Stretchy wraps. Woven wraps. Structured carriers. Mei tais. Ring slings. Hip seats. The world of babywearing has more options than most new parents expect — and the sheer volume of information online can quickly turn excitement into overwhelm.

We've been through it ourselves. When we were expecting, we spent hours comparing carriers, reading forum threads, and watching YouTube tutorials — only to feel less certain than when we started.

So here's the guide we wish we'd had. We'll walk through the main carrier types — what they are, what they're good at, and where they fall short. Honestly, without trying to sell you anything.

(Spoiler: we'll also tell you which one we ended up loving most — but we'll explain why, and you can make up your own mind.)

The main types of baby carriers

Side by side: a quick comparison

So which one should you choose?

There's no universal answer — and anyone who tells you otherwise is trying to sell you something. The right carrier depends on your body, your baby, your lifestyle, and how you like to move through the world.

That said, here's a simple way to think about it:

• If you love wrapping and have the patience to learn — a woven wrap is unbeatable for comfort over long periods.
• If you want something buckle-based and easy — a structured carrier is a solid choice, especially if someone else (partner, grandparent) will also be using it.
• If you want one carrier that does everything, from newborn to toddler, fits in your bag, and works with your wardrobe — a ring sling is hard to beat.

Why we chose linen for the ring sling

If you decide a ring sling is right for you, material matters more than you might expect. Most ring slings on the market are made from cotton or cotton blends. We chose 100% linen — and it wasn't an arbitrary decision.

Linen is naturally temperature-regulating. In summer, it breathes and keeps you both cool. In winter, it holds warmth when layered. It's a single layer of fabric between you and your baby — no padding, no synthetic filling, nothing that traps heat.

And crucially: it gets softer with every wash. Something cotton blends don't quite do in the same way. After a few months of use, it drapes beautifully and feels completely different from when it was new.

It's also machine washable, dries quickly, and is made from flax — a plant that needs no pesticides and very little water. Slow fashion, made to last.

A note on safety

Whatever carrier you choose, safe positioning is the most important thing. The T.I.C.K.S. rule is a good starting point:

• Tight — The sling should be snug, with baby held close to your body.
• In view at all times — You should always be able to see your baby's face.
• Close enough to kiss — Baby's head should be close enough to kiss on the top.
• Keep chin off chest — Always ensure a clear airway; chin should not be pressed to chest.
• Supported back — Baby's back should be supported in its natural curve.

With a ring sling specifically, the M-position (knees higher than bottom, legs in a natural frog pose) is recommended for healthy hip development — and it's the position a ring sling naturally creates when worn correctly.

If you're new to ring slings and want to go deeper on safety, we've written a detailed post on the most common fear: "I'm scared my baby will fall out" — debunking the #1 ring sling myth.