Beco Gemini

Price Point: Beco Gemini Carrier- 100.00-150.00
TYPE: Buckle Style Carrier
STAR RATING: ****

RECOMMENDATION: YES

What they are saying about it!

Product Description

• 4 in 1 baby carrier, front carry (facing in and facing out), back carry, and hip carry
• 100% organic cotton, great for nursing, direct contact intuitive baby carrier
• High quality test material, machine washable
• Instruction manual included
• Made in USA

Product Features · 4 in 1 baby carrier · Front carry (facing in and facing out), back carry, and hip carry · 100% organic cotton · Great for nursing · Direct contact intuitive baby carrier · High quality test material · Machine washable · Instruction manual included · Made in USA Product Measurements · Body: 11"wide by 14.5 tall (if headrest is folded down, 19" if not folded" · Shoulder Straps: 23" (can be adjusted up to 22" longer for a total of 45") · Waist Belt : 28"(size 0) and can be adjusted up to 57" · Weight Capacity: 7-35 lbs (3.5-16kg) · Weight of Carrier: 1.5 lbs

What we say about it...

The Beco Gemini is a great carrier.

I love it as a second carrier to have around for the early months and for those times when baby wants to front face carry.

Our son is now 22 pounds and I am finding it isn't the most comfortable for longer walks and the lack of sleep hood is quite annoying on those sunny days.  Overall however this carrier is very sturdy and quite the keeper.

I can easily nurse my son in it, the straps are super easy to adjust due to the placement of them (you adjust by pulling up from the base of the carrier as opposed to down from the pits like in the Ergo).

My son loves this carrier and if he had his way he would still be riding in it.  However we have now switched to a wider based carrier.

The base of the carrier seems to lack the width that the other carriers have,  but if your not intending on carrying your child past a year and a half (or about a year for taller kids) then this would suite you just fine.

Overall this carrier is a great buy and recommended in your baby wearing stash for those that really want a front facing carrier option.

Beco Gemini-  CARRIER IS ONE OF OUR TOP 5 PICKS

PROS

• Comfortable
• Strong Construction
• Lightweight
• Stylish
• Easy to use
• Breastfeeding friendly

CONS

• Snaps sometimes release when baby is facing in
• No hood
• No pocket
• No Foot Straps

BEST USES

• Out & about 
• Daily use
• Infants 
• Travel
• long walks (under 25 pounds)
• hikes

ERGO- Organic original design

Price Point: ERGO organic original carrier- 100.00-150.00

TYPE: Buckle Style Carrier

STAR RATING: ****

RECOMMENDATION: YES

What they are saying about it!
Product Description

With its versatile 3-in-1 design, the ERGObaby Organic Baby Carrier - is a comfortable and ecologically friendly solution for carrying your child through the stages of early development. This carrier provides a continuous physical connection between parent and baby that's comforting for both, and its convenient hands-free design allows parents to tend to daily activities without missing a beat. With a soft, durable organic cotton twill exterior, interior rip-stop reinforcements and reinforced stitching, this carrier is built to stand the test of time, and its snuggly, 100% organic cotton sateen lining and built-in sleeping hood keep baby comfortable. Foam-filled shoulder straps and an adjustable waist belt that features high-density neoprene foam distribute baby's weight evenly, making it easy for mom or dad to wear this carrier for extended periods.

For use with children between 12 lb. (5.5 kg) and 45 lb. (20 kg). Children between 7 lb. (3 kg) and 12 lb. (5.5 kg) must use the ERGO baby Infant Insert (sold separately).

What we say about it...

Everything they say is true about this carrier and more.  This carrier has been the go to carrier for our family.  Despite some of the flaws which I will discuss below this carrier has been the carrier I grab when the new one we are trying fails to compare.

Can be used on the front, back and as a hip carry.

Let's talk first about the comfort.  I can easily wear this carrier for over 3 hours with my one year old son.  Breastfeeding is a breeze in this carrier and the material is so soft it is like an extension of you.  The ergonomic design is perfect for baby wearing and for babies developing hips.

The  padded straps are so padded they never dig into your shoulders and the lumbar support when baby is on your back is truly lumbar support.  I love the pocket which holds a good sized wallet (I don't recommend cell phones being placed in the pocket due to the heat generated from them among other stuff but let's not get into that just yet, after all we just met :)  The hood also gives you a great option if your shy and want a bit more coverage during feeding or sun shade.

Now the flaws I have found first off the infant insert is NOT good for baby if you are having your son/daughter in a warm climate or during the summer for those of us Canadians.  I found my son overheated easily in it when he was a newborn.  Though it did give him tons of support it also left him sweaty and cranky at times.  I find the straps adjustment is very hard to do if you like me had to adjust to breastfeed and then re-position for the correct hold after he was done.  Because the straps pull down from just under your arm pit sometimes it can be difficult to adjust especially with a bulky jacket or a cranky baby.

