WildBird Baby Carriers Review: Aerial, Ring Sling & More
How to decide on the best Wildbird Carrier for you!
WildBird has become one of the most recognizable names in modern babywearing, especially for families who love beautiful linen fabrics and timeless, minimalist designs. While the brand first became known for its ring slings, they’ve expanded over the years to include the Aerial Carrier and, more recently, the Aerial Wrap, giving families options from the newborn stage through toddlerhood.
Wildbird is actually the brand of the very first ring sling I ever owned! My mother-in-law got me two ring slings from them. I picked a bamboo mix and she a linen- back when they had multiple different fabric options. It was the first new carrier I ever had! My first two carriers were two gently used carriers from a family I had nannied for and the Wildbird sling was my very first new carrier just for me and my baby.
They’re simple, beautifully made, and available in a huge variety of colors and prints. Over the years, the Aerial Carrier has become equally popular thanks to its supportive, hybrid apron-style waistband, cross-back straps, and breathable linen construction.
WildBird has focused on refining a small collection that serves different stages of babywearing. They’ve also recently expanded into assisted carrying with the WildBird Toddler Sling, giving families another option specifically for those toddler ups and downs.
Whether you’re looking for a newborn-friendly carrier, a supportive everyday buckle carrier, a quick ring sling for ups and downs, or an assisted carry option for your toddler, WildBird offers thoughtfully designed options that combine style with function.
My goal with this guide is to help you understand the different WildBird carriers and decide which one might be the best fit for your family.
WildBird Carrier Options
Aerial Newborn Wrap
The Aerial Newborn Wrap is WildBird’s newest carrier, designed specifically for the newborn stage. Unlike a traditional stretchy wrap, it combines soft wrap-style fabric with buckle closures to make newborn carrying simpler for parents who don’t want to learn a long wrap tie. It’s intended for the early months before transitioning into the Aerial Carrier.Â
Pros
- Designed specifically for newborns
- Soft and lightweight
- Less intimidating than a traditional wrap
Considerations
- Shorter usable lifespan than many carriers
- Front carry only
- You’ll eventually transition to another carrier
- May require the baby to grow for a couple weeks before they have legs long enough to fit the panel width.
Best for: Parents wanting newborn closeness without learning a traditional stretchy wrap.
Aerial Carrier
The Aerial Carrier is WildBird’s flagship buckle carrier and the one most people think of when they hear the brand name- because it more recently made the brand popular on social media. Made from breathable linen with padded shoulder straps, an apron-style waistband, and an adjustable seat, it’s designed for everyday use from infancy into toddlerhood. It supports inward-facing front carries and back carries when your child is developmentally ready. WildBird currently offers two carrier sizes to accommodate a wider range of caregiver body types rather than relying solely on waistband extenders.
Pros
- Comfortable for longer wears
- Cross-back straps are easy for many caregivers
- Breathable linen fabric
- Adjustable seat grows with baby
- Available in two caregiver sizes
Considerations
- No forward-facing option
- Can feel bulky- especially on petite frames
- Not the most comfortable back carry for many
- Not designed for newborns without sufficient size/readiness (the Aerial Wrap or ring sling fills that role)
- Higher price point than many buckle carriers
Best for: Families wanting an everyday buckle carrier that balances comfort, simplicity, and beautiful design.
Ring Slings
WildBird’s linen ring slings are what originally made the brand famous. Made from 100% linen, they’re lightweight, supportive, and incredibly versatile. They work from the newborn stage through toddlerhood and are especially popular for quick ups, nursing, and hip carries.
Pros
- Extremely portable
- Newborn through toddler
- Great for quick ups
- Excellent for nursing
- Beautiful linen fabrics
Considerations
- Learning curve
- Weight rests on one shoulder
- May not be ideal for extended wearing sessions
Best for: Families wanting a fast, lightweight carrier they’ll reach for every day.
Toddler Sling
The WildBird Toddler Sling is their assisted carry option for older babies and toddlers, and overall, I’m genuinely really impressed with it.
One of the biggest standouts for me is the fit. Because it comes in two different sizes, it’s one of the better assisted carry options I’ve tried for smaller bodies. I’m able to have my toddler sit higher on my body, which I find much more comfortable compared to some other options.
The shoulder is also really well designed. It’s padded to help provide support, but there’s a mesh panel at the end of the padded section. I find that helps prevent the pressure point I can sometimes feel right at the end of a padded shoulder. So far, I’ve found it genuinely really comfortable.
The extra structure does add a slight level of bulkiness compared to some of the most minimal assisted carry options, but it’s still pretty lightweight. I can easily fit it into most bags, so it still works really well as something I can bring along for the moments when my toddler suddenly needs an up.
The seat itself is quite supportive, too. If I already had a heavier baby or toddler and wanted an assisted carry option that gave me as much support as possible, this is probably one of the options I would lean toward.
