Many big moms want to use baby carriers for their infants. However, they might be hesitant to try them because so many baby products aren’t sized correctly for plus-size women. Why spend a lot of money only to be frustrated and embarrassed that the product doesn’t fit you? The good news is that many wraps and slings come in sizes appropriate for plus-size moms. For instance, the Moby Wrap is 18 feet long and will fit nearly everyone!
Many dads also benefit from larger carriers and slings, because baby wraps made for average women often don’t fit a man’s longer torso very well. Fathers love having a baby carrier or sling, sometimes even more than moms, because they enjoy being close to their baby. It’s also convenient to have a single carrier that will fit you both.
Some women may also find that holding their baby close in a baby carrier will make them too warm. If so, wraps and slings made of cotton or silk are a great choice. Structured baby carriers like the Baby Bjorn Air is a great choice as well.
Baby Carrier Options
There are several kinds of baby slings: padded and sewn into a sling shape with rings, unpadded and sewn into a sling shape with or without rings, and simple fabric slings. Padded slings like the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder will probably be too hot and bulky for you to feel comfortable if you ever “run warm” or if you have a large bust. Unpadded slings like the Maya or Rosado slings are better choices for moms who want less fabric wrapped around them, but who still prefer the simple method of putting on a sling that has rings and a tail. Probably the most comfortable carrier for bigger women will be a wrap such as the Moby. The only downside is the need to learn a variety of wrapping and tying techniques, but these are easily learned.
There are also a few kinds of carriers. The Ergo carrier can be used as a front pack, a back carrier, or a hip sling. This versatility lets you use it through many phases of your baby’s development, and it will fit most people, especially with the waist belt extender (but for safety, don’t use more than one extender). The Baby Bjorn is the classic carrier most people think of first. You can get the original model with extra-long straps, or you can choose the Active model that includes longer straps. Other, cheaper front carriers and backpacks are out there, but most will not fit plus-size women very well.
Older children can be carried in a backpack-style carrier, and most of them fit almost any parent. To fit them, measure torso length and waist-belt size. The separately purchased belt extender will allow you to fit the carrier around the waist, and most backpacks will fit even long torsos quite comfortably.
Here are some great choices for plus-size moms:
- The Ergo carrier with a waist band extension (accommodates moms with waists up to 51″)
- The Moby Wrap can be tied in a way that fits nearly anyone.
- The Rosado sling comes in XS, S, M, ML (medium-long), XL, and XXL standard sizes, and Julianne Rosado will help you find your size or will custom-make a sling for you if you provide your height and weight information.
Rosado Sling Sizes - The Ultimate Baby Wrap from Parents of Invention fits most moms and comes in a stretchy cotton-Lycra fabric blend.
