Baby Carriers, Baby Wraps, Baby Slings Reviews, Info.

Some baby slings, wraps, carriers work well for mid-sized people, some do not work well at all for plus sized people, some work well at all ranges of size. The following is a general discussion of which baby carriers are the most suitable for people of plus size and why.

Front-Pack Carriers

Front-Pack Carriers tend to be less size-friendly than slings, especially as size increases. They can usually accommodate mid-size parents, probably up to a size 22/24. However, chest size, waist size and height are all factors in fit. If you are very busty or have a significant ‘apple’ shape (larger waist than hips), front-pack carriers tend not to fit well. Smaller mid-sized and pear-shaped moms can usually use an over-the-counter version of this type of carrier. Moms in larger sizes or different shapes would probably do better with a sling, but if they really want a front-pack carrier, they should probably do some more research to find out exact dimensions available in each brand.

Baby Bjorn Carriers generally are able to be used by many larger parents and they may even custom-size one for you. Kelty Kangaroo Carriers are reportedly very size-friendly, and supposedly go up to a size 59″ waist. Snugglis tend not to be very size-friendly, but again, could probably be used by mid-sized moms. However, a number of moms have reported that although Snugglis tend to be cheaper and lighter weight, if you want a really good front-pack carrier it is worth buying a more expensive brand for better quality construction and padding.

Some women really love Sutemi Gear carriers; one mom says it fits her large-busted frame just fine. Women with back issues often rave about Ergo Carriers; they tend to be very easy on the back once the baby is bigger. They are expensive but many women swear by them. Both of these products have been reported to come with a waist-extender option.

Baby Trekkers tend to get rave reviews; they are heavily padded to make them more comfortable, the straps in back are in an “X” to better distribute the pressure, and the waist strap fastens by Velcro for ease of use. It can also be worn as a backpack with baby facing out. However, call the company for further information on exact size specifications. Baby Trekkers are extremely size-friendly, but it’s always better to double-check on this before purchasing if you are supersized

Slings

Many parents find that baby slings are far superior to front-pack carriers in terms of versatility and comfort, and these are especially suited to the needs of larger people. Front packs are generally less intimidating and easier to figure out how to use, but slings are generally more versatile, more size-forgiving, easier on the back, and useful much longer. Kmom encourages readers to use slings, but of course needs and opinions vary and you should use whatever fits your own needs best.

The key to using slings successfully is to get one appropriate for your size, adequate instruction in its use and then experiment until you find positions that work best for you. There is more of a learning curve with slings, so be sure to allow some time for experimentation before the baby is born (hint: practice with a stuffed animal or doll in the sling beforehand!).

Good instruction is vital to sling success; visual pictures help a LOT. One good source of visual and written instructions for using slings can be found in The Baby Book by Martha Sears and Dr. William Sears (*THE* BEST BABY BOOK!). If you are considering a sling, the Sears’ Baby Book would be very helpful to you to have on hand at home, always available if you have a question.

There are several slings that come in larger sizes or can be made to size. The Maya Wrap comes in a number of different sizes, and their largest size should fit a supersized woman with no problems. It is an unconstructed sling with no padding; this gives it great adjustability that may help some larger women get a more custom fit. However, some women feel that its lack of padding tends to make it dig into their shoulders and sides uncomfortably, and lament the lack of a shoulder pad.

The Over The Shoulder Baby Holder has a large size that fits most plus-sized women. It is a constructed and padded sling, one that is often recommended to women new to slings, and for those with newborns. It is a very comfortable sling, but can get hot during the summer, and may be too bulky for some people’s preferences.

Target reportedly now has begun carrying some slings and baby carriers that can be expanded to much larger sizes, up to a 4x. These are made by Infantino and may represent a more economical option than other slings in larger sizes or a custom-made sling.

One brand of sling that is NOT size-friendly is the NoJo Sling (the brand endorsed by Dr. Williams Sears in the Baby Book). It only comes in one size and that size is not very big. This will preclude its purchase by most plus-sized moms. In addition, some people feel that this sling is not very well designed, so it’s probably not much of a loss that it is not suitable for most people of size.

Other options for larger women or women who have special fitting needs includes a wraparound sling, like the Baby Bundler or the wraparound slings. This is an extremely long piece of fabric which wraps around you and your baby in a nearly endless variety of carries. Baby’s weight is distributed over both shoulders for optimum support and comfort. Many people with real back problems swear by this carrier. However, the learning curve on using this is fairly steep; be sure to get the instructional video that goes with it. This may or may not fit supersized women after all the wrapping is done, but for smaller mid-sized moms, it should be long enough.