Baby Carrier for Plus Size Moms

If you’re a plus size mom with a more blessed and beefier body, finding a fitting baby carrier can make for really frustrating shopping. Because pretty much all of the available options seem to have been designed with the needs of petite moms and average size moms in mind.

Related: Best Petite Mom Carriers

After fruitlessly searching for the right plus-size baby carrier,  it might seem like no one spared a thought for big gals. Luckily for you, I’ve reviewed 5 baby carriers that are voluminous enough in all the right places that even moms with big breasts moms can baby-wear in comfort…just like everyone else.

I mean, babywearing isn’t a preserve of petite and normal sized moms (and dads). It’s for every babywearing parent on this side of the Milky Way Galaxy no matter the size.

Related: Best Big-dad Baby Carriers

Which Baby Carrier is Best for Plus Size Moms (And Dads)?

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I believe the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh Carrier is the best plus size mom baby carrier out there. Why? Because it’s roomy enough for gals on the larger side of bust size.

Plus size starts from size 14 in the US and size 16 in the UK. And the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh baby carrier adjusts generously to fit both average sized and plus size gals without squeezing the heck out of their busty front. Whether you’re size 20 or 26, this should work for you.

This carrier offers plenty of padding and comfort. What’s more, this baby carrier breathes exceptionally well. Its material is all mesh, and since it’s 100% polyester, you can expect it to dry fast and last reasonably long. And yes, you can machine-wash it without problems.

Related: Best Baby Carriers for Lower Back Pain

Well, the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh isn’t a bargain-counter choice. But given all the padded comfort, breathability and size adjustability it offers, it’s well worth the higher price. Besides, there are many options that cost significantly more without really justifying the price difference.

Which is the Best Baby Wrap for Big Moms?

The Boba Wrap Baby Carrier is one of the best if not the best plus size mom baby wrap. This wrap is fashioned from a 5+ yard fabric. Most fabrics for wraps and slings measure about 3 yards. So 5+ yard wrap is long enough to wrap around even the most massive mommy bodies and still leave lots of excess material to tuck in.

When tying and molding this fabric around your body to create a seat and shoulder straps for holding your baby, you won’t have too much excess fabric that needs tucking in if you’re big.

Petite moms who bought the Boby Wrap had quibbles of it being too long. They had to wrap it several times, and it wasn’t a baby-safe idea due to the potential risk of baby overheating.

This may be a one-size baby carrier designed to fit both smaller and bigger moms, but it works best for plus size moms. Grab this and start celebrating being a big girl. Yes, I said celebrate, because busty gals are lovely!

Being Plus Size is Perfectly Fine

There was a day and age when being bigger than other gals in the neighborhood felt like …shame. Like failure to observe personal discipline. Slimmer was sweet and lovely while society frowned on busty and curvy. Nobody made clothes sizes for these unfortunate-to-have-grown in the 1920’s women. And when they did, the clothes were of a drably and grumpy design that targeted older gals. It was a really sad time to be alive for these women.

Fast forward to 2022, and super-size models are in constant demand all over the world. While there’s still a few body-shaming socidiots (social media idiots) out there and plus size is somewhat a divisive issue, there’s a whole community out there that’s celebrating plus size beauty and blessedness.

Look, I’m not a size 30 US women or something. I’m a size 20, and wear my plus size badge with pride. I am and feel beautiful. And hubby plus many men in my social circle think I’m actually HOT. Because I am. I still exercise (mostly rollerblading and biking), but I guess some people were born with the big-gal gene and will never be skinny. Not that I want ever be skinny.

Big is amazingly beautiful. That’s a fact. Period.

How to Choose a Plus Size Baby Carrier

You’re looking for the best plus size mom baby carrier, and I’m going to give you a nice little list of what you need to check for. Below are 6 things to pay attention when shopping for baby carrier for a plus size mom.

1.Size Adjustability

The level of comfort and safety any kind of baby carrier provides depends to an appreciable extent on how adjustable it is. When buying a soft-structured baby carrier such as the Plus Size Mom Ergobaby 360 All-in-One, it’s critical to read customer reviews on how well it adjusts for different sizes.

Whether you’re a petite or a big mom, you sure want to be able to adjust the waist belt length as well as the shoulder straps length. If SSCs came in fixed sizes such as clothes and shoes, it’d be pretty challenging to pick the correct size.

Actually, I’ve seen a couple of sized carriers that are sold in multiple sizes such as XXS, XXXL and so on. This may seem like a good idea since you can easily pick your size. Except an XXL carrier from one manufacturer may not be the exact same size as an XXL carrier from a different brand.

This isn’t to say that sized carriers have endless fit-related issues. In fact, some of the best-fitting carriers out there aren’t size adjustable.

