I can help you with that last question.  There are three fairly attractive options for carrying twins and one for carrying triplets.  All of them are priced between $100 -$150 US Dollars.

Moby Wrap

Using what the wrap-makers call a “double cradle carry”, two babies can ride on the front of their caregiver, semi-upright, facing inward toward mom or dad, or snuggled sideways, so that they’re looking at each other.

There aren’t a lot of other carrying options with a wrap for twins, but the one nice feature of wraps such as the Moby Wrap is their relative simplicity and affordability.  Parents of twins could even buy two wraps to use separately.

One recommendation on wraps for twins is to buy the wrap with the reinforced panel, as it will provide more support.  Twins can be carried in the Moby Wrap from birth onward, even if babies are premature and weighing four pounds.

The Maximom

Sold through a number of online retailers such as Comfort 1st, the Maximom carrier is a product whose history is a bit difficult to suss out.  I am an avid reader and I like a good story.  A lot of the carriers, including the Ergo and Didymos, have histories born of individual parents inventing and improving baby carriers out of necessity.

So, appearing on the market from unknown origins, the Maximom carrier seems to be the Swiss army-inspired baby carrier for multiples.  At $119, it claims nine different positions, the potential to carry three babies at once, to be used as a shopping cart cover and a make-shift high chair when necessary.   It’s said to be single-user friendly, meaning you can put it on, place babies in it, and take babies out without assistance.

It looks a bit strappy and technical, though I’ve never tried it on.  The Rubic’s Cube is a bit scary to me, and this baby carrier seemed a whole lot more puzzling than that.   But, having twins or triplets is rife with complexity.  Maybe a complex carrier is required for such an adventure!

The Weego

Loving a good story, I was pleased to discover the story of Ann and Mike Moore, former Peace Corps volunteers who turned their experience in West Africa into the Snugli baby carrier, an invention they sold to a larger manufacturer.  Ultimately disappointed in what the Snugli became, and newly inspired by grandchildren, Ann developed the Weego for single infants, preemies, and twins.

The Weego Twin carrier sells for around $149.  Babies weighing 3 or more pounds can ride in the Weego, which incorporates spinal development needs of premature infants, while maintaining the snuggly feel of a soft carrier.  All of the plusses of attachment parenting are borne out with the Weego: reducing colic, maintaining body temperature, learning babies’ cues, developing sleep patterns, soothing, and bonding.

Bottom Line

Complex products that promise simple results raise a shadow of doubt in my mind.  I can’t personally attest to the Maximom and found no existing product reviews out there on this carrier.  Personal experience makes me fond of the Moby, which can accommodate twins in the early stages, when they’re less mobile.  Finally, the Weego Twins carrier is designed specifically for use by parents of twins from their birth to age 5-6 months.  Its thought-out design considers the twins’ contingent from every angle.

If we’re sold on a product’s durability, versatility, and craftsmanship, one is usually enough.  But if one product won’t fill the anticipated need, we buy two different versions, which usually means the highest quality (read most expensive) is crossed off our shopping list.

In short, that’s why my kids are toted in a combination of Bjorn, Moby, Scootababy, and Kelty.  (The Scootababy was a gift and the Kelty was free thanks to our REI dividend and coupon). 

I tried the Didymos wrap  in the store and loved it.  I even borrowed my neighbor’s a couple of times.  But the Didy runs from $120 to $180 and we wanted versatility.  I wanted a wrap for closeness, nursing, and sling-type wear.  My husband wanted a click and go carrier like the Bjorn. 

In gathering my notes for this review, I returned to the store where I first tried the Didymos and wore it around the store with my daughter for half an hour.  It’s a small store and they’re used to this kind of high maintenance customer.  Most of my memories of this product’s strengths were borne out again.  Here’s what I found:

Materials

Organic and ethical are the two words that come to mind with the Didymos manufacturing loop.  All organic cotton dyed with Oetek-rated nontoxic dyes (natural vegetable dyes aren’t in any products yet, as they fade out too much).  Cotton is shipped to the plants in Austria and Germany, where it’s made into yarn, which is woven into beautiful and numerous jacquard fabrics. 

