Below is a list of holders and carriers, for infants and toddlers, that may support parents and caregivers with physical and vision disabilities in holding their young children.

Index

Holders & Carriers

Babybjorn Carrier

Supportive, ergonomic baby carrier, that has easy, quick release options and adjusts for a wide range of ages and sizes. Many similar options are available for lower cost—search: “baby front carrier” or “soft structured carrier”.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Wheelchair users
  • Those with poor balance
  • Those with weakness, pain, or fatigue

Pros:

  • Very supportive
  • Distributes weight across the upper body
  • Current version has good hip support for the baby

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Requires fine motor control to manage fasteners
  • Places weight on parent’s back and shoulders, which could cause back pain
  • Older versions don’t have good hip support for the baby

Approximate Price: $100 to $250

Visit product website here.

Hip Seat Carrier
An occupational therapist holding a baby doll that's supported from the waist down by a Hip Seat Carrier.

Carrier that includes a hip level platform to rest the weight of the child. Carrier can be used with the addition of shoulder straps to secure the child to the body. Many similar options are available for a lower cost—search: “baby hip carrier”.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Those with poor balance
  • Those with weakness, pain, or fatigue

Pros:

  • Moves weight off of back and shoulders
  • Reduces stress on wrist and hand compared to carrying in arms
  • Easy to transition the child up and down as they enter a more exploratory phase of development
  • Minimal small fasteners
  • Limited steps to put on
  • Child can be placed in position with one arm only

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Can’t be used until the child is 4 months or 12 lbs.
  • Not as supportive for the child
  • Without additional strap, parents may overuse arm to support child
  • Many versions of hip carriers are sold, but may have varying levels of comfort and support for parent and child.

Approximate Price: $130

Baby K’tan Baby Carrier
An occupational therapist suspending a baby doll in front of them with a Baby K'tan Baby Carrier that wraps all but the doll's head.

Soft fabric baby carrier with two loops that goes over the parent’s head. Works best up to 20 lbs.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Wheelchair users
  • Those with poor balance
  • Those with weakness, pain, or fatigue

Pros:

  • Distributes weight over larger areas
  • No fasteners to manage
  • All soft carrier
  • May be preferred by parents who like wrap carriers
  • Comes in different sizes for a better fit.

Cons:

  • Places weight on neck and back
  • Goes on over the head, requiring a functional range of motion in arms and shoulders
  • May require adjustments to situate the child

Approximate Price: $60

Visit product website here.

Moby Easy-Wrap Carrier
A parent carrying their young child in a Moby Easy Wrap Carrier that's slung across the front.

Soft fabric baby carrier with a buckle waist and over-the-head strap to secure the child.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Wheelchair users
  • Those with poor balance
  • Those with weakness, pain, or fatigue

Pros:

  • Simple to put on and off
  • Distributes weight over larger areas
  • Allows for a more customized fit
  • Could be used during supported breastfeeding

Cons:

  • Places weight on neck and back
  • Requires fine motor control for buckle
  • Can be difficult to wrap the child initially

Approximate Price: $50

Visit product website here.

Onbuhimo Baby Carrier
A parent carrying their young child in a Onbuhimo Carrier that hangs backpack-style off the back.

Simple, waistless baby carrier that can be worn in the front or back (accommodates 7 to 40 lbs.).

Who Would This Work For?

  • Wheelchair users
  • Those with poor balance
  • Those with weakness, pain, or fatigue
  • Users with short torsos
  • Feeding tube users
  • Ileostomy and ostomy bag users
  • Pregnant persons

Pros:

  • Simple to put on and off due to lack of waist strap
  • Does not squeeze the parent’s waist for those with sensitivity (including those who are pregnant)
  • Comfortable for caregivers of different sizes due to lack of waist-strap
  • Holds the child in a higher position, which may be beneficial for some individual’s center of gravity, and allows the child to see more.

Cons:

  • Places weight on back and shoulders
  • Goes on over the head, requiring a functional range of motion in arms and shoulders
  • Cannot shift weight to other areas of the body.

Approximate Price: $170

Visit product website here.

Goosket Wrap and Sling
An occupational therapist holding a baby doll that's supported from the hips down by a Gooseket Toddler Sling

Sling style carrier for toddlers. 6 months to 4 years, or 44 lbs. Child must have back and neck stability.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Wheelchair users
  • Those with poor balance
  • Those with weakness, pain, or fatigue

Pros:

  • Easily adjustable, portable, and lightweight
  • Easy to transfer the child in and out
  • Comfortable for caregivers of different sizes

Cons:

  • Does not distribute weight
  • Not safe for children who can’t sit independently
  • Parent must be able to use an arm to fully secure the child.

Approximate Price: $80

Visit product website here.

Lapbaby Carrier
An occupational therapist in a chair holding a baby doll securely in their lap using a Lap Baby carrier.

Waist-wrap only baby carrier, designed especially to be used while sitting. Maximum adult waist is 44 inches. Maximum child waist 17 inches. 3 months minimum age.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Wheelchair Users

Pros:

  • Waist-wrap only baby carrier
  • Designed especially to be used while sitting

Cons:

  • No support under the baby’s bottom
  • Baby can slide if the parent’s lap does not provide sufficient support
  • Not safe for children who can’t support their neck and head
  • Only to be used while seated
  • Fits a limited range of sizes

Approximate Price: $40

Deuter Backpack Carrier
A parent carrying their young child in a Deuter Backpack Carrier. The child is suspended in a standing position, head elevated slightly above the parent's head.

Backpack style carrier designed for hiking. Has a kickstand built in to stand independently. Child must be able to sit independently. Max weight of 48 lbs. Many similar options are available for a lower cost—search: “hiking child carrier”.

Who Would This Work For?

  • Those with visual disabilities

Pros:

  • Can stand independently while child is transferred in and out
  • Can carry an older or larger child for parents who aren’t comfortable using a stroller
  • Offers fits for different body types
  • Child can easily observe surroundings

Cons:

  • Can be heavy and large
  • May be difficult to lift and put on independently
  • The child’s head may be higher than parents head, and so parents must be aware of surroundings.

Approximate Price: $320

Visit product website here.