Best Baby Carrier for Bad Back

Carrying a growing human in your body for months isn’t easy. And back pain during pregnancy isn’t rare. But does having lower back pain really mean don’t wear your little bundle of joy? No!

Related: How to Choose a Baby Carrier

Here’s what to do after childbirth: Fall in love with that tiny angelic thing and start bonding with them right away. You want to be close to them all the time. And is there a better way to stay in touch with your baby than babywearing?

No, there isn’t. Unless your physician advises you to not babywear, you can carry baby on your back without issues. But which is the best baby carrier for bad backs?

Related: Best Carriers for Small Moms

Best Toddler Carrier for Parents With Bad Backs?

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For active moms and dads who want to hike with baby or have a special needs kid, the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 Ergonomic CarryOn Airflow Carrier would be a great choice. It looks nice, keeps baby and parent reasonably cool, features 2 spacious storage pockets, and features a detachable sun shade. It’s also machine-washable for really easy care.

It comes with a 54″ waist belt, and you can buy a waist extender that adds up to 9″ to the waistband. But I imagine that even plus size moms won’t need the waist extender.

The best part is that it provides those horrible backs tons of cushy lumbar support to stave off lower back fatigue and other issues.

There are cheaper options, but they may not be as supportive, comfortable, and well-fitting. However, the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 Ergonomic CarryOn Airflow Carrier doesn’t work preemies, newborns, and infants.

Best Option for Newborns and Toddlers?

What if you’re looking for a regular soft-structured carrier that works for newborns and toddlers? The LÍLLÉbaby SeatMe Hip Seat All Season would be a great choice. It comes with a super comfy and ergonomic removable seat and the straps adjusts to fit different sized parents.

It breathes better than many and would be a comfortable companion in a wide variety of climates. It offers decent storage space, and it lets you carry your baby in at least 5 different positions. Any downside? It’s not a bargain-basement option, and the padding on the waist belt could be a tad better.

9 Tips to Help Take Pressure off Your Back During Babywearing

I’m not aware that there’s any guidelines as to how long a mom should carry their baby on their back, front, or hip. But if you start experiencing back issues at any point in your babywearing journey, it’s best to carry the baby for as few hours as you can get away with.

And if the pain persists or dramatically becomes more intense, it’s super important that you see a doctor for professional advice on the matter.

Below is a few tips to help you deal with a problematic lower back pain during babywearing:

1.Wear Your Baby Less

Try to reduce the number of hours you wear your baby. Less weight on your back means less stress on it which might improve your babywearing experience.

2. It’s Best to Use a Soft-structured Baby Carrier for Better Comfort

If you don’t already own a thickly padded soft-structured baby carrier, consider investing in one. Choose an option with wide, sturdy waist belts/hip belts that offer tons of support. A carrier like this one distributes most of the baby’s weight to the hips, away from the back.

Here’s a list of 5 baby carriers that offer lots of carrying comfort to both parent and baby (especially for hiking moms and dads). Make sure to keep the waistband tightly and securely fastened over the hips for maximum comfort and support.

3.Use a Carrier With Properly Designed and Secured Should Straps

Use a baby carrier (preferably a soft-structured option) with deeply cushioned and relatively wide shoulder straps for increased comfort and support. And of course, make sure to tighten the shoulder straps tightly and snugly enough.

4. Delay Babywearing As Long As You Can

Some parents start babywearing right from birth, but that’s not what doctors and other experts recommend. They recommend that carrying a baby in any kind of carrier begin not sooner than month 4. But if you have a bad back, you may want to delay babywearing until month 6. At month six, your baby can keep their little melons up, which brings me to the next tip…carry the baby on your back.

5. Back-carrying Helps a Great Deal With Lower Back Issues

One great reason to delay baby wearing to month 6 is that you can carry your little one on your back. This may seem counterproductive since you’re actually adding stress to the back, not reducing it. But here’s the point: back-carrying is much better than front-baby wearing when it comes to battling off lower back issues.

