Kokopax Classic Carrier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Little background: I am 5'2" and 110, my husband is 6'3" and just over 200 lb., and we both like this carrier, which is almost unheard of. Our son is just barely 6 mos. old, 18 lbs., and about 27 in.
PROS: MUCH more comfortable for both child and adult than other carriers (we owned several, and tried them all), as child's weight is more evenly distributed. 5 point harness keeps Houdinis where they should be. Child's arms and hands are free to move around. Good view of the world for little one. Easy in and out-- not a million straps and buckles, as with other carriers. Child can "support" their own weight w/ their feet on the frame of the carrier (watch the video-- you will see the baby "bouncing" with his feet on the carrier frame in one clip). So much more interesting and normal for baby than simply hanging from their crotch (again, as with other carriers). Able to take this many places where stroller is simply not realistic (like cobblestone streets, narrow aisles, or where navigating through crowds is difficult).
CONS: Not for smaller babies (<6 mos.). Child really does need to be at least 25 in. (and weight appropriate) and have excellent head/trunk control. Requires some upper-body strength to get it on as manufacturer suggests (should not be placed on an elevated surface to put on). I am a very athletic female and have no issues, but I question how well the "average" woman could do it without using an elevated surface (for my husband, this is a moot point-- no issues). Wish it was a little bit more adjustable-- there are three "snap" levels for lumbar support, but at the smallest setting, I still wish it would ride a little higher for me (I'm a mere 5'2"). Again, my husband has no issues-- he uses the tallest setting, and he is 6'3". No comfortable head position for child if they fall asleep in the carrier (this is true of all outward-facing carriers, but perhaps someday someone will rectify this?).

All in all, we like this carrier a lot. More expensive than most carriers, but often you get what you pay for. Nice fun prints too, but remember if you want your hubby to help carry baby, you might want a more neutral one (we have the brown "bubbles" and my Marine has yet to complain). Remember that regardless of how great the support is, carrying an extra 20-35 lbs. on your back is going to take a little more out of you, so people w/ extra large children (close to 30 lb. weight limit) shoudln't place their expectations on comfort too high. If you are extremely petite (under 5') or very lacking in upper body strength, this may not be the carrier for you, but it beats all the others we have owned and tried hands down!

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Product Description:
With an innovative design and fresh, modern style, the kokopax classic carrier (espresso) is the ideal baby carrier for everyday use. Unlike other carriers, it positions babies at eye-level so they have a 360 degree world view. The comfortable shoulder straps and padded waist support leave your hands free, while the lightweight, adjustable frame and five-point harness make taking walks safe and secure. A handy kickstand makes it easy to use. Suitable for babies aged six months up to two years (or 35 pounds), the kokopax classic carrier (espresso) accommodates your growing baby.

classic carrier

At a glance:

Ages:
Six months to 2 years old
Weight Requirement:
Child cannot exceed maximum weight of 35 pounds

Ideal for:

Who:
Parents, caregivers, and grandparents
What:
Carrying a baby while keeping both hands free
Where:
Inside house, grocery store, walks, at the airport

The classic carrier features comfortable shoulder straps, padded waist support, and an adjustable frame. View larger.