For the most part, your best bet as a large-framed mom is to pick a size-adjustable soft-structured or a one-size-fits-most baby wrap design. I’m not known for recommending baby ring slings for moms and dads because these aren’t the safest options for babywearing. None of my recommendations for big mamas is a ring sling-style carrier.

You need to be able to load baby in and out the size-adjustable carrier unassisted. And you shouldn’t need any help when it comes to adjusting either the waist strap or shoulder straps.

2. Length of Carrier Shoulder Strap

Do you know why many SSCs that work for short and petite moms also work for tall, big moms? It’s because the shoulder straps adjust substantially. Most of these carriers have straps adjusting from 26 inches up to 50 inches. As long as the shoulder straps are at least 45 inches in length, they’ll easily fit burly mamas and dads.

Padding is something you need enough of around the shoulders. Some carriers, usually the budget options, tend to skimp on shoulder strap and waistband padding. These choices are OK-ish, but they sacrifice quite a bit of the carrier’s overall comfort. Pro tip: If paying an extra $100 means significantly more comfort around the shoulders and waist/hips, fork it over.

If your pregnancy ended in lower back pain, be sure to choose a carrier with really good lumbar support. Without impressive lumbar support, it’s impossible to babywear and not experience lower back issues. Unsurprisingly, baby carriers with lumbar support for plus size moms cost more than those without lumbar spine support.

One more thing: some carriers feature shoulder straps that can be crisscrossed for better support and comfort. These are good choices for large mothers with lower back problems.

3. Hip Belt Length/Waistband Length

The waistband may not seem like a super important part of a carrier, but it is. It helps distribute some of the baby’s weight around the hips for a more comfortable carry.

But the waistband needs to be long enough and adjustable if you’re a busty mom. How long does the waist belt needs to be to fit bigger mothers? For many plus size mothers, waist strap length of 55″ or longer should be adequate.

One reason I elected the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh as the best large mom baby carrier is that it comes with a really long waist strap. It’s long enough for most mothers with large sized hips.

4. Get a Fabric That’s Suitable for the Weather

When picking out a plus size mom carrier, look at the fabric. If you prefer a baby wrap, go for something with decent diagonal give or something that stretches a bit.

But it shouldn’t stretch too much that it loses its ability to regain its original shape after several babywearings. Also, the wrap needs to be long enough that it wraps around a huge mom without making things too hot inside the wrap.

If your area stays warm or hot for most of the year, a wrap that encircles your body multiple times may not be the most suitable solution due to the risk of overheating.

Many carriers today are made from cotton. Cotton is relatively light, but heavier than linen. Also, cotton lasts l0nger than most fabrics. However, cotton tends to warm up quite a bit, which means it’s not the best fabric for summer weather baby carriers.

Modal may be a better fabric for hot weather carriers compared to cotton. Because modal has a great ability of wicking sweat away from the skin, and the sweat eventually evaporates into the air. Modal is also breathable, making it a decent hot climate carrier fabric.

If you opt for a soft-structured baby carrier and live in a hot climate, go for a pick featuring a decent amount of mesh panels in the design. SSCs made from mesh fabric aerate really well and are a great choice for warm weather.

5. Carrier Type: Baby Wrap or Soft-Carrier for Plus Size Moms?

As a big mama, you can use a baby wrap or a soft-structured carrier. I don’t recommend slings because there have been credible reports about sling-related babywearing mishaps that culminated in death.

Wraps work really well for large moms because they’re essentially a piece of fabric that the user wraps/molds around the baby to support baby.

6. Price and Brand

$40-$70 for plus size baby wraps and $100-$300+ for decent to great soft-structured baby carriers that fit large moms, even those with big breasts.

Best Baby Carriers for Big Moms

Below is a list of 4 carriers that fit large moms comfortably. Most are soft-structured baby carriers, and one is a baby wrap. I can guarantee that you won’t be disappointed with any of the options below.

1. BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh Baby Carrier: Best Overall

If you’re wondering whether there’s a brand out there that caters to the size needs of bustier mommies, look no further than BabyBjörn. If you’re planning on splitting babywearing between yourself and someone else, you should be able to find a BabyBjörn carrier that fits the both of you.

BTW, you don’t need to buy an insert to make this carrier newborn-friendly. It’s a newborn-ready choice, one you’ll use until month 15. To be clear, no BabyBjörn carrier needs an insert.

The BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh is probably the most comfortable soft-structured baby carrier on the market today. Its shoulder straps and waist band are pretty thick and wide, which is why it’s so comfortable.

This carrier is fashioned entirely from 3D mesh. And if there’s one thing that mesh does exceptionally well, it’s breathing. Warm, sweaty air exits the carrier through this net-like material (100%) while fresh air from outside gets in to cool things. This is one of the best choices for warm-weather babywearing.

