Issue #8: I Own Too Many Baby Carriers... Here’s My Honest Review of the 10 Most Popular Ones

From Sakura Bloom to Solly to Wildbird to Artipoppe... let's dive in

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UPDATE 6/24/25: Keira is now over 20 pounds, and I still hold her for 100% of her naps (unless we are driving somewhere). So, as a mama to a velcro bebe who doesn’t sleep in a crib, I’d say I am pretty seasoned with the carrier at this point! I made an update to my fave carriers (see #6 & #7).

Yay, I’m finally writing this long-awaited review! I feel like I’ve had enough months under my belt to really figure out what I look for in a carrier, and now I can pass along my thoughts to you, my mama friends.

First off, I love babywearing, and trying/learning about new carriers almost feels like a bit of a hobby now? Haha. It was something I was excited to do if it was what my baby wanted. During the newborn stage, babies don’t fully realize they’re out of the womb, so keeping them close is not only cozy but healing for both baby and mama. I know that when I had Keira chest to chest, my nervous system felt calmer, my oxytocin levels soared 📈 — literally everything within me felt more at peace. You couldn't pry this baby out of my arms if you tried, haha.

And now that she’s grown and become more aware of the world, she still wants to be held close. She’s no longer 8 pounds but 18, so the carriers I used in the newborn stage are different from what I reach for now.

I know I’m going to desperately miss this stage. I keep thinking… this can’t be the last time I do this. I already miss the squishy newborn potato stage. So yeah, life’s too short to not have a solid baby carrier that makes this season all the more cuddlier!!

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👀 What I Look for in a Baby Carrier

Finding the perfect baby carrier is a journey, and if I’m being honest, you’ll probably end up trying more than one... or, like me, owning several. Especially if your baby likes to be held a lot, I think a carrier should bring both of you joy and comfort.

I’m only reviewing the ones I’ve personally tried, and these are my 100% honest thoughts. For transparency, I note which ones I personally purchased or were a gift to me. None of the links are affiliate.

Since everyone has their own preferences, I decided to rate them based on:

• Comfort (for me and baby)

• Ease of use (how quick/easy is it to put on and adjust?)

• Durability (how well does it hold up? how easy is it to clean?)

• Aesthetic (do I like the way it looks?)

• Additional thoughts (is it newborn-friendly? travel-friendly? anything else worth noting?)

Quick Note: I personally prefer babywearing parent-facing, on my back, or hip-carry. I don’t have experience with world-facing carriers, so I won’t be reviewing that.

The below are in order from my personal lowest to highest rated!

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1. Bumpsuit Armadillo ($160) — 3.5/5

📌 This was gifted to me at one of their Hot Mom Walks — everyone who attended got one, which was super generous.
🔗 I own the Armadillo in Cloud.

This carrier has a sleek, structured vibe and is super padded for comfort. I have friends who adore this carrier and love the structure.

For me, it’s too structured. I want a deeper seat for baby, and I feel like I can’t quite achieve that in this.

Biggest struggle: The back buckle is SO hard to squeeze/unclip with one hand. And when you’re holding a baby, you need to be able to do it one-handed. I’m not sure if that is just a fluke with my particular one? But, dang it is a struggle and my mom also can’t take it off without my help squeezing the back buckle.

Once I’m wearing it, it’s very comfortable all around, especially on my back, but it gets hotter than my other carriers (it’s also synthetic/made of polyester, which gets a downvote from me). I live in Texas, so this wouldn’t be my pick for summer.

📌 Durability note: While machine washable, I found the stains hard to remove from the textured fabric. I accidentally stepped on it and haven’t been able to get my black shoe scuff off of it…

I wanted to love it, but the structure and stiffness make it less practical for me personally.

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★☆☆

• Ease of Use: ★★★☆☆

• Durability: ★★★★☆

• Aesthetic: ★★★★☆

• Overall: 3.5/5

Additional Thoughts:

• Newborn-friendly with this new insert. I haven’t personally tried it, but I think that’s pretty clever.

• Might be a good option for a bigger child / as they get older and heavier?

• Comes with a built-in sun cover, but it’s a thin black fabric… doesn’t match the carrier like the Sakura Bloom, but it does roll up and zip away nicely.

• Since it’s so thick and structured, it’s not going to roll up into a bag for travel.

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2. Artipoppe Zeitgeist ($420) — 4.4/5

📌 I purchased this.
🔗 I own the Denim carrier.

Artipoppe is undeniably luxurious. The materials are stunning and it’s easy to use. I love the denim look of mine, and it was the first thing I splurged on when I was pregnant.

However, I didn’t know it wasn’t truly newborn-friendly despite what the website says.

Once I learned more about safe babywearing, I realized that it’s not ideal for newborns — though adjustable, the seat is still too wide for the first few months, and the fabric would come up higher than their face, which isn’t safe.