The only wrap made with jacquard, the Didymos wrap is unique in offering the ideal fabric for wraps.  Only this dense, fine jacquard weave offers

• Durability
• A bit of stretch
• Friction that keeps knots tight   
• A parallelogram shape, and, hence, tapered pointed ends that aren’t bulky when hanging from the knots

While all wraps advertise that they are multipurpose and can be used as hammocks, blankets, and sunshades, with the Didy, I actually feel like our bums would stay dry when sitting on damp grass. 

Yet, at the same time,  the thickness of the weave actually improves its tie-ability.  With the Moby, which I love and use often (mine’s red), I find I’m occasionally tightening the knots because the fabric is a bit too stretchy.  To their credit, Moby’s new Moby D model has a silk fabric panel where baby sits, which is supposed to reduce the stretch-effect.

Ease of Wear/Comfort 

High marks here for Didymos wrap and ring-sling.  With the introduction of their O-ring sling, which can be worn front, side, and back, Didymos hasn’t sacrificed comfort.  They use the same fabric and no matter which way I wore my daughter, the O-ring was never digging in to either of us.  I also liked the ring as a handy place to attach keys or a baby toy (which are sometimes one in the same).

With ease of wear, you have to factor in the tying style of the wrap and the steep learning curve of tying any wrap.  A new Didymos is a bit harder to tie because of the jacquard, but it gets more malleable over time. 

Sizing and Versatility

You can order the didymos wrap in three sizes:

• size 5 – petite/short person
• size 6 - medium-height person
• size 7 – tall person

I am an average sized person and used the size 5.  For me, it just meant that there was less extra cloth hanging from my knot when I tied the wrap.

As for versatility, Didymos ties like most other wraps and allows you to burse your baby in privacy, have her in front facing in or out, have her in back, or on your hip.

Didy’s Shortcomings

My daughter was squirmier than usual in the front hold facing out.  I think it might be because she’s used to the Bjorn at this point, which has more upper body freedom than the Didymos affords.

Aside from the high price, the only other minor dent in this sling’s otherwise spotless reputation is that the quality of the jacquard weave that keeps the wrap snuggly where you’ve tied it is the same quality that makes it a bit harder to tie than other wraps with a blend of lycra.

The Bottom Line

If money is not an issue and you want a sling o wrap, Didymos is tops.  If you can only buy one carrier, it’s jot the most versatile, as it comes in three different sizes that won’t work for wearers in the same family who differ in height by more than 16 inches.    If you can afford it and a sling or wrap is all you want, the Didymos is your best bet.  The rare combination of stretch and structure in the jacquard weave makes it the most hands-free wrap around.

What is an External Frame Carrier?

Kelty offers three easy-to-differentiate models, which I will briefly describe.  But other manufacturers like Sherpani, Deuter, and REI have multiple backpack carriers to offer families who love the outdoors.

The Kelty nomenclature is easy to follow.  There’s FC 1.0, FC 2.0, and FC 3.0.  FC stands for Frame Carrier.  Essentially, as the numbers get bigger, the features list gets longer and the price gets higher.  All three have the standard safety features most hiking parents want:

• A sturdy aluminum frame
• A self-deploying kickstand
• An adjustable waist belt
• A sternum strap
• An adjustable five-point harness for baby
• Loops to attach toys
• Reflective tape for evening visibility

That said, here’s what makes them different.  This should help you if you’re deciding whether to fork over the extra dough for the 3.0.  I’ll tell you how our family figured out which one to get.

One word of caution: Kelty doesn’t offer the kind of development milestones and wearing tips many company websites do.  Perhaps because babygear is not their exclusive domain. Although they say their backpack carriers are for babies 5 pounds and up, you really can’t put your baby in a backpack carrier until he has some head control and can sit up without toppling over.

Frame Carrier 1.0: Around $150. Weight range: 5-50 pounds. Storage: Under seat. Sunshade: No.  Cellphone strap pocket: No.    Removable for washing: No.  Said to be for shorter strolls or shopping, though I’ve never seen anyone use an external frame carrier in a store or mall.  They’re too bulky for shopping trips, especially when more compact and streamlined carriers are plentiful.

Frame Carrier 2.0: Around $200.  Weigh range: 7-50 pounds.  Storage: waist pouch, under seat, and removable diaper bag.  Sunshade: No.  Cellphone strap pocket: No. Removable for washing: Yes.  This one is also marketed by Kelty as suitable for shopping, strolls, and hiking adventures.  A sort of all-around.  However, I can’t imagine using it in a shopping setting, unless it was an outdoor festival or farmers market.

