BRITAX, the leader in child safety, is pleased to announce their entry into a new product category by introducing a soft-structured baby carrier that offers optimal comfort for both parent and child. The new BRITAX BABY CARRIER line features the CarryLong System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back and hips. Through extensive research, BRITAX learned that parent or caregiver comfort was one of the top five concerns for parents when choosing a baby carrier.
My opinion? I haven’t had the opportunity to try it yet but it looks promising. When comparing it to the Baby Bjorn it looks like it would be comfortable because this carrier has the padded waist band and the Baby Bjorn doesn’t have that on their top seller (they do have a version now that does have a waist band called the Comfort Carrier). When I first started baby wearing I had the Baby Bjorn. I really enjoyed the carrier actually. I found that wearing it was easy and comfortable, until 6 months. At 4, 5 and 6 months I wore Cutler facing out and I found that if I wore him for longer than an hour I would begin to hunch as it pulled my shoulders down. So from then on I had to wear him forward facing in. It’s true that babies like to see their world, so facing out and facing in are great options. If baby get’s over stimulated then you can turn them in and chances are that they will fall fast asleep.
Price comparison:
The New Britax Baby Carrier is $129.99 for black or navy and the Organic version is $139.99 for tan. You can buy a seat extender that enhances longer-wearing comfort through balanced weight distribution when used facing inward, it basically widens the base or seat. They sell the seat extenders for $24.99 for black or navy and $26.99 for tan. I think that is a little pricey, but it’s a lot of additional fabric. The bibs are sold for $19.99 for a set of 2, that’s expensive!
The Baby Bjorn Comfort Carrier is $150.00 depending on where you shop. One replacement bib was $15.00! AND they don’t have the seat extender. So if you are going to pick one over the other, the Britax Baby Carrier looks much more promising, and a hair less expensive.
Weight Comparison:
The Britax Baby Carrier goes from 8-32 pounds. For an infant weighing between 9-11 pounds you would need to use the included infant insert. It holds the baby up higher, closer to mom.
The Baby Bjorn Comfort Carrier goes from 13-31 pounds. So you will NOT be able to use this carrier with a newborn. It may be a month or more before you could use this.
So if you are looking for a front facing out baby carrier to wear a baby up to the age of 2, you would be best to purchase the Britax Baby Carrier over the Baby Bjorn, looks like the smarter choice!
Additional Notes: The Britax and Baby Bjorn carriers are only for wearing baby on your front in the facing in or facing out positions. These carriers do NOT have a back position. If you are interested in wearing you baby beyond 2 years and want to wear your baby on your back, you may want to look into the Beco Butterfly, Beco Gemini, Ergo or Boba Carriers. Beco Butterfly goes up to 45 pounds!
Then look no further! The Snug Around is just the ticket! It’s a hands free cover for baby carriers, strollers and can even be used as a nursing cover! It retails for $44.99 and you can purchase it from Amazon.com.
Carrier Cover
Stroller Blanket
Nursing Cover
Want to see it in action? Watch our short video:
If I had kept Cutler on my front side I would have opted to use the strap instead of the ties. It would have rested higher cover up to his neck keeping him out of the cold. When he’s on my back he demands that his arms are out, but that means that the Snug Around isn’t snug around his neck keeping him safe from the elements. If you want to use it properly to keep your little one snug, tie it higher on the straps so it sits where it should. To see it done properly check out the Snug Around video for a back carry. In my video you can see how low it is, he’s not reaping the full benefits of the snug around by me tying in onto the carrier so low. In her video you can see how much better it is when tied up higher. I’m not sure he would have tolerated it up in the proper position because then he wouldn’t have been able to get his arms out. Just wanted to you learn from my mistakes though.
This product is created by a mom who saw a need and filled it. Her name is Guru Amrit and she’s the creator of the trademarked Snug Around and the CEO of Anaya Papaya. She’s a remarkable woman that saw her dream to fruition. I wish we could all say the same. To read more of her story click here.