Another thing 100% polyester mesh does well is drying quickly. Babies drool and spit up is a reality no mom escapes, but this mess dries up quickly. Put it in a pillowcase so straps won’t catch on the washer’s parts and air-dry it and that’s it. You can also easily hand-wash it or spot-clean it.

If you look at the pic of this carrier above, you’ll see a piece of fabric sticking out the bottom. This is BabyBjörn’s intelligent way of making this carrier fit both smaller and bigger moms.

When a bigger mommy wears it, there won’t be much excess fabric. But if a smaller mom wears it, you’ll see more excess fabric sticking out.

Like most if not all BabyBjörn baby carriers, the FREE 3D model adjusts to different sizes. Whether you’re 5’3″ and thin or 6’3″ and chunky, this thing should fit you fine.

The best thing is that this choice grows with babies. You can use it to tote newborn babies and older kiddos until they reach month 15 or about 25 pounds (the stated lower limit is 7 pounds and the upper limit is 26.5 pounds).

I like that the top part of this carrier folds over for when your baby wants to look around and see world. But while this nice feature somehow works, getting it to fold over can be quite a hassle. Once you manage to fold it over, it flops back up, which gets annoying after some time.

There’s one more thing I didn’t like about the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh Carrier. While the 3D Mesh Carrier provides great lower back support, getting the waist belt to open is hard. I found that the only way to take the carrier off was to loosen the waist strap and step out!

2. Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position Baby Carrier: Most Features

The Omni works best for kids weighing 7-45 pounds. You can use it for newborns all the way up to age 4. But what’s the difference between the original Ergobaby 360 and the newer version, the Omni 360?

One difference between the original 360 model and this version is that the Omni is newborn-ready — no insert needed. Also, it’s lighter, less bulky, features a slimmer design, and breathes better than the earlier version.

Also, the original 360 offers less storage than does the Omni. Its only storage space is the small compartment on the hood/sunshade. As for the Omni 360, you should be able to stash away your keys and iPhone and still have some room to spare.

BTW, both the 360 and the Omni feature a built-in hood that protects little ones against the sun. The hood also makes it possible to breastfeed your kiddo discreetly. This little barrier comes in handy in a world with bazillions of prying eyes.

Another difference is waistband design. The Omni relies on buckles to adjust the waist strap while the original 360 uses velcro. While the velcro might feel somewhat easier to operate, the buckle makes getting the carrier on and off easier once you adjust for fit. Plus, velcro can get pretty noisy, sometimes waking up little sleeping angels.

Here’s a summary of the comparison between the Ergobaby 360 and the Omni:

The Omni 360: Is lighter, less bulky, breathes better, less hot, and offers more storage space than the 360.

I really like that the 360 Omni works for both petite and large moms because it’s size adjustable. Whether you’re 5′ or 6′, this carrier should fit fine. Its waist length extends from 26″ to 55″, which should be adequate for most people.

Its shoulder straps have really deep padding and are wide enough for comfort. You can wear these straps in the normal way or in the crisscross fashion for even greater support.

But in my experience, it’s best to wear this carrier with the straps positioned normal rather than crisscrossed. The cross strap fit feels bulkier, and the additional bulk makes for a dorky look.

Also, the Omni 360 isn’t very easy to get on. Getting the shoulder buckle on the back to snap into place was a real battle. But I learned a trick that makes wearing this carrier less of a hassle — loosen the chest straps before trying to buckle the back shoulder straps.

Finally, color. The fabric stains easily, and even though Oxiclean is amazing at stain removal, it’s difficult to get stains out of light-colored Omnis.

I advise you to choose black over gray. You might think gray is better because it might conceal spit up stains and cat hair better, but believe me black works better.

3. Boba Original Stretchy Wrap Baby Carrier: Best Wrap for Large Moms

If you like wraps and are on the bigger side of size, the Boba Wrap would be a great fit for you. The wrap is 5.5 yards in length, and that’s like really long. Most of the wraps I’ve seen are not any longer than 3 yards.

This is a one-size baby wrap design that’s large enough for petite, average size, and large moms. Bunt if you’re petite and live in a region that stays warm most of the year, don’t buy this.

A petite mom I’m friends with (she stands 5’2″ and weighs 130 pounds) bought this wrap and hand to return it. Because it wore her and made baby’s skin hot and clammy.

Since this wrap is extremely long, she had to wrap it around herself several times, placing layers of fabric over baby and her body. The excess fabric trapped in heat, and it got too hot to the point where her baby almost overheated.

But this is the perfect wrap for large gals. Whether you’re a six footer who weighs 250 pounds and need to carry twins, the Boba Wrap should work well for you.