Frame Carrier 3.0: Around $230.  Weight range: 7-50 pounds. Storage: waist pouch, under seat, removable diaper bag, and changing pad.  Sunshade: Yes.  Cellphone strap pocket: Yes.  Removable for washing: Yes.

This is the one my husband and I ended up buying. Mostly, because the hood was included and to buy it separately with another model amounted to the same purchase price.  Would we have purchased this model if we had to pay full price?  I’ll never know.  But our REI dividend made our purchase price around $30. We even used our REI one-time 20% off coupon to defray the cost even more. You can sign up at their website with the link above to become a REI member. Alternatively, you can also buy any Kelty child carriers at Amazon.

Is an External Frame Carrier for You?

We’ve used our external frame Kelty 3.0 about twenty times in three years.  We’re lucky to live in an an area that, albeit urban, is surrounded by a multitude of wilderness preserves, parks, and trails.

Some people would say that 20 times in 3 years doesn’t justify the $230 price tag.  But even if we had paid full retail price, I’d argue it was still worth it.  In our circle of friends who have kids, we’ve lent them our Kelty, they’ve lent us their snow suits, we’ve lent them our Kelty, and they’ve lent us their inflatable travel bed.

Even though my husband would laugh to hear me say it, I really do believe less baby gear is better.  If you connect with several other parents when your child is an infant, you can make a loose agreement about making big purchases.  It’s a great way to be an eco-parent too.

And speaking of the environment, this is precisely what the Kelty is for.  Hikes of 2-4 miles are a good start.  Before that, even, take your child around the block in the Kelty.  REI allows you to test out its bikes in the parking lot and you can test out the Kelty and Sherpani baby backpacks there too. But don’t be put off if your baby is fussy the first time.  Check the leg openings and all five points of the harness to make sure baby is comfortable and not too snug.

Tips For Hiking with Baby

1. Always slather your kid in sunscreen, even if the sunshade is up the whole time.  Get the legs and feet sunscreened too, or keep them covered.
2. Buy the inexpensive mirror that hooks onto the shoulder strap and features a retractable cord.  You can view baby at any time.
3. For older babies, you can situate the sippy cup in one of the mesh holders for baby to stay hydrated.
4. For younger babies, you may want to carefully wedge a snuggly animal or breathable blanket between her chest and the carrier.  Even better, use a small c-shaped travel pillow to support your baby’s neck when she falls asleep in the carrier.
5. If your hike involves elevation change (baby’s sensitive ears), uneven footpaths, or low-slung branches, use extreme caution and be peripherally aware when carrying baby.

When A Soft Framed Carrier Just Won’t Do

There is no substitute for an external carrier on a long hike, even though short hikes are the initial test for your family’s nature outings.   Once, we went to Muir Woods, north of San Francisco.  Using the Kelty for an all-day hike, we were able to let our son, Nolan, out of it a number of times.

The easy off-on handles make it safe and simple for the wearer to put on or take off the pack, keeping baby upright the whole time.  The auto-deployed kick stand was secure and stood solidly on soft ground.  It was easy to take our son out of the carrier and put him back in.  He was sixteen months old and wanted to toddle around for a while, but also enjoyed the mountain-top feeling of being hoisted up in the carrier.

A day trip to the zoo, hiking in the local hills near our home, and a trip to the beach were also events that made me grateful we had the Kelty.  Our friends borrowed it to day hike around Mount Shasta.

Bottom Line

You know yourself, you know how your family spends its downtime. If you are an outdoorsy family and you take a chance on the Kelty, you’ll wonder how you ever hiked without it.

Ways to Wear the Ergo

For newborns to 4-6 months (when babies gain head control), front wear is the only option, with baby cradled sideways, almost like a sling.  At this stage, you also want to use the infant insert, which doubles as a great changing pad or mini-blanket.  When wearing baby in the front at this stage, the Ergo’s sleeping hood – newly improved with elastic on each side – is one of my favorite features.  It protects baby from the sun and provides soft support for baby’s head as she rests against your chest for a snooze.