I also have to be honest… it’s not that comfortable for me. The waistband is stiff and dumps into my lower back. I’ve tried repositioning it, strengthening my core… nope, still not super comfy. And I have multiple mom friends who’ve had the same experience, but funny enough, we all still wear it because it’s pretty. Haha.

So, yes, I’m going to continue to wear it and get my money’s worth. But Andrew wears it more than I do, and if I need a carrier for a long nap where I’ll be standing still for 1.5 hours at my desk, this is not the one I reach for. Considering the price tag, I would expect it to be much more comfortable.

Keira loves it, though. It’s soft, cozy, and she’s so comfy in it.

📌 Durability note: The fabric snagged somehow, and I was SO sad. No idea how it happened, probably one of my dogs jumping on me?

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★☆☆

• Ease of Use: ★★★★★

• Durability: ★★★★☆

• Aesthetic: ★★★★★

• Overall: 4.4/5

Additional Thoughts:

• Machine washable! But I haven’t been brave enough to throw mine in — I just spot treat.

• Keira fit into it around 3.5-4 months.

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3. Wildbird Ring Sling ($72) — 4.45/5

📌 I bought this one because I was curious about ring slings!
🔗 I own the Linen Sling in Spizella with the Gold Ring.

I was intrigued by all the ways you can babywear, so I decided to give this one a try! I’m glad I did, because I love this one!

Keira loves being carried on the hip, and in this carrier she looks like a little koala.

When I use it: If I want her involved in what I’m doing — making matcha, baking, simple chores — this is the one I grab, so she can see out, but I can have use of both of my hands.

Not my go-to for long outings or when I really need to move around (i.e. unloading dishwasher 👎🏼) but perfect for hip-carry around the house.

📌 Learning curve: Like the Solly Wrap (see #5), this takes practice. You need to get the ring placement right for it to be comfortable. Once you do, it’s great. I recommend watching tutorials.

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★★☆

• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆

• Durability: ★★★★★

• Aesthetic: ★★★★★

• Overall: 4.45/5

Additional Thoughts:

• Machine washable.

• Beautiful, sturdy linen fabric.

• Feels like a good alternative to world-facing carriers if your baby wants to see out, but you still want them in an ergo position.

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4. Tush Baby ($85) — 4.5/5

📌 My neighbor gave me hers, and then I bought a second one on sale to keep in the car.
🔗 I own it in grey and cream.

Not a traditional baby carrier, but a genius invention.

Why we love it:

• Andrew, my mom, and I all swear by it — it saves our wrists.

• If you have a baby that loves to be carried, this takes the pressure off your arms.

• Great for quick outings (farmer’s market, store runs, etc.).

• I wish I had it sooner for the newborn stage (cradle position only). It makes nursing super easy, and I wonder if I wouldn’t have had Mommy’s Wrist so bad if I had this during the early days.

📌 Not a full hands-free carrier unless you have the attachment. You still need one hand on baby. But for quick tasks or just walking around the house, it’s great.

✨ Bonus: It has zippered pockets so I can fit a diaper, dry wipes, my phone, and keys — I don’t really need to carry a purse if I wear this.

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★★☆

• Ease of Use: ★★★★★

• Durability: ★★★★★

• Aesthetic: ★★★★☆

• Overall: 4.5/5

Additional Thoughts:

• You do need to make sure it’s tight enough and is sitting up high on the waist, so baby is sitting properly. Baby can slide around, so you need to check to make sure their legs/back are in a good position.

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5. Solly Wrap ($74) — 4.75/5

📌 I purchased one, and they gifted me a second because I was posting about it so much.
🔗 I own the Fern Checquer and Spelt wrap.

Yes, yes, yes to the Solly Wrap. For newborns, there’s no better home. Most carriers are not suitable for the newborn stage, but this one is perfect.

It’s soft, lightweight, and feels like an extension of your body — ideal for those early weeks when all your baby wants is to be held.

📌 Learning curve: Yes, it takes practice, but don’t let that deter you. Once you get it down, it’s second nature. Ask a seasoned mama friend, check YouTube, or even ask Solly for help.

✨ Bonus: It’s super compact (just a long piece of fabric!) — so it’s easy to toss it in your purse and go.

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★★★

• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆

• Durability: ★★★★★

• Aesthetic: ★★★★★

• Overall: 4.75/5

Additional Thoughts:

• Pro tip: Tie it on before you leave the house so you can pop baby in right away instead of fumbling in the parking lot.

• There are lots of wrap brands, but I love Solly because it has just enough stretch without being too stretchy (like Boba Wraps, which I found harder to get snug).

• I don’t reach for it much now that she’s bigger — I prefer something quicker to put on.

• Machine washable!

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6. Wildbird Aerial Carrier ($178) — 4.75/5

📌 My friend got this for me from my registry.
🔗 I own the Aerial Carrier in Acadian.

