Jessica Ladin is the mama behind ClothClouds, an Etsy shop.  She makes a variety of cloth baby and household items, but most importantly for babywearers, she makes suck pads!  Here is a little about her via her Etsy About shop page:

Creating what wasn’t there before is my joyful passion.

Ever since I can remember the only way I could sit in a chair was with a pair of scissors, thread, or glue in my hands. As a child, I spent hours crafting little intricate amusement parks out of construction paper and glue or sewing pillows by hand. Today, I still have trouble sitting for a movie, but can sit and sew for hours on end.It’s always been my dream to live a creative life, to seamlessly blend work and passion. Cloth Clouds is the place where my dreams become reality.

Suck Pads by ClothClouds:

Info about the suck/drool pads taken from her Etsy shop item description:

Sucking Pads. Teething Pads. Drool pads for baby carriers. These will fit a variety of soft structured carriers*. Can also be used as car seat strap covers.

Strap covers are the perfect solution for babies who love to chew on the straps of your baby carrier. Easily unsnap + wash. No need to wash the entire carrier. Drool pads will preserve the life + re-sale value of your baby carrier while adding personal style at the same time.

A ribbon loop is added to 1 pad in the pair – great for attaching a toy or pacifier clip. Never worry about dropping or losing toys!

DETAILS:
- Fits up to 4″ wide straps (see below)
- Made with highest quality fabrics – 100% cotton on top, lined with cotton flannel, soft cotton chenille or microfleece on reverse (CHOOSE ONE DURING CHECKOUT)
- Machine wash/dry
- Made with strong durable plastic snaps
- Top-stitched for quality + durability
- All fabrics are pre-washed using free + clear detergent
- Crafted in a smoke + pet free environment
- Cloth Clouds tag sewn onto each item

*Fits most soft structured baby carriers, including: Ergo, Mei Tai, BabyHawk, Beco, Boba, Onya, Snugli, Manduca, some Kinderpacks, Bamberoo, Baby Bjorn, Pikkolo, + Patapum.
(If your straps are wider or smaller than 4”, contact me for a custom listing. To measure your straps, press the foam firmly down to get an accurate width measurement. Example: some Kinderpacks and customs are wider than 4″+ Beco Gemini is about 3 1/2″.)

ClothClouds Experience:

My toddler does not chew on my carriers any longer, so I asked a mom in my local babywearing group if she would like to try them out for me! Here is what she said:

My 5 month old son has 2 new teeth and he loves to suck on my Boba carrier to soothe his gums.  We added the suck pads to the carrier.  Presto!  He had an instant colorful place to gnaw.  My son loves the suck pads and uses them pretty much every time he rides in the carrier.  The ribbon works great to hook a small toy or rattle.  We’ve attached rings and this gives him another item to mouth and explore when he is in the carrier.  All in all, the suck pads were just what we needed and we’re making full use of them.  I also won’t have to wash my carrier as often as the suck pads are machine washable!

Where to Buy:

Baby carrier suck pads by ClothClouds can be found in the Etsy store, ClothClouds

Win it:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: I received a set of suck pads from the Etsy store ClothClouds  for the purpose of this review. A mama in my babywearing group used the suck pads with her 5 month old child in order for me to have a usable review. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are her own unless otherwise stated. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.

The name “AngelPack” was chosen in honor of our first child and the fact that as parents, our babies are little Angels and Angels need packs to keep them near us while we accomplish our daily activities. The name “Chi Chi Mio” is an endearment meaning “my baby” in our native Dominican Republic.

My Name is Nelly Diaz and I created the first AngelPack baby carrier out of inspiration from the oriental style Mei Tai baby carrier.

The AngelPack baby carriers are made in Dominican Republic, where I was born, raised and where I met my husband. Our sewing house utilizes renewable energy and provides employment to our neighbors.

Angelpack Max Carrier:

Stats from the Angelpack website:

The Carrier is:

WAIST 27″ x 5.5″

Adjustable from Aprox. 21″ to aprox. 57″.

SHOULDERS: 22″ x 4″

Adjustable from 16″ to 35″

BODY

19″ X 19″

Body hight is adjustable to aprox. 15″ tall.

HOOD

Removable. Aproximately 13″ tall.

