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Start with the carrier you already have. Look up its maximum weight and its carry positions in the manual. Some carriers sold for babies stop at 30 to 35 lb or only carry on the front, while others go up to 45 lb with a back carry. If yours still fits your toddler and you mostly need it for long walks, you may not need anything new. If your toddler is close to the limit, or the real problem is constant ups and downs, that's when a different carrier earns its place.
Step 1: Check your carrier's limits
| Carrier | Weight range | Positions |
|---|---|---|
| BabyBjörn Baby Carrier Hold | 7 to 30 lb (3.2 to 13.5 kg), about 18 months | Front only |
| Ergobaby Omni Lite | 7 to 35 lb (3.2 to 15.9 kg), about 24 months | Front, facing in |
| Ergobaby Omni Classic Mesh | 7 to 45 lb (3.2 to 20.4 kg) | Front in, front out (to about 30 lb), hip, back |
| Ergobaby Alta Hip Seat | 12 to 45 lb (5.5 to 20.4 kg) | Front, back, or hip seat on its own |
| Ergobaby Lift Hip Seat | 17 to 45 lb (7.7 to 20.4 kg) | Front in, front out, hip; keep a hand on your child |
| Ergobaby Upsie Sling | 17 to 45 lb (7.7 to 20.4 kg) | Front, facing in, and hip; keep a hand on your child |
Some other soft-structured carriers top out in the same range, around 33 lb. Whatever you have, the manual's limit is the one that counts, and outward-facing can have a lower limit than the carrier overall (on the Omni Classic, about 30 lb).
Step 2: Match the next carrier to the job
Toddlers get carried in three quite different ways, and each suits a different type of carrier.
| Full buckle carrier | Hip seat | Sling | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Long walks, days out, naps on the go | Frequent pick-ups on errands and at school drop-off | Quick carries when your toddler mostly walks |
| Hands-free? | Yes | No, one arm stays on your child (Alta can add a back panel) | No, keep a hand on your child |
| Back carry | Yes, on most | Alta, with its panel | No |
Long carries: a full buckle carrier with a back carry
A back carry keeps a heavier toddler out of your line of sight and leaves your front free. The Ergobaby Omni Classic Mesh ($233.99) carries on the hip or back from 17.2 lb up to 45 lb. If you already own it, it may last you well into the toddler years.
Quick ups and downs: a hip seat
A hip seat is a padded waist belt with a shelf your toddler sits on, so there's less strain on your arms and back. It's quick to use, but it isn't hands-free.
- Ergobaby Lift ($98.99): hip seat only, from 17 lb.
- Ergobaby Alta ($168.99): a hip seat with a removable back panel, so it also works as a hands-free carrier for front and back carries. Includes a hood.
Our guide to the Ergobaby Lift covers it in more detail.
Mostly walking: a sling
The Ergobaby Upsie Sling ($78.99) is a padded strap with a wide seat that packs down small enough for a diaper bag. It's for short carries only, facing in or on the hip. We compare it with the Alta in Alta Hip Seat vs Upsie Sling.
Hikes and trails: a framed backpack carrier
For longer trails, a backpack carrier with a frame and a storage compartment is a separate tool. Our guide to hiking carriers vs everyday carriers explains when it's worth it.
Prices are in CAD and were current when we wrote this.
Safety basics that still apply to toddlers
- Stay within the weight range for each position, not just the carrier's maximum.
- Keep your child's face visible and their nose and mouth clear.
- Don't let them sleep facing outward. Ergobaby says this for all its outward-facing carries.
- Keep an arm on your child in a hip seat or sling. They're carry helpers, not hands-free carriers.
Carrying in winter
Don't zip your coat closed over your child in the carrier. Health Canada warns that a coat done up over a baby in a carrier can lead to overheating and suffocation. A cover that attaches to the carrier keeps the wind off and your child's face in view. The BabyBjörn Winter Cover ($139.95) fits BabyBjörn carriers up to about two years. Our guide to carrier covers vs babywearing coats explains how to choose.
The best test is trying a carrier with your own toddler in it. Call our Richmond, Burnaby or Ottawa store ahead of your visit and we'll let you know which carriers we have to try on.
