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There is nothing like having your baby in your arms, holding them close and keeping them safe. When you are at home with your little one, they probably spend a great deal of time being held by you and that is wonderful. Babies love to be held and cuddled, and it provides many benefits, such as helping them to keep calm and cry less. When your baby is in this calm, attentive state, they are better able to learn and interact with their environment.

Carrying your baby with you can enhance not only their social and cognitive abilities, but also benefit physical health and development by aiding with digestion and helping them learn to balance. Of course, there is the issue of certain tasks becoming more difficult if one arm is occupied with your baby, but that is what makes baby carriers go great; you get the benefit of carrying your baby, but also the freedom to use both hands.

Knowing all these benefits, you are anxious to get a baby carrier, but which one is the best fit for you and your baby? Are they all basically the same? If not, how do they differ?

Things to Consider When Making Your Baby Carrier Choice

As with other baby products such as strollers and car seats, looking over the technical details and specifications can be rather dry at best, and a little overwhelming at worst. To make things easier on yourself, it will be helpful to consider what points you think are the most important, such as:

• Positions. Do you want to have a choice of positions for your little one?
• Temperature. Are you concerned that your child would get too warm or too cold in the carrier?
• Feeding. Would you like to be able to breastfeed while using the carrier?
• Price. How important is the price? What is a comfortable price range for you?
• Design. How important are the design and the colour?

The two carriers that you have probably heard of the most are also ones that meet most of these requirements, albeit in somewhat different ways: the BabyBjorn Carrier One and the Ergobaby Omni 360. They are both incredibly popular and easily found in most baby stores.

BabyBjorn Carrier One Vs Ergobaby: Similarities

As similar products designed for the same use, the BabyBjorn Carrier One and the Ergobaby do have some similarities. Both are well-padded for comfort. Both will allow your baby to be carried in several positions. Each carrier also has adjustments for hip support, useful for when baby grows. Both carriers are great for taking baby out for a walk with you, or even for babywearing exercise classes.

When you are looking for versatility and ease of use, both the BabyBjorn Carrier One and the Ergobaby Omni 360 deliver, providing you with many options while also taking the guesswork out of babywearing and both are newborn ready out of the box.

What’s Different about baby carriers?

While both carriers share some things in common, there are, of course, differences, including:

• Carry Position. While there are the same number of positions available on each carrier, the Carrier One has two versions of the parent-facing front position at different height settings, along with a forward-facing option, and back carry. The Omni, on the other hand, has parent-facing front, forward-facing front, back carry, and hip carry.

• Longevity. The most significant difference between the two is the weight limit and age range. The Omii will last you longer, taking your child from newborn to 20 kg/ 45 lbs, while the One’s limit is 14 kg/ 33 lbs.

• Height Positioning. Although both carriers are highly adjustable, the Carrier One, with its two different height positions, allows for newborns to sit in a more appropriate higher position and then drop down as they get older.

• Breastfeeding. If you plan on breastfeeding while using the carrier, be aware that the Carrier One slides on over your head and covers a good portion of the wearer’s chest, making it the more challenging carrier for this activity.

• Crossable Straps. The Carrier One’s straps run parallel down your back, in the style of backpack straps. The Omni 360, on the other hand, allows for the straps to be either parallel or crisscross. The latter option can distribute the weight more appropriately for some wearers.

Which Baby Carrier is right for me? Babybjorn vs ergobaby carrier

Even though you can’t really go wrong with either choice, your particular wants or needs may guide you to one over the other.

You might prefer the BabyBjorn Carrier One if:

• You Want a Carrier That Is Easier to Use. Both carriers are relatively simple, but the Carrier One is slightly easier due to the way it slides on over your head and features a permanently attached piece of fabric connecting the straps so that you won’t have to deal with connecting a back buckle as with the Omni 360. 
• Of course, the Omni allows you to crisscross the straps, which negates the need for the back buckle, but involves an extra step. If you want the simpler carrier between the two, it is the Carrier One, but only by a hair.

• You Will Be Using the Back Carry Position Often. As with the above, this is not radically easier on the Carrier One, but if you plan to back carry often and want it to be as easy as possible, the Carrier One may be a better choice for you.

• You are Tall. This one really comes down to the individual. Some taller parents prefer the longer length of the Carrier One. Of course, this means that shorter parents might find it less comfortable if worn for long periods, as it can put extra pressure on the shoulders.

The Ergobaby Omni 360 might appeal to you if:

• You Want a Longer-Lasting Carrier. With a weight capacity that is 6 kg/ 12 lbs greater than the Carrier One, the Omni is your top choice in terms of longevity. In fact, your child will probably not want to be carried up to the maximum allowable weight.
• Breastfeeding. As mentioned above, the Omni is the more breastfeeding-friendly choice owing to the lower design.

• You Need Extra Back Support. Many parents find that setting the Omni’s straps to crisscross allows for a better distribution of weight, providing better back support. This is a significant factor if you plan to do a lot of babywearing.

• You Want to Hip Carry. If you plan to hip carry, there is only one choice, as the Carrier One does not support this function. This is a position typically assumed when carrying a baby without a carrier. It puts less pressure on your back and arms and feels natural.

Both carriers offer you an excellent means of bringing your little one with you wherever you go. For more information about the BabyBjorn Carrier One or the Ergobaby Omni 360, feel free to contact us and we will be happy to answer any questions.