The Best Non-Toxic Baby Carriers for Safe, Cozy Babywearing

Planning to babywear? Make sure your baby carrier is made from natural fibers, not foam and flame-retardant-treated synthetics!

Of all the baby gear I’ve bought over three babies, a good carrier is the one thing I’d never skip. It got me through cluster feeding, witching hours, school drop-offs with a newborn in tow, and more contact naps than I can count. It’s also how I actually got things done.

But here’s what most registry lists won’t tell you: your baby spends hours a day pressed against that fabric. They’re breathing it in and (eventually) chewing on the straps. And plenty of carriers are made with polyester, polyurethane foam padding, and chemical finishes you’d never choose on purpose if you knew they were there.

The good news is you don’t need a perfect, 100% organic carrier to make a better choice. A simple cotton wrap or a linen ring sling is already a huge step up. If you can find GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification on top of that, even better.

I’ve rounded up every carrier I’d feel good about wearing my own baby in. That includes stretchy wraps for the newborn days, woven wraps and ring slings that last into toddlerhood, and buckle carriers for when your back needs more support. I’ve also included what to look for so you can choose the right one for your body, your baby, and your budget.

Why babywear?

After carrying your baby for nine months in the womb, they will crave closeness with you. Babies have an innate need to be held — especially by their mom, but dad and other caregivers as well — and being close to your baby promotes bonding and encourages physiological development.

Cuddle, snuggle, and do skin-to-skin with your baby as much as you can! But the reality is that you won’t always be able to lounge in bed with your newborn. (And that goes double if this isn’t your first baby.) Sometimes, you’ll need to be hands-free, and that’s where babywearing can be especially useful. Whether you’re preparing a meal, doing laundry, running errands, or out taking a walk, babywearing can make these activities much easier and more comfortable for you and your baby. You can also breastfeed on-the-go in most carriers.

Even when a mother is focusing on other people or other tasks, a baby who is held in her arms or tucked into a sling is reassured by the physical contact. Wearing your baby provides closeness even when you can not give your baby one hundred percent of your attention.

La Leche League

Different types of carriers to choose from

There are many different types of baby carriers. I’ll go over my recommendations for what to use, but here are the most common types of baby carriers.

Ring Slings: Ring slings are worn over one shoulder and are tightened with a belt loop. Lightweight and portable, and are easy to use and slip into your diaper bag. They’re also great for use around the house. Note that safe and proper use of a ring sling is essential in preventing hip dysplasia and infant suffocation. Please read your sling’s instruction manual carefully.

Infant Wraps: Wraps use a long fabric that ties around your body to create a carrier. It only takes a few attempts to get the hang of using a wrap, and they work wonderfully, especially in the newborn and infant stages. As your child gets older, though, you may find that you’d prefer a soft-structured carrier to a wrap – but not necessarily.

Meh Dai Carriers: Falling somewhere in between a baby wrap and a soft-structured carrier, meh dai carriers give you the best of both worlds. You benefit from a more structured shell as well as straps that wrap. These are often handy when young babies outgrow the baby wrap but aren’t yet comfortable in the soft-structured carrier. There are even some meh dai carriers with a waist buckle, giving you more of the feel of a soft-structured carrier with some of the flexibility of a wrap.

Soft-Structured Carriers: Soft-structured carriers are probably what most people think of when they picture a newborn baby carrier. They will take up more room in your diaper bag than a ring sling, for example, but they can usually be used from birth (though many brands require an additional purchase of an infant insert) and last a longer period of time.

Organic baby carriers for babies 0-3 months

As a newborn, your baby will probably be the most comfortable in a ring sling or infant wrap. They allow you to get a snug (but safe) fit, allowing your baby to cozy right up to you. Infant wraps are great for babies in the newborn stage and can technically be used much longer than that too.

Though they can be cumbersome to put on, baby wraps seemed to work the best with both of my boys. It takes a minute to put the wrap on but they would always be so happy in there. I have to say that our Moby wrap was a true lifesaver during the early days with our babies, especially when they were taking 4-5 naps per day. I would often babywear in the Moby wrap for at least one nap.

