Do Baby Carriers Expire?
Baby carriers don’t have an expiry date as such, but like all items made from fabric they won’t last forever. Instead, the manufacturer instructions will say what age/weight range it should be used for. While this is fine in most cases, if you intend to use the same baby carrier for a younger sibling, or for a second child in the future, or if you want to give it away to a friend, what should you do? Will the same baby carrier be fine to use?
Well, just like clothing and other items made from fabric, it’s up to you to check the material and make sure it’s safe. If the material has stretched too much, or if there are signs of wear and tear, it’s time to get rid of it. In this article let’s look at this topic in more detail, what you can do to keep your baby carrier in tip top condition and when you should stop using one.
Do baby carriers have an expiration date?
Baby carriers don’t have an expiration date like you find on other perishable baby items such as food or wipes. However, they do have a recommended maximum weight limit to use the product safely. Once your child reaches this upper weight limit, you should not use the carrier any longer as it poses a significant safety risk if the material were to tear or rip.
During the life of your baby carrier, you should always ensure it is safe to use, regularly inspecting the material and looking for signs of wear and tear. If you see any slight tears or holes in the material, it’s time to get a new one. It’s not something you want to risk when you’re walking around with your bundle of joy! Here are some things to look out for depending on what type of baby carrier you have.
Slings
This is a popular choice for many parents. A sling is basically just one long piece of material, but they have rings at each end. To ensure a sling is safe to use, regularly check the rings themselves and see if they haven’t warped or become damaged over time. You also want to check the fabric for any slight tears or rips.
Wraps
A wrap is just a big piece of fabric which you can tie around you and your baby. There aren’t any buckles or straps to monitor, but you will need to check the material itself regularly to check it hasn’t ripped anywhere, or if the fabric has shrunk or stretched too much.
Soft-structured baby carriers
For this type of baby carrier, there are more things to check. If there are Velcro straps, check these carefully and see if they have a strong enough hold to support your baby. Velcro becomes less effective over time. Also check the buckles for any cracks and look for any tears in the material.
Backpack carrier
Backpack carriers usually have a solid metal frame with a fabric covering. These are great if you’re planning a long hike or walk with your baby. To ensure it’s always safe to use, check the straps and buckles carefully.
Do BabyBjorn carriers expire?
There are a number of different BabyBjorn carriers on the market, and depending on the model they should be fine to use until your baby reaches between 11-15kg (however, make sure you check this carefully in the instructions). For example, the Baby Carrier Original can be used until 11kg, but the Baby Carrier One can be used until 15 kg (around 3 years of age). Although there is not expiry date, you’re fine to use it for another baby providing it is safe to use and everything is still intact.
BabyBjorn do have a warranty on their products, but it’s only for manufacturer defects and not for wear and tear or any alterations made to the baby carrier by the consumer.
Do Ergobaby carriers expire?
Ergobaby have a similar warranty on their baby carriers to BabyBjorn, except that they offer a lifetime warranty on their products. However, this is only for carriers made after 2017 and it only covers manufacturer defects. This could be a defective buckle, strap or a slight tear in the fabric, but it won’t cover wear and tear. Ergobaby carriers also have a maximum weight limit, but they can go up to 20kg (depending on the model). There is no official expiry date on any of their products, but check the fabric and other parts of the carrier carefully if you want to use it for another infant.
Related Post: Ergo Baby Carrier vs Baby Bjorn vs LILLEbaby
How safe are baby carriers?
Baby carriers are perfectly safe providing you read the manufacturer instructions carefully and regularly check all the buckles, straps and other items of fabric. If you do see something wrong with it, even if it seems very minor, just don’t risk using it. Considering a baby carrier has to support the weight of an entire infant, something which seems quite trivial with a buckle, strap or piece of Velcro could have serious consequences for your baby if the carrier were to break.
When should you stop carrying your baby in a carrier?
You’re free to use your baby carrier until your infant has reached the maximum weight limit of the product. However, as your baby starts crawling and then walking, you should aim to use it less, particularly around the house to encourage their physical development.
How can you extend the life of your baby carrier?
Although baby carriers are subject to wear and tear just like anything else, there are some things you can do to make them last longer.
Don’t leave them in the car
I’m sure I’m not the only parent who uses the trunk of my car for extra baby storage; strollers, spare clothes, diapers, wipes etc. However, you should avoid keeping a baby carrier in your car as the extreme temperatures can warp and damage the material over time. If you live in a climate with harsh winters and hot summers, you need to be even more careful. Instead, just store it on a hook along with your coats near the front door so you won’t forget it when you’re rushing out the door.
Wash on a gentle cycle
Check the manufacturer guidelines carefully, but you should be able to pop most baby carriers in the wash as long as it is on a delicate cycle. Just add some mild detergent and let it air dry afterwards. By cleaning and washing the baby carrier material regularly, it should ensure you get more long term use out of it.
Buy some teething pads
Babies love sucking on things whether it’s on a pacifier, their sleeve or even the straps of their baby carrier. Over time this can stretch and create tears in the carrier material due to it getting wet and stretched all the time. You can let your baby use a pacifier, or if your infant doesn’t use one, invest in some teething pads. After your baby has finished sucking on them, you can just put them in the wash and reuse them again.
Which baby carriers last the longest?
Here are a few baby carriers to consider if you want something that will last a long time. However, it’s hard to imagine a lot of 4-6 year old children being happy in one!
| Baby Carrier | Maximum Weight |
| Abie Huggs Baby Carrier | 45lbs |
| Ergobaby Omni 360 | 45lbs |
| Momcozy Baby Wrap | 50lbs |
| Grownsy Baby Carrier Wrap | 66lbs |