Once your baby has head control and can sit up, you can move from the side position to an inward position, legs splayed, with baby sitting chest to chest with you.  At four to six months, baby can also be worn on your back and in a hip carry position.

Amazingly, the Ergo has been tested to carry a child up to ninety pounds.  That’s more than some of my ninth grade English students weigh!

I used my Ergo for my first child from birth to about 18 months.  I loved the infant insert for reasons mentioned above.  About 95% of the time, I stuck with the front carry position.  Although Ergo’s website says that caregivers can get their babies into the carrier on their own, I found this impossible with the back carry.

As for the hip carry, it felt like I was wearing the Ergo incorrectly, even though I knew I wasn’t.  One strap on, one strap off didn’t feel right.  Besides, Ergo is derived from ergonomic, and what’s ergonomic about letting one shoulder strap hang loose so that the other should can bear all of baby’s weight?

Besides, I’ve never seen any Ergo user – apart from the maker’s web gallery – carry their infant in the hip carry position.

How Ergo Benefits Baby

• Fabric - The pouch surrounding baby is light and breathable on the original model, now in its second generation.  If you want an even more breathable option, there’s the ErgoSport, which is 35% cotton, 65% polyester.
• Sleep, Priceless Sleep – Of all the carriers I’ve used, my babies slept best in the Ergo.  The natural slouch of the pouch, the sleep hood (which also shaded sun), and the freedom of movement for baby’s arms to cuddle and wrap around the caregiver are three plusses the Ergo alone offers.
• Loose, Yet Secure – With shoulder straps and waist belt worthy of a trekker’s backpack, the Ergo provides a solid base below the pouch.  If your baby’s a squirmer, you’ll be grateful for the straps and belt, which keep baby in place while allowing the soft pouch to adjust to baby’s movements.

How Ergo Benefits Parents

• Back & Posture: Whether on front or back, wearing the Ergo is easy on the spine, hips, and posture.  What I love about the waist belt is that it bears a lot of the weight, alleviating the strain on the shoulders (In contrast, slings and wraps put a lot of pressure on the shoulders).
• Adjustability: The second generation Ergo and the new Ergosport offer easier adjustments in the shoulder straps for multiple wearers.  The Sport also features longer straps and waist belt to accommodate taller wearers.  My friend with twins is 5′11″ and her husband is 6′5″.  They had two ErgoSports and said they didn’t need any other carriers to get them from birth to 20 months.
• Unisex Look: While gender roles are more fluid than ever, I’ve met lots of moms in the park across from our house who tell me that their partners – all men – were reluctant to downright adamant about wearing a BabyBjorn, not to mention a sling or wrap.  The Ergo is the most rugged, sturdy, backpack-looking, even manly (if you will) carrier out there.  It screams functionality, which makes it the best choice for a lot of dads.

Drawbacks

• Bulky: I understand the bulkiness comes from the excellent padding in the shoulder and waist straps, but at times, I felt like I was wearing 1980s shoulder pads.
• Going Solo: Even though the website says you can get the Ergo and baby on by your self, I found this nearly impossible.   If you don’t have the strap that connects the shoulder straps fastened, they tend to slowly move off your shoulders, which gave me the feeling that the straps were always on the verge of falling off.  Alone, I couldn’t fasten this strap when wearing my kids on front.  Alone, I couldn’t get my kids into the back position either.
• Price: $110 on the website, $130 in stores for different models.  One thing to note here is that the Ergo is so well made, you can definitely recoup some of your investment through resale when you are finished.  Likewise, you may be able to hunt down a used one.  A word of caution: I advise buying one from someone you know, a friend of a friend, or a fellow subscriber to your parenting group.  The company warns that counterfeit copies are circulating on Ebay.

Bottom Line

Try it on in the store.  Wear it for a good ten minutes or so.  Wear it in the front, side, and back.  Get a feel for whether and how you would put it on by yourself.  But even if you can’t, the Ergo is still worth the investment.  It’s somewhat bulky presence truly achieves the desired effect of putting you as close to your baby as possible in a way that is ideally comfortable for both of you.

Read on to learn the reasons most first-time parents and parents of infants (0-6 months) generally prefer slings, and the Balboa sling in particular.  Despite its limits, the sling is a worthwhile accessory for family outings with your new-to-the-world bundle.