POCKET

Comes with an waist pocket and front panel pocket.

my measurements:

• Height: 19.25inches (but with some hidden adjustment inside the hood pocket, it can be adjusted as small as about 15.5 inches)
• Width: 18 inches (measured at the top of the seat dart. The official “official” measurement of 19″ listed on the manufacturer’s website is taken at the widest part of the carrier)
• Waist Belt: 26 inches of padding 17.25 inches of webbing on each side. From one end of the webbing to the other (the full length of the waist belt) I measure 50 inches (manufacturer website says 57 inches)
• Shoulder Straps: 23 inches of padding 16.5 inches of webbing on shoulder strap 9 inches of padding on the lower adjustment. The padding actually starts 3 inches from where the strap leaves the body of the carrier.  There are adjusters here to help control how the carrier sits against your body.

 My Angelpack Max Experience:

I was contacted by Lorene of Frogmama.com to see if I would like to review the carrier. Of course I said yes, because my new babywearing goal is to find a carrier tall enough to fit my big toddler leaner! I was very excited when the Max arrived. I loved the dot print. Fun and gender neutral. I thought the crescent shaped pouch for the seat instead of the traditional darts was interesting and I couldn’t wait to use it. The first time I wore it was for an hour at my daughter’s riding lesson. The Angelpack Max was really comfortable, but I had not done the top strap adjustment, so I felt like I could get the whole thing tighter next time by doing that adjustment as well. I really like how adjustable the shoulder straps are. There are 3 points of adjustment. 2 at the shoulder strap buckle and 1 up at the top of the shoulder strap that brings the carrier a little closer to your body. The waist belt seemed a little shorter than some other carriers, and this was demonstrated when another mama I know tried the carrier it couldn’t quite buckle the waist strap. My measurements for the waist strap were off by several inches from the official measurements, however. There is some overlap of the webbing and padded part of the waist belt, so it’s possible to get it cinched down a bit smaller than the padding of the belt (thus why my measurements above don’t add up right!).

I liked the headrest and it even has a little bit of padding. There is also padding where your toddlers legs come out of the carrier. There is a hood, but I did not use it. A mama in my babywearing group tried the hood for front carries and said that she felt the clips used to attached the hood to the straps of the carrier were a little difficult to get open and clipped to the cloth loops on the shoulder straps. The waist belt conforms nicely to the wearer’s body because it has 5 sections of padding.  In a front carry the straps can be criss crossed, which is good because there would really be no way to adjust the chest clip if it was in the wrong spot. The chest clip is not like other carriers where it slides up and down on the shoulder straps. The chest clip attaches to some piping along the middle of the shoulder strap by little gripper clips. It is sometimes difficult to get the clips to grab the fabric right while you are wearing the carrier (for back carries). It’s easiest to attach them when the carrier is not on your body.  There are several pockets on the carrier. There is a fairly good sized flat pocket on the waist belt. Your phone and keys and a small wallet would fit in there, possibly a small disposable diaper. There is also a pocket that the hood stores in that is the whole width and length of the carrier body. You couldn’t carry anything bulky in there as it would be pressed against your child, but some diapers maybe or a hat, however anything in the pocket would be difficult to get out when the carrier was in use. In the pocket is also where you can adjust the height of the carrier. There are 2 hook and loop strips inside that allows you to shorten the carrier body by a few inches to accommodate smaller toddlers. I think this is a great feature as some toddlers that need a little extra height are too short for standard toddler carriers. There are elastic loops to allow you to roll up the extra webbing and keep it in place. This elastic is a little narrower than on some other carriers and doesn’t always keep the webbing rolled up.

Overall:

I really like this carrier. The Angelpack Max has a lot of nice features, like the very adjustable shoulder straps, the ability to shorten the body height and the crescent shaped seat. There were some things that were awkward too, the chest clip was hard to attach at times, the hood strap fasteners are a little difficult also and the waist belt seems shorter than average so may not fit larger wearers. This was a carrier that definitely needs some user trial and error to get that “perfect fit”.  I had to do a bit of adjusting with the fit at the top of the shoulders, but once I got it in the right spot for me, the carrier was really comfortable. Also, even with how tall and wide this toddler carrier is, my toddler still looks big in it. He is 28 months, 34 inches and about 33 lbs. It fits him well, but I personally would have preferred an inch or so more in height to give him a little “room to grow”.  He likes to lean and I like to keep that as contained as possible.

Where to Buy:

You can buy the Max Carrier straight from the Angelpack website or from Frogmama.com If you choose to buy from Frogmama, all profits go toward their adoption fund.

Disclaimer: I received an Angelpack Max from Frogmama.com for the purpose of this review. My local babywearing group chose to buy this carrier from Frogmama for the lending library. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are my own unless otherwise stated. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.