When you strap a 20-pound baby to the front, especially in a front-facing position, this distributes lots of pressure on the back. Front-carrying a heavy kid puts more pressure on the back than carrying the tot on your back would cause.

According to the Tot .com, front-carrying a heavy baby (20 pounds and heavier) tends to cause lower back problems.

6. Keep Your Baby As Close to Your Body as Possible

Not only does keeping your tot as close as possible to your body promote parent-baby bonding, but it’s also an effective way to reduce stress on your back. Wearing a baby too loose (this usually happens when using a stretchy baby wrap) tends to distribute quite a chunk of their weight to the lower back, worsening your situation.

7. If You Prefer Front-carrying, Learn this Tip

Carrying a baby on your front is safe as long as the face stays stuck out of the carrier at all times. Babies from month 4-6 usually have firm enough torsos and can keep up the head without trouble. They’ve grown tall enough so that their little mouths stay above the top of the carrier’s front panel.

In almost all cases, it’s better to carry baby facing inward (toward you) rather than outward. Tip: Letting a baby nap facing out in a carrier is a bad idea as it might cause breathing issues according to Wear My Baby.

8. Ask an Expert for Guidance on How to Wear Your Tot

If you’ve experienced lower back issues in a past pregnancy/pregnancies, I suggest that you consult a physical therapy professional for advice on the correct way to baby wear. These experts have a deep understanding on human body balance and can advise you on how to carry your kiddo for the least amount of stress on your back.

*Please note that these are general tips that can help parents with bad backs wear their babies comfortably. These aren’t in any sense intended to be expert medical advice of any kind. For specific advice and remedies for back problems, please talk to a doctor.

9. Don’t Babywear for Too Long

Take breaks every 10-15 minutes babywearing especially if carrying a toddler. Remember, the longer baby remains on your back, the more the stress on your back and the greater the likelihood of back discomfort.

How to Pick the Best Baby Carrier for a Bad Back

This bad back baby carrier buying guide will help you pick something that minimizes lower back problems so you can enjoy pain-free babywearing.

To be clear, every baby carrier even one with amazing lumbar support, adds a certain amount of strain to your body. This means that even the Best back pain baby carrier in the world may not completely (and isn’t designed to) rid a bad back of pain and discomfort.

That said, any option with great lumbar support and generously cushioned should straps and hip belts makes for a more comfortable baby-wearing for parents with a bad back. But what do you watch out for when looking around for a good bad back baby carrier?

Choose the Right Carrier Type

If you don’t experience back pain, you can use any carrier type you want to tote your tot around. But if your back doesn’t behave very well when you pile weights on it, it’s time to start buying baby gear that prioritizes comfort and support for the user.

Baby wraps and ring slings are OK, but they’re not a great choice for those with lower back issues. What you need is a soft-structured carrier that offers you tons of padded comfort around your lower back, hips, and shoulders.

Some parents may view a $200+ price tag for a soft-structured carrier as ridiculous. But for those who’ve used an option with amazing lumbar support, this carrier type is worth the money.

Pick An Option With Good Lumbar Support

What is lumbar support? Lumbar refers to the lower part of the back, also called the lumbar spine. This part has five vertebrae and sits between the diaphragm and sacrum (a bony structure that looks like a shield). Lumbar support in baby carriers means padding positioned around the lumbar region to provide support and comfort to it.

Any carrier that lacks adequate supportive lumbar comfort can’t be considered a good choice. You’ll find that carriers with impressive lumbar spine support cost more than those with so-so support. But they’re worth the extra cost in most cases.

Choose a Carrier With a Baby-Healthy Ergonomic Design

One reason baby slings aren’t the best carriers for babies is that some tend to hold the baby in the fetal position. In this position, the back of baby stays curled uncomfortably, and it’s easy to block air passage in the fetal position. From an ergonomic standpoint, baby slings are the best option out there.

Soft-structured carriers come with a much better ergonomic design. Better ones keep baby in a safe, comfortable position and typically don’t hinder the breathing process.

