Belle Baby Carriers was formed in 2006 when two fathers, Seth Murray and Mark LeBeau, teamed up to bring parents a new kind of front-facing baby carrier. Seth and Mark formed a company and named it “Belle,” after both of their daughters, Isabel and Isabelle, respectively. Belle Baby Carriers have always been about putting parent and children in close contact, in a way that’s ergonomicallly comfortable for both you and baby; and that looks good too! Plus, this simple package comes with just a few features such as a detachable neck support, super durable rings, and extra thick padding.

After receiving a huge response with their Classic line, Seth and Mark realized the demand from parents for carriers that were not only comfortable and convenient, but also extra-safe for baby too. That’s when they introduced their Organic collection that featured dye-free fabric and four different lines: Organic Black, Organic Moss, Organic Sand, and Organic Jubilee. All are certified to be 100% certified organic and are a blend of cotton and organic hemp materials. Generally, the only thing that differs within these lines are the colours of the carrier, with Jubilee being a playful white and black paisley pattern.

There’s definitely no doubt. When you choose Belle Baby Carriers, you’ve chosen one of the best ways to carry your baby. And you can even take some of those bragging rights, saying that you use the same baby carrier that Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, and Jessica Alba have carried their children in. But, you better also have the budget of a celebrity to invest in one of these carriers – they cost about twice as much as other carrier models, averaging from 75 – 100 pounds online.

Yes, a lot of babies like to be held a lot of the time, especially when they’re still in the newborn stage. It replicates the rocking and soothing movement of the womb, and it also keeps them close to the parent’s heartbeat – something else they grew accustomed to while in the womb. And front baby carriers let them have all of that, yet still lets the busy parent do all the things they need to do while still keeping baby happy and content.

Most front baby carriers can be used from the time baby is just born to about 6 months of age, which is convenient seeing as how that’s the time babies start crawling around and becoming more interested in the world around them, no longer needing the constant cradle of mummy or daddy’s arms.

The You & Me Deluxe Infant Carrier is meant to be worn with babies that are up to 26 pounds, and it’s only meant to be worn on the front of mum or dad, although baby can face in or out. It has cool features like the ability to zip baby in or out, so you needn’t worry about waking them up at nap time, and it has all the lumbar support and height adjustments that you could want out of a carrier, plus reflective piping.

The Ultrasoft Infant Carrier is also meant to be worn only the front, and used only for babies that are up to 25 pounds. But the name says it all – this carrier focuses on comfort and softness and there are belts and soft cloths placed everywhere to make sure it’s just that!

The SmartSupport Backpack Carrier is by far the sturdiest of the three. It’s meant to only be worn on the back and is suitable for children up to 40 pounds, which is about the age of 4. It also has a sturdy metal frame that can be propped open so that baby can sit upright when placed on the ground. But that’s not to say that this model isn’t without its comfort zone too. Straps, buckles and soft padding galore – this carrier has got it all!

This stylish baby carrier comes in a pretty blue colour with matching blue stripes in the interior and is extremely comfortable for both parent and baby!

The Infantino Easy Rider baby carrier is worn in the front with baby facing in or out. Because the carrier is recommended for babies up to 20 pounds, it’s most recommended that baby faces in for the first six months and looks out facing the world after that! The Easy Rider has criss-cross straps in the back to relieve pressure and weight from the parent’s shoulders. But the best straps on this carrier have to be at the sides! With buckles on either side of the seat that can be popped open with just one hand, it’s never been easier to get your baby in or out of a baby carrier!

The Infantino Easy Rider also has a front pocket for you to stash your phone, keys, or extra change while you’re out and about. But this pocket isn’t big enough to hold everything you’ll need so you’ll still probably end up bringing a purse or baby’s diaper bag. The lack of storage is the only thing missing from the Infantino Easy Rider as it will let you take your baby wherever you need to go in style and comfort!

The Cybex 2.Go baby carrier is the same great baby carrier that Cybex introduced onto the market with the 1.Go baby carrier but it has so many new features and bonuses that it definitely puts its predecessor to shame!

Probably the best thing about the 2.Go baby carrier is the number of different positions that your child can comfortably sit in while you are on the go. From 3 months and on your child can sit in the front, either on the hip naturally or facing inwards, which is especially great when it’s baby’s nap time! After 6 months, you have many more options with baby’s position including inward front-facing, the mobility seating position, or sitting in the back. It’s important to note that this baby carrier cannot be used before 3 months of age so you’ll have to invest in a smaller carrier until that time or simply snuggle your baby during the first few weeks! But if you need even more options, this carrier also has 3 different length adjustments that will further tailor it to your baby’s specific needs!

And in addition to the many different ways that you can carry your baby, they’ll also be much more comfortable with a cushioned seat that has not only been approved by orthopedics but also conforms to your baby’s form, keeping them safe and in extra-cushy comfort! There’s also a head rest so that baby’s neck will always be supported should they fall asleep and for after a particularly messy nap or snack time, the whole thing can be thrown in the washing machine!

