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Choosing The Best Carrier For Your Toddler Or Older Child

BACK CARRY toddler

 So you want to carry your toddler? Keep reading for the best carriers for toddlers and older kids!

As your baby becomes a toddler, you’ll want to find a carrier that is supportive enough to carry their weight and be comfortable for you both. Well, look no further: we’ve rounded up our favorites here!

In this article I will:

  1. Define “toddler carriers” and give you information about how to know when your child is ready for a toddler carrier.
  2. Explain how to choose the best carriers for toddlers
  3. List different kinds of my favorite toddler carriers:(Click to jump to the related content

What is a Toddler Carrier and do you need one?

Over the last several years, many of our favorite babywearing brands have introduced “toddler” carriers.  Most carriers with this name are buckle carriers that are bigger and taller than the Standard-sized carriers, so they are able to carry bigger heavier children.  The name can be a bit confusing, however, because most of these carriers have a minimum age guideline of baby being at least 18 months and a sizing guideline of wearing 2T pants.  Some children are big enough for “toddler” carriers when they actually start toddling, while others are much older (2 or 2.5 years is common, and more petite children may need to be 3 or older) to fit.

The distinction is important because the best Toddler Carriers might also be called Big Kid carriers!

It’s best NOT to “size up” or get a toddler carrier early for baby to grow into.  A carrier that is too big will not be supportive for your child and therefore may be uncomfortable for both child and the wearer.

3 reasons you need a Toddler Carrier or a Child Carrier for your older child

1. Children don’t always walk as quickly as you might want, or in the direction you want! Pop her in a toddler carrier, and you can get where you need to when you need to.

2. Children are not always cooperative, especially when you are in a hurry. Load him into a comfy child carrier and he is likely to settle down, or, at the very least, he can’t wreak any more havoc!

3. Children get sick, tired, and cranky, too! They still need and want to cuddle, and not always at the most convenient of times. A great carrier can be a lifesaver!

For more on Toddler Carrier sizing and whether your family is ready for one, read our article:

Do You need a Toddler Carrier? 

How to Choose the Best Carriers for Toddlers

The type of carriers you pick should be based on what activities you will be using the carriers for and exactly how big your toddler is.

If you are looking for a carrier for quick carries (such as trips to the store, errands, short walks in to drop off your older child at school, you’ll want a fast and easy carrier that is fuss-free.  We love a ring sling for this!  For our recommendations, skip continuing reading for our recommendations on best carriers for toddlers when you are doing a quick carry.

If you need a two-shouldered carrier or know you want a hiking carrier or to be able to use the carrier for long walks and day trips  (hello, Disney or other theme parks), skip down to our Best Carriers for Toddlers – longer carriers and hiking section.

Best Toddler Carriers for Quick Up and Down:Ring Slings

When you want something fast and easy and you’ll be wearing your toddler for less than an hour, we recommend a ring sling. Why?

  • Ring Slings are super quick to put on – perfect for kids that want to get up and down a lot (which is pretty much most toddlers).
  • Ring Slings are super snuggly and mimic your natural position of holding your toddler on your hip.
  • Ring slings are compact and can be easily stowed away in the diaper bag when not needed.

Snuggly and Supportive:

Nalakai Luxury Ring Sling 

Jacquard-woven cotton ring slings are cushy and supportive enough for a toddler ring sling – although they are easy to use with younger babies as well! The woven fabrics molds to your body, giving you the perfect fit every time – especially important for supporting additional toddler weight。

Sturdy and supportive:

Hip Baby Wrap Ring Sling 

Made with beautiful 100% cotton, hand-loomed, breathable fabric, and with top quality aluminum SlingRings. For babies 8 – 35 lbs.


Best Toddler Carriers for Small Toddlers for Longer Wearing

To carry your toddler for longer carries (over an hour or two) and for hiking, our top recommendations for toddler carriers are soft structured buckle carriers. We think these are the best carriers for toddlers because:

  • Simple up/down without any straps to drag on the ground
  • Great ergonomic support for both baby and parent. A good buckle carrier can make your heavy toddler feel almost weightless!
  • Can be worn on the front or the back. Back carries are most comfortable as your child gets bigger.

Best buckle carriers for smaller toddlers

For a smaller toddler (not yet wearing 2T pants and under 32″), choose any of the standard buckle carriers below:

Most Popular Toddler Buckle Carrie:

Tula Baby Carrier – Standard

 

The Tula has a bigger and taller base than some other carriers means your small toddler won’t grow out of the carrier too fast.  Comfortably fits wearers of different sizes, from petite to plus-sized.

Perfect for the “in-between” Toddler”:

Boba Carrier 4GS

 

Wide base and tall back to supporting your small toddler, plus optional foot straps to support their legs in the proper position as they grow. This is ideal for kids who may be between carriers- getting big for Standard sizes but not yet ready for the bigger Toddler sizes.