Get a Carrier With Great Shoulder Strap and Waistband Padding

The wider the shoulder straps and the beefier the padding there, the greater the carrying comfort in general. Super soft padding may seem like a really good idea for comfort, but excessively soft padding doesn’t work that well as far as long-term support and comfort.

Also, the waistband/hip belt needs to be quite wide and deeply padded for the same reason you want thick, wide shoulder straps.

If the shoulder straps and waistband are thick and well padded, what’s next? Fasten these straps nice and tight so that the carry isn’t too nor too tight. If the body straps too loose or too tight to your body, you’ll likely experience back problems.

Some carriers allow you to arrange the shoulder straps in a crisscross fashion. When one of the strap crisscrosses the other, this promotes even weight distribution.

Price and Brands

If you want a nice and comfortable baby carrier that works great for moms with a bad back, be ready to spend at least $100 for a budget choice and over twice as much for the best options ($200+). Did I hear you say you no way you can part with $100 for a simple baby carrier? I get it. There’s a gazillion baby gear to buy, and pricier isn’t always better.

But when it comes to bad back baby carriers, you want an option that provide above average lumbar support and really good shoulder and waistband padding. And more padding means higher production costs.

Besides, most of the best carriers for moms and dads with problematic backs are soft-structured carriers. And pretty much every case, an SSC costs more than a baby wrap or a ring sling carrier. In fact, none of my recommendations are wraps or ring slings.

Best bad back carrier brands? Well, no single brand makes perfect products all of the time. Some of the time even the finest of brands makes a mediocre product. And the same applies to baby carrier manufacturers. That said, there’s a bunch of carrier companies that hosts of happy moms and dads love.

Babyjorn, Ergobaby, Lillebaby, Deuter, Nuna CUDL, and a couple others are all worthwhile baby carrier brands. Again, you need to look at the specs of the specific carrier you’re wanting to buy and decide if it suitably fits the needs of moms with painful backs.

Why Does Your Back Ache When You Hold a Baby?

When you hold a baby in your arms, chances are that the spine stays twisted in an awkward position. And when you hold a baby over one hip, there’s a tendency for one of the hips to shift upward and remain at a higher position than the other. Either of these two scenarios result in greater stress and pain for the hips and lower back.

How Do You Carry a Baby When You Have a Bad Back?

Having the best baby carrier for back problems is one thing. But wearing a carrier properly to prevent lower back issues, soreness in the neck, upper back fatigue, and hip issues is quite another.

For pain-free babywearing, you want to choose a decent carrier and wear it correctly. That is, you need to tighten the waistband and should straps right. Not too tight and not too loose. Just the right fit.

Here’s how to wear a baby carrier to Prevent Back Issues

The first to do is get the right baby carrier for a bad back. A good option would be one that offers really good lumbar support. Also, the right option comes with a wide and well-padded waistband and shoulder straps. What’s more, this carrier is easy to adjust for a supportive, secure, comfortable, and ergonomic carry.

How to Babywear Infants and Newborn babies to Avoid Back Issues

These are really young and weak and haven’t matured to the point they can firm their upper body and neck enough to support themselves. No matter what kind of carrier you choose, it’s important to position the baby facing inward. When they’re that young, you want to keep a wakeful eye on the tyke the entire time you’re wearing them.

Newborns and infants up to month 4 aren’t too heavy and mostly won’t aggravate back issues provided you position them high enough. You want to carry them in a position that leaves the legs, arms, and head sticking out for safety reasons. How high should you wear a newborn or infant? High enough that you can easily touch the top of their heads with your chin.

How to Wear Toddlers and older babies to Stave Off Back Trouble

Babies from month 4 and toddlers have the ability to firm their torsos and hold their heads up while in the carrier. Since they can keep their little noggins up, you carry safely haul them around on your back without worry.

Make sure to wear the toddler in a way that transfers the majority of the weight from your lower back to your hips. If you choose a carrier with thick, sturdy hip belts and tighten them nice and tight, your back will thank you for being so kind.

