Gear

The Best Baby Slings So You Can Comfortably Wear Your Infant

And keep your hands free.

by Thelma Adams
Updated: 
Originally Published: 

Baby slings have been essential parenting gear for a few millennia, at least, and there are many good reasons this simple, perfectly engineered piece of baby-carrying technology has survived generations of other innovation. The best baby sling carrier or wrap — whether it’s designed for a newborn or a toddler — helps you bond with your baby, while keeping your hands free to do other things around the house or out in the world.

When using a sling, use your common sense and practice a few times to avoid common mistakes, says expert Dr. Benjamin D. Hoffman, the chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Injury, Violence and Poison Prevention.

“With slings, the head can be completely obscured by the sling and unfortunately horrible things can happen. Be very conscious of the airway and head and neck,” he says.

The advantage of the sling is many – they’re super-easy to clean and don’t take an engineering degree to strap on. Also, the proximity to dad keeps the baby secure while pop’s rocking walk can soothe the most colicky of kids. Besides its convenience, baby-wearing promotes intimacy between papa and child. And, it’s flexible: A dad can carry the infant in a variety of positions, nestling close to the neck, belly to belly with the baby upright, the cradle carry with the baby semi-upright or, for older kids, off the hip. Plus, it easily fits into a diaper bag. Before you buy a sling, think about how long you plan on using it, because a sling provides minimal structural support. And that can be an issue once your baby becomes mobile, and heavy.

Baby Sling Carrier by Boba

This sling is easy to tie, and is a blend of cotton and spandex, so it doesn't sag or lose its shape. Like other slings, it's good for newborns up to kids weighing 35 pounds. The belt-and-buckle-free bestselling Boba comes in 10 colors including basic black for those formal baby occasions. The one-size-fits all makes this a no-brainer for dads and it comes with simple instructions to safely tuck in that bouncing baby until you hear those sweet snoring snuffles. Babies love it.

$44.99
Original Baby Wrap Carrier by Baby K'tan

Here's the standout thing about this carrier wrap: No more wrapping. You just slide it on like a T-shirt, and it's individually sized XXS to XL so you always get a great fit. It supports babies from 8-35 pounds. You can choose between front, outward and hip carry positions.

$50
Orion Baby Sling by Solly Baby

If you are fanatical about sourcing your products (and we salute you for that), consider Solly Baby. The wrap is made from Lenzing modal, from the pulp of Austrian beechwood trees, and each wrap is sewn in Los Angeles; the brand was founded by a mom of four and named after her son. The wrap itself is one long piece of soft fabric, and fits babies weighing up to 25 pounds. No bucks or snaps here at all. You wrap it and tie it.

$65

Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This article was originally published on