My rule of thumb for this list: I looked for carriers made mostly from natural fibers like cotton, linen, or hemp, ideally with a GOTS or OEKO-TEX certification. Organic is a wonderful bonus, but a plain cotton or linen wrap is still a big step up from the foam-and-polyester carriers you’ll find on most registry lists.

Stretchy Wraps

Moby Classic Wrap

Best for: the newborn nap marathon

This is the wrap I lived in with both of my boys. The Moby Classic is one long piece of 100% cotton jersey, with no buckles, foam, or padding. It isn’t organic, but it’s a simple natural fiber, and that’s exactly what I want against a newborn’s skin.

It takes a few tries to learn the wrap, and the fabric is long enough to feel overwhelming at first. Once you get it, though, it holds a sleepy newborn so snugly that it became my go-to for at least one nap a day. It’s also one of the most affordable carriers on this list, and because it’s one size, my husband could use it too.

• 100% cotton jersey
• 8-33 lbs.
• Front and hip carry
• One size fits most caregivers
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

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Boba Wrap

Best for: a stretchy wrap that holds its shape

The Boba Wrap is a long piece of fabric you wrap around yourself to create a carrier. It distributes your baby’s weight evenly across your shoulders and hips, making it more comfortable to carry your baby (especially for longer periods of time). The classic version is 95% cotton with 5% spandex, which helps it hold its shape so it doesn’t sag as your baby gets heavier. Boba has made an organic version in the past, but it’s been out of stock for a while.

Babies love being worn in an infant wrap and often fall asleep. This wrap also works well for skin-to-skin and breastfeeding. It gives you two options for how to hold your baby: the newborn hold (with your baby’s feet kept inside the wrap) and the love your baby hold (feet out). It is not designed for forward-facing carrying. I personally found the length of the fabric to be overwhelming, but manageable, and I got used to using it after a week or two.

• 95% cotton, 5% spandex
• 7-35 lbs.
• Adjustable, one-size-fits-all
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

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Organic Baby K’tan Baby Carrier

Best for: moms who don’t want to tie anything but still want the simplicity of a wrap

While I truly love a traditional wrap, it can be time-consuming to put on. When your baby is crying and wanting to be picked up, it can seem like it takes forever to put it on and get the baby in the carrier. Enter the Organic Baby K’tan, a hassle-free infant baby wrap made with 100% GOTS certified organic cotton.

It’s pretty genius: using only two looped pieces of fabric and a sash, the K’tan slips on like a t-shirt, with no tying, rings, or buckles. You can switch between five positions, including forward-facing, without taking it off. The downside is that it’s sized to the wearer, meaning that you’d likely need to get a second one for your partner. Otherwise, it’s a great choice, especially for the early weeks.

• 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
• 8-35 lbs.
• 5 carry positions
• Sized to the wearer (XS-XL), so you may need more than one
• Machine washable and dryer safe

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Simply Pure Organics Organic Cotton Baby Wrap

Best for: a certified organic wrap with a handy pocket

This one quietly checks a lot of my boxes. It’s 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, colored with organic reactive dyes, and the brand states it’s free of fire retardants and PFAS. It’s sewn in a Fair Trade-certified facility in India, from cotton grown by small farms in Tamil Nadu.

It works like any stretchy wrap, but with one clever extra: a sewn-in pocket. You can stash your phone or keys while you’re wearing it, then stuff the whole wrap into the pocket when you’re done so it doesn’t turn into a tangled mess in your diaper bag.

• 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
• 8-33 lbs.
• Made in a Fair Trade-certified facility in India
• Machine wash cold, hang or tumble dry

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Mushie Baby Wrap

Best for: an organic cotton wrap on a budget

If you want organic cotton without spending a lot, Mushie is one of the most affordable options I found. It’s made mostly of organic cotton with a little elastane for stretch. I couldn’t find a third-party certification listed, so I’m going by the materials here. It’s a soft French terry knit, so it feels cozy and breathable for those early snuggles. It’s a classic tie-on stretchy wrap, so expect the same learning curve as the Moby or Boba.