Why It’s A Sling Thing

Even a BabyBjorn front carrier can seem a bit complex, with four fasteners and two adjustable straps, especially for those new to sleep deprivation (a.k.a. parenthood). A sling is a throw over your shoulder affair, much like your hip college messenger bag.  On the strap-bearing shoulder, through two sturdy rings, a strap with a safety stopper is threaded, providing maximum versatility for multiple wearers.  A couple consisting of a five foot spouse and a six-plus foot spouse can use the same $55 sling.

Slings are so simple, and babies 0-6 months love them.  They provide the same shape and security of the womb and allow baby’s little legs to curl and fold up like they do reflexively, unlike the Bjorn, which has the legs hanging with gravity.

The Balboa can be accessorized with a nursing cover that fits securely on the sling and comes in complementary fabric choices.

Available Holds With the Balboa Sling

There are four ways to wear your Balboa sling.  Three of the four don’t require much of a change in the parent’s positioning of the sling.  I use the Balboa’s terminology in describing the sling positions, following each one with a description of how your baby would sit.

There’s the front cradle (baby’s side rests against your tummy/rib cage), the front cuddle (baby facing inward, chest to chest), the front carry (baby facing outward, Bjorn style, but with feet nestled inside the sling’s pouch), and the side carry (legs outside the carrier, butt nestled in the seat-like pouch of the sling).

What Makes Balboa Different from Other Slings

The Balboa sling, retailing for around $55, comes in 11 different fabric choices, which isn’t many, when compared to the peanut shell, mei tai, or other cotton fabric carriers.  But people don’t buy a carrier because they love the fabric pattern.  After all, it’s a baby carrier, not a duvet.

There are two things that make this particular brand stand out.  The first is a cult of personality, the second is an attention to safety.

Dr. William Sears.  Ring a bell?  How about his wife, Martha, R.N.?  Together, they’ve had seven children and helped raise several million more through their trademark books, products, and online resources.  Now, with most pediatrician-endorsed products, I am cynical at worst, hesitant.  But with Dr. Sears, it’s different.  

I have his parenting book, his baby book, and his breast-feeding book.  And whether my three year-old has a rash shaped like Cuba or my 1 year-old is squirming in every imaginable position, Dr. Sears – god love him – has an answer and he’s usually spot-on.  Sometimes, his answer mostly helps us parents.  But almost always, his answer helps the kids too.  Dr. Sears doesn’t endorse every kind of product imaginable.  Just slings.  And his is a gem.

The company that makes the Balboa sling keeps manufacturing and quality control very much in-house.  Further, their sling is designed with particular attention to safety, the prevention of improper use, and stop-gap features to prevent accidents.  Another plus for new parents!

Limits of a Sling

Although Balboa advertises a hip carry position for this sling, I have tried it and with older children, it’s just not comfortable.  Similar to all hip carriers, the more the child weighs and the longer you carry said child, the more your back aches the next day.

That said, a sling is ideally used in a front cradle position for the first six months.  This amounts to less than ten dollars a month, $2.50 per week for the comfort of carrying baby while he sleeps, nurses, or just needs to be close to you.  The soothing peace both you – the wearer – and baby will get is priceless.

Before reviewing this carrier, I need to eat a few paragraphs worth of my words.  “Don’t buy a carrier that can only be worn one way,” I’ve cautioned.  “Don’t get a carrier that won’t take you through all the stages from birth to 20+ pounds,” I’ve warned.  I bought the Scootababy and ignored both of these warnings …

Trying on the Scootababy

What lead me to fork over the $119 for a carrier that’s basically a one-trick pony?  Trying it on in the store.  It felt great and looked cool.  Made of a nylon weave, it has a built-in seat curvature and adjustable waistbelt that has the look and strength of a backpacker’s waist strap – a good thing since this side carrier is tested for kids up to 40 pounds, 5 pounds more than most carriers.

The straps that secure baby’s upper body rest under baby’s armpit as she straddles your hip.  These straps are joined into one adjustable shoulder strap.  In the center of this strap, an eight-inch swath of stretchy fleece sits on the shoulder opposite your baby.  A harness allows quick adjustment of this strap so that the fleecy part is centered on your shoulder.

What’s to love about the Scootababy?