The Cybex 2.Go baby carrier is definitely a vast improvement on the already fine 1.Go baby carrier but it’s important to know that there is no real storage or pockets of any kind with this carrier so you will need to bring another bag to carry all of baby’s stuff!

The i.Go baby carrier from Cybex is truly something so innovative that there’s been nothing like it to ever hit the market. This baby carrier uses a horizontal position for your baby so they can lie naturally and have their spines in proper alignment and without putting too much weight on them, especially at a time when they are so young and still developing. The company also claims that this is the preferred mode of carrying infants by orthopedists. Later on when the baby grows, the position can be changed so baby will be sitting in the more traditional, vertical position. 

The baby can lay in the carrier on the very first day they are born and can remain in the horizontal position until they are approximately 4 months old, or 6 kilograms. After baby is 4 months of age they can then sit in the vertical position facing in, and starting at 6 months baby will also have the option of sitting in the vertical, facing out position and the carrier can be used until the baby is approximately 15 kilograms, which is when they’ll be a toddler! 

The cover of the carrier can be thrown into the washing machine and it comes in many colours including slate (black); sand (brown); indigo (blue); and chile (red.)

The Go baby carrier from Chicco is perfect for babies who are under 9 kilograms, which is usually around the time of baby’s first birthday. From the time baby is born until they are 3 to 4 months, or have good neck control, they can face inward and the cuddle pocket that Chicco has included is not only a creative way to give baby some rest, but it also cuddles them even closer when they are being toted around – something every baby loves and many other carriers don’t especially provide. Once baby gets a little older, they can face out and see the world as they’re brought along with you on your errands!

Both sides are adjustable so it will easily grow along with baby and the breathable mesh fabrics also guarantees that both parent and child will always make sure that they are traveling in style. The shoulder straps are also padded and placed so that they will evenly distribute weight and the entire baby’s seat is also cushioned – giving even more of a snuggle feel! All of this for such a great price, even if you do only use it for 6 to 9 months!

This forward-facing baby carrier from Tomy allows your baby to sit inside of it facing inward from birth until 3 months and then facing out to see the world from the time they are 3 months to approximately 6 – 8 month old. This is important to keep in mind if you are considering this Tomy because although the price is great, you’ll need to invest in another carrier before the baby’s first birthday. 

The Tomy Classic is designed so that the shoulder straps and hip straps are padded, giving the parent optimal comfort and all of the carriers in this line are in neutral colours so they are suitable for both moms and dads to wear. The Classic is comfortable for baby too with a raised neck in the back to provide ultimate support when baby’s relaxing while being dragged around on errands and the front also has a small neck lip, so that the child’s head doesn’t fall forward too much if they should fall asleep. 

There’s no extra storage in the way of pockets so you might end up bringing along another bag but if you’re only looking for a temporary solution to trek baby around in, the Tomy Classic baby carrier is a beautiful way to do it!

The Kyo Metropolitan baby carrier is a product from Graco, a leading name in the baby gear industry. Although it’s said by Graco to be suitable for infants up to 9.9 kilograms, which is generally right up to their first birthday, most reviews and retailers recommend it for smaller children, newborn to six months approximately.

This wraparound sling-style carrier does let baby be close to you at all times, which is vital in those very early first few days and is worn on the parent’s chest with the baby facing either inward or outward. The shoulder straps are wide and slightly padded so that they won’t cause a lot of discomfort and there’s also a hip belt, that will help distribute baby’s weight. It comes in a stylish white and blue design and if you’re going out for more than just a short stroll, remember to bring along an extra bag – this carrier has no extra pockets or storage.

This front carrier works very simply. The parent puts the shoulder straps around their arms and the carrier secures in the back, with the straps reaching under the parent’s arms and around their neck. Baby meanwhile, sits happily in the front, either inward or outward facing. The inner seat, arms, and leg holes are all cushioned so that baby will also ride in comfort however, the same cannot be said for the parent. While the strapping system is secure enough to hold baby firmly in place, it’s going to cause a great strain for parents. The lower strap that reaches up under the arm is going to place a lot of strain on the parent’s back while the portion of strap around their neck is going to cause this to quickly become a high-pressure area as well.

The carrier also has absolutely no storage – unless you count the inner seat as a cargo holder. But it has no pockets or zippered compartments where you can stash keys, change, or anything else that you will need for even the shortest jaunt so you’ll have to carry another bag or just bring the bare essentials and be happy carrying them in your pocket.

While this carrier is a good model for those parents who only need a carrier for very short trips, and for parents who won’t need much on those trips, this carrier is probably one to be passed on. Even though it’s machine-washable and comes with a dribble bib, so do other models of carriers that won’t hurt your back and that have at least a few storage solutions, even if that is in the form of one small pocket on the front – you’ll still be getting more than you will be with the Tippitoes baby carrier, which also comes only in basic black.