Sometimes, it’s just easier to have your infant in a car rier than in a stroller when you’re on the go. RACHEL TOH and reader Joyce Tan try these carriers with eight-month-old Raphael.
Sometimes, it’s just easier to have your infant in a carrier than in a stroller when you’re on the go. and reader Joyce Tan try RACHEL TOH these carriers with eight-month-old Raphael.
BABY ROO FULL BUCKLE – TODDLER
For children 3.5kg to 20kg $315, from www.13thirteen.com.sg
WHAT WE LIKED
• There are drawstrings – to adjust around the head, back and bottom – which were very useful to fit the baby snugly.
• The carrier is made of cotton, which is lightweight, breathable and suitable for using outdoors.
• The well-padded shoulder straps, when worn as an “X”, give petite mums a better fit and more upper-back support.
• It comes with a lar ge sleeping hood that doubles as a breastfeeding cover.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• Nothing.
VERDICT The perfect carrier – it’s easy to adjust to size, keeps Baby snugly in and comes with useful features. 9.5
STOKKE MYCARRIER
For children 3.5kg to 15kg $349, from Motherswork
WHAT WE LIKED
• The various buckles and straps allowed for more adjustments – the middle panel lets you move your baby closer to you, and the side buckles adjust how high Baby is seated.
• The racerback shoulder straps were comfortable.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• It was most difficult to get the hang of this carrier – we spent the longest time figuring out the instructions and adjusting it.
• We wished the shoulder straps were more well-padded; shoulders felt strained after 15min.
• The organic cotton fabric made us perspire outdoors and the waistband was a little hard.
VERDICT Comfortable for Baby, but not for Mum. It is also hard to adjust. 6.5
ERGOBABY FOUR POSITION 360 BABY CARRIER
For children 3.3kg to 20kg $259, from Motherswork
WHAT WE LIKED
• This is the only carrier that lets you carry Baby on your hip, in addition to the front and back positions. We carried Raphael comfortably in all positions.
• The shoulder straps were well-padded.
• The back panel works as head support for younger babies and can be extended to fit the baby’s back as he grows.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• The Velcro on the waistband could not be tucked in and rubbed against Baby’s legs.
• The hooks for the sleeping hood were a little hard to clip on.
• The fabric is thick and structured, but could be warm outdoors.
VERDICT A useful carrier if you like the hip-carry position. 7.5
TULA TODDLER CARRIER
For children 11kg to 22kg $249, from www.pupsikstudio.com
WHAT WE LIKED
• It was easier to place Raphael into this as it is slightly more structured than the other carriers.
• It was ergonomic for both mother and baby, in the front and back carry positions.
• It comes with thick and comfortable shoulder pads.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• The shoulder straps could have been better positioned – they dug into our armpits.
VERDICT A good carrier, if only the shoulder straps were better designed. 8
LENNYLAMB ERGONOMIC CARRIER – JACQUARD WEAVE
For children 6kg to 20kg $310, from www.13thirteen.com.sg
WHAT WE LIKED
• The ample fabric wrapped around Raphael’s bottom to give him a snug fit. It took a bit of adjustment to fit him into the spacious carrier, but once that was done, it was comfortable for him.
• Its broad waistband – the largest of the lot – gave bountiful support.
• The thick shoulder pads can be worn in an “X” to fit petite mums better. • Buckles are upholstered to prevent them from digging into the skin.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• If there was better neck and head support for younger babies.
VERDICT Easy to put on and great for larger babies as it is spacious, especially around Baby’s bottom. 8.5
MANDUCA BLACKLINE
For children 3.5kg to 20kg $259.90, from www.13thirteen.com.sg
WHAT WE LIKED
• Its well-padded shoulder straps can be worn crossed to fit petite women better and give better support.
• This is the only one that comes with a sleeping hood (which doubles as neck support) that can be rolled up – and kept in a pocket on the carrier so you don’t lose it.
• This organic cotton carrier comes with an infant inser t – to fit babies into the car rier more snugly – that can be rolled a way and kept within the carrier.
• The buckles are upholstered to prevent abrasion.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• It felt warmer when the carrier was used with the infant insert.
• The fabric was breathable, but attracted dust and pet fur easily.
VERDICT Comfortable, easy to adjust and fits both Baby and Mum well. 9
I-ANGEL IRENE HIPSEAT CARRIER
For children 3.5kg to 20kg $185 (including two drool pads), from Motherswork
WHAT WE LIKED
• This is the only one where you can separate the top and bottom, and use the bottom as a hip seat for older babies.
• The shoulder padding is made of a mesh-like material and was breathable and cool.
• It was easy to wear and adjust.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• While the wide seat gives room for growth, the extra space did not allow for a snug fit for smaller babies.
• The loud tearing sound when undoing the Velcro waistband might wake sleeping babies when you need to remove the carrier.
VERDICT Lacks a good fit for smaller babies. 6.5
BABYBJORN BABY CARRIER ONE – SOFT MESH FABRIC
For children 3.5kg to 15kg $305, from Motherswork
WHAT WE LIKED
• This is best for the outdoors, as the mesh fabric doesn’t make you perspire.
• The racerback shoulder straps help distribute Baby’s weight evenly.
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
• The carrier is smaller than the rest and the seat is r ather narrow – not so good for when Baby grows bigger.
• Our shoulders felt tired after 15min; more well-padded straps and a broader waistband would have helped. VERDICT The least ergonomic of all the baby carriers. 6.5