• It looks very cool.
• It’s exceptionally well-constructed.
• It feels secure; it’s a truly hands free carrier.
• It give baby a freer feeling and broader field of vision.  You can also make eye contact with your baby easily, as it positions you for face to face interaction.
• It couldn’t be easier to adjust and put on in a matter of seconds.

What’s Not So Loveable about the Scootababy?

• This hip carrier can’t be worn before 5 months of age, or when your baby can sit up unassisted.
• (The obvious) It’s a one-hit wonder.  It can be worn on either hip, but only on a hip. 
• It’s easier for women to wear than for men to wear.  My husband tried it on with our one year-old and his lanky straight torso didn’t provide easy notches for the waistbelt to rest on. 
• It’s expensive. 

If you can only get one carrier, the Scootababy shouldn’t be it.  But if you’ve used a BabyBjorn, sling, or wrap when your baby was in her first six months and you’re looking for something she’ll be happier in, here’s what you can do:

1. Sell your used carrier at a consignment store or online.
2. Use the proceeds to defray the cost of your Scootababy.

Not a fan of one-position carriers, I was ultimately won over by the construction, secure support, and baby-happy features of this carrier.  And I had to pay full price – (and nobody’s paying me to say this.) 

If you’re in a store, look for the small black nondescript bag with the white turtle logo on it.  It’s also available at Amazon.com. The Scootababy has the look of a little turtle shell, protecting your baby and supporting her for longer hauls.

What is the Moby?

An 18-foot long piece of fabric, available in a variety of material blends, colors, and designs, the Moby is the biggest name in wrap-style carriers.  But despite its large market share, the company maintains a commitment to just and fair working conditions at its manufacturing facility and an impressive degree of responsiveness to customer feedback.

Here’s a rundown of available Moby wraps:

• The Original Moby Wrap: Retails for $39.95.  Made of 100% cotton.
• The Moby with UV Protection: $44.95 Treated fabric blocks the sun’s rays.
• Moby Prints:  $59.95.  Like the original, only prettier, with Asian pattern options.
• Moby D: $59.95-$69.95.  The first major design departure.  This wrap has a panel of nonstretchy fabric near the center.  Choices for this panel include silk, microfiber, fleece, brocade, woven cotton, and silkscreen fabric.  The purpose of the panel is to provide a nonstretchy area where baby sits, providing more support.
• Moby Select: $69.95.  Pricier fabric choices include batik and organic cotton.

How Can I Carry My Baby in the Moby?

Newborns are carried most often in front, head resting on your chest.  As baby gains head support, wearing him on your back is great for trips to the farmers’ market where (hopefully) he sleeps through most of the trip.   Wearing baby in a semi-upright cradle is great for nursing, and as baby gets older, sidecarrying on your hip is also possible.

Reasons To  Love It

Aside from the flexible carrying options listed above, here are some other plusses I’ve noticed in three years of Moby use:

• A great buy for the money.  My $44.95 Moby has taken me through two kids, almost four years, and all without fading or stretching out.
• Easy to clean.  Just throw it in the wash with everything else.  (Note: see fabric care instructions if you buy a more deluxe model made with noncotton panel).
• Multiple Uses.  I’ve used it as a blanket to cover us on chilly plane rides, a seat to sit on, rolled it up as arm support for breastfeeding, used it as a bib, a burp cloth, a changing pad, and my three year old even loves to drape it around himself and proclaim, “Look mom!  I’m superman!”

What are the Downsides of the Moby?

The steep learning curve is one reason some parents choose soft carriers over wrap-style baby carriers.  But mind you, these are the same parents who are engineers, contractors, programmers, nurses, homemakers, etc.  In other words, every adult completes tasks every day that are much more difficult than tying on a Moby Wrap.

One thing I’ve noticed is that it’s easier to put on the wrap while still at home, wearing it like a sweater or shawl, than to try to put it on and plop baby into it after arriving at our destination.

If you’re still having doubts about your ability to learn this highly specialized skill of babywrapping, you can enroll in the graduate program at – just kidding! Actually, you can do one or more of the following:

1. Watch videos on Youtube.com.  Search for “Moby Wrap”.
2. Visit a smaller retail store or consignment store and ask for a demo.
3. View the DVD that comes with the Moby or visit the product website.

A somewhat steep learning curve on something like the Moby – which gives you and your baby so much freedom to move, to nurse, to sleep, to exercise, and to see the world – is worth it.

