Onbuhimo
The onbuhimo baby carrier is the carrier I got introduced to last during my babywearing journey. My local babywearing library didn’t have one for a long time (now they do though), but I had heard about this type of carrier and wanted to try one. So I bought one and then didn’t use it for a long time, as I had other carriers at home which I was used to, and my daughter didn’t want to be carried much anyway.
But when we flew to Canada in May 2019 for our year abroad, we decided to take the onbuhimo with us as our only carrier. We made this decision mainly because it’s the most comfortable carrier with the widest seat we own, it folds up nice and small, and it’s easy for both my husband and me to use.
Surprisingly, we’ve used it a lot during our adventures, especially since being in Germany, where we don’t have a car and need to walk or use public transport.
What is an onbuhimo?
Onbuhimos are traditional Japanese carriers. “Onbu” means carrying on the back and “himo” means strap or rope. This type of carrier is designed to carry a child high up on the back.
Modern onbuhimos are very similar to soft structured carriers - they have a back panel, two shoulder straps and a chest clip. What they do NOT have is a waistband.
When can I carry my child in an onbuhimo?
Newborn
Newborns shouldn’t be carried in an onbuhimo. This carrier won’t give enough support for such a young baby without sufficient torso control. It’s very likely their head will slump down and create constricted airways, and carrying a newborn on your back also makes it harder to monitor their breathing.
Baby
Babies can be carried in an onbuhimo once they’re a little older (around 6 months) and have enough torso control to sit upright for longer periods. A high back carry can be great for curious little ones who want to see the world.
Toddler
Onbuhimos are great carriers for toddlers, who tend to only want to be carried for short amounts of time with a lot of up and down. With a little practise, onbuhimos can be put on and taken off very quickly.
Young child
Young children also like being carried in onbuhimos. The seat is usually wider than other soft structured carriers, giving your child better support.
What are typical ways to carry with an onbuhimo?
Onbuhimos aren’t as versatile as other carriers when it comes to carry positions. But even though they’re designed for back carries, a front carry is also possible.
Back carry
The most comfortable way to carry a child in an onbuhimo is a high back carry. It’s really important to carry your child as high as possible. My husband mentioned for a long time that he found our onbuhimo uncomfortable to wear. It was only when he noticed me tightening the shoulder straps as far as they go, and tried the same, that he found wearing our daughter higher up made it comfortable.
Front carry
Using an onbuhimo for a front carry is unusual but still doable. When we travelled to Canada and only had our onbuhimo with us, I carried my daughter on the front so it would be easier for her to fall asleep and for me to also carry my backpack.
Are onbuhimos comfortable?
I personally find onbuhimos very comfortable, especially now that my daughter is heavier. The waistband of other carriers tends to dig into my belly, which I find rather uncomfortable.
The key to comfort with an onbuhimo is carrying your child high up on your back. It’s also good to remember that you’ll be using different muscles, so starting off with shorter carries is a good idea until your muscles adjust.
Can you use an onbuhimo while pregnant?
YES! In fact, onbuhimos are the most commonly used carrier for pregnant women, as they don’t have a waistband that could dig into your tummy. With an onbuhimo, pregnant women can comfortably wear their older child.
Who else likes to use onbuhimos?
Anyone who prefers not to have a waistband digging into their tummy will prefer an onbuhimo. As my daughter got older and heavier, the waistband of a soft structured carrier (unless really wide and well padded) would start digging into my tummy, which I found very uncomfortable.
Dads also tend to like onbuhimos, as they don’t have as many buckles to tighten. With only shoulder straps and a chest clip, it’s a very simple and straightforward carrier.
Why should you choose an onbuhimo?
Pros:
- No waistband, therefore great for pregnant women
- Easy to adjust through straps
- Child can be put in and out of the carrier quickly
- Distributes child’s weight ergonomically when carried high enough on the back
- Doesn’t need to be adjusted between caregivers
- Doesn’t take up much space
Cons:
- Can only be used for toddlers and young children, not newborns and babies
- Can only be used for back carries and sometimes front carries
- There’s a learning curve to getting your child on your back high enough to be comfortable
