Onbuhimo carriers : All about Onbuhimos. Best Practices. Troubleshooting. Expert Tips.

You are not sure if an Onbuhimo is the right baby carrier for you? Learn all about the Onbuhimo baby carrier and make your mind !

Find out all about Onbuhimos:

• What is an Onbuhimo carrier?
• What is the difference between a buckle carrier and an Onbuhimo?
• When can I use an Onbuhimo from?
• What kinds of Onbuhimo are there?
• Who Onbuhimo is perfect for? When to choose an Onbuhimo rather then a buckle carrier?
• Advantages of Onbuhimo
• Who Onbuhimo is not best choice for? Why not to choose an Onbuhimo?
• Disadvantages of Onbuhimo
• Which Obnuhimo to choose? What are the best Onbuhimos?
• How to wear an Onbuhimo?
• Troubleshooting

What is an Onbuhimo carrier? 

Onbuhimo is a traditional Japanese-style carrier without a waistband designer for back carry. The word “Onbuhimo” is a Japanese word inspired by their way of carry. It almost translates into “back carrier without a waist belt” carrier. Onbuhimo is also know as a backpack carrier as it is used for back carry and looks a bit like a rucksack style backpack.   

Photo: Fdella Onbuhimo Wolf Bleu Royal

What is the difference between a buckle carrier and an Onbuhimo?

Onhuhimi is a hip-belt-less carrier 

An Onbuhimo looks a little bit like a soft-structured buckle carrier but has no waistband. The shoulder straps connect directly to the bottom of the carrier. The child’s legs go through straps and the bottom of the panel is tucked up between the caregiver and the carried child. While the child in the carrier the straps are tightened to support it’s weight. This means that the entire weight of the child are supported on wearer’s shoulders. 

Onhuhimo is a back carrier

Some brands indicate that front carry is possible with their Onbuhimo. Technically it is the case, however an Onbuhimo is a back carrier and is not designed for front-wearing. The front carry in Onbuhimo will never be as comfortable as with a soft structure carrier (SSC). The child in Onbuhimo is also worn up higher on the back that in a buckle carirer (SSC). 

Onhuhimo is a toddler carrier 

Onhuhimo is a toddler carrier, not a newborn carrier. It is usually recommended form babies over 80 cm in height with an excellent head and trunk control and can sit up independently.

When can I use an Onbuhimo from?

An Onbuhimo carrier is suitable exclusively for babies that are already able to sit unsupported. This happens usually around 5-6 months and is a requirement for all Onbuhimo carriers. If your baby can sit completely unassisted this means you can go ahead and use an Onbuhimo!

What kinds of Onbuhimo are there?

There are many variations of this type of a baby carrier. The most popul

ar type and the easiest to use is the Buckle Onbuhimo.

Buckle Onbuhimos

• The Buckle Onbuhimo has one half of a webbing adjuster attached to each shoulder strap and the other half attached at the bottom of the panel. 
• Most of the Buckle Onbuhimo have padded shoulder straps and comes with a chest belt clip. 
• On some the straps can be unclipped, which allows a crossed strap carry if desired (example: Fidella Onbuhimo)
• Some Onbuhimos have dual adjust webbing, allowing you to pull both up and down to tighten the slack out, (example: Onbuhimo Lenny Lamb).

Loop Onbuhimo

• The Loop Onbuhimo has a fabric loops at the bottom and wrap straps at the top of the Onbuhimo. 
• The wrap straps are threaded through the loops and secured with a knot.
• The shoulders straps are usually completely unpadded.

Ring Onbuhimo

• The Ring Onbuhimo has the rings at the bottom of the panel and wrap straps at the top of the Onbuhimo. 
• The wrap straps are threaded through the rings to secure them. 
• The shoulders straps can be padded or unpadded.

Reverse Onbuhimo

• Reverse Onbuhims has the rings, buckles or loops at the end of the shoulder strap and wrap straps that come from the bottom of the panel and are threaded through the rings, buckles or loops at the top.

