Out of all of the baby carriers on the market, Ergobaby’s Omni 360 is one of the most sought after. The Omni 360 is Ergobaby’s premiere carrier in the soft structured carrier line. In this complete Ergobaby Omni 360 review, I’ll answer the question is it worth the hype (and slightly higher price tag)?
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Let me start by saying that I’m a fan of Ergo in general. I’ve used several of their carriers over the years, and always found them to be comfortable, well-made, and really high quality.
I’ve always loved the comfy and cozy Ergobaby Original carrier, which is still one of my all-time favorites, and which I would highly recommend if you don’t care about having the forward-facing option that the Omni offers.
As much as I love the Original, there are definitely some advantages to the Omni 360.
The Omni 360 may be the right choice for you if you’re planning to practice baby-wearing right from the newborn stage, and if you’d like to have a forward- facing option as your child gets bigger.
In fact, the forward-facing option is one of the main reasons parents are interested in the Omni 360.
The option to face a baby forward is something that’s a big selling point for many parents, particularly those with older and very curious babies. Personally I’ve never been one to use this position very much, although I can certainly see the appeal.
In any case, it’s nice to have this as an option.
Another appealing feature of the Omni 360 is that even for newborns, it doesn’t require the use of an additional infant insert.
I will say that this carrier is not the coziest option available for the tiniest babies. I would suggest the Baby K’tan if you want something inexpensive and ideal for newborns. If you want a more complete run down of my recommendations for the newborn days, here are my top picks for the best baby carriers for newborns. (The Omni 360 works fine in the early months, it’s just that the fabric is softer and cozier on a wrap like that K’tan than on a more structured carrier like the Omni 360).
But if you only want to invest in a single baby carrier that you can use from infancy through toddlerhood, the Omni 360 is a great choice.
Pros of the Ergo Omni 360
- The Omni 360 has excellent ergonomics in every carrying position.
- Certified as a “hip healthy product” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
- Durable fabric – this should easily last for many years, and should hold solid resale value as a result.
- Easy to share with a partner – this carrier is readily adjustable, and has a fairly neutral design. Sharing with a partner is easy with a carrier like this.
- Includes a detachable pocket (as you can see in the picture above, it attaches under the baby’s bum).
- The waist strap doesn’t put extra pressure on your abdomen.
- This carrier can be used from birth without purchasing an infant insert (the weight range is 7-45 lbs.). The Omni is designed to be adjustable for even the smallest babies, with clever use of buttons to change the body of the carrier.
- The forward-facing option is appealing to many parents, and Ergobaby is known for providing proper ergonomic support for your baby.
Cons of the Omni 360
I can’t do a complete Ergobaby Omni 360 review without also mentioning some drawbacks! So, here we go…
- The fabric on the body of the Omni 360 feels somewhat thicker and stiffer compared to some carriers. The LILLEbaby Complete, for example, is very soft. On the plus side, this also translates to the fabric being super durable.
- The pocket is detachable. I don’t think it’s as nice as having a pocket built right into the body of the carrier. The Ergo Original has a built-in pocket, which I prefer. Note: The Ergo 360 (the model before the Omni) doesn’t have any pocket at all!
- The fabric colors/designs are nice, but a bit limited compared to a brand like Tula.
Carrying positions with the Ergo Omni 360
- Inward
- Forward-facing outward
- Hip carry
- Back carry
I especially like using the Omni 360 in the back carry position, once your baby is old enough. It’s manageable to carry your baby on your back for even long periods of time without strain.
Ease of Use
I find the Omni 360 to be very straight-forward to use.
Like with any carrier, I would recommend practicing getting it on and off a few times without the baby, and then trying it with a baby over a bed.
It’s important to have the Omni on the correct setting (there are adjustable buttons on the body of the carrier, to be used in different positions depending on the age of your baby). This took me a minute or two to get situated, but it’s not hard by any means.
I would also highly recommend watching YouTube tutorials when you want to try out a new carrier or baby wearing position. Here’s a useful tutorial on using the Ergobaby Omni 360 with a newborn:
Other comments on the Ergo Omni 360
- The Omni gives you the option of criss-crossing the straps in the back (when used with older babies). Many people, myself included, find this more comfortable!
- Comes with a sun hood great for napping and nursing.
- The large storage pouch is a nice improvement over the Ergobaby 360 (the model before the Omni came out). The original 360 carrier did not come with a pocket, which I found to be a real limitation. I would still prefer that the pocket be attached to the main body of the carrier, but having the detachable option works pretty well.
- As I mentioned, the fabric can feel a bit stiff. This is a trade-off you have to think about. If you want a carrier that you can use in all positions, the fabric will be a little less soft and cozy. It has to do more things, after all!
Conclusion
Overall I feel that the Ergo Omni 360 is worth the buzz, and the price tag.
If you don’t care about having a forward-facing option, you could probably go ahead and get the Ergo Original with an infant insert.
That way you’d have the benefit of the coziest possible fabric, and you can put away the insert after the first few months.
But if you want a forward-facing option, the Omni 360 really is a top of the line carrier, and worth the investment. After all, you will be using it for years to come.
I hope this Ergobaby Omni 360 review was helpful!
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