While soft baby carriers might not be ideal for wandering through the woods for hours at a time, they are much more comfortable and easier to carry around your house than their larger, more cumbersome counterparts. That’s particularly useful considering that babies love to “be worn” all the time, because it keeps them close to their parent’s heartbeat and the rocking movements can be very comforting.

Another huge advantage that soft baby carriers have over hardcover carriers is that baby carriers that come with a harder, metal frame are only suitable for babies from 6 months on, at minimum – and you might have problems finding one that carries them even that young. This can be especially frustrating for parents, because that’s the age when babies need the security of being close the most. Soft baby carriers usually allow babies to be held in them from the time they are newborn to at least one year of age. So you can wear it out of the hospital, and not worry about getting another one for at least a year!

Hard cover baby carriers definitely have their time, their place, and their own advantages. But when you’re first expecting the new addition, make sure you have a soft  baby carrier on hand – it’s then that you’re going to need it the most!

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.

Chicco is emerging as one of the top names in baby carriers and with designs such as the You & Me Baby Carrier, it’s not hard to see why. Not only were experts and professionals called in to make sure that the ergonomic shape was just right for both parent and baby, but the parent harness also reduces strain on the back, with particular attention being paid to supporting the lumbar area. The harness is also vented and constructed from a breathable fabric, which works with the AIr Circulation System so that it reduces sweating and also allows air to constantly flow through. 

Of course part of what makes this carrier so comfortable is the padding that can be found just about everywhere yet the carrier remains lightweight and easy to wear. In addition to the padding, the seat and the parent harness are both fully adjustable so that the carrier can grow along with baby. And unlike other carriers that you may have to adjust, fit, and readjust, the You & Me can be adjusted while you’re wearing it so it fits like it was made especially for you! The baby carrier attaches to the harness with a safe lock buckle and in addition to this fabric being breathable, baby will also find it snugly soft for those quick snoozes on trips.

The Chicco You & Me Baby Carrier is a front carrier that can be worn from birth to approximately one year. For the first 4 months, baby should be inward-facing and after 4 months it can also be worn outwards-facing. The carrier comes in the colours Miss Pink or Mr Blue.

Baby will be strapped to you safely and securely with an adjustable side system that grows as she does and the back has extra padding to ensure that the spine and neck always have all the support they need. And not only will baby be safe and comfortable but she’ll also feel extra cozy with the cuddle pocket that lets her stay close to you.

The light mesh and polyester fabric can be thrown in the wash and it even comes with a bib so that baby’s messy face doesn’t ruin your clothes – and of course, this can always be thrown right in the wash too! For only £29.99, this is a great carrier that can be used for approximately the entire first year of baby’s life and it can be found at www.kiddies-kingdom.com.

They have done exactly that with the Synergy Carrier, which has all kinds of features including a zip-out option, so parents just have to unzip the front panel and baby lifts easily out eliminating the need to wake them when they’re sleeping, and there’s a buckle that slides so that the carrier can be easily adjusted as the baby grows. However, this buckle along with some others found on the carrier, are sometimes difficult to maneuver on one’s own so you may need an extra hand around!

Always the health-conscious, Baby Bjorn has also ensured that the leg and arm holes for baby are positioned just right so that baby is not only more comfortable but is also making sure that they are safe and secure while in the carrier. The carrier is also made from a mesh, breathable material so that neither you or the baby will become overheated during your trek.

The carrier can be worn inward or outward facing and it even has a special position so that moms can breastfeed discreetly! The Synergy is equipped to hold babies from 8 to 26 pounds, which means that you can place babies in it for approximately their entire first year and that’s a good thing, considering that this product is usually at the higher end of the price range.

The Nursery Rival can be used inward or outward facing and is suitable for babies from birth up to approximately one year. At £45.00, it’s one of the most reasonably priced carriers on the market and comes with the most features!

The carrier works by snapping two plastic buckles up by baby’s head and two across their backside and positioning the parental straps around the upper waist. This does cause some lower back strain and may not distribute the weight as easily as some other carriers. The carrier also opens at the sides, which can make it difficult to get baby in and out but if the child is sleeping, it’s easy to lay them down and get them out without disturbing them. Because of the lone pocket being on the front of the carrier, and being quite small, don’t expect to carry too much more in this carrier than your child but could be used to slip a credit card into if you’re just running to the shops.

Because this carrier is only really ideal for the time between three months of age and ten months of age, you will likely need to invest in another carrier when baby gets a little bigger. The uneven weight distribution and the lack of storage also make it an impractical carrier for long trips but the vinyl exterior is extremely easy to clean and because the carrier itself is so lightweight, it may be perfect for babies that like to be held while mum or dad does the dishes or the laundry! This carrier could also work for just running out on a short errand, when you don’t want to pack a nappie bag and drag out the stroller.

The carrier is only available in black but also only costs £40.00, which definitely places it in a lower price point than many other carriers on the market.

When considering the Yamo, you may want to keep in mind that although the shoulder straps are padded, they are quite thinner than other models so on long treks, they may be prone to digging in to one’s shoulders. The Yamo also doesn’t have any compartments or pockets for stashing extra nappies, wipes, snacks, or anything else you and your child may need along the way so in addition to the carrier, you may have to bring along another bag anyway to hold all of your things. That being said, the Yamo is one of the best-looking designs on the market today and for £65.00, you may find that it’s perfect for those short strolls to the market.

The carrier is best suited to babies up to 40 kg, which is generally before they hit the age of 3 so if you’re looking for a carrier that you can get a bit more life out of, there are certainly others on the market that will hold 4 and 5 year olds. And the single color of “Classic” black that is offered may appear to be more simple than elegant. The Scootababy baby carrier is available for £68.00.