UPDATE 6/24/25: Wildbird gifted me a new carrier (this beautiful striped one), and the shoulder pads aren’t as thick! I’m not sure when they made this change, because my carrier was purchased over a year ago… but now I’d say the shoulders do not ride up anymore! So problem solved for anyone who was considering it. :)

Love the fabric. It’s lightweight, breathable, 100% natural linen. My mom (64) and Andrew LOVE it. I personally find the shoulder straps ride up on my neck, which is annoying to me, but not a dealbreaker. However, if you go on Reddit, you’ll find that many people have this experience. The thick padded straps make it bulkier, but also very supportive.

The apron-style waistband makes it really comfortable for longer wears, and Keira gets a deep seat in it. All around I think this is a great carrier, especially for the price.

📌 Aesthetic note: I regret getting a plain solid color — I wish I got a fun print or something with more texture. Drool shows more on solids, and Keira loves to om nom nom on the straps haha.

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★★☆

• Ease of Use: ★★★★★

• Durability: ★★★★★

• Aesthetic: ★★★★☆

• Overall: 4.75/5

Additional Thoughts:

• It’s a family favorite (but I personally don’t wear it much).

• I like how the top flaps up to keep them more snug if baby needs to eat or wants to cocoon and nap.

• Machine-washable as well.

• Wildbird recently launched the Aerial Buckle Wrap for the newborn stage (similar idea to a Solly Wrap, so if tying it yourself feels overwhelming, the buckle wrap might be a great option for you!)

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7. Sakura Bloom Scout ($288) — 4.85/5

📌 They reached out after I shared about the Artipoppe hurting my back, and that’s how I got my first one. I’m considering buying another.
🔗 I own the Coco Scout in Waffle Linen.

6/24/25 UPDATE: Keira is now a month shy from one! She still naps in this carrier daily. Still loving it. This is the carrier I will be bringing with us on our trip to Seoul for two months. Also another thing I’m realizing that I love is that I when I go to take it off, the straps don’t drag on the ground (i.e. at the airport)… compared to any buckle carries (i.e. wildbird, artipoppe, etc.). So, keeps it clean / not stepping on it while doing the mom juggle.

This is a hell yes for me. Easily my favorite carrier. The apron-style design means no structured buckle waistband, which is way better for my back.

Yes, you have to loop the straps instead of clicking a buckle, but for me? Not a big deal. Once I learned to loosen the shoulder straps first, it became super easy. If you’re struggling to get the shoulders buckled, watch this.

✨ Bonus: It’s so easy to nurse in — just loosen the straps to lower baby. It also comes with a matching sun/nursing cover.

📌 Durability note: I have the waffle knit fabric, which probably CAN snag, but unlike my Artipoppe, I haven’t had issues. They offer other fabrics too! I like the textured look as it doesn’t show any signs of dirt… and I wear this one a lot. I toss it in my trunk, my bag, under the stroller on a dirty gravel path… and it still looks great!

Ratings:

• Comfort: ★★★★★

• Ease of Use: ★★★★☆

• Durability: ★★★★★

• Aesthetic: ★★★★★

• Overall: 4.85/5

Additional Thoughts:

• Newborn-friendly!! If I have another baby, I’ll definitely use this from the start for more on-the-go.

• Back carry option for when she’s bigger.

• Machine washable! I’d use a delicate cycle with a garment bag.

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Rapid Fire Reviews: Other Carriers I’ve Tried

8. Ergobaby 360 (Tried, Not Owned)

• Ergonomic, supportive, and versatile (front, back, and hip carry).

• My friend Remi swears by it and it’s a top recommendation from other parents.

9. BabyBjörn Mini (Returned)

• Not hip-certified (meaning it doesn’t properly support baby’s hips in the M-shape).

• Marketed for newborns, but due to the poor fit, that was a dealbreaker for me.

10. Tula Baby Lite (Owned, Lightly Used)

• Folds into a fanny pack, so it’s great for travel!

• Despite being super thin, it’s surprisingly comfortable.

• Haven’t used it much yet, but I like having it as a travel option.

• It will probably come more in handy when we’re out and about and baby likes to switch between being up and down!

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Final Thoughts

Okay, so despite the ratings, I still must share what I would choose… If I could only pick one carrier, I’d go with the Sakura Bloom Scout — it’s comfortable, beautiful, and works from newborn to toddlerhood.

For newborns, the Solly Wrap still gets my vote. I think it’s worth registering for, regardless of what other carrier you purchase.

For family-friendly use, my mom votes for Wildbird Aerial. She has frozen shoulder, so she’s not able to buckle the Sakura Bloom on her own.

Andrew also votes for Sakura Bloom Scout and then Wildbird Aeiral is his second fave.

So, as you can see… there really isn’t the perfect answer. It truly comes down to YOUR preferences. I hope that I was able to give you some good insights to think about. At the end of the day, you have to try for yourself.

Let me know what you think, and what you end up getting! Leave a comment below.

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