If you want to stay up on the latest and greatest things from Anaya Papaya like them on Facebook. Thank you Guru for such an amazing product! I’m thrilled to be allowed to test it out! I really like the windbreaker type fabric. The pocket and zippered pocket make it that much better! I’ll work on creating a new video that shows me using it properly (bad mama) and post it on here and on YouTube shortly. Stay tuned!!!
Infantino sent me one of their newest carriers to try out and share with all of you! It’s the Balance Ergonomic Baby Carrier! It’s so cute! In case you don’t feel like watching the video (it helps explain all the features) here are the highlights:
Ergonomically designed for all day comfort
Front & Back Carry
Natural Seat Design + Extra Padding for baby’s bottom
Wide, Padded Adjustable straps
Outside Pocket to hold ID/Debit Card
Tidy Loops neatly store extra strap
Cute and wipeable inner fabric
Removable bib to protect mom’s clothing
8-35 lb weight range
I found it available at Babies R Us and Amazon. Infantino just released their instructional video of the Balance Carrier today! It’s really good!
To keep updated on all the great things Infantino is doing you can friend them on facebook, subscribe to their YouTube channel or follow them on Twitter!
“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products to as part of my participation.”
If you have a Mei Tai then you will LOVE the Infantino EcoSash Carrier! It has all the great features of a Mei Tai and more!
I’m loving this carrier! I have a variety I like to use but this one has moved to the top of my list for Mei Tai carriers! I love the loops on the side that allow the straps to stay in place. Very smart. Here is a a tutorial video I made showing the Front Facing In Carry, the Front Facing Out Carry and the Back Carry.
I didn’t touch on the hood, so here’s what you need to know. The headrest folds down if you don’t need the support and can be unfolded and popped up if you do. When it’s unfolded you can snap on the sleeping hood.
It has snaps on the hood straps that snap in place on the EcoSash straps. That is a GREAT feature that most Mei Tai type carriers do not have. Love that!
I invite you to follow Infantino on twitter, facebook and read their blog if you want to stay informed on their new and upcoming products!
“I am a participant in a Mom Central campaign for Infantino and have received various Infantino products to as part of my participation.”
Yes, I’ve been a busy bee lately! Editing video all weekend! I can’t help it though. I really want to show all of you how versatile the Beco Gemini is! You’ll never need another carrier after this one.
Beco is releasing a new carrier called the Gemini! Have you heard of it?
If you want to learn more about the Gemini and see more action shots click here.
I am so excited to tell you about this new carrier! It’s so versatile! It has 4 carrying positions: front facing in, front facing out, back carry and hip carry. How cool is that?!? So join me as I open my box from Beco and unveil the new Beco Gemini!
Father’s day is just around the corner. What will you get your man? Why not a Beco Butterfly II in the super Manly Panther Print!
Beco saw my video on YouTube singing their praises and offered me one to try and one to give away! How cool is that? Do you want one? You know you do!!!
Do you know why the Beco Butterfly II Carrier is superior to all others on the market? The inner butterfly panel, that’s why. Watch this video to see the differences. Most carriers are just simply a waist band, back and arm straps. The baby would be directly against your body, increasing body heat too! There is nothing keeping them securely in the carrier, but not with the Beco. Here’s why I love it:
It has an inner panel. The baby sits in between the two panels allowing a caregiver to safely wear baby without worry of dropping baby. It also allows the wearer to easily move baby from front to back, without any help! You can do it too!!!
Did you know you can safely wear your baby in the Beco Butterfly II as small as 7 lbs? It has a removable infant insert that allows baby to sit up higher in the carrier, not around your waist. It also goes up to 45 lbs! You could easily carry a toddler on your back for an outing. If you tried this in an Ergo I don’t imagine it would be as comfortable. The child being in between the two panels alleviates some of the pressure/weight off of you and evenly distributes it between the waist and arm straps.
The side straps are easily adjustable and perfectly placed. Not too high as to limit arm movement of your little one, and not too low as to cut into a chunky thigh.
