Customers will often ask us if a particular carrier is plus-size friendly.
And the answer is: Yes!
What's the best carrier for plus size parents?
Whichever carrier is right for your needs!
Remember - your body was made for your baby.
Parents and caregivers of all shapes and sizes can safely and comfortably wear their babies.
So let's get started! You'll love the amazing benefits of babywearing your little one.
Here are some common recommendations we give:
No Waist (Waist-less) Babywearing Options for Plus Size Caregivers
Some caregivers prefer no-waist options. The best carriers to use without a waist strap are the onbuhimo baby backpack carrier and the long woven wrap. Second place goes to the wrap strap meh dai. Honorable mention goes to the ring sling.
Onbuhimos for plus size caregivers
Onbuhimos are the most challenging style to learn, but they are great for those experienced with babywearing and for those who want a backpack style without a waistband. Onbuhimos have a soft panel, and you make the seat by folding the bottom of the panel up and in-between you and baby. They can be used for back or front carries. Our buckle onbuhimos include a buckle chest clip for comfort and convenience. We offer 3 sizes of onbuhimos based on your baby's height/ pants size for length.
See all our onbuhimo options here.
Long woven wraps for plus size caregivers
Long woven wraps are great for beginners and advanced babywearers alike! We recommend learning the Front Wrap Cross Carry (tutorial here) in your base size first. This is a good carry style to learn how your wrap works, learn how to tighten and what a good fit feels like, and to get your base size down. After your technique is down, the world of wrapping opens up to you! A popular waist-less back carry is the ruck style (back carry tutorial here). But, you can do all kinds of waist-less and hip carries that put less pressure on your abdomen. Sizing for wraps is based on your base size and the types of carries you want to try. We recommend starting with a base size and base -2 length wrap for ultimate flexibility.
Many plus size caregivers have a base size of 7/L and a base -2 of 5/S. But parents are all unique! We carry up to size 8/XL as regular offer items, and we can special order longer length wraps on request as well. Email contact@mama-roo.com for details on how to order your extra-length wrap if needed.
Caregivers who want exclusively no-waist carry options will be happy to hear that a base -2 wrap will give a lot of flexibility. So, even if your base size might be a custom length, you will likely find an in-stock size option for base -2 length that will give you the waist-less carry options you're looking for.
See all our wrap options here.
Combination - Wrap strap meh dais for plus size caregivers
Wrap strap meh dais have a soft panel and 4 wide wrap straps, one at each panel corner. They are a great in-between of a long woven wrap and backpack carrier. Waist-less options are not quite as versatile as the long woven wrap or as quick as the onbuhimo. But, with the generous strap length and ease of use, it's a great choice! The Tied Tibetan is an excellent start for a waist-less carry, and a personal favorite carry (tutorial here).
We highly recommend pairing your meh dai with a set of sling rings (available here).
See all our wrap strap meh dai options here.
Ring slings for plus size caregivers
Plus size mama wearing her toddler in a 1.8m standard length linen ring sling
Ring slings are an "honorable mention" in the no-waist category because baby's position can change where the panel sits. However, for many the "sash" of the ring sling doesn't bother their abdomen and they can get a comfortable fit this way.
Most of our rings slings are 1.8m / 5'8" long. You will need about 12" of fabric leftover from the rings for a safe carry. Many plus size caregivers can comfortably use this length.
If you need more length for a safe and comfortable carry: We carry extra length ring slings from our handwoven carrier brand.
See our current handwoven ring sling options here.
We can also order in extra length ring slings for you. Email us at contact@mama-roo.com with your desired length needs. 2.1m / 6'8" long is a common long length size.
See all our ring sling options here.
Size-inclusive Waistband Baby Carriers for Plus Size Caregivers
Some caregivers prefer the support of a waist strap when babywearing. This puts less strain on the shoulders and often allows for more comfortable carries. We recommend our soft structured carriers and half buckle carriers for plus size parents who want a structured waistband.
Soft structured baby backpack baby carriers (SSCs) for plus size caregivers
Our baby backpack carriers fit most caregivers up to t-shirt size 4x/5x as a standard. The minimum length for these waistbands is 50" as a standard, with many measuring longer. If you need a longer length waistband, email us at contact@mama-roo.com with the length you need. We will special order your desired waist strap length at no extra charge!
We offer adjustable and fixed panel baby carrier options in multiple sizes. Sizing is based your child's height/ pants size for length.
See all our SSC baby carrier options here.
Combination - Half buckle meh dai baby carriers for plus size caregivers
Our combination half buckle baby carriers fit most caregivers up to t-shirt size 4x/5x as a standard. The minimum length for these waistbands is 50" as a standard, with many measuring longer. If you need a longer length waistband, email us at contact@mama-roo.com with the length you need. We will special order your desired waist strap length at no extra charge!
We offer adjustable panel half buckle carriers in 2 sizes. Sizing is based your child's height/ pants size for length.
See all our half buckle baby carrier options here.
Best Fabric Options for Baby Carriers for Plus Size Caregivers
Many plus size caregivers are concerned about support and breathability for their new baby carrier. If staying cool and dry is a concern for you, we recommend cool-feel fabrics like linen and bamboo. Mesh panel options have more "give" but can be very comfortable for babies who "run hot," too.
See our recommendations for baby carriers for those who "run hot" here.
As you can see, Mama & Roo's offers a variety of options for you and your little one, no matter what size you are. We strive to be inclusive in our offering and want you to feel completely comfortable in your new carrier!
If you have specific questions, just reach out us via the chat on this page. Or, you can email us at contact@mama-roo.com. We love to hear from you!