• Organic cotton with a small amount of elastane
• 8-33 lbs.
• One size
• Machine washable

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Solly Baby Wrap

Best for: newborns and hot-natured mamas

Most stretchy wraps are a thick cotton-spandex knit. The Solly skips the spandex entirely and uses 100% TENCEL Modal, a fiber made from Austrian beechwood. The fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, which means it has been tested for many of the dyes and finishing chemicals I’d rather not have against a brand-new baby’s skin. It’s also sewn in Los Angeles, which is rare for baby gear.

From what I’ve seen and read, the reason moms get so attached to the Solly Wrap is the weight of it. It’s thin, buttery, and much less bulky than a traditional wrap, so it’s a lot more comfortable for summer babies or for wearing around the house all day. The trade-off is longevity. It only goes up to 25 lbs. and is front-inward carry only, so think of it as your fourth trimester wrap, not your forever carrier.

Again, this is not a natural fabric but I do love that it is OEKO-TEX certified and such a great baby wrap, which is why it made this list.

• 100% TENCEL Modal, OEKO-TEX certified
• Made in Los Angeles
• 8-25 lbs., front inward carry
• Machine wash cold, tumble dry low

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Hope & Plum Sky Wrap

Best for: a polyester-free wrap made in the USA

Hope & Plum makes everything without polyester, and this wrap is a blend of 70% TENCEL Lyocell and 30% organic cotton. It’s sewn in Minneapolis by a women-owned sewing shop less than a mile from the company’s warehouse. The brand doesn’t list a third-party textile certification, but I love how transparent they are about the fibers and where it’s made.

The lyocell gives it a cool, silky feel, so it’s a nice middle ground between a classic cotton wrap and a thin, airy one. It comes in two lengths, so you can size up if you’re tall or want extra fabric for tying. It’s been safety tested from 7 to 35 lbs., so it lasts well past the newborn stage.

• 70% TENCEL Lyocell, 30% organic cotton, no polyester
• Sewn in Minnesota
• 7-35 lbs.
• Short and long lengths
• Machine wash cold on gentle, hang or lay flat to dry

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BABYBJÖRN Mini Carrier

Best for: a quick-on buckle carrier for the newborn months

I was impressed (and admittedly, a little shocked) to learn that BABYBJÖRN carriers are certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100, meaning that they have been tested to rigorous standards for harmful substances such as AZO dyes, formaldehyde, cadmium, lead, phthalates, and more. So they aren’t organic, and most of the fabric options are polyester blends, but they are certified Oeko-Tex.

The Mini Carrier can be used from birth until 12 months (or from 7-24 lbs.). It is an inward-facing carrier (making it most appropriate for newborns or babies that easily get overstimulated) but can also be used in the forward-facing position from 5 months. It does not offer back carry, so if you plan to babywear into toddlerhood, you would need a toddler carrier once your baby outgrows this carrier. It does have high-positioned seating which gives your baby an extra snug feeling of closeness.

• OEKO-Tex Standard 100 certified fabrics
• 7-24 lbs.
• Inward-facing or forward-facing carry
• International Hip Dysplasia Institute – Certified Hip Healthy
• Machine wash warm, air dry

Woven Wraps

Woven wraps are the “grown-up” version of a stretchy wrap. They don’t stretch, so they can support heavier babies and toddlers in front, hip, and back carries. They come in sizes (longer for more complex carries), and they get softer with every wash.

Didymos Prima Woven Wrap

Best for: one wrap from birth through toddlerhood

Didymos has been weaving baby wraps in Europe for decades, and their wraps are 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. The Prima Natural is undyed, so there’s nothing on the fabric but organic cotton.

