The best babywearing slings and wraps: Tried and tested for comfort and safety

Not only does this wrap come with an impressive 10-year guarantee, making it great for baby no one, two, and three, but it's been designed to make parents life as easy as possible. It's lightweight and breathable, making it perfect for summer walks or travelling. It's also petite and plus-size friendly and has an integrated pocket where you can store the wrap when it is not in use. Our mum tester said, "I really love this baby wrap! I have been using a baby carrier, but as my daughter is only 8 weeks old, it feels a bit big for her. I love how the wrap helped her to feel snug and secure, and brought her closer to me, which is definitely more helpful in those early few months. It feels really nice, and it's comfortable to wear too" 

The main challenge parents seem to face with this baby carrier is learning to tie it properly, with some mums also complaining that the fabric has too much stretch. Mum, Tashina laughs and says she felt a little overwhelmed at first with how long the wrap is, but after watching the instructional video and after a couple of practices, she says she got the hang of it and felt her baby was completely safe and secure when wearing it. She adds that while it may seem like a lot of rope at first, you'll soon see that you need all of it to safely secure your baby.

Overall the wrap is praised for being comfortable and well-made. One reviewer shared that it was extra important for her that the wrap was soft and durable as she broke her back a couple of years ago. She approves of the Ergobaby Aura baby carrier for being much more comfortable than other bulky carriers. The non-buckle design makes this carrier a comfortable fuss-free option for travelling and moving about with your baby.

The RYLOOBABY Sling was awarded Silver for Best Baby Carrier/ Sling or Back Carrier at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

The RYLOOBABY Sling offers little ones a safe, comfy and calming space with good airflow to keep them cool. Made from durable materials – 95 per cent cotton and 5 per cent spandex, the sling is practical as well as comfortable, making it something you'll love using every day to bond with your baby. Our dad tester, Tim Ferid, describes the material of the slings as "incredibly soft", and he thought the packaging was lovely; "a cute touch when receiving the wrap". He also said the baby sling is "lightweight and all rolls up into a small bag for easy transport." Tim recommends this baby sling due to how user-friendly it is and how comfortable he said it felt for both him and Otis, his son.  

As for mum, we think you'll love the grey-green colour, it's a soft neutral that'll go with anything you have in your wardrobe, and being a one-size-fits-all, all mums can wear it. It might be a bit confusing to wear at first, but baby slings can be like that. You'll find the clear pictorial instructions useful, which Tim found easy to follow, not to mention the video link if you really do find yourself tangled up! Our mum tester, who had never used a wrap sling before, also found it easy to follow the instructions.

She goes on to express how much she loved the material of this wrap, describing it as thick, soft and luxurious. The comfort factor of this product was also tested against the mum's c-section scar that wasn't healing. She found that everything rubbed, but the soft material of the Ryloobaby Sling genuinely helped to keep discomfort at bay. In reviews, mums also love this sling for relieving back and shoulder pain. Indeed, the sling is described as a “hip-healthy” product by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI).

The versatility of the Ryloobaby Sling is what reviewers appreciate most, not just allowing for different carrying positions - front and back, but also being suitable for newborns. Many mums commented on how they enjoy being close to little ones and experience that sense of connection while remaining hands-free to get on with everyday life chores and activities. Our mum tester describes how this has minimised stress for her so that she can carry on as normal, whilst attending to her newborn baby's needs too.

Read our full RYLOOBABY Sling review.

Winner of the 2020 Gold Best Baby Carrier/Sling Mother&Baby Award.

The FreeRider Eucalyptus Baby carrier wrap is the ideal everyday woven wrap, made from eco-friendly eucalyptus. The silky soft, breathable and flexible fabric provides comfort for you and your little one, keeping them with you safe and secure throughout the day. This one-size-fits-all wrap carries up to 35 lbs, and the hands-free design encourages you to stay active while still maintaining closeness to your bubba for the ultimate bonding experience. Our mum tester Nicola recommends it, sharing that her baby enjoyed being in the wrap, and she felt much closer to her little one than with her previous bulky carrier.

The product has mixed reviews on the John Lewis website, with some criticism relating to its length, so this product may be more suited to petite parents. The stretchiness of the fabric has also been challenged, with one reviewer describing it as too stretchy and slippery and claiming that this affected its functionality. The manufacturer points out in response to the review that the Tencel fabric has been selected for its one-way stretch properties, as opposed to the other two-way fabrics more commonly used on the market. They assure that the fabric has been tested to the highest of safety standards as well as being a Which Best Buy, which comes with external safety testing too, and advise following instructions carefully to avoid any slippage. Our mum tester, Samantha, describes the instructional videos as spot-on! She appreciates the simple 5-step process and assures that there's no faffing around with having to measure one and a half arms in fabric.