A carry bag is included for easy travel.
View larger.Comfortable to Wear; Safe for Hands-free Use
For daily adventures and special outings, the classic carrier features comfortable shoulder straps, padded waist support, and an adjustable frame that provides a custom fit. The ergonomic design distributes weight evenly across your back, chest, and shoulders, so you can keep both hands free while carrying your baby. A five-point safety harness provides additional security. This carrier is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), conforming to its standards for child carriers.
Made with anodized aluminum, the carrier's frame provides strength and durability while weighing approximately three pounds. So whether you're running quick errands or taking a leisurely hike, the carrier allows you and your child to be together comfortably and safely.
Portable, Compact, and Easy to Use
The classic carrier is designed with a sturdy kickstand, so you can rest it securely on the floor. This convenient feature makes it easy to load or remove a child from the carrier. And the portable, compact design allows you to store it in airplane overhead bins, making it ideal for traveling.
Made from 100% Cotton
Made from 100% cotton canvas, the classic carrier's fabric feels soft on your baby's skin. On warm days or during long outings, the breathable cotton allows for air circulation and provides a comfortable experience. The stylish fabric pattern looks fresh and modern while coordinating with other kokopax products, such as the Savannah Sun Hat.
Useful Details and Fun Accessories
Great for storing snacks, keys, and a diaper, the classic carrier features a convenient storage pocket with a secure button closure. It also comes with a carry bag for easy travel. For long walks and outings, you can fasten favorite toys to the handy toy ring.
The optional pax protector (sold separately) is a cloth made from machine-washable, organic cotton that provides a soft resting spot for your baby's face. Designed to attach easily using straps, it keeps the carrier fresh and clean.
Accommodates Infants and Toddlers
The versatile classic carrier can be used for children from six months up to two years (or 35 pounds), so you can use it from the infant stage through the toddler years.
About kokopax: Fresh, Modern Style
kokopax was founded in 2007 by Sarah Spoor, a busy mother of four young children. Sarah's is a classic tale of borrowing tips and tools from earlier generations and shaping them to fit our modern world. Using this method, Sarah re-imagined the lightweight carriers that her own parents used when she was a young child.
Combining contemporary materials such as anodized aluminum and fresh, bright patterns, the signature kokopax carrier line introduces a new generation of parents and caregivers to a comfortable, safe way to carry children. kokopax also offers stylish totes, sunhats, and organic accessories that feature the same modern prints and patterns.
What's in the Box
One kokopax classic carrier (espresso) in a polkadot carry bag and instructions.

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Freehand Mei Tai Baby Carrier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I am a mother of 3 and have gone tried many different types of baby carriers, and this is by far my favorite one.To be fair, I did not buy from Amazon, but directly from BabyHawk.Their website is awesome & I was able to design my own.If you don't mind waiting a little longer, its the way to go.

I have used, the ring sling, the Baby Bjorn, the pouch sling, to name a few, but the Mei Tai is by far my favorite.My first child LOVED to be in a carrier, but the ring sling started to really hurt my back once she was a few months old.I couldn't carrier her in it for more than half an hour or so.My second child HATED all carriers - but I hadn't tried the Mei Tai - I bought a pouch sling (Hotsling) which he screamed whenever I put him in.So we tried a Baby Bjorn, which he liked for a week, then screamed.With my third, I decided to wait & try out all those above.The Ring Sling was too bulky to take anywhere (its a padded style).The Baby Bjorn was just plain hard to put on.The pouch sling he outgrew in a few weeks (or maybe we outgrew together - I am 5'10 and the Hotslings are NOT adjustable).

I researched carriers & read many reviews before deciding on BabyHawk Mei Tais.IMO the pros & cons are as follows:

PROS
ADJUSTABLE: Unlike the pouch sling the design of the sling allows for growth of the child & variance in size of the wearer - one size really does fit all
MULTIPOSITIONAL: Unlike the Baby Bjorn - and the pouch sling to an extent - the Mei Tai can be worn many different ways - front, back, different ways to tie.There is a way that will feel best for you.
STYLE:If you decide to design your own - you have hundreds of options to suit your style - This can be a fashion statement as well as a baby carrier
SIZE:This can be folded down to a small carrying pouch (included) that can be tucked into a diaper bag or stroller.Not much larger than a folded Hotsling.
EASE OF USE: The first couple times are tricky - but after 3 times, I can put in a cranky screaming baby & put down a quiet sleeping baby no problem - much easier than the Baby Bjorn IMO.
WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION:I have big babies - my six week old is 14 pounds - this carrier distributes weight better than the other 3 types IMO.
HANDS FREE:Unlike the pouch sling or ring sling, you can free up both hands with this carrier.So you can puch a shopping cart & hold onto a toddler at the same time.Or maybe hold your baby & eat?

