Watchful Dad – Page 24 – Useful Kid Safety Tips You Need to Know

In this article, you'll find a comprehensive list of baby carriers and accessories that are designed and built with the plus-sized mom in mind. There are a wide variety of baby carriers on the market nowadays. While many of them are meant to fit all shapes and sizes, it's important to find brands catered explicitly to the plus-sized mom for maximum safety and comfort. We're here to take the challenge out of finding a comfortable baby carrier that will fit you just right. This article will cover: Choosing the Type of Carrier that Will Work for You What to Look for When Buying a Baby Carrier for Plus Sized Wearers? Best Buckle Baby Carriers for plus size moms Best Wrap for Plus Size Wearers Best Ring Sling for Plus Size Mothers Best Meh Dai for Plus Size Moms Takeaway Choosing the Type of Carrier that Will Work for You Becoming a new mother is a balancing act, and there aren't many hours in the day when you can have your hands free. Therefore, several new mom's invest in a baby carrier to help transport their new bundle of joy and keep them safe. There are 4 basic types of carriers on the market that fall into those main categories: Buckles Carrier is a carrier with straps and buckles, including the most recognizable type of carriers, structured carriers. They have a structured seat for the child, with padding and shoulder straps for mom. Onbuhimo carriers are also included in this category. Wraps are primarily a long piece of fabric that moms wrap around the body, keeping baby snug and close. These can take some practice to learn how to use them properly, so they might not be ideal for everyone. Ring Slings are similar to wraps, but it only wraps around one shoulder and has rings that allow you to tighten the fabric for comfort. This option is easy to use, great for newborns and can change into a hip carrier for carrying older children. Meh Dai or Mei Tai carriers are a hybrid between a buckle and wrap carriers. They tie instead of having a buckle, and they are a bit more user-friendly than wraps. What to Look for When Buying a Baby Carrier for Plus Sized Wearers? When choosing your new baby carrier, you want to keep a few things in mind: fit, comfort, adjustability, support, and ease. You need it to fit correctly. To ensure your child will be safe in the carrier, it has to fit correctly. As a plus-sized mom, you will require a carrier that will be able to adjust to your body precisely. You need it to be comfortable. If it's uncomfortable, you're not going to enjoy using it and might even avoid it. Depending on the type of carrier you select, models with padded straps are a good option for additional comfort. Straps also reduce the pressure put on the shoulders, neck, and back while carrying your baby around. If you've chosen a wrap or a ring sling, opt for those that have a thick, steady fabric. It will keep your baby secure and evenly distribute their weight to keep you more comfortable. If you're choosing a structured carrier, look for one that has adjustable straps. Choose one that fits your waist. If you can't find a model that fits in the waist, most companies have accompanying extenders available to purchase. If you are choosing a wrap carrier, ensure the fabric is steady and long enough to support your infant and wrap around you securely and comfortably. Your little one will likely be sleeping a lot in a carrier, so it's essential for there to be proper head and neck support. Many popular models come with padding for extra comfort. It should be easy to use and easy to clean. You want your baby carrier to be functional. It shouldn't be difficult to use or a struggle to put on every time you want to use it. If it's not easy to clean, it will eventually become unusable if you can't properly take care of it. Buckle Baby Carriers for plus size moms Many structured baby carriers can be excellent for plus-sized parents. Most brands and styles come with adjustable features or the ability to purchase extra straps or different sizes. Here are the best options for baby carriers for the plus-sized mom. Lillebaby Plus Size Baby Carrier The Lillebaby Plus Size Carrier is a structured carrier that holds newborns up to 45lb babies. They pride themselves on their one-of-a-kind lumbar support that their model offers. This carrier has a 4.4-star rating on Amazon with over 1,500 reviews. It's an ergonomic structured carrier that has five key features. 