Tying the Boba wrap is a bit of a learning curve, though, but watching a few YT videos helps. The fabric molds well over the body’s contours, and the correct tying method creates a cross (X) on the back, resulting in greater support for baby.

This wrap consists of 2 materials, cotton (95%) and spandex (5%). Cotton makes the wrap tough and durable while spandex makes it stretchy, making for super comfy carries.

But cotton is a pretty warm fiber. And when you have folds of it on your body and baby’s, things can get pretty hot and sweaty. For this reason, the Boba Wrap is a great choice for winter babywearing.

A big gal can use this wrap-style carrier in moderately warm weather, but it’s not the best choice for the warmest summers. If you’re looking for the perfect summer weather baby carrier for big moms and dads, consider the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh Baby Carrier.

4. LÍLLÉbaby Complete Airflow Baby Carrier: Most Carrying Positions

The LÍLLÉbaby Complete Airflow Ergonomic 6-in-1 Baby Carrier is another structured carrier that works for bigger gals and guys.

One beautiful thing about it is that it lets you carry baby in 6 different positions: forward-facing, inward-facing/rear-facing, back carry, and 2 side carries. Its minimum weight limit is 7 pounds and the maximum capacity is 45 pounds; it stays useful from birth through toddlerhood. You could even safely carry a preemie with this.

While this carrier isn’t as breathable as the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh, it breathes better than most and should be a good choice for summer babies.

The shoulder straps are thick and lie comfortably, and you can wear them straight or in crisscross fashion. As for the waist strap, it’s pretty wide and well padded and feels comfortable during use.

If you’re wondering how long the waist strap is, it should fit waistlines as large as 52″. But you know what? It doesn’t fit waists that thick very well. It doesn’t even fit 50″ waists comfortably. It’s for big moms with 45″ waists or smaller.

One thing I like about the LÍLLÉbaby Complete Airflow is how easy it is to get on and off as well as adjust for fit. An adjustable upper back clip works with two side clips to make front babywearing really easy. This clip stays between the shoulders on the upper back, and you slide it up and down when adjusting.

Back carries are also relatively easy to setup, but not if you have the shoulder clip sitting too high. Slide it down a bit and back-carrying suddenly gets easier.

Another great thing about this carrier is its great and detachable lumbar support. If you have a bad back, you’ll love how comfortably this carrier wears and how nicely it treats your problematic lower back.

It comes with two front pockets. One of the pockets fits the hood that shields baby from sun glare. BTW, you can easily detach this hood if you want. The other pocket stores stuff such as smartphone, credit card, and even doggie bags. I’ve seen pricier carriers that offered no storage whatsoever.

5. Baby Tula Discover Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier

Do Tula baby carriers fit plus size moms and dads? Yes, Tula and BabyBjörn make highly adjustable baby carriers that work well for moms on both sides of the weight continuum.

When you get your little one out of the car for a walk, simply put them into the carrier and go – no insert needed.

This baby carrier resizes up and down so that parents of different sizes can use it comfortably. The straps adjust to an appreciable extent, and the shoulder straps have decent padding.

The waistband comes with a clip and a safety loop and the closure is easy to operate. But does the Tula offer lower back support? No, you shouldn’t choose this option if you have lower back pain. If you have a weak back, there’s Baby Tula carrier that offers great lumbar support.

This option comes with an adjustable panel that makes it possible to adjust the seat width and carrier height. You can adjust the seat from 5″ to 15″. You can also adjust the length from 11″ all the way to 17″. You can fit in a 7-pound preemie or a 45-pound toddler without issues.  In terms of adjustability, few carriers offer as much flexibility as this Tula baby carrier.

It’s designed to allow for two baby carrying positions: a back carry and a front carry. One thing to keep in mind is that this soft-structured carrier from Baby Tula isn’t designed for baby-facing-out carries. That’s a surprise for me considering the hefty price tag this choice sells at.

If you’re in a warm climate (Texas moms, I’m talking to you), this isn’t the best choice for you. It’s made from cotton, which is a pretty warm material. Big moms living in warm climates would be best served by a mesh carrier such as the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh. But on cool days, this guy keeps babies warm and toasty.

Verdict: Who Came Out on Top?

The BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh fits moms of all sizes, from 5′ short and thin moms to chunky 6’+ moms. The straps are thick, wide, and adjustable. And since it’s made mainly from mesh, it breathes well and baby spit up and other messes dry up fast. The same goes for when you toss it in the washer; it dries fast (don’t tumble-dry it).

While its price may discourage some, it’s not too expensive, plus all the comfort and fit adjustability it offers balances things out. The best part is that it’s newborn-ready (no insert needed), plus you can use it right from newborn-hood through toddlerhood.