CONS:
EXPENSIVE: The Mei Tai is more expensive (relatively) than a ring sling or pouch sling.You can spend extra if you design your own & add pockets & toy rings.I find the expense worth it.
EASE OF USE:I put this in the CON category as well because the first few times are difficult - practice at home in front of a mirror.Also because the ties are so long, I would not want to put this on standing in dirt, or someplace with dirty floors.The straps will drag - there is no way around this.
REPOSITIONING:You will need to check your baby & positioning of the straps every so often.As our weight shifts, I usually adjust mine about 30 minutes afterputting it on.Its like your favorite pair of jeans - they loosen up some minutes after putting them on right out of the wash.

SUMMARY:I found this Mei Tai to be very versatile, simple to use, & stylish.It distributes weight nicely & is small enough to pack around.I would highly reccommend this to anyone with a baby that likes to be held a lot.

UPDATE:I have owned this carrier for over a month and I use it EVERYDAY.My infant HATES his infant carrier unless its in the car and we are moving - so I put him in the Mei Tai for all trips out of the house - the mall, the grocery store, my older child's school.I have mastered the art of putting it on in the parking lot - I just stand in front of the van door, and carefully drape the long ties in the van before securing my baby.This leaves my hands free for my toddler/shoppin cart/latte.I also wear this at home at least once a day.My son is 2 months old and 15 pounds - I can handle about 2 hours at a time - even my husband is starting to wear this now after seeing how much our baby enjoys being in it.I get compliments on this all the time, and all my expecting friends want to borrow it.We love it!

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Product Description:
The FreeHandTM borrows it's design from an asian style carrier that has been used for centuries. Versatility is the key. One size will work for both mom and dad (gramma, uncle, aunt, etc), and the FreeHandTM will carry a child up to 35 pounds comfortably. In addition, it can be worn safely on your front, back or hip. The Mei Tai design consists of a main panel of designer fabric, two long padded shoulder straps and two waist straps. What will you do with your Freehands?

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Infantino Balance Baby Carrier, Spindles, 8-35 Pounds Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review is part of a round of reviews of baby carriers my wife wrote, including her takes on the BABYBJ?RN Baby Carrier Original - City Black (4 stars), the Ergo Baby Carrier Black with Camel Lining (5 stars), the Infantino Ecosash Baby Carrier, Bloomin Vines, 8-35 Pounds (3 stars), and the Boba Classic Baby Carrier, Glacier (4 stars).Here's her general intro:

"I'm 5'5" and around 130 lbs.Husband is 6' and around 170 lbs.Our children seem to grow quickly, both over 15 lbs by 3 months of age, so a good carrier is vital to the health of our backs!There are many features to each carrier that I will try to touch on, and most of them have both pros and cons associated, so I might say one feature is a benefit, but I may also mention its drawbacks, or vice versa.We all have differently tempered and built babes and toddlers, differently shaped bodies, and different needs, so please take these reviews for what they're worth: my humble opinions.

And here's her take on the Balance:

"Infantino really put some thought into this soft structured carrier, but just didn't get it quite right.It offers some different and new features that I haven't seen from Ergo or Boba, but overlooked some obvious ones too. The price is nice though!

PROS:
* As the other reviews suggest, it is a great value for the money.
* It is well-built with soft material.
* Infantino really tried to think of everything:
- It comes with a plastic bib type attachment to save your clothes from spit-ups (though there are no directions for it and it is not advertised).
- Its straps connect to the belt itself, instead of the body of the carrier (as on the Ergo and Boba), so it has an extra buckle from the straps to the body - I believe this design is so that it can accommodate the 8-pounders.
- All of the straps have elastic at the end for consolidating the extra length. It feels very sturdy on due to the comfortable and sizable waist pad.
- The padded strap runs a nice long length down the back (in front carry position), which makes the carrier very comfortable for mom.
- There is a small pocket in front for carrying phone, keys, wallet.
* It's $50 less than its competitors!!Yay for cheaper baby-wearing!

CONS:
* There is no hood/flap for sleeping baby or weather protection, which is really the biggest disappointment in my opinion.I was very surprised Infantino left that out.
* There are a lot of buckles (two more than the Ergo or Boba), which makes it harder to get on alone (but we moms can get used to anything).
* It is way too small for my 34-lb, 3'3" son.
* It holds the babe pretty close to the body, which some babies only like when sleepy.
* The straps that come out of the side of the body of the carrier are held on with elastic bands, which in time will lose their elasticity.
* The nylon straps themselves are of a cheaper quality than other carriers in this review making them stiffer, stick out more, and harder to tighten with one hand.
* While there is a pocket, it is just a sewed on extra piece of fabric, forcing whatever you put into it to stick into the back of the child.