At 210 GSM, it’s a medium-weight wrap that’s soft enough for a newborn but supportive enough for a toddler. You’ll want to pick a size based on your body and the carries you plan to do. (Size 6 is the most common starting point.) There is more of a learning curve than with a stretchy wrap, but it will grow with your baby to 45 lbs.

• 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
• 7-45 lbs.
• Sizes 2-8
• Woven in Europe

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Girasol Handwoven Wrap

Best for: supporting artisans with your babywearing

Girasol wraps are 100% cotton, plant-dyed, and handwoven on traditional looms by artisans in Guatemala. They aren’t organic-certified, but they’re about as natural as a carrier gets: just cotton and plant dyes, with no synthetic fibers. The brand describes itself as fair trade and has been making wraps for more than 40 years.

Every wrap is a little different because it’s woven by hand, and the colors are gorgeous. It’s a medium-weight herringbone weave that works from newborn to toddler. You can find Girasol at babywearing shops and on Etsy.

• 100% cotton, plant-dyed
• Handwoven in Guatemala
• 7-35 lbs.
• Sizes 4-8
• Fair trade brand

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Ring Slings

Wildbird Linen Ring Sling

Best for: quick ups and downs from birth to toddlerhood

If you want the simplest possible carrier, this is it: one long piece of 100% European linen and two rings. No foam, no padding, no mesh, and no plastic buckles. The linen is colored with low-impact dyes, and linen happens to be one of my favorite fabrics for babies. (I wrote more about that in my post on why I choose linen and wool.)

A ring sling is what you’ll reach for when you need your baby up and settled in under a minute, like the school pickup line or a fussy stretch while you’re making dinner. And one this beautiful? Oh my goodness. It folds down nicely and small enough to live in your diaper bag, and linen gets softer every time you wash it. There is a learning curve to threading and tightening it, and because the weight sits on one shoulder, it’s not the carrier I’d choose for a long hike. (Note: I myself never got the hang of ring slings, sadly!)

• 100% European linen, low-impact dyes
• 8-35 lbs.
• Standard and long lengths
• Machine washable, hang dry

Use code GENTLENURSERY10 to save → Shop Wildbird

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Sakura Bloom Linen Ring Sling

Best for: a classic linen sling made in California

Sakura Bloom is one of the original linen ring sling brands. Their slings are made in California from soft linen that’s hand-dyed and pre-washed in Los Angeles. They’re lab tested to U.S. safety standards and certified hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

Because the linen is pre-washed, it arrives soft and ready to use, without the stiff break-in period some linen slings have. It’s a beautiful, simple sling that goes from 7 to 35 lbs. Popular colors sell out often, so it’s worth checking back if yours is gone.

• Linen, hand-dyed in Los Angeles
• Made in California
• 7-35 lbs.

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Hope & Plum Ring Sling

Best for: a breathable, polyester-free sling made in the USA

Hope & Plum’s ring slings are a linen and cotton blend with no synthetic fibers. They’re sewn by fairly paid teams in Minnesota and meet the ASTM F2907 safety standard for sling carriers. The rings are anodized aluminum.

They come in three lengths (short, mid, and long), which is a thoughtful touch if you’re petite, tall, or want a longer tail. The linen and cotton blend breathes well, so it’s comfortable for summer and indoor wear. It’s a pricier sling, but it’s made in the USA with natural fibers.

• Linen and cotton blend, no synthetic fibers
• Sewn in Minnesota
• 7-35 lbs.
• Short, mid, and long lengths
• Anodized aluminum rings

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Didymos DidySling Ring Sling

Best for: a certified organic ring sling

If you want a ring sling that’s certified organic, this is one of the few I found. The DidySling is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton woven wrap fabric, with aluminum rings.

Because it’s made from woven wrap fabric, it has a nice grip and spreads your baby’s weight well across your shoulder. It’s a medium-weight fabric, so it’s supportive enough for a toddler on your hip but still soft for a newborn.