Described as stylish, lightweight and easy to keep with you, our tester Lindsey loves the little pouch it comes with to keep it clean while it's in her nappy changing bag. It's also described by parents as being very soft on the skin and easy to clean, which our tester Nicola confirms, saying that when she washed the FreeRider, it came out well. Note that it may need to be ironed after washing, but we think that you may be able to get away with the eucalyptus pattern design. We'll leave that up to you to decide!

The Monlo design version was shortlisted for the 2021 Best Baby Carrier/sling Mother&Baby Awards, too!

Read our full FreeRider Eucalyptus Baby Carrier Wrap review

The Dreamgenii Snuggleroo Baby Carrier was awarded Bronze for Best Baby Carrier/ Sling or Back Carrier at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023.

For that close feeling with your baby, the Dreamgenii Snuggleroo is the one you want! The soft baby sling made from all cotton material, was confirmed by our six parent testers to be lightweight and comfy to wear! This sling doesn't require any straps or buckles but still keeps your baby feeling secure against your body. Our mum tester Georgia particularly enjoys the way the material envelopes her and baby together with a gentle material – and with no direct pressure, she says your body and shoulders are able to take the pressure over a large area. Our dad tester Tim didn't think it was the softest he had tried though. The absence of buckles and straps does mean it's easier to use, as Tim said "Fiddly to get on. After a few wears, you begin to get used to it, but good to have an extra pair of hands to help you to begin with." Georgia points out, you won't be left with sore shoulders or strap marks where the sling has been.

Other testers did mention that the instructions were a bit complicated to follow and rely heavily on photos rather than detailed explanations. Some may love the visual aid, keep this in mind if you prefer written instructions or better yet, find Dreamgenii on their YouTube channel where they provide an easy-to-follow guide.

The wrap can only be used up until 12 months of age, but mums seem to love it for the newborn stage, with one reviewer describing the wrap as 'life-changing' for allowing hands-free cuddling with her baby. The wrap offers plenty of versatility with different carrying positions. One tester shared they loved how high and close it held the baby to her, so she felt reassured at all times. Dad tester Tim said, "This has an additional piece of fabric that is meant to make the baby feel more cosy to you; yes, it works, but it is a bit of a faff."

Read our full Dreamgenii® Snuggleroo review

The Izmi Baby Wrap was awarded bronze for best baby carrier/sling at the 2021 Mother&Baby Awards.

The supportive, super-soft Izmi Bamboo Baby Wrap is cleverly designed to distribute your little one's weight evenly, reducing unwanted pressure on your back and keeping them comfortable. It has two hands-free carrying positions, including parent-facing front carry and side carry. You'll be reassured to know, too, that the soft two-way stretch bamboo material hugs your baby's shape in a snug and supportive hip healthy position, as recognised by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI). You can also use it for breastfeeding support making it a versatile choice for your day-to-day life. Our mum tester, Carys Lewis, didn't use it for breastfeeding due to the fact her baby was a bit too big to get the positioning right, but she saw how it could be a big benefit to use for younger and smaller babies.  

Parents love this wrap for its cosy support. Our mum tester, Emily Hentley, describes hers as absolutely amazing, as it feels likes giving your newborn a cuddle. The straps can be spread over your shoulders for comfort, at the same time offer stabilising head support for your newborn, ensuring they are secure yet unrestricted and able to suck their hands and rub their face if needed. Emily loves the fact that the sling holds her little one right in tight so that both she and her baby can be comfy. She says her little boy is happy and settled whenever he is in it, and that it has made life so much easier when dealing simultaneously with her newborn, toddler and little girl. Mum tester Clotilde Kingsley also points out how useful and comforting it has been to keep little one close when feeling unwell and during teething. Our dad tester, Tim Ferid, points out that the sling would be suitable for a parent of any size. He thought it was incredibly soft and describes it as a "standard wrap, nothing special about it. If it were on offer and I did not have a wrap, I would pick it up just to have it available. "

Another reviewer found the wrap to be indispensable for daily use with her 9-week-old, also highlighting its versatility in accommodating different body sizes. When it comes to different-sized tots, some say that the wrap can be quickly outgrown. Our mum tester Carys pointed out that there is a limited timeframe on how long the wrap can be used. However, the wrap is designed to fit around your growing baby from 2.3kg-9kg and is, therefore, a great choice for anyone who has had a premature baby. Mum tester and foster carer Paula McGir says this wrap has been perfect for her as she has cared for a lot of premature babies and tiny babies and felt perfectly safe enough to take her hands away, as the wrap is even more supportive than she initially thought it would be.