Ergo Rain Cover:

The rain cover is made of nylon to protect your baby and your carrier from the wind and rain. It comes in it’s own zip pouch that fastens to your Ergo Carrier so you are able to easily unzip and cover your baby if it begins to rain. The cover attaches to the shoulder straps of the carrier and also to the loop on the waist band. This helps keep baby’s feet nice and dry. There are elastic drawstrings with toggles to snug the cover closed in order to get rid of any gaps. There is a hood that fits over your baby’s head to keep them dry as well.  The cover is easily put on while having baby in the carrier when worn on the front. however for back carries, you need to either have help, or put the rain cover on the carrier before putting the carrier on yourself. You would also probably need help getting the hood over your baby’s head in a back carry.

Ergo Fleece Cover:

The fleece carrier cover is snuggly and warm for those chilly winter walks. This cover does not have a pouch to be stored in, but it attaches the same way to your carrier; it snaps to the shoulder straps and velcros to the fabric loop on the waist band.  This carrier also has the adjustable elastics with toggles to keep drafts out and your baby warm. The fleece cover can be put on your carrier while you wear it in a front carry, but again one would need help with a back carry or simply attach it to your carrier before putting it on.

Carrier Cover System:

The two covers work together for those especially bad weather days where you find you must take your baby out even though it is cold and rainy. These carriers snap together and work as one. The fleece carrier cover snaps to the inside of the rain cover and then you attach the whole thing to your carrier. Both your baby and your carrier stay warm and dry.

My Experience:

I think the way these cover attach to the Ergobaby carrier is really cool. I like that you can hook the rain pouch to your carrier and if it begins to rain simply unzip and cover your baby. I found that this system will work with just about any 2 shouldered baby carrier. I even attached the rain cover to a woven wrap! My child is a toddler now and he expressed discomfort with the cover when I had the bottom of it attached to the carrier. He acted like his feet were restrained in a way he didn’t like. Once I unvelcroed the bottom of the cover from the carrier it made the cover a little longer and then he was happy to have his feet stay dry inside the carrier cover. These carrier covers are very versatile for smaller and bigger babies with the adjustable elastics pulls with toggles and being able to simply not attach the bottom of the cover.

Where to Buy:

You can buy at the Ergo website or at an authorized retailer.

(4-10-13: I do not see the fleece carrier covers on the Ergo website. I have made an inquiry if they are still available to buy)

Disclaimer: I received an Ergo Baby Carrier Rain Cover and Fleece Cover  for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are my own. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.

Ergobaby Original Carrier:

My measurements of the carrier:

• Width: 14.5 inches (measured at the top of the seat darts, about 3 inches from the top of the waist padding)
• Height: 14.5 inches
• Shoulder strap length: 25 inches of padded area + 20 inches of webbing
• Waist belt: 5 3/4 inches at the widest and 24 inches of padding. 55 inches of total length with webbing.

My overall opinion of the carrier:

This carrier is well made and comfortable, even with my heavy toddler. I like the added width from previous versions, my child seems to sit down deeper in the seat and his legs are more supported.  The height of the body, while taller than previous versions, is still shorter than I prefer for my toddler. This carrier would be great for petite toddlers or smaller babies. This carrier can be used with infants, however a separate infant insert is required.  This new version also does not support the use of the old extender waist belts because the buckles are bigger.  The waist belt I think is longer on this carrier than on older versions, so an extender may not be needed.

See my full review of the Ergobaby Original

Ergobaby Sport Carrier:

My measurements of the carrier:

•  Width: 14.5 inches (measured at the top of the seat darts about 3 inches above the waist belt)
• Height: 14.5 inches
• Shoulder strap: 25 inches to the buckle, then an extra 2 inches under the buckle for 27 inches of material/padded strap.  Webbing is about 22 inches long.
• Waist: 5 inches at the widest.  31 inches of padding. 24 inches of webbing, for a waist total of  55 inches.

My overall opinion of the carrier:

For me this carrier was comfortable, but doesn’t contain my active leaner as I would like. For people with more petite toddlers this would be a great carrier. It’s ventilated opening in the back would help in the warmer months for the child to not be as hot as one would typically get in a carrier. This carrier does work with the infant insert. It’s floppiness made it harder for me to get it on during back carries, but it was a minor annoyance. That floppiness is due to less materials inside to help make the carrier cooler, so it’s a trade off.

See my full review of the Ergobaby Sport.