• 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
• Aluminum rings
• Woven in Europe
• Medium-weight (230 GSM)

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Nalakai Ring Sling

Best for: an easy-to-find linen blend sling on Amazon

The Nalakai is a popular ring sling you can grab on Amazon. It’s 58% bamboo viscose and 42% linen, with no padding or structure. It isn’t organic or certified, but it’s made from plant-based fibers rather than polyester.

Reviewers love how soft it is and how easy it is to learn. The pocket in the tail is handy, though it doesn’t close, so don’t trust it with anything important. It’s hang dry only, which is a small but real annoyance with a newborn.

• 58% bamboo viscose, 42% linen
• 8-35 lbs.
• Tail pocket
• Machine wash cold, hang dry

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Artipoppe Ring Sling

Best for: the splurge sling you’ll keep forever

Artipoppe is the luxury pick on this list. Their Argus ring sling is 77% organic cotton and 23% linen in a lightweight jacquard weave, with gold-finish metal rings. The linen isn’t organic, and the brand doesn’t list a third-party textile certification, but it’s a natural-fiber sling through and through.

It’s gorgeous, and it holds up to 45 lbs., so it will last well into toddlerhood. It’s also machine washable, which matters more than you think with a baby. It’s expensive, so this one is for the mom who wants one beautiful piece she’ll use for years.

• 77% organic cotton, 23% linen
• 7-45 lbs.
• Gold-finish metal rings
• Acknowledged as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute
• Machine washable

Non-Toxic Baby Carriers For Babies Age 4+ Months

Once your baby grows out of the newborn stage, you will probably want to transition to a soft-structured carrier or meh-dai. You’ll know when the time is right – the wrap won’t support your baby as well as it used to, or you will have a hunch that your baby prefers to forward face in the carrier. (Please note that most of these carriers listed below are approved for use from birth, but I personally find that baby wraps work best for 0-3 months of age and sometimes a little older.)

One thing I don’t like about how soft-structured baby carriers are marketed is that companies are only referring to their outer layer when calling their products organic. Or even just saying that a product is 100% cotton. It isn’t – soft-structured carriers contain padding or foam, so they cannot be 100% cotton. Keep an eye out for that when looking at baby carriers.

There aren’t a ton of organic baby carriers to choose from, but the options are still good nonetheless.

Meh Dai & Half-Buckle Carriers

Stokke Limas Carrier

Best for: moms who love a wrap but want buckles

Remember the meh dai style I described above? The Stokke Limas is a half-buckle carrier made from woven wrap fabric in organic cotton and linen, so you get the soft, moldable feel of a wrap without bulky foam padding. I couldn’t find a third-party certification listed for the finished carrier, so I’m going by the materials here.

It buckles at the waist and ties at the shoulders, which makes it much faster to get on than a traditional wrap while still giving you that close, custom fit. The base adjusts as your baby grows, so you can use it from birth without an insert. Your baby always faces you in this one, so skip it if forward-facing is a must.

• Organic cotton and linen wrap fabric
• From birth, 7-33 lbs.
• Front, hip, and back carry (baby faces you)
• No infant insert needed
• Machine washable

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Didymos DidyKlick 4u Half Buckle

Best for: a certified organic carrier that grows to toddlerhood

This is my pick if you want a buckle carrier that’s certified organic. The DidyKlick is made from 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton woven wrap fabric. It buckles at the waist, and the shoulder straps are wrap fabric that you tie, so there’s no foam in the straps.

It adjusts from newborn all the way to toddler (about 7.5-44 lbs.) and works for front, hip, and back carries. The tied straps spread weight beautifully across your back, but they do take a little longer to put on than a fully buckled carrier. It’s an investment, but it’s one carrier for years.

• 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton
• About 7.5-44 lbs.
• Front, hip, and back carry
• Buckled waist, wrap-style tied shoulder straps

Soft-Structured Carriers

LILLEbaby Complete All Seasons Carrier

Best for: one versatile carrier for birth to toddler

The LILLEbaby Complete has it all! It can accommodate babies from 7 to 45 lbs. and doesn’t require an extra newborn insert, thanks to a built-in seat that folds in for newborns. You can use the carrier in six ergonomic carrying positions, and the straps can be worn backpack style or crossed.

