Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling Review: Best Toddler Sling?

The Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling has been all over my social media recently, and maybe you’re like me and wondering, is it really worth the hype? Parenting toddlers is notoriously difficult, and I’d try almost anything that makes my life easier! If you’re struggling with a toddler who wants to walk half the time and wants to be carried the other half (and can’t do either for more than 2 minutes at a time), this Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling review is for you!

The Mabe Monarch Carrier is one of the most popular carriers right now, and in November of 2025, Mabe released a toddler sling. It’s certainly not the first carrier in this class, but many parents love their baby carrier, and so, being in the thick of toddler parenthood, I gave it a try! In this post, I’ll talk through its features, everything I love, things I wish were different, and if the Mabe Monarch Toddler sling might be a good choice (or not) for you! I also have a code to save (STROLLER10).

Disclosure: This post is not sponsored, but contains affiliate links. You don’t get charged any extra, but my family receives a small commission when you shop through one of my links. We’re grateful for your support! <3

Quick stats

• Price – $89 – Save 10% with code STROLLER10 or my link.
• Weight Range – 16-45lbs
• Age Range – 9 months – 45 lbs
• Material – cotton and linen
• Accessories – Monarch Accessory Bag available for purchase separately for $34.

What are Toddler Slings?

Baby carriers are amazing; they free your hands, save your back and arms, and keep your baby close. I consider a good carrier an essential baby gear item, and talk about my favorite baby carriers here. But as your baby grows, begins to walk, and increases in independence, they may start to get frustrated by the restrictiveness of a baby carrier and the hassle of getting in and out.

This is where toddler slings really shine. These slings sit over the parent’s shoulder and have a fabric seat for your toddler on the opposite hip. The simplicity of the design allows for super-quick on and off. One thing to keep in mind is that they are not truly “hands-free” like many other baby carriers. But because your toddler has good body control at this point, toddler slings provide just the right amount of support without being bulky or restrictive.

Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling Features

This sling is made of 88% cotton and 12% linen. The material is sturdy with little to no stretch; it’s not scratchy and it feels similar to the baby carrier. The seat is a nice size that provides good support both below and behind your toddler.

I have tried the Ergobaby Upsie and Wildride, and I liked how large the seat for my toddler was most on the Mabe. The shoulder strap is about 3 inches wide and is padded. It sits on top of the shoulder at the base of the neck. The sling is symmetrical, so it can be worn over either shoulder and still have the strap in front. There’s no clip for getting it on and off, so you just bring the sling over your head. The strap is threaded through a metal buckle, and the end hangs loose.

My Honest Review of the Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling

Pros (Things I Love)

• The ease of use: I pulled this sling out of the box and was wearing my toddler within about a minute. Getting your toddler into and out of this sling is super quick and easy, which is, of course, the whole point. The simple design not only makes it easy to use but also makes it easy to share between different kids and between different caregivers. Side note: my husband refuses to wear a baby carrier, but he wears this happily! The strap tightens and loosens quite easily but still holds securely when you’re done adjusting and doesn’t slide or loosen while you’re wearing it.
• My toddler LOVES it: the seat is super comfortable for her, she could sit in it for hours, and she loves being close to me.
• The portability: it’s super light and packs up small (smaller than most baby carriers and the popular hip seats), so we take it with us almost everywhere.
• The ease of care: it’s machine washable (cold, gentle cycle, air dry), which is wonderful because it will inevitably get dirty carrying toddlers. 🙂
• It’s cute! I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on this carrier. It comes in 7 different colors and prints that are all beautiful. I feel really cute and confident wearing it, and it goes with pretty much everything.

Cons (What Could Be Better)

• Comfortability: I think almost all slings become uncomfortable at a certain point (imagine carrying a heavy purse for a long time on one shoulder), and the narrowish strap, plus the fact that it sits at the base of the neck, makes this especially true for the Mabe Monarch sling. But here’s the thing: other slings with wider straps that sit over the shoulder itself tend to limit arm movement and have more of a learning curve, so you may just have to choose what seems better to you. This sling is best used for shorter periods or alternated from side to side, which is easy to do. I will also say, compared to just holding your toddler without any support, the sling is a vast improvement!
• The strap length: I’ve seen several comments about this sling not being great for petite parents, and I am inclined to agree. I even asked a few of my friends who are decently tall, and they also have to tighten the strap ALL the way down to wear it comfortably on their hips. It would be nice if it could be shortened a bit further for smaller parents. On the other hand, it does seem plus-size friendly, and the website claims it will fit up to 3XL. 
• Not hands-free: what you sacrifice in favor of the easy on/off feature is the security necessary for smaller babies. This sling is suitable for babies 9 months and up, but even then, it’s not truly hands-free. You need to keep a hand on your toddler at all times for safety. My 10-month-old does okay in the sling, but feels somewhat insecure compared to my toddler. Better body control and bigger body size help with that. It’s definitely better for older toddlers.
• No included storage: I wish the sling came with some storage, even something small. I figure as long as I’m carrying something extra, I might as well be able to stash my phone and keys. But there is an accessory bag you can purchase separately, and a small fabric loop on the shoulder strap that you could clip your keys onto.

Is the Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling Right for You?

So now that we’ve been through the pros and cons, hopefully you have a better sense of if this toddler sling is what you’re looking for. If you want a cute toddler carrier for everyday errands, brief outings, or up-and-down toddlers, the Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling is a great choice. It’s comfy for your toddler, super portable (I currently keep it at all times in my diaper bag), and incredibly easy to use. 

A toddler sling is something you can get by without, so if you’re a minimalist mom, it might not be for you. But I have used this sling a lot with my toddler, as have a few of my friends, and it definitely makes life easier!

So is it worth the hype? If this post helped you decide, please shop through my link! Use code STROLLER10 to save 10% site wide.

Considering a Toddler Hip Seat? Check out my Review of the Tushbaby Hip Carrier.

Mabe Monarch Toddler Sling FAQs