How to Choose the Best Baby Carrier for a Toddler
As your little one grows and enters toddlerhood, your needs from a sling will change but woven carriers are still a great option for toddlers.
Our guide will help you choose the best carrier for your toddler. Or you can use our shop filters to help select the right sling.
Do I need a Baby Carrier for my Toddler?
The benefits of carrying continue to be important to your child's ongoing attachment and development.
Having a baby sling or carrier handy when little legs get tired or when nap time comes around will enable you to continue to get out and about together without the need for lugging around a buggy or running the risk of toddler tantrums!
This is the age at which carrying enters a whole new realm – of adventuring together, averting upsets, and being a regular ‘lifesaver’.
Why Choose a Woven Wrap for a Toddler?
Ring Slings for Toddlers
Ring Slings are perfect for restless toddlers - secured at the shoulder with rings, these carriers only have to be set up once, making them a great options for kids who like to be up and down often.
Simply releasing a little tension from the sling, using the rings, will allow your child to pop down to explore to their heart’s content, with the sling ready and set up to be easily tightened when they need a cuddle.
Ring Slings are lightweight and perfect to have handy in your bag for when your child needs a rest.
We generally recommend them for shorter carries with bigger kids; being one-shouldered and with one pass supporting your child.
Cairis Toddler & Preschool Carrier
A tie strap, buckle waist carrier, the Cairis is quick to use and very comfortable long carries.
The Toddler size is made to fit from around 18 months to 4 years. The Preschool size from about 4 to 6 years. They have additional padding on the waist and straps for your comfort as well as leg padding for your child's comfort.
The tie straps flare out so you can spread them for additional support.
You can also carry your toddler on your front, hip and back.
Full Buckle Toddler Carriers
The most recognisable type of baby carrier, quick and intuitive to use, a full buckle carrier can be a great choice for a toddler. We make the Bairn Baby Carrier for use up to 2 years and it is perfect for front and back carries. Shop the Bairn Carrier
If you're looking for something for longer carries, especially hiking, check out our Nook Evolve - available via our Made to Order service it has a number of unique, luxury features that will help with the extra weight of a toddler. The Nook Evolve is sized for children around 2-6 years old.
Which Fabric Blend to Choose?
Certain yarns offer qualities that can help when carrying heavier children. For instance hemp is known to be strong, whilst wool offers cushioning. However, it maybe not as important as you might think!
Almost any blend can be used comfortably with a toddler when wrapping if the right carry is used alongside it.
When looking for a wrap or ring sling for a toddler you could look out for words such as ‘cushy’, ‘supportive’, and ‘strong’ in our descriptions. Many descriptions will also tell you if the blend is toddler worthy and you can use our filters for this.
Hybrid weaves and pocket weaves are terms you may also see in our baby carrier descriptions. These are weave techniques which enhance the density of the fabric, leading to a stronger and more durable sling. Baby wraps and ring slings woven with these techniques are likely to be ideal for a toddler.
If you are going to be using a Toddler Cairis then the blend is not as important so we suggest going for a pattern and colourway you love!