Pros
- One of the better fits I’ve found for smaller bodies
- Two different sizes
- Allows me to position my toddler higher on my body
- Supportive seat
- Padded shoulder
- Mesh panel helps reduce pressure at the end of the shoulder padding
- Lightweight enough to fit easily into most bags
Considerations
- Slightly bulkier than more minimalist assisted carry options
- This is an assisted carry and requires you to keep a supporting hand on your child
Best for: Families with an older baby or toddler who want a supportive assisted carry, especially smaller caregivers or those carrying a heavier child.
Comparison at a Glance
Carrier | Best For | Carries |
Aerial Wrap | Newborn stage | Front |
Aerial Carrier | Everyday babywearing | Front, Back* |
Ring Sling | Newborn, Quick ups and nursing | Front, Hip, back (more advanced carry) |
Toddler Sling | Toddler ups and downs | Assisted side carry |
*Back carry when developmentally appropriate and according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Aerial Wrap vs. Aerial Carrier: Which Should You Choose?
One of the biggest questions parents have is whether they should start with the Aerial Wrap or go straight to the Aerial Carrier. The answer really depends on your baby’s age and what kind of babywearing experience you’re looking for.
Choose the Aerial Wrap If…
The Aerial Wrap is designed specifically for the newborn stage. It gives you much of the cozy feel of a wrap while using buckles instead of a long piece of fabric, making it approachable for first-time parents.
The Aerial Wrap is often a great choice if you:
- Are expecting or have a newborn
- Want something simple to learn
- Love close, snuggly newborn carries
- Don’t want to learn traditional wrap tying
But, keep in mind that it may not fit from day one. Look at a ring sling if you want a guaranteed fit from day one!
Choose the Aerial Carrier If…
The Aerial Carrier is built for everyday babywearing once your baby is large enough to fit safely. It offers more structure, more support, and a much longer usable lifespan than the Aerial Wrap. This is typically around 2-3 months old for the average baby.
The Aerial Carrier is often a great choice if you:
- Want one primary everyday carrier
- Plan to carry for longer stretches
- Want to back carry later
- Prefer a structured buckle carrier
Which One Is More Comfortable?
Neither is universally more comfortable because they’re designed for different stages.
The Aerial Wrap prioritizes newborn closeness and simplicity, while the Aerial Carrier is built to provide greater support as your baby grows.
Many families end up using both, starting with the Aerial Wrap during the newborn months before transitioning into the Aerial Carrier.
What Makes WildBird Unique?
Beautiful Linen Fabrics
WildBird has built its reputation around premium linen carriers. Linen is naturally breathable, durable, and softens with use while remaining supportive.
Minimalist Design
WildBird carriers have a clean, timeless look that appeals to families who want a carrier that’s both functional and beautiful.
Cross-Back Shoulder Straps
The Aerial Carrier uses cross-back straps that many caregivers find easier to put on independently than traditional H-back designs.
Two Caregiver Sizes
Rather than relying only on waistband extenders, WildBird offers the Aerial Carrier in two caregiver size ranges for a more customized fit.
Focused Collection
Instead of producing multiple carrier styles, WildBird has focused on refining a small collection of carriers that work well across different stages of babywearing.
Fit Tips & Safety Notes
Check sizing before purchasing
Always review sizing guidance to make sure your baby fits the recommended height, weight, and developmental requirements for each carrier. Simply seeing a 7lb minimum (which is on the aerial carrier) does NOT mean you can get a safe carrier.
Airway safety
Your baby’s face should always remain visible, with their airway clear and chin off their chest. Recheck positioning after every adjustment.
Knee-to-knee support
Adjust the seat so your baby is supported from one knee to the other while allowing their hips and legs to rest comfortably.
Back carrying
Back carrying can often be done before a baby sits independently when using an appropriate carrier and technique, but it does require additional skills. Take time to learn a safe transfer method and practice carefully.
Adjust as baby grows
As your baby grows, periodically adjust the carrier to maintain a supportive and ergonomic fit.
Remember that the Toddler Sling is an assisted carry
The WildBird Toddler Sling is an assisted carry rather than a hands-free baby carrier. I need to keep a supporting hand on my child while using it.
Final Thoughts
If you’re drawn to beautiful linen fabrics, timeless designs, and carriers that blend simplicity with everyday functionality, WildBird is a brand worth considering.
Their ring slings remain a favorite for quick ups and newborn snuggles, while the Aerial Carrier has become a popular everyday buckle carrier for families looking for comfort without unnecessary complexity. And for those early newborn weeks, the Aerial Wrap offers another approachable option for keeping your baby close.
For the toddler stage, I’m also really impressed with the WildBird Toddler Sling. I especially appreciate how well the smaller size works on my body, the supportive seat, and the way they’ve designed the padded shoulder to avoid creating a pressure point. For a heavier baby or toddler who needs frequent ups and downs, it’s one I would personally lean toward when I want more support from an assisted carry.
If you’re still deciding which WildBird carrier is right for you, be sure to check out my individual carrier reviews for a deeper look at each option. You can also explore my ring sling post, buckle carrier post, and babywearing for beginners post to learn more about choosing the carrier that fits your family’s needs.