Note that we do not recommend the cocoon-style sling carriers, which are somewhat controversial due to suffocation risks. Or if you're heading out on four wheels, you might want to consider our roundup of the best baby car seats, best 360 spin car seats and the best car sunshades for babies too. Made from 100% breathable cotton, it also folds down relatively flat, ideal for stashing in your bag and bringing out as and when required. And even though it doesn’t come in a universal size, it’s still a versatile option because it allows you to wear your baby five different ways, including forward facing and on your hip.

Being held in close proximity to your heartbeat is incredibly calming for your newborn, providing familiarity and reassurance to help them gently drift off to sleep. If you’re looking for a supportive baby carrier that can be shared between parents, the Tula Explore is a good solution, with a generously sized waistband that can easily be adjusted to accommodate both petite and plus-sized parents. Whilst it can accommodate children up to age six, we do question how practical this would be, particularly for parents with a smaller frame, and whether your child would want to be carried once they’ve started school.

Finally, from six months onwards, you may wish to carry your baby on your hip or use the Ergobaby as a back carrier for increased freedom during longer journeys. For moms new to babywearing, it may be hard to find the proper tightness and position the baby inside the wrap. The Boba Wrap’s manual is exceptionally clear and comprehensive with written and visual instructions and installation videos also available online.

Overall, we think this is a truly amazing baby wrap that not only feels good, but you can feel good about using it. The fabric passes over the shoulders to provide a built-in headrest and the baby is well supported, with chin off chest, face visible and with a curved back as they would sleeping in your arms. After testing different versions of both baby wrap carriers, I found Boba to be easier to tie in general.While five metres of fabric can appear daunting out of the box, many wearers find that they quickly get to grips with the art of wrapping. Baby wraps and skin-to-skin contact promote intimate bonds between a parent and child through close contact, comfort, and security. So it can be a struggle to prevent the wrap from getting wet or muddy if you're putting it on outdoors. For the most lightweight wrap, several parents in the What to Expect community and numerous staff members swear by the Solly Baby wrap. The addition of modal fabric with organic cotton will give the fabric a softness, sheen, and durable stretch that might not be possible with cotton alone.