6 Carrying Positions There are six different ways you can use this carrier with your little one. Front carry, fetal carry, infant carry, outward carry, hip carries, and back carry. This means you have access to a full 360º of carrying options. Versatile The Lillebaby has two-way straps that allow you to carry your infant in the front or like a backpack. There are pockets for storage, extendable torso and removable hood for sleep; this carrier is versatile for all your little one's needs. Hands-Free & Comfortable This carrier is sturdy and comfortable, so whether you're on a weekend adventure or walking your dog, you can do so with ease. You can have peace of mind that your little one is safe and comfortable in the Lillebaby carrier. All-Season With 3D mesh air panels, it's easy to control your baby's temperature during any time of the year. Natural Bonding This carrier allows your baby to stay close to you and comfortable, allowing for extra hands-free bonding time while you can get things accomplished. Many of the positive reviews from happy owners say that they love this product. They have no problems with fit up to a size 20, and their baby is comfortable in the seat and with the air-flow. Lillebaby made the model with all shapes and sizes in mind, but if needed, there is the Lillebaby Waist Extender. For all the details check the Lillebaby Plus Size Baby Carrier on Amazon here. Lillebaby Waist Extender The Lillebaby waist extender allows for an additional 9.5 inches of fabric without compromising comfort, safety, or any of the fantastic features the carrier offers. The waist extender is only approved and safe to use with the Lillebaby brand carriers, so it should not be used with other brands. Tula Baby Carrier: Free-to-grow The Tula Baby Carrier is one of the most highly recommended structured carriers on the market. It's lightweight, easy to use, flexible, and hugs your little one close to you. This carrier is excellent for plus-sized moms because it is comfortable and maintains a cool temperature while it's on your body. There are width and height adjustments that you can adjust as your baby grows. The shoulders and waist extend as well and will hold up to 45lbs. The Tula Baby Carrier does not allow for your little one to face forward, so if that is an essential feature for you, this might not be the best choice. The front pocket is small and can be challenging to reach as your child grows, and the buckle placement requires a bit of flexibility to get the carrier on and off. This model is on the more expensive side because it's ergonomically designed, and built with high-quality materials. A lot of plus-sized mom's say they love their Tula, it's comfortable, and still has room to grow for those who are a size 22-24. For all the details check the Tula Baby Carrier: Free-to-grow on Amazon here. Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier The Ergobaby 360 is an Amazon's Choice product, and one of the most highly recommended baby carriers on the market today, and one of the most expensive. This carrier is breathable, plus it offers moms and dads full range of motion, and even adjusts to allow for breastfeeding. It holds infants up to 33lbs and comes with an insert for up to 12lbs to ensure your little one is snug and safe. Designed for all shapes and sizes and to accommodate plus-sized parents, it offers stability and comfort for everyone. It can be worn in a variety of ways, adding versatility to the lineup of benefits this carrier has. The brand continues to improve on the product, within the last four years, adding webbing length to all styles and adding the crossable front straps to the Adapt Carrier. This carrier has additional straps you can purchase, which makes it customizable for parents to find the best fit for them. For all the details check the Ergobaby 360 Baby Carrier on Amazon here. Infantino Baby Carrier For Plus Size Last, but certainly not least on my list of structured carriers is Infantino Baby Carrier. Rated #1 in soft baby carriers on Amazon, this carrier is highly recommended for plus-sized moms. It's vented for temperature control, is easy to clean, and has padded straps for comfort. It carries babies up to 32 lbs and is a more affordable option for parents. The entire carrier can adjust to ensure maximum comfort and safety. You can change the seat, leg openings, waist belt, and straps. You can carry your little one four different ways in this carrier: front-facing inward, front-facing outward, and backpack style. This carrier is machine washable. However, many owners have complained about the durability of the carrier. If you're looking to use it every single day, it might not be the right choice for you. The other complaint is that the padding on the straps is on the thinner side. Overall, mom's say this carrier is extremely comfortable, they love how adjustable it is, and it's a great price. For all the details check the Infantino Baby Carrier For Plus Size on Amazon here. Wrap for Plus Size Wearers Wraps are an excellent option for plus-sized parents because they're simple and adjustable to whatever size your body may be. Some of the most popular options are stretchy wraps, which are great for first-time wrap users, and woven wraps. Here's my go-to list for plus-sized moms. Moby Wrap Plus Size The Moby Wrap is one of the stretchiest wraps on the market because it's made out of lovely and soft bamboo fabric. Bamboo allows for the wrap to be thinner and more breathable than other stretchy wraps. It is 5.5 meters long, so it is ideal for most plus-sized moms and dads. Stretchy wraps are the best option for new plus-sized parents looking to use a wrap. If you feel you need a bit more fabric, they offer wraps with an additional .5 meters of length. The stretchiness of this wrap is excellent for newborn babies up to 33 lbs but can become a little less secure as your baby gets bigger. Its structure is not recommended for forward-facing carrying or