Back Baby Carriers

As the name would suggest, back carriers are designed for carrying children on the wearer’s back. This style of carrier may also be referred to as a backpack carrier. Though frame carriers are considered back carriers not all back carriers feature a framed or structured design. Many unstructured carriers such as the Mexican Rebozo and the Asian style Mei Tai and podaegi carriers can be used to wear children on your back.

The most commonly used carry position with a back carrier involves the child facing the wearer with their legs popped out of the bottom of the carrier though some carriers do allow the child to face outward while on the carrier’s back.

A reclining back carry position can be used to carry a younger infant on the wearer’s back. This carry position can be used with the Rebozo carrier or a traditional African-style carrier. This carry position is popular in cultures where mothers must return to manual work while their babies are still quite young though this is not a common position in Western culture.

Most back carriers do not allow for front or side carry positions; however, a multi-position carrier that is primarily a back carrier may offer both front and side carry positions in addition to a standard back carry position.

Wearing your child in a carrier on your back allows you to continue daily activities such as cooking that cannot be done easily when your child is worn on your chest or hip. Children love to be carried on a caregiver’s back because it gives them the opportunity to see the world as you see it.

Using a back carry position can be quite comfortable for you as well since most back carriers have straps that go over both of your shoulders and distribute the infant’s weight evenly across your body.

Don’t feel that a back carrier will suit all of your babywearing needs? Then take a look at our Baby Carrier Types article that outlines the different and our Baby Carrier Buying Guide that can help you better understand how to select the perfect carrier for your family.