carrier. Designed specifically with newborns in mind, it best fits babies from 7 to 15 pounds (but is tested up to 25 pounds).

For parents looking for more versatility, the original WildBird Buckle Carrier is indispensable. This soft structured linen carrier comfortably holds babies from 7 to 45 pounds, so it will support your little one through all seasons of life.

Finally, our Ring Sling is an excellent option for parents on the go, as it is compact and easy to carry. It can comfortably fit babies 7-35 lbs, so it fits little ones from the newborn stage to toddlerhood.

All WildBird Baby Carriers are designed for your baby’s maximum safety and comfort. They’re made of safety-rated fabrics such as linen or our unique, ultra-breathable CloudBlend™. Our carriers are CPSIA and ASTM compliant and also considered "Hip-Healthy" by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. After all, no matter the size, weight, or age of your little one, these safety and comfort factors are vital for an optimal baby-wearing experience!