Tula
Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier
7.7/10 overallAbout £145
A structured front and back carrier usable from 7lb without an infant insert, known for an easy one-handed buckle.
The verdict
The Tula Free-to-Grow, around £145, is a structured carrier usable from 7lb without an infant insert, sticking to front-facing-in and back carry rather than every possible position. Its simpler two-position design is quick to learn and put on one-handed, making it the better choice for parents prioritising ease of use over maximum flexibility — though it lacks a forward-facing-out option some older toddlers ask for.
The Free-to-Grow is Tula's newborn-ready carrier, adjusting down for babies from 7lb and up through toddler weight without needing a separate insert. It sticks to two carry positions — front-facing-in and back carry — rather than chasing every possible configuration, which keeps the strap system simpler to learn and, once familiar, quicker to get on solo.
Compared with the Ergobaby Omni 360, the Free-to-Grow gives up forward-facing-out and hip carries, positions some toddlers specifically ask for once they're older. What you get in return is a carrier that's generally quicker to adjust and put on one-handed, which matters more than it sounds on a day when baby is already fussing and you need both hands.
If you know your baby well enough to be confident you won't want a forward-facing-out option, or you're prioritising ease of use over maximum flexibility, the Free-to-Grow is the simpler, slightly cheaper choice.
Is the Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier worth it?
- Simple two-position design is quick to learn
- No infant insert needed from birth
- Wide range of prints and colourways
What are the downsides of the Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier?
- No forward-facing-out option for curious toddlers
- Cotton runs warmer than mesh alternatives
- Back carry needs some practice to do safely solo
Specs
- Fabric
- 100% cotton
- Waist belt
- Padded, adjustable
- Weight range
- 7lb-45lb (3.2kg-20kg)
- Carry positions
- 2 (front-in, back)
- Infant insert needed
- No
How we scored it
Comfort & Back Support
Weight distribution across hips and shoulders during extended wear.
Padded straps and belt are comfortable for daily wear, slightly less structured than the Omni 360.
Ease of Use
How quickly you can get baby in and out, solo, without help.
Fewer positions to fuss with makes solo babywearing quicker to master.
Versatility
Range of carry positions and the age/weight range it covers.
Covers the weight range well but only two carry positions.
Weighted by importance for this category — see our editorial policy for how we test.
How this review was done
We haven't used the Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier ourselves yet. This review is built from Tula's published specifications and product information, and scored the same way as everything else on the site. We'll update it, and the badge above, once we've tested it hands-on.
How it compares
|  |  |  | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | About £145 | About £155 | About £45 | About £60 |
| Overall score | 7.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 6.7/10 | 6.6/10 |
| Fabric | 100% cotton | Cool air mesh | Stretch cotton-spandex blend | Soft mesh or cotton jersey |
| Waist belt | Padded, adjustable | Padded, adjustable | — | — |
| Weight range | 7lb-45lb (3.2kg-20kg) | 7lb-45lb (3.2kg-20kg) | 3.5kg-15kg | 3.2kg-11kg |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tula Free-to-Grow easy to use solo?+
Yes — it scores 9/10 for ease of use, the highest in this category. Its two-position design (front-facing-in and back carry) is simpler to learn than carriers with more positions, and once familiar it's quicker to get on solo.
What carry positions does the Tula Free-to-Grow offer?+
Two: front-facing-in and back carry. It scores 6/10 for versatility, since it doesn't offer forward-facing-out or hip carries, positions some toddlers specifically ask for once they're older, unlike the Ergobaby Omni 360's four positions.
Can the Tula Free-to-Grow be used from birth?+
Yes — it adjusts down for babies from 7lb and up through toddler weight (to 45lb/20kg) without needing a separate infant insert.
Is the back carry safe to do solo?+
It needs some practice to do safely solo — this is noted as a trade-off of the design, so first attempts at a back carry are worth doing carefully until you're confident with the strap system.
Guides that mention this
Best Baby Carriers Compared (UK Guide)
Six baby carriers compared on price, age range and carry positions: Ergobaby Omni 360, Tula Free-to-Grow, Izmi, BabyBjörn Carrier Mini, Close Caboo and Momcozy Move2Fit. Includes the Lullaby Trust and RoSPA T.I.C.K.S. safety checklist.
How to Choose a Baby Carrier or Sling
The right carrier depends on your baby's age far more than personal taste. Here's how to match the two.
Reviewed by
Sepehr
Software engineer, soon-to-be dad, uncle to four — the tech-obsessed half of the two of us testing this stuff. Currently building this site with my wife, ahead of our own baby arriving.