To wrap it up (I couldn’t resist), the Moby is the baby carrier I’ve used the most with both my kids.  Its versatility and comfort can’t be beat in the first twelve months of being a parent!

The Wrapsody Water wrap is made by GypsyMama, but this isn’t your tie-dyed hippy-mama baby wrap.  It’s made of the kind of material used for swimsuits.  (Perhaps someday when the amphibious Michael Phelps settles down, this would be his baby carrier choice).  The wrap blocks 98% of harmful UVA/UVB rays.  The black fabric has a soft sheen and feels breathable and stretchy, yet secure.

I’d often longed for a baby carrier designed for use in the pool, but could only find one made by Body Glove that seemed a bit pricier and was designed more like a Bjorn or other soft-framed carrier.

The Water Wrapsody is such a departure from the Body Glove option.  I’ve found it not only works in the water, but (gasp!)  on land too.  If my two kids were still in their infancy, I would use this wrap for all situations where I wanted a sling or wrap.  In other words, if you’re looking for a wrap and think you might like to use it in the water too, this wrap will serve both purposes.

Two weeks ago, I even wore it out for an evening with my husband.  Double-wrapped around my neck and shoulders, it hung loosely like a cowl neck.  The fabric’s sheen actually made it seem the Wrapsody Water was designed to be evening wear.

I’ve worn my daughter Paige in the swimming pool at our local Y using this wrap, but an even more interesting use cropped up as I checked out the company’s website. They showed a wrapped up baby-mama pair showering.  This was a windfall for our clean routine.  Most moms I talk to can’t find enough time to shower as much as they used to pre-baby.  But this water wrap has allowed me to get the both of us clean simultaneously and it dries quickly if you hang it over the shower curtain rod. What’s more, it doesn’t lose its snug feeling when it gets wet.

Soft and stretchy, great for splashing in the pool or the tub, this water wrap is truly an amphibian worth wearing any time you’d reach for a cotton wrap or sling.

The Babybjorn Air

Company’s History

The Swedish makers of this ever-popular carrier have been in business for almost fifty years, but the Bjorn didn’t hit the market until 1973.  Wow, I’m as old as the Bjorn.  Thirty-six. If only I was as durable, machine washable, and wrinkle-free.

Since the debut of the Original BabyBjorn, the company has rolled out several slightly modified versions.  The modifications are so slight, however, that differences are hardly noticeable.  This can be a plus or a minus, depending on your perspective.  If you are sold on the Bjorn’s solid construction, lumbar support, padded pouch for baby, and snap-and-go efficiency, you will find these trademark features on every model they offer.

Making Sense of The Bjorn Models

Here’s a short-hand version of the differences in the models now available:

• Original – All cotton, no synthetic fabrics, available in blue or black. ($79)
• Original Spirit – All cotton, black straps with a rainbow of color choices for the baby pouch.  ($79)
• Air – Made of two layers of breathable moisture wicking mesh with a barrier between them to keep ventilation maximized, this version is probably the biggest departure for the company to date.  As a runner, this model appealed to me because of it’s high-tech fabric and lightweight construction.  (Not that I’m about to run with my daughter in the Bjorn Air)  But it’s a great option if you live somewhere hot and/or humid.  It will do everything the Original promises, plus keep your baby cooler. ($99)
• Active – This model, as the name suggests, is for someone who wants to be more active, perhaps in carrying your baby for longer periods of time (best for older babies).  The design differs in that the shoulder padding is bulked up and the pouch fabric is slightly more rigid and supportive.  ($129)
• Synergy – The most recent addition and an obvious next step, this model is a hybrid of the Active and the Air: more padding on the straps, more breathability in the pouch. ($159)

Surely the whopping $80 price difference between the first and the latest models has not escaped your attention.  Is more expensive really better?  Maybe with caviar or artisan cheese, but not with baby carriers.

I’ve tried on each of these and can tell you that the Active model’s additional padding did not seem worth the padded price.

But I do wish the Air model had been available when my three year old was born.  In our sunny sometimes humid clime, a breathable carrier would have been a revelation, especially when postpartum hormones downshift, causing intense heat flashes and sweating.  At $99, only twenty more than the original, it seems worth it.