Ergobaby Performance Carrier:

My Measurements of the Carrier:

• Width: 14.5 inches (measured at the top of the seat darts about 3 inches above the waist belt)
• Height: 15.5 inches (from top of the waist band)
• Shoulder Strap: 19 inches to the buckle plus 5 more inches under the buckle to the end of the strap for 24 inches of padded strap.There is about 19.5 inches of webbing for a total of 43.5 inches for the shoulder straps. (my measurements are slightly off from the official measurements)
• Waist belt: 5 3/4 at the widest point. Padding is 29 1/4 inches. There is about 28.5 inches of webbing for a total waist belt length of almost 58 inches.

My overall opinion of the carrier:

For me this carrier had some trial and error to it. Sometimes I got a perfect and comfy fit and other times not so much. I really think it depends on each person’s body and where you like the carrier to sit, so sometimes you just have to play around with it until you find the best fit for you. As with other Ergo Baby Carriers, this one buckles at the side near your hip instead of in the middle. For some with mobility issues, or larger wearers, this may pose a problem of reaching the buckle comfortably. This carrier is also a bit taller than other Ergos, so if you do not have an infant insert, it may take longer for your baby to fit in this carrier comfortably.  The shoulder straps on the carrier curve and are very comfortable to wear. During warmer weather the liner may make you sweat a little.

See my full review of the Ergobaby Performance.

Comparison of Carriers:

The Original Ergo and the Sport are the most alike when compared against each other. They have the same body style and straps.  The Sport has a floppy body with no internal stiffness to help with getting too hot. It also has a vent in the back.  The Performance has thinner straps that curve and a taller height than the other 2 carriers, so the infant insert may need to be used for a longer as the carrier would be fairly tall on most younger babies.

My Opinion of Ergobaby Carriers:

Over all I felt the carriers were slightly too short for my toddler. They were not, however, uncomfortable. I could wear my toddler in any of the 3 carriers for long periods of time and be absolutely comfortable in them. My guy likes to lean and dance while being worn, he is also in the 90% range for his age in height and weight.  The Ergo that worked best for us was the Performance with it’s slightly taller height. He could still rock out, but it affected my balance a bit less than the other carriers. The carrier I had the most trouble with was the Sport. The floppiness of the body, while great for warm weather, made it difficult for me in the way I put the carrier on for back carries. I always felt as if the straps were twisted and it was tricky sometimes to determine which way they should go (most of the time the straps were fine).   I can’t speak about using the infant insert with any of the carriers as my child is far past needing it, so I have not used one.

Overall:

I really like the versatility of the  Ergo carriers in that they can be worn a variety of ways, front, hip and back.  Ergobaby carriers come in many different colors to suit just about anyone’s taste in fashion. They are also a well known brand in the babywearing world.

Where to Buy:

You can buy at the Ergo website or at an authorized retailer. Ergo is, unfortunately, a carrier that counterfeiters try to copy, so you must be wary when buying used.

Disclaimer: I received Ergobaby carriers  for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are my own. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.

Ergobaby Carrier Performance:

From the Ergo website:

For the active parent looking to take their baby along for the fun, the Ergobaby Performance Carrier features moisture-wicking mesh for ultimate breathability so both baby and parent stay cooler. Durable synthetic exterior makes for easy washing and quick drying. Tapered shoulder straps and padded waist strap ensure parents stay comfortable even on longer treks, either on the trail or at the mall.

Features of the Ergobaby Performance Carrier from the website:

• Balanced weight distribution: Evenly-managed baby weight between parent’s shoulders and hips for ultimate comfort
• Ergonomic: Proper facing-in spread-squat seating position supports baby’s hip, pelvis, and spinal development
• Carry positions: 3 positions – Front, Back, and Hip carry
• Carrier fit: Adults from 5’ to 6’5” body height (depending on body type, height range may differ).
• Usage Range: Carries babies from infancy (7 lbs. / 3.2 kg to 12 lbs. / 5.5 kg with Infant Insert) or up to 4-5 months to maximum 45lbs / 20kgs
• Carrier body: Durable, high-performance Ripstop water-repellant polyester outer layer, ideal for outdoor activities.
• Carrier lining: 100% cotton in a moisture wicking knit; mesh lining for extra wicking (Blue and Charcoal) for increased breathability and moisture wicking; Cotton lining (Green and Gray).
• Carrier weight: 1.21 lbs / 550 grams. 1/3 lighter than Ergobaby Original Carrier. More breathable and lightweight.
• Sleeping Hood: Integrated, Ripstop water-repellant fabric with elastic edging and snap-to-strap attach. Supports baby’s head while sleeping and protects from sun and wind. Adjusts in length with 5 snap levels for growth of baby.
• Shoulder straps: Padded with 1” high-density premium foam, expanding from 27” – 49”
• Waist strap belt: Padded with 1/4” high-density EVA foam, expanding from 29” – 55”
• Chest strap: Sliding adjustment
• Fill: 100% cotton batting in body of carrier to soften edges
• Small zippered pouch, fully hides Sleeping Hood when stuffed
• Large zippered storage pocket holds your wallet, keys and other essentials