2 in 1 Hybrid Onbuhimo and Fullbuckle Carrier

There is only one hybrid Onbuhimo that is a a full buckle carrier that can be transformed into Onbuhimo. It is called BuzziBu by Buzzdile and is patented by the German brand Buzzidil.

Who Onbuhimo is perfect for? Who do we recommend Onbuhimo for? When to choose an Onbuhimo rather then a buckle carrier?

• Onbuhimo is ideal for older babies, toddlers and older children.

As it is designed to wear a baby high on the back it is allowing your child to see over your shoulder it is perfect for those children that prefer to discovering what is going on around rather then snuggle in mama’s arms. In most of the SSC back carry is lower that in an Onbuhimo and you little one can not really get to see above your shoulders. Whereas, Onbuhimo is designed to carry the baby higher, offering your little one a better view.

• Onbuhimo is also an excellent carrier for the active little ones that loves to be up and down. 

An Onbuhimo is one of the quickest carrier types to put on and take off. Perfect for active toddles that wan to discover the world around them but need a rest form time to time.

• Onbuhimo is very compact and lightweight so easy to take along.

If you have a toddler gets tired  and need to be carried form time to time during a longer walk, it is good to have an carrier at hand, to give small legs a little rest. With a small panel and two shoulder straps, Onbuhimo is in general more compact that a SSC and can be easily popped in and out of your handbag.

• Onbuhimo is a back carrier that allows you to have hands free in front of you.

An Onbuhimo turns out to be an excellent solution when you need to wear your toddler and continue working around the house or shopping.

• Onbuhimo is no waist band carrier which means there is no belly pressure while babywearing.

Onbuhimo is perfect for expectant mums who want to babywearing their older children while pregnant often use an Onbuhimo. But it’s not only pregnant women who enjoy the no waistband feature of Onbuhimo. Anyone who is not a fan of belly pressure is likely to appreciate babywearing with Onbuhimo.

• Onbuhimo is rather easy to use carrier.

Especially the buckle Onbuhimo is easy to use thanks to the backpack principle. Babywearing beginners and especially babywearing dads often appreciate the simplicity of Onbuhimos.

• Onbuhimo is comfortable when seeing.

This is a rare feature as most of the carriers are use while standing if however you need to carry you child while seating and keep you knees and hands free an Onbuhimo makes babywearing while sitting comfortable.

• Onbuhimo is perfect for tandem babywearing.

Onbuhiom is a great option for parents looking to carry two children at once (whether twins, or children of different ages). You can keep one of your little one on the back and the younger or smaller baby on your front in a wrap, mai dai or SSC.

Onbuhimo’s Adventages :

• high back carry
• quick ups and downs
• compact
• no belly pressure
• easy to use
• comfortable to use while sitting

Who Onbuhimo is not best choice for? Who do we not recommend Onbuhimo for? Why not to choose an Onbuhimo?

• Onbuhimo is not suitable for newborns and small babies who are not yet able to sit unassisted

As already mentioned before an Onbuhimo is not a newborn carrier. If you car searching a newborn carrier please read this article: What Is The Best Newborn Baby Carrier. 

• Onbuhimo is not designed for front carry

During our babywearing worskhops we meet often parents that are afraid or feel uncomfortable to wear their child on the back. If you or your baby prefer front carry position. If your little one prefers front snuggles keep in mind that Onbuhimo can not offer that. As already said before some Onbuhimo’s manufacturers indicate that front carry is possible. Technically it often the case, however an Onbuhimo are are not designed for front-wearing so the front carry in Onbuhimo will never be as comfortable as with a SSC. If you are not confident with back carry position, our advise is not to choose an Onbuhimo carrier.

• Onbuhimo is not a best choice for caregiver with picky shoulders 

If your shoulders are picky, you might need to go for a carrier that spreads your baby’s weight between your shoulders and hips (examples: woven wrap, meh dai carrier or a full buckle carrier with a waistband). 