backpack style. It is a bit on the expensive side, but it comes in a variety of colors and styles. It's versatile, machine washable, durable, and breathable. Many parents who own the Moby Wrap highly recommend it and moms up to size 26 say it has worked wonders for them and fit fantastic with leftover fabric. For all the details check the Moby Wrap Plus Size on Amazon here. Boba Wrap Plus Size The Boba Wrape is very similar to the Moby Wrap but is made from cotton. It has many of the same features and is a little more affordable. It's not as stretchy as the Moby Wrap, so it's not as easy to use, but it has spandex, so the wrap retains its shape after each use. Women up to size 18 have highly recommended this wrap, saying it's comfortable, easy to use and breathable and that the length is excellent for them. For all the details check the Boba Wrap Plus Size on Amazon here. Solly Baby Wrap Plus Size The Solly Baby Wrap is a lightweight and comfortable wrap that is quite expensive. The lightweight fabric makes it easier to manage and tie, and the stretch in the material is perfect for newborns. The weight limit is 25 lbs. It is quite supportive and is adjustable for breastfeeding. While it is highly recommended, it is more expensive, and the weight limit is lower than the other options on this list. For all the details check the Solly Baby Wrap Plus Size here. Ring Sling for Plus Size Moms Ring slings are an excellent option for plus-sized parents. They are similar to a wrap but have a plastic ring to help adjust the fabric, which can increase the tightness and support. When it comes to finding the right length of material, the longer, the better is generally a good rule, because the additional fabric can be wrapped up in the ring. Standard slings run about 78 inches long, but if you're over a size 16, you may want to consider finding one that is 80 inches or longer. If your shoulders are sloping or rounded, you may want to look for a style of sling that has broader shoulders, or a gathered shoulder. These features can increase your comfort level significantly. If you have narrow shoulders, look for models catered to that. A narrower shoulder also improves mobility. If you find a sling that features a pocket, be aware that this might reduce the overall usable length of the sling. Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling The Maya Wrap Ring Sling is made of comfortable cotton, that is breathable, lightweight, adjustable, and easy to use. It features a narrow shoulder that is lightly padded, which allows for the fabric to distribute evenly across your back. This sling features an aluminum ring that is durable and sturdy for any adjustments needed. It is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and tested up to 250 lbs. The Maya also features a pocket that does not interfere with length or usability. The Maya Sling accommodates babies up to 35 lbs. The sling features unpadded edges, so adjusting for your little one's growth is simple, while still supporting them at every stage. It easily fits in your diaper bag, and it's machine washable and easy to clean and is durable. A nice benefit to purchasing a ring sling is that it grows with your child. Therefore, you do not have to repurchase at every stage. For all the details check the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling on Amazon here. Moby Ring Sling The Moby Ring Sling is a soft and supportive fabric that is an excellent choice for plus-sized parents. It's woven cotton that is on the more affordable side. It's important to note that the ring sling does shrink about 4 inches, dropping from 85 to 81 inches after the first wash. It is also available in only three colors. It carries little ones up to 33 lbs and is comfortable, sturdy, and keeps your baby close. The woven fabric helps distribute your little one's body weight, making it a bit easier on your back, neck, and shoulder. It allows for a close bonding experience and for you to do it all while being hands-free. For all the details check the Moby Ring Sling on Amazon here. Meh Dai for Plus Size Moms A Meh Dai, or also referred to as Mei Tai, is a hybrid between a structured carrier and a wrap. It has soft fabric pieces to wrap and tie around your body, with no buckles and a sturdier seat structure for your little one. Infantino The Infantino Together Pull-On Knit Baby Wrap Carrier is a stretchy knit Meh Dai that holds infants from 8 to 25 lbs. This type of wrap has an easy-to-use design and stretchy, soft fabric to distribute baby's weight to take the pressure off your neck, shoulders, and back. There is adjustable back support, which makes this an excellent option for many plus-sized moms. This carrier has a 4.1 rating on Amazon with 151 reviews. The positive reviews suggest that the wrap is wonderful for up to a plus-sized 22. Mom's love the security they feel with their little ones snug and close, and they love the ease of use for this model. For all the details check the Infantino on Amazon here. Takeaway Now that you have been through this list of baby carriers, which one is right for you? There are many incredible options, and I hope this can help you pick the best one for you and your new baby.