Cushy, lightweight and affordable:

Infantino Carry On 

 

Infantino Carry On baby carriers have a generously sized panel, are lighter weight, and a bit less bulky. 

Best buckle carriers Carriers for Big Toddlers/ Older Kids for Longer Wearing

For a big kid at least 18 months old AND over 25 lbs and 32″, we love buckle carriers that are designed for older kids. Please note that if your child does not meet all of the size requirements, it is best NOT to size up. The Standard carriers are often perfect for kids as old as 2.5-3 years.

 

Our Most Popular older Toddler Carrier:

Tula Carrier – Toddler

 

A great fit for almost everyone, the Toddler Tula fits similarly to the standard Tula but has a panel that is wider and taller to fit your big kid. Perfect Fit Adjusters at the top of the carrier help get a great fit and make nursing easier. available in canvas and Coast (canvas with a mesh panel for coolness on baby’s back) body: 17” inches wide, 17.7”tall”

Best for Big Kids:

Beco Toddler

Different fit from the Tula – a taller body and darted seat are deeper than the Tula’s to offer great support, making it ideal for big kids. Can cross straps in the back if wearing on the front. Perfect fit Adjusters help get a great fit and make nursing easier. Has a cool mesh version, the Beco Cool, which is great for summer. 17” wide at the base, 19.5” tall from the top of the waistband to the top of the curved panel.

Comfort plus Extra Storage:

Lillebaby Carry On Toddler Carrier

The Lillebaby Carry On is a simple toddler carrier currently available in Airflow (with mesh panel). Straps can cross on your back and there is a lumbar support panel for front wearing. The panel is 16” wide and 19 ” tall Has a waistband pocket plus an additional pocket on the pane of the carrier.

Other great carriers for Toddlers

Looking for something different? Try a meh dai (mei tai) or a woven wrap with toddlers.

Meh Dais (formerly known as Mei Tais)

comfortable for wearing with older toddlers, and many people find them easy to use.

Meh Dai carriers

  • have a very natural feel on the body and are less bulky than buckle carriers.
  • great for people who don’t love buckles or bulky straps
  • great for petite wearers
  • less intimidating than wraps for new baby wearers. 

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Best Meh Dai for Big Kids:

DIDYMOS Meh-Dai Baby Carrier

DIDYMOS using only high-quality GOTS-certified organic cotton, safe, non-toxic dyes. Beautifully woven cotton is strong which means it will carry babies for ages.
DIDYMOS Meh-Dai is one size fits, no matter you are petite or plus size parents, its fully adjustable for a perfect fit 
The ultra adjustable side and really top and fits really as the baby grows. It can be used from newborn to pre-school age.

Woven wraps 

 

  • very comfortable and can be worn in varied ways so as to reduce your risk of fatigue, soreness, or injury.
  • recommended as toddler carriers for baby wearers who have wrapped previously or love the idea of trying to get into wrapping. 

Best Moven for Big Kids:

 

Hip Baby  Woven Wrap Baby Carrier

 

This woven wrap is super lightweight and cool!  Suitable from birth through toddlerhood, this wrap could be the only carrier you need! 

Great price for a woven wrap.  The longest length is 6.0m which should fit up to size 28.

The only carriers that we don’t recommend purchasing for a toddler or older child are stretchy wraps. The stretch does not make them as supportive due to the weight of the child. While it is possible to use the Wrapsody Stretch Hybrid for heavier children, woven wraps are a better choice if you are buying at this age.
Shop best carriers for Toddlers and Older Children

Best Toddler Carriers for Quick Up and Down:Ring Slings

When you want something fast and easy and you’ll be wearing your toddler for less than an hour, we recommend a ring sling. Why?

  • Ring Slings are super quick to put on – perfect for kids that want to get up and down a lot (which is pretty much most toddlers).
  • Ring Slings are super snuggly and mimic your natural position of holding your toddler on your hip.
  • Ring slings are compact and can be easily stowed away in the diaper bag when not needed.
 

Lunch Boxes and Travel Cups for Toddlers and Kids

Best Moven for Big Kids:

 

The only carriers that we don’t recommend purchasing for a toddler or older child are stretchy wraps. The stretch does not make them as supportive due to the weight of the child. While it is possible to use the Wrapsody Stretch Hybrid for heavier children, woven wraps are a better choice if you are buying at this age.
Shop best carriers for Toddlers and Older Children

Wrapsody Breeze

Lunch Boxes and Travel Cups for Toddlers and Kids

Best Moven for Big Kids:

 

Wrapsody Breeze

The only carriers that we don’t recommend purchasing for a toddler or older child are stretchy wraps. The stretch does not make them as supportive due to the weight of the child. While it is possible to use the Wrapsody Stretch Hybrid for heavier children, woven wraps are a better choice if you are buying at this age.
Shop best carriers for Toddlers and Older Children

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