Why People LOVE Action Baby Carriers

Action Baby Carriers are a soft structured carrier (SSC), meaning it uses buckles to fasten instead of needing to be tied. These carriers are really great and a favorite among my babywearing friends.

The reason these are so popular is that they are great carriers at an amazing value. Most SSC cost well over $100. At $89, these are very affordable carriers for people on a budget, but with all the comfort of a more expensive carrier!



These carriers have a very simple, clean look and come in a nice selection of solid and pattern prints. They are light weight compared to some bulkier SSC and the fabrics are breathable making them a good option for hotter summer weather. The waist belt and shoulder straps are padded for comfort. Usable for infants to 40 lbs, many people use these comfortably with their toddlers.

Action Baby Carriers can be used for a front or back carry. The straps can be crossed or worn in a backpack position with the chest belt. They are also made with an attached sleeping hood. The hood is long enough to offer head support to a sleeping baby, but not long enough to completely cover a baby's head if you are looking for sun protection.

Here's what one mom had to say about her experience with the Action Baby Carrier:

I love my Action Baby Carrier. I used a stretch wrap when my daughter was little, but found that I needed something more industrial as she got bigger. I got the Action Baby Carrier to use for hiking and general traveling use, and I LOVE it. I can carry my 2 1/2 year old child for several hours without any back pain! My daughter weighs 28 lbs and is heavy to carry in my arms, but she goes right into her carrier without issue. And, she loves it too! She will ask to go into the carrier when she gets tired of walking. It's easy to strap on, even with a wiggly two year old! I don't know what I did without it!

-Beth

So if you are looking for a comfortable, quality baby carrier that will last you through toddlerhood, consider an Action Baby Carrier. The comfort and construction of this carrier makes it an amazing value for the price. You don't always need to spend a lot of money to get a great product, sometimes you can get more for less!

Please keep in mind though that no matter how great a carrier is, no matter how many people it works well for, there is no such thing as a carrier that works for everyone. Not everyone's body is shaped the same and although the Action Baby Carrier fits well on most people, like all carriers, it just doesn't work for some people. The shoulder straps on an Action Baby Carrier sit further out than some carriers, which works well for some and not for others. I have known really petite women that can wear the Action Baby Carrier just fine, but someone that has narrow or sloped shoulders may find that the straps sit too far out for them. The best way to find out is to try one! But don't be discouraged if it doesn't work for you, just keep looking until you find one that does!

Summery of specs:

• Simple to use sleeping hood


• Folds into a compact size that can easily fit into a diaper bag


• Breathable lightweight yet supportive material


• Versatility with front and back carry position


• Safety chest strap


• Baby carrier for infants to 40 pounds


• Adjustable hip belt from 28" to 51" with no extender belt


• Made in the U.S.A.

Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

Follow this link to check out our updated

2011 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

Looking for a cooler baby carrier for those hot summer days? Don't worry, there are lots of great choices!

One option is to use a ring sling. Ring slings are cooler because there is much less fabric around you and baby. Ring slings like Maya Wraps and our Hoppediz ring sling conversions by Kalea Baby are made with a single layer of woven material that is very breathable. Silk is also a very cool fabric to use in summer, which makes our double layer Dupioni silk slings by SweetPea Ring Slings another good option for summer. You can also find ring slings made from linen or solarveil fabric. But realistically, most ring slings are going to be fairly cool simply due to the lack of fabric.


For the wrappers out there, there are also lots of options. Wrapping tends to be much warmer since there is often lots of fabric wrapped around you and your baby. But luckily, some wraps are cooler than others. Hoppediz makes a Hopp Light that is very nice for summer. It is very thin and soft and reminds people of a very expensive cotton sheet. Amazonas Classic wraps are also woven wraps that are very light and breathable. The weave on these still feels like a woven without being thick and hot. Vatanai and Didymos linens are other brands of lighter woven wraps that people recommend for warmer weather.

Gauze wraps, like the Wrapsody Bali Breeze, are very light and airy. You have to be more careful when wrapping a gauze wrap to avoid pressure points, but these wraps are very cool and lighter than a woven.


If you're prefer a stretch wrap, try to find one made from a bamboo blend since bamboo tends to be a cooler fabric. The Anaju stretch wraps by 3TD are made of 70% organically grown viscose of bamboo and 30% organic cotton. These wraps are amazingly soft and light. Lovey Duds also makes a bamboo stretch wrap and you can even make your own by purchasing a bamboo jersey at the fabric store.


When looking for a Mei Tai or Soft Structured Carrier (buckle carrier), try to avoid anything made with heavy materials or lots of layers. Thinner, narrower bodied carriers are going to allow more air around you and baby and help keep you cooler. Action Baby Carriers (especially the solid colors), AngelPacks, and Baby Hawks are all fairly light weight thinner options. You can also look for Mei Tais made from solarveil fabric, which are breathable and can be used as water carriers, but can be harder to find.


A water carrier can be a really useful thing to own, especially in summer. These can be worn in the ocean or pool, as well as the shower. Many also provide some sun protection, but protection can vary. Water carriers can be found in a variety of styles, including stretch wraps, ring slings, and Mei Tais. Wrapsody makes a stretch wrap water carrier with a UPF rating for 45. TaylorMade makes mesh ring slings and is only one brand that makes water ring slings. Solarveil Mei Tais are harder to find, but they are out there, especially if you look for people selling used carriers.


Summer is hot and babywearing in summer is going to be hot no matter what. But there are definitely carriers that are cooler than others and will help keep you and your little one a little more comfortable. Just remember, a little sweat never hurt anyone and it's worth the added convenience and snuggles you get in exchange! Enjoy your summer!

How to fix a pull on a woven wrap

Written and reprinted with permission by Amy. Thanks!

First picture: The pull looks like a small nub. Open up your safety pin (easier for me to hold than a straight pin or needle). Gently tug on your pull so you can see if it comes from a thread that goes down the length of the wrap or the width. Try to untangle the thread if it has twisted back on itself.


Second picture: My loose thread runs from one rail to the other. You need to decide if you want to redistribute the extra length to the left or the right. I'm going to the left. I gently insert my needle into one of the threads to the left of my pull. Carefully, I gently tug to see if it makes my pull move. If not, I try another thread. If it does, I gently tug so the pull becomes a tiny little loop.


Didymos usually has two threads that run in tandem from one rail to the other. In this pull, only one of the threads was pulled out. Keep working your way across the width of the wrap making tiny loops. I wish I had a different lens for my camera so I could get you a better close-up shots. The longer the pull, the more little loops you make. Since my pull was small, four loops ate up all the extra length. You want your loops to be relatively small. The theory is that with a little use, the loose thread will work itself back into the weave.

Third Pic: One last loop is being made.


Last Pic: Gently pull on your fabric diagonally in both directions. All of the slack is worked back into the weave.


Didy stripes are one of the harder wraps to repair because the weave is more closed. Didy Indios and Waves are much easier to repair because each thread is more able to move around and slack is quickly absorbed. Conversely, that is also why Waves and Indios are more likely to get pulls in the first place.