As for the Original versus its next generation, the Spirit, apparently ’spirit’ means color and you can pick yours as vibrant as they come.  But the endurance of this carrier means that you’ll probably have it for more than one child, if that’s your game plan, making a gender neutral color a consideration.  In this case, why not go with the original, at $79?

Care and Accessories

Although my Bjorn has ruggedly endured hundreds of washing machine cycles, I have recently invested in three Bjorn Bib covers.  I highly recommend these.  If your baby doesn’t spit up early on, she will definitely chew on the folded-down neck support once she faces outwards.  What teething baby could resist?  The cloth bib covers can be washed and sent through the dryer, unlike the padded pouch, which must be line dried.

Final Considerations

A final word on the Active.  Although the company says this model is meant for “carrying much heavier children for longer periods of time”, read the fine print.  The weight max on an Original Bjorn is 25 pounds.  The max on the Active is 26 pounds. Hmmmm.  But if your 25-pound baby – toddler is more like it – is still docile enough to tolerate an hour or so of being in any carrier, you’re probably among only a handful of parents.

Bottom Line: I highly recommend the BabyBjorn Air.  Machine washable.  Fast and idiot-proof to put on (snapping and sliding buckles feel super sturdy).  And buy or register for several of the bibs so that you don’t have to wash the carrier as often.

A fellow co-worker had loaned me his Baby Bjorn carrier a while back, so I washed it and tried it out. This was a very conscious decision — we were introduced to the concept of colic late at night, and only holding her upright and walking or taking her out on car rides would settle her down. Gas prices are high — the carrier it was.

My Colicky Baby in the Baby Bjorn

It’s a pretty neat design — strong cotton fabric and wide straps going over the shoulder, criss-crossing around the back, and around to the waist to connect. It took a bit to untangle the straps, but after getting used to it, wearing it was quiet easy. Baby slipped neatly into the carrier, I locked some disks at the bottom and special buttons with hooks at the top, and my daughter sat upright on me, head resting on my chest. Secure and snug, we were off out the door!

Our colicky little baby immediately settled down. Ten steps out the door and she was nearly asleep. For the first time in weeks, we had a peaceful moment with our child. Sleep-deprived, we walked like zombies around a few blocks, but it was one of our tenderest moments. When she awoke later, she peered around with interest, and I named the trees we past, introduced her to the color green, and showed her a sunset. Full of awe, she lay snug and content on my chest and stared with a quiet alertness that amazed me.

I was hooked. Every other day, after spending all day with Mommy, it was my turn. I took her for longer and longer walks, speaking gently to her, showing her trees and grass and leaves, introducing her to smiling (and sometimes quizzical) passersby, letting her reach down to pet a curious dog, and holding leaves or rocks for her to touch.

Next Spring – Baby Facing Outward!

Winter came all too soon, and though I tried to protect her within a parka, we didn’t go out much. However, with spring arriving, she was old enough to sit in the carrier facing forward. That was a treat! When she saw me with the Baby Bjorn she gave me a huge, excited smile and began kicking her legs and arms. When we were outside she would “walk” with me, swinging her legs in a confident gait and holding onto the curved, folded-down head-rest of the carrier like a driver with a steering wheel.

These walks will be some of my fondest memories of those early months with her. So much more personal and intimate than a stroller, I also found it more convenient. Instead of lugging a large contraption into the car, I simply stuffed the carrier into the diaper bag. Bumpy dirt paths or parks were no problem. I could walk anywhere with her.

With so many baby carriers on the market, I had the easy choice of my friend lending – and me eventually buying – a Baby Bjorn. I found out it’s the most popular of carriers, and I can believe it. The only drawback I found was that she grew too fast, achieving the maximum weight of around 22 pounds by her ninth month. Dads, something else to be careful of: when they’re older and really active, they can kick back and hit you where you don’t want to be hit!

Price:
Around $80 ($65 at Amazon)

Pros

• versatile and convenient
• easy to wash and durable
• easy to put on and very comfortable
• baby really loves it!

Cons

• the first few times I used it, the straps sometimes got tangled, until I stored it properly on a hanger rather than as a jumbled pile
• a bit pricey
• hurts the shoulders and lower back with prolonged walks after baby reaches 20 pounds

View more info on the BabyBjorn and other front carriers