My Measurements of the Carrier:

• Width: 14.5 inches (measured at the top of the seat darts about 3 inches above the waist belt)
• Height: 15.5 inches (from top of the waist band)
• Shoulder Strap: 19 inches to the buckle plus 5 more inches under the buckle to the end of the strap for 24 inches of padded strap.There is about 19.5 inches of webbing for a total of 43.5 inches for the shoulder straps. (my measurements are slightly off from the official measurements)
• Waist belt: 5 3/4 at the widest point. Padding is 29 1/4 inches. There is about 28.5 inches of webbing for a total waist belt length of almost 58 inches.

My Ergo Performance Experience:

I chose the bright blue Performance Ergo Carrier. I really liked the bright color of this carrier! I wore this carrier with my toddler who is 32 lbs and almost 36 inches tall. The first time I tried out this baby carrier it was in the fall before it got really cold.  I felt like the material on inside made my shoulders a little sweaty, which seemed like the opposite of what was supposed to happen due to the material it was made with. When I started using the carrier nearly full time it was winter and cold out. I wore it over a coat and didn’t get a very comfortable fit. I felt like it was digging into my shoulder along the edge of the shoulder strap.  Later tries I did not have the same problem, even wearing over a coat. At times I felt the carrier pulling on my shoulders a bit more than I would have liked, but I was normally wearing for less than an hour at a time, so it didn’t really bother me. I put the comfort of this carrier to the test recently when I got to spend 3 hours handing out fundraiser orders at my daughter’s school.  I tried wearing the waist belt way down on my hips (where formerly I had been wearing it up higher on my waist). After 2 hours of of taking names, grabbing boxes, and checking orders, I was sweaty, but only where the toddler and I actually had our bodies pressed together. This carrier was so comfortable for this extended amount of time of wearing. I also really liked that the Performance Baby Carrier has a higher back, so it helps with my guy wanting to lean backward. He can’t do it very easily in this carrier. I stuck a sleeve of saltine crackers in the pocket and they easily fit and were easy for my daughter to get out again while I was wearing the carrier.

Overall:

For me this carrier had some trial and error to it. Sometimes I got a perfect and comfy fit and other times not so much. I really think it depends on each person’s body and where you like the carrier to sit, so sometimes you just have to play around with it until you find the best fit for you. As with other Ergo Baby Carriers, this one buckles at the side near your hip instead of in the middle. For some with mobility issues, or larger wearers, this may pose a problem of reaching the buckle comfortably. This carrier is also a bit taller than other Ergos, so if you do not have an infant insert, it may take longer for your baby to fit in this carrier comfortably.  The shoulder straps on the carrier curve and are very comfortable to wear. During warmer weather the liner may make you sweat a little.

Where to Buy:

You can buy at the Ergo website or at an authorized retailer. Ergo is, unfortunately, a carrier that counterfeiters try to copy, so you must be wary when buying used.

Disclaimer: I received an Ergo Baby Carrier Performance for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are my own. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.

Ergo Baby Carrier Sport:

From the Ergo website:

The Ergobaby Sport Carrier is composed of airy, durable cotton/poly blend fabric and features a back vent for extra breathability—so baby and parent stay cool and happy. The waist belt and shoulder straps have extra inches beyond our other models—to suit all sizes and fits. Whether climbing a hill or the stairs, this Carrier makes the experience more enjoyable for all.

Features of the Sport Ergo Baby Carrier from the website:

• Balanced weight distribution: Evenly-managed baby weight between parent’s shoulders and hips for ultimate comfort
• Ergonomic: Proper facing-in spread-squat seating position supports baby’s hip, pelvis, and spinal development
• Carry positions: 3 positions – Front, Back, and Hip carry
• Carrier fit: Adults from 5’ to 6’5” body height (depending on body type, height range may differ).
• Usage Range: Carries babies from infancy (7 lbs. / 3.2 kg to 12 lbs. / 5.5 kg with Infant Insert) or up to 4-5 months to maximum 45lbs / 20kgs
• Carrier body: 65% polyester, 35% cotton
• Carrier lining: 100% cotton poplin
• Carrier weight: 1.21 lbs / 550 grams. 1/3 lighter than ergobaby® Original Carrier. More breathable and lightweight.
• Sleeping Hood: Detachable, snap-in; 100% cotton poplin with elastic edging and snap-to-strap attach. Supports baby’s head while sleeping and protects from sun and wind. Adjusts in length with 5 snap levels for growth of baby.
• Shoulder straps: Padded with 1” high-density premium foam, expanding from 27” – 49”
• Waist strap belt: Padded with 1/4” high-density EVA foam, expanding from 32” – 55”.
• Chest strap: Sliding adjustment
• Fill: 100% cotton batting in body of carrier to soften edges
• Small stuff pouch, doubles as storage for Sleeping Hood
• Slit-vented front of carrier: A cooler ride for baby

My measurements of the carrier:

•  Width: 14.5 inches (measured at the top of the seat darts about 3 inches above the waist belt)
• Height: 14.5 inches
• Shoulder strap: 25 inches to the buckle, then an extra 2 inches under the buckle for 27 inches of material/padded strap.  Webbing is about 22 inches long.
• Waist: 5 inches at the widest.  31 inches of padding. 24 inches of webbing, for a waist total of  55 inches.

My Ergo Sport Experience:

I chose the black Ergo sport. Black really isn’t the dirt hider one would think it is, but oh well! I used this carrier with my 22 month old toddler who weighs over 30 lbs. We were usually walking his older sister to school or grocery shopping when I wore it. 95% of the time I wore him in a back carry.  There were a couple of times I used the front carry, but at his size it’s just not comfortable for long.

The straps are well padded, but not too bulky under my arms. I would notice the padding when first putting on the carrier, but it wasn’t something I was constantly aware of while wearing.  The body of the Ergo Sport is very soft and floppy, with a vent to keep you and your baby from getting too hot. The hood stuffs into a pocket at the top of the carrier. Since the carrier was very floppy, and there is about 5 inches of shoulder strap before the padding starts, I sometimes had trouble with the shoulder straps twisting as I was getting the carrier on. I do put on buckle carriers a little different than most, but I don’t normally have so much strap twisting with other carriers I’ve tried.  Once I got the carrier on, it was pretty comfortable.  My toddler is a leaner and he has great fun playing the “make Mommy stagger” game while on my back.  I have yet to find a carrier to combat his leaning ways.  This carrier only comes up to just below his shoulder blades, so he is able to lean quite a ways to play peek a boo with people.  I do not feel it is unsafe in anyway, just makes it harder to walk in a straight line sometimes with 30 pounds dancing around on my back.

This carrier has a long waist belt, so no extender is needed, however, the buckle is at the wearer’s hip, and some people may find that position hard or awkward to reach.

Overall:

For me this carrier was comfortable, but doesn’t contain my active leaner as I would like. For people with more petite toddlers this would be a great carrier. It’s ventilated opening in the back would help in the warmer months for the child to not be as hot as one would typically get in a carrier. This carrier does work with the infant insert. It’s floppiness made it harder for me to get it on during back carries, but it was a minor annoyance. That floppiness is due to less materials inside to help make the carrier cooler, so it’s a trade off.

Where to Buy:

You can buy at the Ergo website or at an authorized retailer. Ergo is, unfortunately, a carrier that counterfeiters try to copy, so you must be wary when buying used.

Disclaimer: I received an Ergo Baby Carrier Sport for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are my own. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.

I met PaxMommy Jillian and her lovely family last summer during their epic road trip up the west coast. You can read about their visit to our town at Paxbaby Playdate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wearing the Zebra Ergo while getting lost in the corn maze

Ergo Baby Carrier, Original:

From the Ergo Baby website:

The first-in-line design that made our name, now in it’s third-generation, the Ergobaby Original Carrier has evolved to make it more comfortable than ever. Made of durable cotton canvas with high-density padding and straps that adjust for the perfect mutual fit. It is available in a variety of popular colors and as with all Ergobaby carriers, it keeps baby safe, close, and comfortable while providing you freedom of movement.