According to medical experts, a back-carry is the best way to wear a toddler if you have urinary incontinence.

Even the Best Baby Carrier for Back Pain Won’t Eliminate Strain

A baby carrier with good lumbar support is a great help if you have lower back problems. But anyone who tells you that any particular baby carrier designed for parents with bad backs will alleviate every trace of lower back discomfort is simply lying to you. But yes, a good bad back baby carrier helps minimize lower back pain, ,making transporting a baby a more enjoyable experience rather than a painful one.

5 Best Baby Carriers for a Bad Back

1. LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 Ergonomic CarryOn Airflow Carrier: Best for Toddlers and Hikers

If your kiddo’s is way past infancy and can walk comfortably and you’re into active living, check out the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 Ergonomic CarryOn Airflow Carrier. With a load carrying capacity of 25-60 pounds, this isn’t a newborn or infant carrier. It’s a toddler carrier, for bigger, tall kids who can walk alongside mom or dad when out hiking on quiet trails.

The LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 comes in a really sleek design and getting it on is surprisingly easy. It’s the sort of carrier to own for walking to and from parking lots, hiking out in the wild, visiting Disneyland, or walking through busy airports.

Most strollers come with an upper limit of 55-60 pounds. If you’d rather wear your baby than wheel them around in a stroller, this is your go-to carrier. With an upper limit of 60 pounds, no toddler would be too big for this pouch.

The back of this carrier is wider and goes higher up on the back than most. This pouch stays useable until your little one is big enough to join college! If you have a special needs child (Down syndrome?) who still needs to have mom around way past when other kids become independent, this is the carrier for you.

One thing that the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 does better than most is breathing. A swathe of the fabric is mesh, and mesh outperforms every other material in the breathability department. But truth be told: this isn’t the most breathable baby carrier on the planet; the BabyBjorn FREE 3D Mesh is.

This thing looks nice in the way carriers look good, and in terms of baby and parent comfort, it really shines. It features easily adjustable side panels that move the seat to the most hip-healthy position, and it lets you tote your toddler in 3 carrying modes namely: in-facing, on the back, and on the hip.

Well, most toddler-friendly choices allow for baby-facing-out carries, but this doesn’t and that could be a deal breaker for some. But if you have a bad back, do you really want to carry a 57-pound toddler facing-out? That’s not recommended. Baby carrying experts believe that the heaviest babies are best worn on the back, and this carrier is a great choice for this carrying position.

When climbing over rocks, jumping across cool streams, and going down steep slopes, you don’t want your toddler to face out. You want them pressing against your back, but if the back experiences problems from time to time, the carrier should have great lower back support.

I’ll let you in on a secret: very few baby carriers of any kind offer better lumbar support than the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1. The waist belt is thickly padded for comfort, and it fits even extremely plus sized moms and dads without an extender.

If you’re wondering how long the waist belt really is, it’s really long and should accomodates waistlines as long as 54″. And if you’re like the thickest-in-the-middle girl on the planet, you can always order a waist extender. But I’m certain most big gals and boys won’t need an extender.

I don’t have lower back issues, but the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 didn’t cause strain or back fatigue even after a long outing with baby on my back.

2.Ergobaby 360 All-position Carrier: For Large Moms and Dads

The Ergobaby 360 is the older version of the Ergobaby Omni. It’s bulkier than the Omni and not as sleek, plus it doesn’t breathe as well. But it’s a sturdy carrier, plus it’s decently padded for carrying comfort. It works for tots as young as 12 pounds all the way up to 45 pounds.

It lets you carry baby on your back, in a rear-facing position, as well as forward-facing so that curious kids can enjoy all the sights as you walk.

But here’s one little fact to consider before swiping that credit card: the Ergobaby 360 Original needs you to buy an insert if purchasing for a newborn. Well, inserts aren’t expensive. But who wants to spend extra money when there are tons of newborn-ready options that are similarly priced or even cheaper?