The All Seasons version is made with a cotton outer fabric, plus a zip-down panel that opens to mesh when you’re warm. LILLEbaby used to make an organic version, but it’s no longer listed on their site. Like every soft-structured carrier, it has padding inside, so it won’t be 100% cotton, but it’s a reliable, comfortable carrier at a great price.

• 7-45 lbs., no infant insert needed
• Cotton outer fabric with zip-down mesh panel
• Six carrying positions
• Lumbar support

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Beco Gemini Organic Carrier

Best for: a simple organic carrier that’s easy to learn

Made with a certified organic cotton outer layer, the Beco Gemini is another good choice to consider. It has far less going on than the LILLEbaby – in a good way. It’s just a simple, effective baby carrier that gets the job done.

I used a Beco with my oldest and really liked it. It’s an excellent baby carrier, and actually very easy to use compared to some of the more involved carriers like the LILLE. (Nothing against the LILLE, but it does have a little bit of a learning curve.) The Beco is a great choice. And it also doesn’t require an infant insert to begin using it from birth, so that is a plus!

• Certified organic cotton outer layer
• 7-35 lbs.
• Carry options: front facing-in, front facing-out, hip, and back carry
• No infant insert needed
• Crossable shoulder straps

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Tula Explore Carrier

Best for: comfort and adorable prints

The Tula Explore comes in cotton and linen versions, and the linen is lovely and breathable for warmer months.

The Tula Explore is an ergonomically designed soft-structured carrier that allows front-inward, front-outward, and back carrying. It works from 7 to 45 lbs. with an adjustable seat and head support, so you can use it from birth. Known for being comfortable and easy to use, the Tula line has a huge and loyal following. Overall, the Tula is popular because it’s so comfortable, and there are so many beautiful designs to choose from.

• Cotton or linen outer fabric
• 7-45 lbs.
• Front inward, front outward, and back carry
• Adjustable seat and head support
• Machine wash

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Wildbird Aerial Carrier

Best for: a linen buckle carrier once your baby has outgrown the newborn stage

If you love Wildbird’s linen ring sling, the Aerial is their buckle carrier. The outer fabric is 100% European linen, with a polyester mesh lining and padded straps and waist belt. It isn’t OEKO-TEX certified, though, which is disappointing.

This one isn’t meant for newborns. Wildbird recommends it from about 2 months, up to 45 lbs., and it carries front-inward or on your back. It does not forward-face. If you want a breathable, natural-fiber buckle carrier for the long haul, it’s a beautiful option. I love mine and find it very comfortable!

• 100% linen outer, polyester mesh lining
• 7-45 lbs. (recommended from about 2 months)
• Front inward and back carry
• Caregiver sizes XS-XL
• Hand or machine wash cool, hang dry

Use code GENTLENURSERY10 to save → Shop Wildbird

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Ergobaby Omni Classic Carrier

Best for: one carrier from birth to toddlerhood

So many of you have asked me about Ergobaby, so here it is. The Omni Classic comes in a 100% cotton fabric (there is also a polyester mesh version, so check the listing before you order). Like every soft-structured carrier, there is padding inside that the brand doesn’t spell out, and I couldn’t find a third-party certification listed for this model.

What it does really well is comfort over the long haul. It has a wide padded waistband with lumbar support, which your back will thank you for once your baby hits 20 lbs. It also works from 7 lbs. with no infant insert and offers all four carry positions, so it’s a strong pick if you want to buy one carrier and be done. It’s bulkier than a wrap, so it won’t tuck into your diaper bag.

