Ergobaby OMNI 360 Review: Is This Baby Carrier Worth It?

Of the 42 parents we surveyed, 45% of them are using Ergobaby carriers, making it the most commonly used carrier.

collage of travelling photos

In this article, I share my honest thoughts and review of the Ergobaby OMNI 360, including my personal experience. Read on to find out more!

I would recommend the Ergobaby OMNI 360 to parents who are looking for:
  • A strong back support carrier
  • An all-rounder carrier which can support multiple carry positions through different phases for up to 48 months
  • Able to cater to different sizes of caregivers
  • An easy-to-care-for material with various features such as a baby hood and pocket.
1

More About Ergobaby Carriers

Introduction to Ergobaby

Ergobaby’s ergonomically designed carriers are award-winning carriers acknowledged by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. It focuses on keeping the baby in a natural sitting position and evenly distributes the baby’s weight between the carrier’s hips and shoulders. This provides more comfort and support. 

Ergobaby is a brand to look out for when it comes to high-quality and reliable baby carriers. With over 30 carriers across different categories and age groups, making a selection might be head wrecking. 

Here are a few models that are highly considered – Embrace, OMNI Breeze, OMNI 360 and Alta Hipseat.

Material
Lumbar Support
Machine Washable
Breastfeeding
Carrying Position
Baby Privacy Hood
Pocket
Add-on Winter Weather Cover
Weight & Age
Price (USD)
product image - Embrace baby carrier
Embrace
Comes in Soft AirMesh / Knit
Baby facing in
Baby facing out
7-25lbs
~0-18mo
$99
product image - OMNI Breeze
OMNI Breeze
All-over, SoftFlex™ Mesh
Baby facing in
Baby facing out
Hip carry
Back carry
7-45lbs
~0-48mo
$199
product image - OMNI 360
OMNI 360
Selected area of Mesh
Baby facing in
Baby facing out
Hip carry
Back carry
7-45lbs
~0-48mo
$179
product image - Alta Hipseat
Alta Hipseat
All-over, SoftFlex™ Mesh
Baby facing out
Hip carry
12-45lbs
~4-48mo
$129
  • Ergobaby’s Embrace carriers emphasize the coziness of a soft wrap carrier with the simplicity of a soft structured carrier for newborns (minimum 50.8cm height and 3.2kg weight)
  • Ergobaby’s OMNI range which consists of the OMNI 360 (in mesh or cotton), OMNI BREEZE (in SoftFlex™ Mesh) and OMNI DREAM (in SoftTouch™ 100% cotton), is an all-around carrier, suitable for newborn to toddler, in all carry positions. 
  • The Hipseat baby carrier is a great option for exploring toddlers. It is convenient to pick up and let down the child with the hipseat. It also comes with detachable straps to be instantly transformed into a baby carrier. 

45% of mommies we interviewed used the Ergobaby carrier, making it the most commonly used carrier in the market. The OMNI 360 model was the most popular Ergobaby carrier.

Bar graph showing what type of baby carrier are mainly used now
2

What to Look Out For When Choosing a Baby Carrier

Importance & Considerations
Pie chart showing the top factors to consider when purchasing a baby carrier

Mommies mainly considered the following factors when buying a carrier: back support, security when baby is inside and ease of putting on the carrier and putting baby in. 

There are many benefits to owning a carrier. A carrier promotes attachment and bonding and carrying babies in the “M” shape have low rates of hip dysplasia.

There are so many different types and brands of baby carriers in the market. It is important to look through the list of considerations and rank it in order of importance to your family and baby’s needs before deciding on one. When it comes to babies, safety is always the number 1 priority for all parents. Hence, going for a trusted brand with an award-winning (ergonomic) patented design will be a better choice. 

3

What Mommies Have to Say

Mommies’ Thoughts

Here are some thoughts from mommies who bought the Ergobaby OMNI carrier:

  • Don’t rush into buying the carrier. Always test the carrier out with the baby inside.
  • Choose carriers with breathable mesh so the baby won’t perspire too much 
  • Choose a carrier with double facing 
  • Choose one that’s machine washable 
  • You may not need to buy an infant insert because when the baby is younger, it’s easier to carry by hand

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4

How I Feel About the Ergobaby OMNI 360

Personal Experience

Being a new parent, I recounted being overwhelmed with pregnancy and, of course, the baby preparation. 

What to buy and which to buy? 