The best thing about the Ergo 360 is that it offers good lumbar support. While it’s not as lightweight as the Omni, it’s not as bulky as many similar options. I’ve used other carriers that cost as much and even more than this option, and they either had meh back support or no back support at all.

The design of this carrier makes it distribute baby weight evenly so that the majority of it doesn’t end up on your lower back. If you have a horrible back and carrying a heavy car seat with baby strapped in makes things a million times worse, get this carrier.

And if you shop a lot (like yours truly), you’ve noticed that few baby strollers have a large enough storage basket. When your shopping list has you buying half the grocery store, you’ll want to have this companion and not a stroller. The Ergo 360 is a real life saver because it lets you pull a grocery cart with both hands while baby stays safe and secure on your back.

The Ego 360 is really easy to get on and off. There are only two buckles to clip into place and you’re done. You never need help to get baby in and buckle up the carrier.

*One customer on Amazon reported having received a fake Ergobaby 360. Ergobaby agreed that the item was a counterfeit and admitted some bad folks out there copied some of their popular models. But I noticed the fake model cost $110-ish when I had paid $139 for mine. The fake model had parts breaking (mostly the buckle) after some time, but I didn’t experience any of that. So the link above leads to the pricier listing.

3. Ergobaby Omni 360 All-Position

The Omni is the lighter, sleeker, more breathable version of the Original Ergobaby 360. Like the original version, the Omni provides a built-in hood for when the going gets all sunny. It also offers good lumbar support. The crisscross back strap design helps distribute baby weight better, but wearing baby this way makes the carrier feel a tad bulkier. I prefer carrying baby the normal way.

This carrier fits babies weighing 7 pounds and stays useful until baby reaches 45 pounds. It’s a once-and-done deal, this one. You never need to upgrade to a toddler size carrier down the road as is the case with some carriers such as the Ergobaby Embrace Baby Wrap which works from newborn until age 1.

One thing that endears the Omni model to moms and dads everywhere is that it is newborn-ready. You don’t need to buy an insert separately. This means you can tote baby around right from when they show up all the way until they’re big and grown enough to not need being worn.

Another improvement the Omni offers parents is the detachable pouch that you can place on different positions on the carrier. You can stow away your keys, phone, and still have room to spare. With the Original 360 Carrier, the only storage you get the small compartment for storing the detachable sun hood when not in use.

But if lack of enough storage room on a carrier would be a deal breaker for you, I suggest that you check out the SUNVENO baby carrier.

The SUNVENO offers at least 3 sizeable pockets that allow you to bring your iPhone, credit card, library card, keys, baby wipes, baby diapers, doggy back, and whatnot. This option even lets you bring a cup of iced coffee or a water bottle so you can beat dehydration when out and about in hot weather.

This carrier’s fabric stains more readily than most. And Oxiclean may not always get you great results. I recommend color black over gray as stains show less on black. Also, the Omni can a tad harder to get on, but if you loosen the chest area straps before you buckle the shoulder straps, wearing it gets easier

4. BabyBjörn Free Baby Carrier 3D Mesh: Best for Summer Walks

The  BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh Carrier is an all-mesh option that keeps baby and you cool when babywearing in the summer. If you’re based out in a locale that mostly stays warm and sunny, this is the best option for you and your newborn or toddler.

I said the Ergobaby Omni 360 breathes well, but when stacked against the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh, it’s like a big joke. Every inch of the BabyBjörn is designed to promote airflow. Sweat and heated air exit without hindrance through the gazillions of tiny pores on this lightweight mesh carrier.

You can use this carrier right from birth through toddlerhood. And no, you don’t need insert when wearing a newborn. Buy this and forget about buying bigger and better carriers down the road. It’s for 7-pound infants and older kiddos until 26 pounds. Many similar options stay useful until baby hits 45 pounds, but you won’t be able to use the BabyBjörn past month 15.

Like all BabyBjörn carriers, the FREE 3D Mesh is size adjustable so that parents of all frame sizes can babywear. If you Significant other is a big gal or boy, you want to choose a BabyBjörn carrier because this brand’s carriers are designed to fit all body sizes. Whether you’re 5’3″ or 6’4″, this BabyBjörn should be a good fit.