Features of the Original Ergo Baby Carrier, from the website:

• Balanced weight distribution: Evenly-managed baby weight between parent’s shoulders and hips for ultimate comfort
• Ergonomic: Proper facing-in spread-squat seating position supports baby’s hip, pelvis, and spinal development
• Carry positions: 3 positions – Front, Back, and Hip carry
• Carrier fit: Adults from 5’ to 6’5” body height (depending on body type, height range may differ).
• Usage Range: Carries babies from infancy (7 lbs. / 3.2 kg to 12 lbs. / 5.5 kg with Infant Insert) or up to 4-5 months to maximum 45lbs / 20kgs
• Carrier body: 100% cotton canvas
• Carrier lining: 100% cotton poplin
• Carrier weight: 1.52 lbs / 690 grams
• Sleeping Hood: Integrated, 100% cotton poplin with elastic edging and snap-to-strap attach. Supports baby’s head while sleeping and protects from sun and wind. Adjusts in length with 5 snap levels for growth of baby.
• Shoulder straps: Padded with 1” high-density premium foam, expanding from 24” to 45”
• Waist strap: Padded with 1/4” high-density EVA foam, expanding from 26” to 55”
• Chest strap: Sliding adjustment
• Fill: 100% cotton batting in body of carrier to soften edges
• Small zippered stuff pouch, doubles as Sleeping Hood storage
• Large zippered storage pocket holds your wallet, keys, and mobile phone

My measurements of the carrier:

• Width: 14.5 inches (measured at the top of the seat darts, about 3 inches from the top of the waist padding)
• Height: 14.5 inches
• Shoulder strap length: 25 inches of padded area + 20 inches of webbing
• Waist belt: 5 3/4 inches at the widest and 24 inches of padding. 55 inches of total length with webbing.

My Ergo Experience:

I was excited to try out the latest version of the Ergo Baby Carrier. I like how the Zebra carrier I got is understated Zebra stripes. It doesn’t scream animal print, but is nice black and white stripes. I got many compliments while wearing this carrier.  The padding in the shoulder straps is quite thick and somewhat bulky, but not uncomfortable under the arms. There is a section of shoulder strap before the buckle that is unpadded that ends up under my arms, so it’s not bulky when I try to put my arms down.  I mostly use back carriers for my 21 month/30+ pound toddler and this carrier was very comfortable with this carry. My guy likes to lean, so the back height isn’t as high as I would prefer, he can easily lean out the side of the carrier, slightly throwing off my balance depending on the force of his leaning action. I did try a front carry and it was fairly comfortable for the short time I used it. I tried using both the chest clip and criss crossing the straps. I found that it was fairly difficult to cross the straps and get them tight. I had to cross and buckle the straps first with the webbing as long as it would go, then slide my toddler in. This may have gone easier with a shorter child, but tightening the straps with them crossed with a little difficult as well.  A second person would have made the process faster, but I eventually did accomplish the task of tightening the straps with them crossed.  The hip carry with the Ergo was slightly awkward. I had to read the manufacturer directions to figure out how to do it on my own. The elastic loops that keep the webbing tied up come in handy for holding the straps in place while you get the buckle into position!

Overall:

This carrier is well made and comfortable, even with my heavy toddler. I like the added width from previous versions, my child seems to sit down deeper in the seat and his legs are more supported.  The height of the body, while taller than previous versions, is still shorter than I prefer for my toddler. This carrier would be great for petite toddlers or smaller babies. This carrier can be used with infants, however a separate infant insert is required.  This new version also does not support the use of the old extender waist belts because the buckles are bigger.  The waist belt I think is longer on this carrier than on older versions, so an extender may not be needed.

Where to Buy:

You can buy at the Ergo website or at an authorized retailer. Ergo is, unfortunately, a carrier that counterfeiters try to copy, so you must be wary when buying used. Amazon.com also carries Ergo carriers.

Disclaimer: I received an Ergo Baby Carrier Original  for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions and experiences are my own. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.  Below is a link to my Amazon Affiliate. If you choose to click on it I may earn a percentage of your purchase.

See larger image ERGObaby Original Baby Carrier, Zebra (Baby Product) List Price: $120.00 USD New From: $115.00 In Stock Release date August 18, 2012.

Seven years later I was pregnant for the second time and I was determined I was going to babywear with this baby. I looked up babywearing groups on Babycenter.com and read and read and read posts to figure out what I wanted.  I learned about TheBabywearer.com and signed up there and watched the swap and agonized over what to get.  I was due in January and in October there was a big consignment sale in my town. I went and happened to find both a Sleepy Wrap (now Boba Wrap) and a Kozy Carrier mei tai. Super score! I went home and tried them both out, even wearing the Kozy with my almost 8 year old on my back. My husband thought I was looney.  My baby was born in early January and the day after he came home from the hospital I tried out the Sleepy Wrap. It was so wonderful!  He was a baby who did not like to be put down, so it was either sit on the couch and hold him or put him in the wrap and be able to do some light housework or sit at the computer and type with two hands. We even went hiking with him in the wrap when he was 2 weeks old. Now we have been babywearing for almost 21 months and I’ve branched out from the Sleepy Wrap and the Kozy. I bought my first woven when he was 4 months old and a ring sling when he was 6 months old. I also scored a great deal on a soft structured carrier when he was just over a year.