Read our full Izmi Baby Wrap review

Shortlisted for the 2022 Mother&Baby Awards Best Baby Carrier/Sling

This ergonomic cotton-blend Koala Babycare Baby Sling is easy to put on with side loops that allow you to adjust the width according to your build and the age of your little bundle of joy. The breathable, ergonomic backrest feature of this wrap is an added bonus to the product. One reviewer, a mother with chronic pain, was very happy with the product for her own specific needs as someone who prioritises ease of use due to fibromyalgia. Our mum tester Sarah, however, felt the wrap didn't grow with the baby and weighed her down and hurt her back as her baby got bigger.

Sarah said she'd still recommend the product as it was very easy to use and very comfortable but pointed out that it did get a bit hot for both her and baby at times in the hot weather, whereas another of our mum testers Emma found the material to be very breathable and says her baby doesn't get sweaty. Despite this, Emma recommends the sling to everyone she knows who has a baby and praises it for being so lightweight and easy to put the baby in without dropping them. Plus, there are no buckles and it's very stylish compared to many others on the market.

Another of our mum testers Katherine, agrees that things are definitely made easier as the carrier is already part 'tied' with the use of the rings, but she says the need to put a second wrap-around part over the top takes away from this advantage and actually makes the product look unattractive and impractical to use, in her opinion. We'll let you decide on that one though!

Read our full Koala Babycare Sling review

If you liked the sound of the original, you'll love the updated and improved version of the Koala Cuddle Band! They've made some great changes, including a new premium material fabric made from 97 per cent organic cotton and three per cent elastane, making the baby carrier even more breathable for little ones and even cooler to wear. The dimensions of the band have been slightly increased to support even heavier babies, with the maximum weight supported at 15 kg (compared to 9 kg in the previous version). Hems have also been improved to provide better support without discomforting the child.

Mother & Baby Deputy Digital Editor, Stephanie Spencer was sent the Cuddle Band and Cuddle Band 2 to compare. She shares her thoughts, saying; "Though I like that the Cuddle Band comes with a bag, the Cuddle Band 2 has softer fabric and a larger back support area, which my husband particularly found more comfortable than the Cuddle Band."

Stephanie also liked the versatility of the design, although she did find it a bit confusing at first, saying she hadn't expected it to come in two parts, so while you can pop it over your head like a T-shirt, she says there's a certain amount of figuring out the rest of the process.

Stephanie mentions that the video helped to shed some light: "While I was thrown by the two parts at first," she says, "once I'd had a look at the videos I saw that you don't have to use the additional support belt, and you can just use the Cuddle Band as a simple sling, the band is there for extra back support when needed. This made much more sense."

The included instruction manual was quite difficult for Stephanie to follow. She found the images to be too small and thought they could have been explained more clearly. However, she points out that there are also QR links to the demonstration videos, which she found much easier to understand. Finally, Stephanie mentioned that the support band also has a pocket, which she found useful for small items, such as a dummy.

The Boba Bliss Baby Carrier was awarded Bronze for Best Baby Carrier/ Sling or Back Carrier at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

Designed to carry them from birth to 18 months (7-35 lbs), the Boba Bliss provides a soothing environment to keep baby content and connected to you. The baby carrier is easy to use with no complicated tying needed, making it a practical accessory that you'll grow to depend on. What's more, it is certified Hip Healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, distributing weight evenly to relieve back pressure but still maintaining stretchiness for complete comfort. It's suitable for petite or plus-size mums and dads and the perfect hands-free solution for carrying your little bubba everywhere.

Admittedly, the multiple-strap system may seem confusing at first, but our mum tester who switched from previously using a stretchy wrap for her newborn with a more structured carrier ready for when her son was a bit bigger, says that it was super simple to put on and that both her and her husband are much more confident using it than the wrap they had. They say their son feels snug and safe and happily sleeps for long periods. Other parents who have experienced some difficulty getting set up have emphasised that it's worth the effort for the freedom and convenience it offers.

The wrap is praised for its soft and stretchy material, and parents express in reviews that it provides ample support for both parent and baby. The versatility allows for various positions, making it suitable for different situations, whether that's daily chores or outings. Our mum tester agrees that the product has really helped with her daily tasks alongside being a mum. She loves being able to do things she couldn't before if she was by herself, such as washing up, hanging out the washing, and lots more.