The buckles are great! A little tricky at first, they require 2 hands. One hand to pinch the side and the other hand to push a button. This means that your baby is not going to fall from a buckle/clip failing. It’s just not gonna happen!
The sleeping hood is a dream come true! If you’re wearing your baby on the front, it comes in handy when you are in places with strong sun, it protects baby from harmful rays and keeps baby a bit cooler by being out of direct sunlight. Cutler falls asleep on my back all the time and I put the hood up to keep him from becoming a “bobble head”.
They were also on NBC! Check out this video. Beco is mentioned at 3:54
So, on with the point. Check out myman wearing our baby.
Want to win it? Here’s how:
1. Go to Beco’s website and tell me what print your man would wear andwhere your man would babywear.
Want extra entries:
2. Like them on facebook and leave me a comment. They ROCK, you really should.
3. Follow them on twitter and tweet:
@BecoBaby Entered to win a Beco Butterfly II Panther Carrier from @HomemadeMom. You can too! http://bit.ly/bkedl3 #babywearing
4. Subscribe to Beco Baby’s YouTube Channel.
5. Subscribe to my feed, via RSS or email subscription.
6. Follow me with Google friend Connect
7. Follow me on Twitter.
8. Like me on facebook.
9. Subscribe to my YouTube Channel.
10. Whew! Finally, you say, send me a pic of your man babywearing! Send to heather@homemademom.com
I can’t wait to see what you all come up with! The giveaway will end on Monday June 14th, 2010. That way the winner will receive their carrier for their man just in time for Father’s Day! We want to see pics of your man sporting the new Panther print too!
*Disclosure: I was provided a Panther Baby Carrier to use for this video. I LOVE Beco Baby Carriers and I already owned one before they contacted me. This is my own honest opinion of their product.
A BIG Shout Out goes out to Jose for giving me this great opportunity! Thanks!
For all you moms and dads out there that are considering a baby carrier purchase, I want you to watch this video.
*Disclaimer – I was not paid or compensated in any way for this post. I have owned both carriers and truly believe the Beco Butterfly II is superior to the Ergo and wanted to show you why.
I’ve recently been suffering from baby carrier addiction. My new favorite is the Hotsling! It’s one piece of fabric so you don’t have to worry about getting the straps adjusted properly, because they’re aren’t any! I’ve purchased 2 used ones and contacted Hotslings to rave about how much I’m enjoying them. They’re so small that you can easily fold them and keep one in your diaper bag and maybe even another one in your car. I’ve never been a huge fan of using a stroller, it always seemed to be more hassle than what it was worth. When you carry your baby it is possible to have your hands free and not kill your back. Here’s a few pics of me using my existing Hotsling.
Now I’m not sure this is the right fit for me or not. I’ve had another sling/pouch from a different company and I followed the sizing guidelines only to find out that I didn’t like the fit. The one in the photo above is a size 2. I’m right on the cusp of needing a size 3 but I plan on losing some more baby weight. It’s a big snug for now, but I feel that Cutler is safe in it. It feels good and tight, BUT…if you don’t want to have to by a specific size they now have the AP (adjustable pouch) sling!!! Benefits of the adjustable pouch:
Great for multiple caregivers
Perfect for right after delivery and even after you lose the baby weight
Suitable for all seasons. The adjustable feature will allow you to fit it over a jacket/coat.
Great for babywearing while pregnant
That being said, I had to have one!!! Lori from Hotslings.com sent me the Adjustable La Vie En Rose. It’s so beautiful! Here’s a short video of me unveiling my new AP Hotsling!!!
Here’s the best part, I get to give one away!!!
Rules to enter:
Leave a comment stating your favorite AP Hotsling pattern
For extra entries leave me a comment for the following:
Become a Hotslings fan on Facebook
Follow Hotslings on Twitter
Tweet this giveaway
Fan HomemadeMom on Facebook
Follow HomemadeMom on Twitter
. Infantino just released their 