Also in the last 21 months I started this blog and a local babywearing group. Our group is celebrating it’s 1 year anniversary this month and is working on becoming a Babywearing International Group. I’ve met so many new friends through babywearing and helped old friends learn about it.  I’m going to miss babywearing when my baby, well, now toddler, won’t be wrapped anymore.  Hopefully it’s not soon, though!

Boba Baby Carrier:

From the Boba website:

• Weight Range: 7-45lbs
• Waist Belt: 25”-58”
• Fits Adults: 5’0”-6’3”
• Buckles Used: Duraflex
• Zippers Used: YKK
• Shoulder strap length: 20”to 40”
• Fabric: 100% cotton for the Classic Collection
• Height of the body of the carrier: 15.7in Height of the waist belt: 5.1in
• Made in China

This carrier is also about 13.5 inches wide where your child would sit. (measured about 3 inches above the waist belt).

Features of the Boba 3G:

• Infant carry: You can shorten the body of the carrier by flipping up and snapping the waist belt. This is different from other carriers that have an “insert” for smaller babies.
• Pockets: The waist belt has 2 small pockets that will fit a cell phone and other small items. One pocket is accessed from the side and zips closed. The other opens from the top.
• Purse Strap Holder: a small snapping tab on either shoulder to help keep your purse from falling off your shoulder.
• Sliding Chest Clip: The chest clip is on a sliding track making it very easy to adjust.
• Side Adjustment Straps: these straps make fine tuning the fit of the carrier easier and also allow for easy adjusting for nursing.
• Elastic Bands at Ends of Straps: roll the extra strap length up and out of the way.
• Removable Foot Straps: Helps older and bigger kids stay comfortable in the carrier.
• Sleeping Hood: supports your child’s head when they fall asleep. It snaps to the shoulder straps of the carrier and rolls up into it’s own pocket when not in use.

My Boba Baby Carrier Experience:

I chose the Kangaroo print and I love this print! It’s so cute, but not overly girlie. Not that I mind, I’ve been known to rock a purple carrier with my boy, but prints sometimes can look “girlie”. The Boba was quick and easy to put on and get adjusted. I love the added features of the pockets. I have some babywearing cards for my local group in the pocket, so if I don’t have my purse I always have some cards with me! I also really liked the purse strap. I used it while grocery shopping and it was nice to not have to stick my purse in the cart, or worry about it falling off my shoulder.  My toddler was not too keen on the foot stirrups, but they are easily adjusted with the snaps. I got to try out the infant position because a couple of mamas in my babywearing group have newer babies. This feature does take a little work to get the buckles switched around, so it’s not really something that you would be able to quickly convert.  It’s not meant for much switching back and forth between two sized kiddos quickly, but that’s okay. Most people wouldn’t need it for that, I’m sure. The babies did fit nicely into the adjusted Boba nicely, and it was comfy and happy babies! I normally wear my toddler on the back, but I did get the chance to front carry when he fell asleep in the car on the way to the store. It was more comfortable than I thought it would be, considering he is 30 lbs. The sleep hood was easy to get on and adjust and I also tried using the sleep hood with a back carry and it was fairly easy to do by myself.

Using the Boba Carrier with the infant feature

Overall:

I really like this updated Boba Carrier. The features are just enough to let you be totally hands free for a shopping trip, with the added pockets and purse strap holder. The added infant adjustment makes this carrier one that can last you most of your babywearing experience.

Where to Buy:

You can buy a Boba Carrier on the Boba website. Amazon.com also has Boba products.

Win It:

Enter for your chance to win a Boba Baby Carrier, and one of two Boba Wraps! All products can be seen at www.bobafamily.com. With Boba products it is easier than ever to enjoy Freedom Together as a family and Boba wants YOU to get a chance to use their products. To enter to win, “Like” them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/boba) and for an additional two entries, follow them on Twitter (www.twitter.com/boba).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Disclaimer: I received a Boba Baby Carrier  for the purpose of this review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are experiences are my own. All pictures are taken by me and are property of The Babywearing Blog.  Below is a link to my Amazon Affiliate. If you choose to click on it I may earn a percentage of your purchase.

See larger image BOBA Classic Baby Carrier 3G - Kangaroo (Baby Product) New From: $125.00 In Stock