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Finding a baby carrier that’s comfortable for both you and your child is a priority. If you’re on the small side, you may be trying to find the best baby carriers for petite moms. Today I’ll review some of the best baby carriers on the market, specifically with petite moms in mind.
I’m only 5’1″, and for me it’s been trial and error to find the perfect baby carrier for my frame. (It’s also trial and error to find pants, but that’s a different story).
The baby carriers on this list are all not only really well-made, user-friendly and comfortable, but they also work very well for those of us who are on the smaller side.
Interestingly, some of the carriers on this list are also some of the best carriers for plus-sized moms, due to their adjustability!
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Before I go over the details, here are my top picks:
I have personally used all five of these carriers, and as a small person have found each one to offer great comfort as well as lots of other pluses (which I’ll review below). Here are my top 5 picks for best baby carriers for petite moms.
In many ways, the Omni 360 really is the all-star baby carrier. There are so many good features about this premiere Ergobaby carrier, and few flaws. As a petite mom, I’ve used the Omni 360 extensively and found it to be very comfortable, even for long periods of time.
If you’re curious, I did a complete breakdown of the Ergo 360 versus the Omni 360, and found the Omni 360 to be the far superior model.
While all of Ergobaby’s carriers are durable and ergonomically well-designed, this one is the standout for several reasons.
First, you can use this carrier from birth even without an infant insert. This is a big plus if you want to start babywearing right away, and don’t want to invest in more than one carrier. (I will admit, however, that there are cozier options for the very early newborn days, such as the K’tan and the Tula Free-to-Grow, both excellent choices for baby carriers for petite moms).
Anyway, the Omni 360 can be used from infancy, and due to the fact that it has adjustable straps, you can easily share this carrier with a partner even if you have very different body sizes. (That’s a major “pro” for a buckle carrier like the Omni 360 over the Baby K’tan wrap. The K’tan really needs to be bought to fit the size of the primary wearer, and it can’t be shared as easily as a result).
Other major pros of this carrier: it offers a forward facing option, which many parents find appealing for older babies. It also has a comfortable waist strap that offers support without being too large on a petite person.
The Beco Gemini is a sleek carrier with a narrow, un-bulky design. This is one of the easiest carriers to adjust to your body. You can pull the straps in really close to your torso, making it simple to adjust it to fit you perfectly.
The Beco Gemini’s straps can be worn either like a traditional backpack, or criss-crossed in the back, which many people find to be far more comfortable. This carrier also has a dual adjustable waist-belt which makes it possible to customize your carrier’s fit. Petite moms will welcome this adjustability!
I really like the fact that the Beco Gemini has a nice fit even for very little babies. A carrier like the Omni 360 (which I prefer overall) does feel a bit “big” for a tiny newborn, but the Beco Gemini doesn’t overwhelm small babies.
This will come down to a personal preference in terms of what’s most important to you in a carrier. I have always loved using baby carriers, and keep a few on hand at home. That way I can use the carrier that makes the most sense for the situation.
Of course, budget is always an issue (I’ve gotten some of my carriers second hand). And if you’re looking for a versatile and affordable option, the Beco Gemini is also one of the more reasonably priced options.
The Tula Free-to-Grow is a favorite baby carrier for many petite moms. Of all of the buckle style soft structured carriers that I’ve used, the Free-to-Grow has the lightest, least bulky feel to it. This is a very un-cumbersome baby carrier, which is something smaller moms will appreciate.
The Tula is nicely designed, lightweight and made of 100% cotton. I find it very easy to use, and appreciate the fact that it’s not bulky or cumbersome. The carrier has a streamlined feel that makes it perfect for young babies, allowing you to hold them close. (I included the Tula on my list of Best Baby Carriers for Newborns for the cozy factor).
The Free-to-Grow has two options for carrying positions: front carry (facing parent) and the back carry. This might be a limitation to some, who like the flexibility of a forward-facing option. However, many people find that the two basic positions are more than sufficient for their needs.
There are tons of really adorable patterns to choose from with the Free-to-Grow. Tula is known for its stylish carriers, and with so many cute prints it can be hard to settle on just one!
I also love the fact that the Free-to-Grow can be used from infancy without the need for an additional infant insert.
For me, the main “con” with the Free-to-Grow is the pocket, which is smaller than on my other soft structured carriers. I also don’t like the fact that the pocket uses velcro to close; a zippered pouch feels more secure.
There is so much to love about this baby carrier! The comfort, versatility, and ease of use make this carrier a true winner. The straps can be crossed to ensure a tighter fit for smaller wearers.
The LILLEbaby Complete is comfortable and cute, and it can be used from birth through toddlerhood. If you’re looking for a “one and done” baby carrier, this is a great choice. It’s practical, easy to use, and you’ll get a lot of mileage out of. I would highly recommend this baby carrier.
The LILLEbaby Complete has 6 carrying positions: inward facing front carry, outward facing front carry, inward facing wide seat front carry, back carry, hip carry, and fetal position for very tiny babies.
There are so many things I appreciate about this carrier. It’s a very simple carrier to adjust and put on solo. This is a huge advantage! Some carriers are very challenging to use without a partner to help. However, the LILLEbaby has a clip on the neck buckle that is particularly easy to use.
I also love the large built-in storage pouch! I really prefer it to the detachable pouch on the Ergo Omni 360.
The LILLEbaby Complete is easy to adjust for different body types, including for petite moms. The straps can be worn either criss-crossed in the back or parallel, whatever is more comfortable.
The rear lumbar support on the LILLEbaby Complete is a separate attachment that threads onto the waist belt. I will say that the attachment feels kind of large for a petite mom. But, I do find that it gives my extra back support. If you are really petite, I could see how it may be too much. In that case, an even smaller profile carrier, like the Tula Free-to-Grow (also featured on this list) may be a better choice for you.
You can go the manufacturer’s website for pricing and material options.
Note: If you’re torn between the LILLEbaby Complete and the Tula Free-to-Grow, you can check out my full comparison post here: LILLEbaby vs. Tula: Which Carrier is Better?
This soft carrier is ideal for newborns, easy to use, and cozy.
The Baby K’tan Original is an ideal choice for petite moms who are looking for an affordable, easy-to-use wrap style baby carrier.
This wrap is far less cumbersome than many other wraps. It doesn’t drag on the ground (which was always an issue I had with the Moby wrap), and it’s compact and simple to put on. If you’re the type of mom who doesn’t like to fuss around, this is a great choice.
The K’tan comes in different sizes. So if you’re a petite mom you can choose a small sized wrap to fit your frame. Sizes go all the way down to an XX-Small!
Note: The K’tan needs to be sized for the wearer’s body, so it is not feasible to share it with a partner unless you have similar body sizes. Other carriers on the list are adjustable to different body types. This is just something to keep in mind when you’re making your choice.
The K’tan is a really cuddly carrier (it’s made of 100% cotton). This is a big plus for newborn babies! Especially during those first few months where you really want to snuggle close to your baby. There’s a reason this carrier is a top selection on the Best Baby Carriers for Newborns list!
And the price point on the K’tan is much lower than the other carriers that made my list.
No matter what style you prefer, the best baby carriers for petite moms list should be able to lead you to a baby carrier that works for you.
Finding that perfect fit will make babywearing a much more enjoyable experience, and you and your child can enjoy the many benefits that babywearing has to offer.
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