OTHER:
* I have tried this on a 12 pound infant, an 18 pound infant and 35 pound toddler.It works best with the larger sized infant.
* This carrier was made in China, designed in California.

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Infantino Ecosash Baby Carrier, Bloomin Vines, 8-35 Pounds Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)First of all, I should say that I have a very, very low opinion of Infantino because of their "bag sling" the slingrider, which they left on the market for years after moms in the babywearing community warned them repeatedly that it (as well as all bag slings) was dangerous.In fact, they never recalled it voluntarily, the CPSC had to issue a recall.

That said, I actually liked some things about this carrier, although I don't recommend it overall.It's a mei tai ("may tie"), which is a very common and popular kind of baby carrier.I've owned a few of them, as well as ring slings, pouch slings, structured soft carriers (like the Ergo), and wraps of all kinds.Mei tais are my favorite for extended wearing, when the baby is not in and out of the carrier often, because they are difficult to get into.

This carrier in particular has some pros and cons:

Pros:
- very supportive of a heavier, larger baby.My baby is almost at the max weight limit (35 lbs.) and we enjoyed it.
- nice, neutral color
- detachable hood - very helpful!
- the PRICE!it's super cheap
- booklet that comes with it is somewhat informative

Cons:
- the method of tying is uncomfortable.See below.
- the detachable/reversible panel is annoying.So much bulk and fuss for such an unimportant thing (to me) just got in the way.
- there are "instruction" panels in a stiff satin fabric ALL OVER this thing.There are panels identifying which is the top, which is the waist, how to wear your baby, the weight limits, etc.It makes the carrier uncomfortable if the panels touch your skin or your baby's, and it's totally unnecessary, in my opinion.
- very large and bulky for a small baby
- no pocket!I really appreciate the pocket in all my baby carriers that have them.

The shoulder straps are only long enough to tie around the body of the carrier, as seen in the picture.I am pretty petite in the ribcage and waist, so even with a big baby, I was able to tie it properly (see below) but not in a bow, only in a very unsafe double knot.A petite woman with a small baby MIGHT be able to tie it properly, but that's clearly not how it's meant to be tied.

The instructions have you cross the straps over your shoulders and then bring them around under your arms and tie them there on the baby's back (if you are carrying baby on the front, facing in).I find this method of tying uncomfortable for me and the baby.

I've almost always seen mei tais tied around the back, with the straps going under baby's legs for extra support.That is, if you're wearing your baby on the front, you cross the straps over your back, bring them around under your arms and cross them over the front panel of the mei tai (where the picture above would have you tie them, instead you cross them or twist them), then tuck the straps under baby's legs and tie them on the small of your back where the waist straps are tied.

All in all, I would invest more money in a better mei tai, or find one used for a comparable price with better features.The annoying labels and the length of the straps really make it unusable for me.Maybe it be a good starter mei tai to learn, but I think YouTube videos and thebabywearer.com, combined with a quality WAHM-made carrier would be a much better and safer way to learn.Infantino is behind the curve on making baby carriers, and I would avoid buying from them in the future.

note: I received this carrier for free with the Amazon Vine program.

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Infantino Style Rider Extended Wear Baby Carrier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Due to my shape (fairly skinny with boobs) and my baby's size (3 months, 15 lbs) this just won't work.The straps in the front don't hold him close enough to my chest so he seems to lean out too far. I had my husband try it on to see if it was a torso length issue...but thought he would have the same problem. We are just going to suck it up and buy the Baby Bjorn as it seems to have a better ability to adjust to anyone's body type.

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Product Description:
StyleRider is a 2-in-1 Face in Face out carrier. Advanced lumbar support comfort-ably cradles your back. This unique design helps reduce the stress on your back by giving you the support you need, right where you need it.

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