Buckle carriers
Baby’s age/weight
The table below shows from when and until when you can use each type (if you click on the carrier’s icon, you’ll jump to its information so you can take a closer look).
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| From the very first day (2 kg) |  |
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| Newborns from 3.2 kg | |
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| Newborns from 3.5 kg | |
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| Babies over 5.4 kg | |
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| Babies over 6 months | |
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| Up to 18 months (11-12 kg) | |
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| Up to 3 years (16 kg) | |
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| Up to 4-5 years (20 kg) | |
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Positions
The table below shows the positions each carrier supports (if you click on the carrier’s icon, you’ll jump to its information so you can take a closer look).
Note about the position where the baby is facing outward: See here why this position is NOT necessary for the baby to see, nor is it recommended for long periods.
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| Nursing (baby in an upright position) | |
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| Baby lying down for nursing | |||||||
| Baby facing outward | |
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| On the hip | |
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| On the back | |
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Of all the buckle carriers, the Embrace has some particularities:
– It is worn only with the straps crossed on your back, so you buckle them while putting it on (just like the mei tai, it’s the same process). The other buckle carriers are worn with the straps already buckled in place.
– It has a smaller age/weight range than the others (it goes up to 11.3 kg, whereas most other carriers go up to 20 kg).
– It is made of stretchy fabric (so it is very newborn friendly, but for that reason it is no longer very comfortable after about one year of age).
– It cannot be worn on the back.
The Minimonkey is mostly worn in the same way. The whole point of this carrier is exactly that – to be lightweight; it has no padding on the waistband and no padding on the straps, which is why it may not be as comfortable with very heavy children.
The Omni does it all – it’s for all ages and all positions and has various extras, e.g. many pockets, a hood, etc.
The other carriers (Adapt, Luna Dream, Kinder Hop) don’t have the position where the baby faces outward (although it’s not at all necessary for the baby to see – the baby can see very comfortably from all the carriers). There are no major differences among them, as you’ll see in the little videos below.
The Ergobaby Embrace, Adapt and Omni are for babies from 3.2 kg, the Luna Dream and Kinder Hop are from 3.5 kg, the Away from 5.4 kg, and the Basic ones from 6 months.
| Price: | From 134 to 143 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From 3.5 to 20 kg |
| Positions: | Front, on the hip, nursing, on the back, |
| Notes: | Support on both shoulders, easy and quick to put on once you’ve adjusted it, fastens with buckles, adjusted with drawstrings, almost impossible to get wrong |
| Price: | From 143 to 191 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From 3.5 to 20 kg |
| Positions: | Front, on the hip, nursing, on the back |
| Notes: | Support on both shoulders, easy and quick to put on once you’ve adjusted it, fastens with buckles, can be adjusted even while you’re wearing it, almost impossible to get wrong |
They differ mainly in how their waistband and fabric are. The Luna has a waistband that is thin and soft (it’s the least reinforced one). The Kinder Hop is more structured at the waistband – it’s thin without a bulky pad, but firmer. Whether someone chooses a soft or a firm waistband is purely a matter of personal preference.
There are also differences in the adjustment, but this isn’t something you do every time you wear it – only when the baby grows. (That is, you’ll set these up once at the beginning, to make the carrier fit the baby. After that it’s ready to go.) The Luna has drawstrings, the Kinder Hop velcro. These aren’t in weight-bearing spots – they’re only for adjusting the carrier to the baby. Normally this is NOT a deciding factor, because we’re essentially talking about something you’ll do e.g. once every 3-4 months, but you can watch the video again to see the waistbands.
| Price: | 99.90 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From 3.2 to 11.3 kg |
| Positions: | Front, nursing, baby facing outward |
| Notes: | The coziest one, ideal for small babies, support on both shoulders, easy to put on, fastens with buckles, almost impossible to get wrong |
The only buckle carrier suitable from birth; it adjusts almost automatically, even for a very small baby. It’s made of perforated, breathable fabric, super lightweight, and can even go in the water (sea or pool) – it doesn’t absorb water and dries instantly.
| Price: | 129.90 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From birth to 15 kg |
| Positions: | Front, nursing, on the back, on the hip |
| Notes: | Super lightweight and cool, dries instantly, can go in the water, adjusts almost automatically to the baby, the only buckle carrier suitable from birth, support on both shoulders, easy to put on, fastens with buckles, almost impossible to get wrong |
| Price: | 179.90 or 199.90 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From 3.2 to 20.4 kg |
| Positions: | Front, nursing, on the back, on the hip, baby facing outward |
| Notes: | Various fabric options (including mesh), support on both shoulders, easy and quick to put on, fastens with buckles, almost impossible to get wrong |
The carriers in this category are not suitable for newborns. They are for babies from 6 months and up because they don’t get smaller. They are the most budget-friendly option for an ergonomic buckle carrier, and they are incredibly easy to put on!
| Price: | From 79 to 85 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From 6 months to 20 kg |
| Positions: | Front, nursing, on the back, |
| Notes: | Support on both shoulders, easy and quick to put on, fixed size, very simple, fastens with buckles, almost impossible to get wrong, the budget-friendly buckle option |
| Price: | 129.90 euros |
| Baby’s age: | From 5.4 to 15.9 kg |
| Positions: | Front, nursing, on the back |
| Notes: | Super lightweight and minimal, folds up like a little pouch so you can always keep it with you, support on both shoulders, easy and quick to put on, fastens with buckles, almost impossible to get wrong |
You’re right! They look almost identical to you, because they ARE very similar!
Watch the video to see what parents who tried several different types of carriers have to say.
See what they say? “They’re all comfortable, I can’t find any differences, I don’t know which one to choose”! “I can’t tell the differences”
Almost everyone who tries them says the same thing!
If you want to see all the buckle carriers together so you can choose based on the design, click here: Buckle carriers
If your baby is under 3.200 kg, the buckle carriers aren’t suitable for you. You can take a look at an Asteraki Mei tai, which is for babies from the very first day.
If your baby already has the minimum weight for each type, then your baby will be perfectly supported in these carriers. In the little videos above, as well as in the nursing videos, all the babies are newborns! (Note: During the first 2 weeks after birth there are still weight fluctuations, so it’s best to judge whether the baby has the minimum weight on day 14 after birth.)
In the photos below, all the babies are also newborns:
Watch the video of a very small baby (and how perfect its support and ergonomic position are):
Whatever you choose, we’ll send you instructions on how to adjust it and make it smaller so you can wear it with a newborn. All the carriers above that have a star for newborns in the age table can be adjusted at their base and their height.