My husband and I are both wanderlusters (people who yearn to travel). We traveled frequently and with a baby, we were determined not to let his existence stop us from doing what we love most. So we decided to bring him along everywhere we go!

Collage of pictures while travelling

We brought him on countless trips, near and far. We came back from our Europe trip a few months back, and we were so grateful for this one thing that we used the most during the trip – our Ergobaby Omni 360 Mesh Carrier. That is actually what sparked me to write a review on this trusty product that saved us during our travels, no matter in or out of the country. 

Even before shortlisting baby carrier brands, I have heard so much about this brand, Ergobaby. And one of the reasons is the highly raved ergonomic design that cradles the baby in a natural sitting position and the carrier’s ability to evenly distribute the baby’s weight between the carrier’s hips and shoulders. 

With an extensive range of products and designs being patented, I know this is a brand I need to look out for. 

5

Overview of the Ergobaby OMNI 360

Overview

We asked parents about the features they liked and disliked about their carriers. Here are the results in summary:

Pros
  • Strong back support
  • Easy to put the carrier on and the baby inside
  • Adjustable to fit different caregivers
  • Can be used from birth
  • Thick shoulder padding
  • Machine washable
  • Lightweight
  • Snug fit
Cons
  • No easy access pocket
  • Unbreathable fabric (feels warm)
  • Bulky
  • Not adjustable to fit different caregivers
  • Not machine washable
6

Pros of the Ergobaby OMNI 360

Features
Pie chart showing the top factors you'll love about the Ergobaby OMNI 360 carrier

All carry position

Ergobaby’s OMNI is able to carry a baby from 0-48 months old in all the carry positions:

  • front facing (newborns)
  • front facing out (babies ~5+ months)
  • hip carry and back carry (babies ~6+ months)

Honestly, I never thought I would continue to use this product over 12 months. 20 months in and we are still using the carrier on the go. 

It provides so much convenience as compared to a stroller. Needless to wait for lifts in crowded malls and it is slim and light to carry around. Also, we find that our baby sleeps better in the carrier as compared to the stroller. With the all-carry position function, we were able to bring our baby along on our adventures throughout the stages. 

Adjustable buckle straps for easy babywearing & for sharing 

It is easy to adjust with its straps for co-sharing to fit various sizes. Simply buckle on at the hip and strap it over the shoulders like a school bag, without the need to go over the head or face the struggle to wrap and tie. 

Personally, we have tried the overhead baby carrier and my husband dreaded it as it messes up his styled hair every single time. We also tried the sling type during the newborn stage and found loading the baby in it a little tricky. 

If babywearing for both parents is in the plan, it is important to choose one that is able to adjust to different sizes.

Collage of pictures while travelling

Lumbar support

With the lumbar support from the Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier, it evenly distributed weight on the shoulders and hip. There was less pressure on the back. This lumbar support provided extra back support for mommies.

Back support was my top priority when I was looking for baby carriers. I suffered from a back condition called Scoliosis (sideways curvature of the spine). I had surgery done to input metal implants to correct it. I tried on multiple brands, and I could feel the weight support difference. With the Ergobaby carrier, it felt more comfortable and it protected my back. 

Safe ergonomic design 

Ergobaby carriers are ergonomically designed and have been acknowledged as a “hip healthy” product by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. With its patented design, it promotes a natural “M” position instead of the legs hanging straight down, increasing the risk for hip dysplasia (deformed socket joint). 

Breathable & easy to maintain material 

The 3D Air Mesh fabric panel and mesh lining of the OMNI 360 keep the baby and parent cool thanks to more airflow. It is made of 100% Polyester fabric that is machine washable, easy to dry and to take care of.

Summer is all year round in Singapore and this just makes so much sense. The heat in Singapore is unbeatable! Although the OMNI 360 comes in air mesh material, it still can get a little stuffy at times and my child still sweats from it. Hence, choosing a material that is machine washable is a must-have for a carrier in Singapore. 

Ergobaby got you covered for the winter as well! There is an add-on winter weather cover that can be attached to any Ergobaby carrier (except Embrace and Aerloom), to keep the baby warm and dry with the baby hood. It is lined with soft fleece and the outer layer is a water-resistant ripstop fabric for ultimate protection. 

Thoughtful design

The Ergobaby OMNI 360 carrier includes UPF 50+ tuckaway baby hood for easy breastfeeding or to protect the baby from sun & wind while napping. Aside from that, it comes with a storage pocket which is great for parents!  