With some baby carriers, adjusting for height is pretty much a trial and error affair, but that’s not the way it is with the BabyBjörn FREE 3D Mesh. This carrier comes with a fabric ruler on the inside so that you can adjust the carrier to the exact height baby needs to be comfortable during babywearing.

In terms of baby head and neck support, few options can touch this carrier. And if you have a weak back that protests violently every time you pile weight on it, consider this thing. Because it offers really good lower back support.

What’s not to like? The lower back support waist belt can be hard to open. In some cases, parents have had to step out after loosening this belt a bit. Aside from that, the top part of the carrier has an annoying habit of flopping back up after you fold it over.

5. LÍLLÉbaby SeatMe Hip Seat All Season: Most Comfortable

The LÍLLÉbaby SeatMe Hip Seat Carrier looks fantastic, plus it’s one of the most comfortable options ever designed. I put baby in, and they pass out in minutes so I can do fuss-free grocery store runs.

LÍLLÉbaby designs baby carriers that work differently than other brands. Baby gets to sit on a soft comfortable pad which prevents the legs from dangling.

You can wear baby in at least 5 positions: newborn mode, front-facing, facing in, on the back, and on the hip. Not all structured carriers allow for side carries but this one does.

Its lower weight limit is 7 pounds and the upper figure hovers around 45 pounds. It’s beautiful that you can use this carrier right from birth until your kid outgrows babywearing.

Many options let you sit down with baby strapped in, but sitting with baby on one’s body doesn’t feel super comfortable. With most carriers, the wearer makes adjustments to improve comfort when seated with baby. But you’ve not tried sitting with baby strapped in this carrier, have you? OMG how comfortable it is! And no adjustments needed.

Can you remove the seat if you don’t want to use it? Yes, the seating pad is removable, but mother of god, why would you want to remove the seat when it makes even the fussiest of little ones fall asleep in no time?

The  LÍLLÉbaby SeatMe Hip Seat Carrier works for plus size moms BTW. Its straps and buckles can seem intimidating, but once you figure them out, they’re easy to adjust.  This thing fits perfectly whether you’re petite or bigger.

Its waistbelt is wide,,padded, and supportive, but the padding could be better. The shoulder straps boast decent padding too. Together, these supportive devices distribute baby weight evenly so that your lower back never aches.

Also, the LÍLLÉbaby SeatMe Hip Seat offers a roomy, easy-to-access zippered pocket. I easily store a pack of WaterWipes, up to four size-5 diapers, my iPhone 6, a pacifier, and even a changing pad in this HUGE pocket. Few carriers offer that much storage in one pocket.

It’s breathable, but not like OMG airy. A zipper-shut flap behind baby opens to allow cool air to enter, but it isn’t the best summer-use carrier.

Verdict: Which is the Best Bad Back Baby Carrier?

The LÍLLÉbaby SeatMe Hip Seat All Season won the contest, and I voted it #1 for good reason. First off, it’s supremely well padded. And this thick padding around the waist and shoulders amounts to a really comfortable and supportive carrier.

Also, the waist belt stays where you want it, plus it molds around your hips in a nice and secure way. Also, this thing breathes quite well, well enough for year-round use.

While it’s not dirt-cheap (no soft-structured carrier is), it doesn’t feel like a rip-off. It’s a features-rich option that works for smaller and bustier moms alike.

And the best part? Parents with lower back pain love it. You can head over to Amazon and grab this deal right now. Or pick any of the other 4 recommendations because they’re also good bets.

For carrying toddlers when out hiking in the jungle, the LÍLLÉbaby 3-in-1 Ergonomic CarryOn Airflow Carrier is a great companion. It has an upper weight limit of 60 pounds, the highest I’ve seen. It’s super sturdy, breathes quite well, looks cool, is easy to care for, and fits wearers across a wide range of sizes.