As a flaw I will also put down that it is not forward facing capable.  I understand fully that it is not recommended to carry baby forward facing.  However if you are like me have a baby for one reason or another refuses to be facing you and needs to face out for your sanity and their sleep then this carrier cannot help you in that department.

Despite its few flaws this carrier is the best carrier on the market today.  It offers overall the best support, the best design and the best value for the money.

So we most definitely recommend this carrier to a friend.

ERGO CARRIER IS OUR TOP 5 PICK

PROS

• Comfortable
• Strong Construction
• Lightweight
• Stylish
• Easy to use
• Breastfeeding friendly

CONS

• not forward facing capable
• requires an infant insert  for newborn

BEST USES

• Out & about 
• Daily use
• Infants and toddlers
• Travel
• 3 months plus
• long walks
• hikes

Baby Bjorn Family

Price Point: Baby Bjorn -129.99-200.00 Various Retailers

TYPE: Buckle Style Carrier

STAR RATING: *

RECOMMENDATION: NOT

What they say about it...

Product Description

The BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Original Spirit makes it easy to keep your baby close and secure while you go about your daily activities. Developed with the help of both parents and medical experts, the BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Original Spirit helps position the baby comfortably and at the same time provides the proper support for the infant's spine and hips. Wide straps distribute weight evenly, so it's extremely comfortable to wear without stress on your back or shoulders. It's also easy to put on and remove by yourself because all adjustments are in front.

The Baby Carrier Active provides you with optimum weight distribution thanks to the comfortable lumbar support and the broad, padded shoulder straps, while always keeping your child safe and sound in the baby carrier.

What we say about it...

This carrier provided little to no comfort and was truly a big waste of money.  

Apparently for men this carrier is a great one.  However for most women this carrier provides little to no support after baby gets a bit heavy.  

Our son was 15 pounds when it was clear this carrier would not work for our family.  I won't talk about the lack of ergonomic design, but I will say if you make it past 3 months with this one, with baby's legs dangling as they do, the older the baby gets the harder it is to use this carrier comfortably when walking.  Your baby will use your legs as spring boards or you will simply knock their legs as you walk.

The shoulder straps dig in once baby gets over the 15 pound threshold and my back ached quickly when baby was in this carrier.

I could not walk for longer than 30 minutes without having to stop attempt to readjust and carry on.  I ended up having severe back pains with this carrier and in the end sold it online.

Yes you can breastfeed in this carrier, yes you can allow baby to face forward (which I am fully aware isn't the best position for baby due to current research), and yes it is relatively easy to use.

However what matters is the bottom line and it is .....  I would not recommend this carrier to a friend.

PROS

• Can face out

CONS

• Baby grow out quickly
• Can't wear for long time
• Carrier material not soft
• Cause back and neck pain
• Cause shoulder pain
• No hood 
• 
  

BEST USES

• Dolls
• new borns

Infantino Flip Carrier - Black

Price Point: Infantino Flip -49.99 at Toys R Us

TYPE: Buckle Style Carrier

STAR RATING: NONE

RECOMMENDATION: NOT

What they say about it...

Product Description

The Flip gives you freedom and flexibility with all day support & comfort. It was smartly designed with multiple carrying positions, onboard accessories and breathable fabric. Crafted for moms yet cool enough for dads. Lumbar support helps relieve your shoulders.3 ways to carry: baby face-in, baby face-out, backpack. Secure and comfortable fit. Simple to put on. Weight distribution system.

What we say about it...

This carrier provided little to no comfort and was truly as waste of money.  

I used this product for walks over an hour and my back would begin hurting after 15 minutes.  The pocket in the front is useless and can't be used for much more than a small face cloth.  Anything else would dig into the baby and has a chance of getting lost due to the lack of closure.  

I will say that you are able to breastfeed in this carrier discretely and easily but that is as far as it goes for pro's.

Baby's legs will dangle it is not ergonomically designed though better than some it is still not recommended.  There are no rings to tie pacifiers or toys to, the lumbar support that is supposed to be there is useless as it is more of a belt than support.  

In the end I would not recommend this to my friends. 

PROS

• Ability to nurse discrete
• Breathable materials
• Newborns comfortable
• Newborns secure

CONS

• Long walks not possible
• Not ergonomically seated
• Straps dig into shoulders
• Uncomfortable
• Useless front pocket
• Useless lumbar support
• No hood

BEST USES

• 15 minute walks
• Newborns-2months
• dolls