• 100% cotton option
• 7-45 lbs., no infant insert needed
• Four positions: front inward, front outward, hip, and back
• Determined hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute
• Machine washable

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Nuna CUDL Clik Carrier

Best for: moms who want a certified carrier with easy buckles

Nuna is one of the few gear brands that has made a real commitment to skipping added fire retardant chemicals, and that carries over to its carrier. The CUDL is made with OEKO-TEX certified fabric (mercerized cotton with a polyester mesh body), and it comes with two GOTS-certified organic cotton bibs. That’s a thoughtful touch, because the part of the carrier your baby will actually suck on is organic and easy to wash.

The magnetic buckles are the big selling point. They click together on their own, so you can fasten the carrier with one hand while you hold your baby with the other. The infant booster is built in, so there’s no separate insert to buy or keep track of. It is one of the most expensive carriers on this list, and it tops out at 35 lbs., so it won’t take you as far into toddlerhood as the LILLEbaby or Tula.

• OEKO-TEX certified fabric, no added fire retardants
• Two GOTS-certified organic cotton bibs included
• 8-35 lbs., built-in infant booster
• Four positions: newborn, facing in, facing out, and back
• Magnetic buckles

Choosing the right baby carrier for you

Several organic and low tox baby carriers are on the market, each with its pros and cons. Ultimately, choosing the best baby carrier for you comes down to your own needs and preferences.

Here are a few important things to look for and consider when choosing an organic baby carrier:

Head Support: Look for a carrier that provides good head support, especially for newborns.

Safety, Fit, and Comfort: Both you and your baby should be comfortable using the wrap. It should fit you well and hold your baby safely and securely. Your baby should feel secure and snug.

Adjustable: Do you prefer to have a carrier that can be used by multiple caregivers, or will you be the main babywearer in your household? Some carriers are sized to the wearer (like the Baby K’tan), while others can be shared with a few adjustments to the straps.

Fabric and Materials: Preferably, you should choose a wrap that is organic or easily washable, and one that doesn’t contain foam sprayed with flame retardants. When choosing organic fabrics, it’s best to have a third-party certification like GOTS or Oeko-Tex. A baby carrier that has breathable fabric is good for use in warmer climates or during summertime.

Available Positions: Consider whether the wrap allows your baby to face forward and to face you, and whether you can use the wrap to wear your baby on your back (if that’s important to you).

Newborn-Friendly: Some carriers require that you purchase a special newborn insert to allow you to use their carrier with a newborn. I’m not crazy about this because it requires you to spend extra money to use the wrap for the first few months. This is something to consider when shopping for baby carriers for newborns — do you mind spending the extra money on an insert that you’ll only use for a few months? Or would you prefer to skip the insert and instead buy a carrier that is more suitable in size to your newborn, and upgrade to a larger carrier later?

Longevity. Will you be able to use your newborn baby carrier long after your baby is a newborn? Do you plan to babywear until around age 1-1.5 – or do you plan to continue well into toddlerhood

Ergonomic Positioning. According to the Hip Dysplasia Institute, you should only use carriers that allow your baby to be carried in the spread-squat position to allow for natural hip development and prevent hip dysplasia. This means that your baby’s thighs must spread around your torso with their hips bent so their knees are higher than their butt, like the picture below. You’ll definitely want to choose an ergonomic baby carrier, for this reason. (All of the baby carriers listed below are ergonomic.)

Image used with permission by IDHI

More help with your non-toxic baby gear

If you’re building out the rest of your list, these will save you a lot of research:

• The Ultimate Crunchy Baby Registry: What You Really Need (and What to Skip)
• The Cleanest, Safest Strollers
• The Safest Non-Toxic Car Seats
• Where I Actually Shop for Non-Toxic Baby Gear
• 11 Genius Tips for Flying With a Baby (a carrier is the best thing you can bring to the airport!)
• 25 “Must-Have” Baby Products You’ll Totally Regret Buying

And if you want me to walk you through exactly what to register for (and what to skip), that’s what the Crunchy Baby Registry Bundle is for.

Did you find the perfect organic baby carrier for you? Let us know which one you ended up choosing in the comments below!