The Best Infant Carrier for Newborns
Baby Tula offers options to wear children from 7 to 70lbs! Our carriers make it possible to carry children comfortably as long as you both need it. Most people find Tula in the infant stage, though, where there is quite a bit to choose from. So, what is the best baby carrier for newborns? Let’s take a look.
What to Look for in a Baby Carrier
Your newborn carrier should support the natural position that a baby assumes when held close to your body, offering a snug and secure environment that mimics the warmth and comfort of your arms. When choosing a newborn carrier, here are some things to look for:
Natural, Ergonomic Positioning: A newborn naturally rests on a caregiver’s chest with a rounded spine, tucked pelvis, and knees slightly higher than their bottom. The carrier you choose should support this instinctive positioning because it’s crucial for your baby’s safety and comfort.
Proper Torso Support: Make sure the carrier prevents your baby from slumping, especially in the torso, to maintain an open airway and prevent the chin-to-chest position, which can restrict breathing.
Effortless Leg Positioning: A high-quality newborn carrier should naturally facilitate a “legs out” position without complex adjustments so your baby’s legs remain comfortable and free from pressure, while you stay hands-free and confident.
Honoring Baby’s Natural Posture: Look for a carrier that respects and honors your baby’s innate posture, supporting their body just as your arms would. This makes both carrying and bonding easier and safer for you and your baby.
The best newborn baby carrier will deliver on these essential features, giving you peace of mind and the freedom to focus on enjoying these precious early moments with your little one.
Baby Carrier vs Baby Wrap
When choosing between baby carriers and baby wraps, it helps to understand the unique benefits each option offers. Both carriers and wraps are great choices for keeping your baby close, but they differ in structure, ease of use, and versatility, which can make one option more appealing depending on your lifestyle and preferences.
Baby Carriers
Soft structured baby carriers are more (you guessed it) structured and come with built-in support and padding, making them easy to put on and adjust. They often have features like adjustable straps, buckles, and ergonomic designs that support both baby and parent.
- Ease of Use: Baby carriers are typically quicker to put on and take off, which can be a big advantage for busy parents or for quick outings.
- Structured Support: The design naturally supports baby’s spine and hips, helping to ensure a safe and ergonomic position. This can be especially comforting for parents who want clear, structured support.
- Versatility and Longevity: Many carriers are adjustable and can be used as your baby grows, making them a long-term investment that can work for both newborns and older babies.
- Weight Distribution: Carriers often come with padded straps and lumbar support, which can make carrying a bit easier on your back and shoulders, especially as your baby grows.
Baby Wraps
Baby wraps are long pieces of fabric that you wrap and tie around yourself to create a snug, custom fit for your baby. They offer a more flexible and intimate babywearing experience, with a cozy, womb-like feel that many newborns find calming.
- Custom Fit: Wraps are incredibly versatile and can be tied in various ways to achieve a comfortable, personalized fit that conforms to both your body and your baby’s size and shape.
- Close and Cozy Feel: Wraps provide a snug and secure feel, which is especially soothing for newborns who thrive on closeness and warmth, mimicking the feeling of being held.
- Minimal Hardware: Without buckles or padding, wraps are soft and lightweight, making them ideal for skin-to-skin bonding and close contact with your baby.
- Portable and Compact: Wraps are easy to fold up and carry in a diaper bag, making them a convenient choice for on-the-go parents.
Why Parents Might Choose One Over the Other (or Both)
- Lifestyle and Daily Routine: If you're frequently on the move and need something quick and easy, a structured carrier might be more practical. For parents who prefer a cozy, at-home bonding experience, a wrap can feel especially nurturing.
- Baby's Age and Size: Some parents find wraps ideal for the newborn stage, as they provide an extra-snug fit. Carriers, with their adjustable features, might feel more secure as your baby grows.
- Comfort and Support Needs: For parents who want more back support or who plan to wear their baby for longer periods, a carrier’s structured design may be more comfortable.
- Bonding and Flexibility: Many parents enjoy the flexibility of having both a carrier and a wrap. A wrap can offer a close, cozy experience at home, while a carrier can provide more structured support for outings.
Ultimately, both carriers and wraps offer wonderful benefits, and many parents find value in having both options available to suit different moments and needs in their day-to-day lives.
Here are Baby Tula's options for newborn wearing:
Free-To-Grow Baby Carrier
- 7-45 lbs
- 2 Carry Positions: Front inward carry + back carry
- Variety of Fabrics: Cotton, Hemp, Linen, Signature
The Free-To-Grow is our very first infant buckle carrier not to need an infant insert. It is fully adjustable in both height and width to support a newborn baby starting at 7lbs. Our community loves the simplicity of this carrier and how the single layer of fabric on your baby feels close to the experience of a woven wrap or sling. This carrier is intuitive to use and has a streamlined, minimalist look to it. When baby is older and ready, you can also use this carrier for back carrying.
Explore Baby Carrier
- 7-45 lbs
- Three Carry Positions: Front inward carry, front outward carry, back carry
- Variety of Fabrics: Cotton, Hemp, Linen, Signature
The Tula Explore is our first carrier to offer a world-facing position! This feature will not impact your newborn wearing experience as that stage comes later. The Explore is one of the best carriers for small newborn because it is fully adjustable in width and height and can also accommodate a newborn starting at 7lbs. Explore features an innovative body panel with smooth moldable padding to help support all carrying positions. It also offers a moveable support pillow for newborns with little to no head or neck control. After the newborn stage, you can use this carrier for baby to face out or for a back carry.
Tula Explore vs Free to Grow Comparison
Ring Sling
- 8-35lbs
- Three Carry Positions: Front inward carry, hip carry, back carry
- Fabric: Woven
A Tula Signature ring sling goes through the ages and stages of babywearing so well. For your newborn, you will wear them in a heart-to-heart position. As they grow and want a different view, they can easily move over to a hip carry. Ring slings adjust to fit your baby's exact size and offer a little more liberty with where baby is placed on your chest since there is no waistband or shoulder straps. Our community loves the simplicity that a ring sling offers in terms of feeding/nursing. In addition to an upright position, you may try a semi-reclined position (while baby is actively swallowing only) to mimic an in-arms cradle hold. Ring slings are also a favorite in warm climates. With just one layer of fabric, it may help with feeling overly warm too. Learn how to use a ring sling.
Stretchy Baby Wrap
- 8-25 lbs
- One Carry Positions: Front inward carry
- Fabric: TENCEL
Our baby wraps are crafted from luxuriously soft, sustainable TENCEL fabric that feels gentle against your baby’s skin and incredibly comfortable for parents. Designed with both style and function in mind, this wrap provides a snug, secure fit that’s especially supportive during the postpartum period when comfort and ease are essential. TENCEL’s natural breathability and moisture-wicking qualities keep both parent and baby cool and cozy, making it ideal for hours of skin-to-skin bonding or hands-free carrying around the home. For new parents seeking a wrap that’s easy to use, soft as a hug, and gentle on sensitive skin, the Tencel baby wrap offers the perfect blend of comfort, support, and sustainability.
Overall, it’s safe to remember that the best carrier for newborns is a carrier that supports their body in an ergonomic position. All of the newborn carrier options above will do that! Every carrier is an option that is #distinctlyyou and will fit your unique lifestyle.