Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier review

What are your first impressions of the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier?

The SoftTouch™ Cotton fabric and glorious slate blue colour are a joy to behold from the outset. It feels soft and snuggly in your hands and even better on your baby. It is completely adjustable in all directions and the handy zip pocket at the front makes keeping all your small-but-mighty essentials (phone, keys, dummies!) very easy, without the need to take additional bags out with you. It seems light and airy, with no excess weight.

What age is the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier suitable for?

The carrier is suitable from birth up to 20.4kgs/48 months, which makes it one of the most durable carriers on the market. Being able to use it with a newborn eliminates the need to spend many a frustrating hour on YouTube after a whole 10 minutes’ sleep, desperately trying to follow instructions on how to somehow envelop one’s tiny newborn into a magician-handkerchief-up-the-sleeve length of fabric that allegedly turns into a sling at some point.

Do you like the style of the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier?

I love it. It is simple and straightforward, looks incredibly stylish and attractive and is available in 7 gorgeous colours – Slate Blue, Pink Quartz, Sage Green, Pearl Grey, Midnight Blue, Onyx Black and Black Leopard if you favour a print. Two side pockets and a detachable front zip pocket mean you can take as much or as little as you need out with you – in other words, the bulkiness of the carrier is up to you.

How does the Ergobaby Omni Dream compare with other market-leading baby carriers?

At £209 the BabyBjörn Harmony is even pricier than the Omni Dream, not available in as many aesthetically-pleasing designs and colours and is not suitable for breastfeeding. Nevertheless, BabyBjörn as a brand are synonymous with ergonomic baby-wearing and the Harmony has been lauded as simpler by some parents to put on once ‘assembled’, which could be considered an advantage. The Tula Explore, £174.90, and Tula Lite, £94.90, make more budget-friendly alternatives, but lack the trademarked fabric technologies of the Omni Dream and Omni Breeze carriers.

What’s the difference between the Ergobaby Omni Dream and the Omni Breeze baby carriers?

In short – the fabric, and some colour options. The Breeze is so called because it is made with SoftFlex™ Mesh fabric as opposed to the SoftTouch™ Cotton that the Dream is made of, which allows for better airflow and works to keep both the wearer and the child cooler and more comfortable. Consequently, it changes the look of the carrier slightly, as it has the mesh fabric on the outer lining. It is available in 9 colours including Olive Green, Graphite Grey and Blue Lavender, and costs the same as the Omni Dream at £184.90.

How easy is the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier to take off and put on?

Incredibly easy! It is intuitive and fully adjustable and comes with very clear instructions.

How easy is it to get your baby into the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier?

At first, fairly easy, and once you are established with the carrier, very easy indeed. The first few times you will probably find you need to make adjustments to the straps, then the more suited to the shape of you and your baby the carrier is, the easier it will be to secure your baby into it quickly and efficiently. It is very easy to get your baby into the carrier and secure them on your own – ideal for single parents or if your partner is at work and you fly solo during the day.

How many different ways are there to carry your baby in the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier?

All the ways! The Omni Dream is suitable for front, back and side/hip carrying, both front-facing and inward-facing when worn on the front. It is completely flexible and adaptable to your growing child.

Can you breastfeed while wearing the carrier?

Yes! This is a big advantage that the Ergobaby Omni Dream has over a few of its competitors.

Does the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier support your baby’s hips?

Absolutely – the bucket seat and lumbar support ensure that baby achieves the desired ‘M’ shape with baby’s legs, hips and buttocks for hip safety.

Is the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier comfortable for you?

Very much so – with some minor adjustments to suit you personally, it can be worn with absolutely no pinching, bunching or anything of the sort. The only issue I found with the carrier was that I did get extraordinarily sweaty in it, even in December and January, without a coat. Some of this may be post-pregnancy hormones rebalancing themselves or it could be that I am just a bit of a Sweaty Betty for one reason or another, but if sweating is a problem for the wearer, possibly the Ergobaby Omni Breeze would be more suitable. I did note this did not seem to be a problem for Melody, who seemed very comfortable regardless.

Is the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier comfortable for your child?

She seemed snug as a bug as we walked around the shops, trudged through the mud and pottered around at home – and fell asleep within a few minutes of being in it. If there is higher praise from a baby to a carrier than that, I don’t know of it!

How does the Ergobaby Omni Dream compare to other baby carriers you have tried?

We own the Tula Explore and find that the 2 carriers are very similar in many ways, such as ease of use, comfort etc. The Tula comes in a massive selection of colours and prints but lacks the soft touch of the Omni Dream and the detachable front pocket. It is slightly cheaper at £174.90. We have also used the Amawrap sling, £44.99, around the home, but I found that it was very intimidating to do up and even though I practised a good deal (with a willing teddy bear during pregnancy even), I just couldn’t get on with it, and neither did Melody. It takes 10 seconds or less to clip her into the Omni Dream carrier, and it just made life easier.

Does the baby carrier seem durable?

It does, yet light and stylish at the same time. Ergobaby are so confident in the durability of their products, that every single item comes with their The ErgoPromise™ Limited Lifetime Warranty – this carrier is designed to be used and loved year after year, and baby after baby.

Is the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier easy to clean?

100%. The good news is that the carrier is machine-washable at 30 degrees – the manufacturer just recommends washing with a mild detergent on a gentle cycle and drying naturally.

Is the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier worth the money?

It certainly is, for its durability and robustness, as well as the fact that it is so darn pretty. It is a fairly steep price tag, but by no means the most costly on the market and it will completely absolve any need to purchase a sling and additional carrier as the child ages. A fairly big purchase, but assuredly a one-off.

How does the Ergobaby Omni Dream compare to similar baby carriers?

Where can I buy the Ergobaby Omni Dream baby carrier?

Available at Ergobaby, Amazon and Natural Baby Shower.

MadeForMums verdict:

A very high-quality carrier, made of beautiful but strong fabric, pretty much guaranteed to make caregivers and children happy. The closeness the Omni Dream provides is, well, a dream! – and it can be adjusted to fit caregivers of all shapes and sizes. Ergobaby is a strong brand, market-leading in ergonomic baby products that can be trusted to create a product of lasting quality and value – and it shows. The Omni Dream gets a big thumbs up from me.