Read our full Boba Bliss Baby Carrier review.

This sling is a bit different from the others in this list, as it is sized, rather than a one-size-fits-all design, available in sizes XXS-XL. So while it's easy to use in different positions and for different ages, the only drawback is that you can't share it with your partner if they're a different body size to you. While this sling is great because it offers specific sizing, mums have expressed different experiences when it comes to getting the right fit. Some say it comes up small, whereas one reviewer advises to listen carefully to the sizing guides. They said that they're a UK size 10 and got the 8-10 size which is perfect, insisting - don't go over your dress size.

The Baby K'tan baby carrier is quick and easy to wear with a simple design - no rings, belts, buckles or excess fabric. Sleep-deprived mums who can't cope with figuring out how to get untangled from a complicated wrap system will love the fact that this baby carrier can be put on in 30 seconds, as described by one reviewer who says it was exactly what she was looking for, and another who describes the instructions are completely idiot-proof. Just slip the baby sling over your head like a t-shirt, and you're good to go.

We also love the fact that the carrier offers five positions, making it super versatile and allowing it to grow with your child. You can use it with newborn and premature babies in a sling wrap style that supports your best position for breastfeeding, and infants all the way up to 35lbs using the carrier’s natural seated position, which is approved hip healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

The We Made Me Flow Wrap was shortlisted for the 2016 M&B Award for best baby carrier/sling.

This is a multi-use wrap sling that works when your little one is a baby and later when they get to the toddler stage. You can only carry the baby in one position with the Diono We Made Me Flow Baby Carrier, but with a well-distributed weight that is even across the back and shoulders. It's highly recommended for newborns and for mums after a C-section.

We put it to the test and share what our mum testers thought about the sling in our in-depth review below. Parents seem to love the breathability of the material. Our mum tester, Sarah Panter, points out that wearing a baby can be warm for both mother and child, so breathable material is a must. Mum tester Catherine Strange agrees it has much cooler fabric than most other baby wraps, but points out that while the material makes the wrap cooler than other wraps, it also makes it a little slippy and hard to put on. Sarah adds that the mesh material isn't as comfortable as some other cotton wraps, however, it felt secure and baby was happy.

Sarah would have preferred a smaller size, especially for petite mums. She says that having different lengths of the wrap would be a bonus as it might save a lot of excess material that you have to tie up around your waist (or leave hanging). Being shorter in height, Catherine also felt that the sling was a little bit too wide for her and would have preferred there to be a few different width options.

Our mum tester, Anneli Kitson, would have liked to make the fabric a little bit more stretchy, just to help with getting baby in and out more comfortably as she found the straps around her waist bunched up and tightened to an uncomfortable level. She also commented that she thought the price was a little steep considering the product is essentially one long piece of fabric in a fancy tube. It was also felt that the instructions are a bit long-winded, but one tester pointed out that the name on the front does help to get the sling in the right position. Mum tester Catherine Strange, on the other hand, says the product has clear step-by-step instructions, and she enjoyed the fun diagrams on how to use a wrap.

Read our full We Made Me Wuti Wrap review

This carrier won the 2017 Silver Best Baby Carrier/Sling and 2015 Gold Best Baby Carrier/Sling in the M&B Awards.

Caboo + Organic is a sling with good support. It's designed to provide more structure and allows you to carry your baby in five different positions, including nursing/cradle and forward-facing. This makes it great value for money, working well for breastfeeding and suitable for use with babies and toddlers too. Our mum tester Hazel Newhouse says the only downside is that you can’t use it for back-carrying babies, although it’s suitable for hip carrying as they get older.

Parents seem to love how easy it is to use and adjust the sling, making it super comfortable even for heavier babies due to the wide shoulder straps that distribute the baby’s weight more evenly. Hazel describes the sling as 'amazing' and agrees it's super-comfortable on her back and shoulders, even for long periods, and so light and easy to use.

Mum tester Louise Goodman says that she thinks it's especially good for younger babies as it almost swaddles them, so it gives the feeling of security in the beginning, but she doesn't feel it would be as supportive for a heavier baby as the extra piece of fabric doesn't seem to do much, she says. Mum tester Helen Grimley points out that it's also weight tested to a low weight, which was great for her with a premature baby.

Read our full Caboo +Organic Sling review

Featuring a perfect balance between lightweight construction and safety, this super soft carrier by Caboo is ideal for warm climates, thanks to the minimalist fabric and breathable materials. It supports the baby well, and the anchored cross frame is kind to the wearer's back and shoulders too.