7

Cons of the Ergobaby OMNI 360

Flaws

Too many adjustments

Being able to fit different sizes also means the trouble and time taken to adjust when changing over. There are multiple belts to adjust (at the shoulders, in between shoulders & hip) and it could be a bit of a hassle to adjust. It will be perfect if this process could be further simplified. 

Newborn usage was not clear

The OMNI carrier was marketed for newborns. However, it is recommended for newborns from 12 pounds (~5.5kg) onwards. 

As my son was a small baby, weighing at only 2.65kg, we could not use the carrier as early as we planned. On Ergobaby’s website, they do offer a unique infant insert to carry a baby from birth (starting at 7 lbs./3.2 kg and above).

8

How the Ergobaby OMNI 360 Compares Against Others

Comparison Against Other Brands
Lumbar Support
Different materials available
Easy to put on carrier & baby inside
Longevity
Machine washable
Compact
Different carrying position
pocket
Breastfeeding friendly
Ease of Adjusting Between Wearers
product image - OMNI 360
Ergobaby (OMNI)
SoftFlex™ Mesh/ Mesh/ SoftFlex™ Cotton (100%)/ Cotton (100%)
7-45lbs
Manageable
Baby facing in
Baby facing out
Hip carry
Back carry
product image - Tula (Free to Grow)
Tula (Free to Grow)
Cotton/ Mesh/ Linen/ Woven/ Handwoven/ Hemp

The most varied material & design choices
7-45lbs
Quite compact
Baby facing in
Back carry
Konny (FLEX)
Air Mesh/ Poly Cotton
Overhead wear & requires tying
Immediate – 44lbs
Most compact
Baby facing in
Baby facing out
With limited restrictions
product image - Baby Bjorn (One Air)
Baby Bjorn (One Air)
Airy 3D mesh / soft cotton blend
Overhead wear and harness-like feature might require more time to put on
8-33lbs
Manageable
Baby facing in
Baby facing out
Back carry

Ergobaby OMNI vs Tula

Overall, Ergobaby OMNI and Tula baby carriers seem to fare best as the most well-rounded all-in-one carriers. However, Tula (Free to grow) baby carriers:

  • Do not support the front-facing carrying position. This might be a concern for some parents as babies have the tendency to prefer front-facing at a later stage 
  • Do not have the in-built Lumbar support. 
  • Has the most varied material and designs to choose from. 

Ergobaby OMNI vs Konny

The Konny baby carrier still falls short of the flexibility to co-share (2 caregivers of ultra-different sizes) but I love how snug it looks and how compact it is. 

I personally find overhead-wearing baby carriers a hassle to wear. I preferred the Ergobaby OMNI 360 for its longevity and in-built detail like a pocket and baby hood. In the survey, some parents also commented that after trying other brands, they still decided on the Ergobaby OMNI 360 as they appreciated Ergobaby’s all-carry position and the great support for both mother and baby. 

9

Places to Purchase the Ergobaby OMNI 360

Where to Buy
Tip for Singaporeans:

Singapore’s Mothercare – Harbourfront outlet does provide non-obligatory try-ons of baby carriers. They have most categories in place for new parents to explore.

I truly benefited from their baby carrier testing zone. I was able to try on multiple brands and carriers with a dummy-weighted baby doll and with the help of the experts from Mothercare, I was able to make the choice, best suited for me and my family. They also have a 10% discount if you join their VIP membership.

10

Overall Thoughts on the Ergobaby OMNI 360

Concluding Thoughts
collage of travelling photos

I would recommend the Ergobaby Carrier OMNI 360 to parents who are looking for:

  • a strong back support carrier,
  • an all-rounder carrier which can support multiple carry positions through different phases for up to 48 months,
  • able to cater to different sizes of caregivers,
  • an easy-to-care-for material with various features such as baby hood and pocket. 

In a nutshell, it is best to understand what features are key to your family – starting from who is going to baby wear? Co-sharing, sizing, fit and comfort level should be the main priorities. You might also want to rank your priorities and do a cross-out.  

We hope this review enables you to find a baby carrier that suits you and your baby the best!

To end off this post, I would like to give thanks to the sweetest mommies, who completed the survey amidst their busy schedules to make this review possible:

Disclaimer: Nuevamae is not sponsored by any of the mentioned brands or platforms. This article expresses our honest opinion based on our experience and research. Read more about our mission. This article includes affiliate links so we may earn a commission (at no additional cost to you) if you make a purchase via the link.

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