• Onbuhimo is not ideal for long babywearing 

 No waist belt means that the baby weight isn’t distributed to the hips. If you need a carrier for long babywaring, an Onbuhimo might not be right for you. If you are searching for a carrier for hiking we recommend you to go for a SSC.  

Onbuhimo’s disadvantages:

• not suitable for newborns
• only for back babywearing
• may be uncomfortable
• not suitable for long babywearing

What is the best Onbuhimo? Which Onbuhimo to choose?

So you know you want to buy an Onbuhimo, but which one to choose? Below we made a list of features you should take a closer look at when choosing the right carrier for you followed with a comparison of two (in our opinion) best Onbuhimo carrier available on the market: Fidella and LennyLamb.

Onbuhimo features  to consider when choosing a carrier: 

Carrier size and its’s adjustablity

Fidella have a one-size fits all Onbuhimo, wearers LennyLamb offers two sizes: Standard and Toddler.

Fidella Obnuhimo

• panel height : 30 – 45 cm
• seat width  : 15 – 50 cm

LennyLamb Standard Obnuhimo

• panel height : 34 cm
• seat width  : 25 – 41 cm

LennyLamb Toddler Obnuhimo

• panel height : 38 cm
• seat width  : 27- 45 cm

Buzzidile BuzziBu

• seat width : 32 – 50 cm

It is important to choose a carrier that is adjustable to the size of you still growing child. As you can see above Fidella Onbuhimo is adjustable not only in a width but the panel height is adjustable as well. This is clearly advantage of Fidella.

Child age, size and weight recommendations

Fidella: min. recommended baby body size is 80 cm. Lennylamb recommend standard size Onbuhimo for children from 8 – 24 moths old, and Toddler size form 18 – 5 years old. Maximal support of LennyLamb is 20  whereas Fidella can be use even with children up to a weight of 30 kg.

• Fidella Obnuhimo : from 80 cm body size – 30 kg (66 lbs)
• LennyLamb Standard Obnuhimo : form 8 to 24 months, max. 20 kg (44 lbs)
• LennyLamb Toddler Obnuhimo : form 18 to 5 years , max. 20 kg (44 lbs)
• Buzzidile BuzziBu : from 5 to 36 months (from 68 cm to 98 cm body size), max. 20kg (44 lbs)

Fabric

Onbuhimos can be made from classic cotton canvas or from more moldable but more expensive woven wrap material (wrap conversions). Both LennyLamb and Fidella Onhuhimos are wrap conversions.

Leg padding

Not all Onbuhimos have leg out padding which improves for your child’s comfort. Both Fidella and LennyLamb Onbuhimo do and Lenny Lamb’s is more padded then Fidella.

Baby hood

Most of Onbuhimos come with a baby hood to offer a support baby’s head in case of a nap. Both Lennylamb and Filella Onbuhimos have an integrated baby hood, as well as BuzziBu.

Shoulder straps padding

The shoulder straps can differ a lot on different Onbuhimos. The best Onbuhimo carrier has padded and wide shoulder straps to offer a wearer more comfort. As you can see below LennyLamb offers more padded and wider shoulder straps than Fidella.

Photo: Fidella above (blue and pink) and LennLamb below (grey and yellow stripes).

You can find all the best Onbuhimo carriers here.

How to wear an Onbuhimo?

To be sure you wear your child correctly in your Onbuhimo we prepared a shout check-list so you can be sure you do it right.

Checklist for a perfect Onbuhimo babywearing:

• Fabric knee to knee
• Panel comes right under arms 
• Your child is  seating high enough to see over your shoulder

Troubleshooting

You problem : “My Onbuhimo hurts my shoulders”.

Our advise: You need to tighten it and get you child higher. This will lower the chest strap and make you both more comfortable.

And how about you? Do you have an Onbuhimo? Which one? How do you like it? We would love to hear about your thoughts and experiences with an Onbuhimo.

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