2013 Guide to Summer Baby Carriers

Check out our updated 2014 Guide to Sumemr Baby Carriers


With spring just around the corner and summer close behind that, many are already wondering what babywearing is going to be like when the heat hits.   Babywearing in winter is a great way to keep your little one warm while you enjoy outdoor activities in the cold.  But having a little body touching you when it's 90 degrees out is going to feel hot, no matter what.  Luckily, there are some carries that are cooler than others.  While you still might get hot wearing your little one, these carriers can help keep you and your baby a little more comfortable while babywearing this summer.

When deciding what carrier to get for summer, you have to decide what your needs are.  If you have a little baby or a toddler that you only wear for a short period of time, a ring sling might be the best option.  But if you plan to do a lot of babywearing this summer, you'll probably want the comfort of a two should carrier like a mei tai, soft structured carrier (aka buckle carrier), or even a lighter wrap.


Ring Slings
Ring slings are great for summer. They don't have as much fabric touching you and your baby as some carriers and they are great for quick carries when a busy toddler wants to be held for a few minutes and then wants down again. But ring slings are a one shoulder carrier and unless you are used to it, prolonged wearing with a ring sling can get uncomfortable since your child's weight will mostly be on one shoulder.

By nature, ring slings will be cooler just because of the lack of fabric, but there are lots of ring slings that are made using fabrics that are cooler and more breathable than others.  Linen is a fabric that many people like for summer and you can find them available by Sakura Bloom, SweetPea Ring Slings, Sleeping Baby Productions and Kalea Baby, as well as many other brands.  The super thin Hoppediz Pune wraps we had converted by Kalea Baby make an AMAZINGLY light wrap conversion sling that is thin, lightweight, super soft, but still really supportive.  We also carry these Wrapsody Bali Breeze gauze wraps converted by SweetPea Ring Slings.  These lightweight gauze wraps are still breathable even as a double layer ring sling.  If you can find one, Solarveil is really lightweight and airy, although please be aware that it does not offer any UV protection like once believed (read more here).  We do carry a Kalea Baby ring sling made out of Solarweave, which offers a UPF rating of 50+.  This fabric is really lightweight and thin and dries fast, which is why it is listed as a water carrier.

Realistically though, most ring slings are going to be fairly cool simply due to the open design, so unless you are planning to spend a large amount of time outside or live in a particularly hot area, you might was well just pick the ring sling you like most and will enjoy using year round!

Wraps
For the wrappers out there, you don't have to stop wrapping just because it's summer.  There are a lot of great wraps out there that are lighter and better in the heat. Wraps can be a great option for summer since there are so many different ways to use them. You can find lots of different ways to wrap using The Babywearer's extensive wrap instructions links page or by purchasing wrap instruction media like the Wrapsody DVD or Hoppediz instruction booklet.

If you are looking for a woven, both the Pune and Light by Hoppediz are great wraps for summer.  They are thin, light weight, and breathable.  The Light feels more like a high quality thick cotton sheet while the Jacquard Pune feels more like a traditional woven, only super thin and floppy, but surprisingly supportive.  The Amazonas Classic wraps are lighter and more affordable than many wovens, though they are not well known in the US and are harder to find here. 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.  Wrapsody also makes a stretch wrap that is kind of a hybrid wrap. It's not as stretchy as a standard stretch wrap and can be used comfortably with older, heavier babies. The wraps are thinner than other stretch wraps, making them much lighter and cooler. You can also safely use this wrap to do other carries that are not safe to do in a traditional stretch wrap.

If you just absolutely love stretch wraps though, or have a tiny baby you want to snuggle this summer, check out one made with a bamboo blend since bamboo tends to be a cooler fabric and helps wick moisture away.   Anaju, Happy Wrap and Lovey Duds all make bamboo stretch wraps and you can even make your own by purchasing a bamboo jersey at the fabric store.  Moby wraps aren't bamboo and are fairly heavy, but they do have some that offer extra UV protection if that is a concern for you.

Mei Tais and Soft Structured Carriers
Mei Tais and soft structured carriers (buckle carriers) can be another good option for summer babywearing. If you wear your little one a lot and for long periods of time, you will want the support of a two shoulder carrier like these.

When looking for a Mei Tai or soft structured 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 both cooler.

If you are looking for a buckle carrier, AngelPacks are one of the lighter SSCs on the market that are not specifically designed for summer and great for year round use.  But if you are looking for something more specifically for summer, the Outback by Onya Baby and the ERGO Performance Baby Carrier are both designed to be cooler with mesh linings that wick away moisture.  Two Mommas Designs also has a Solarweave carrier that is very thin, has a UPF 50+ rating, wicks moisture and dries fast which is why it is listed as a water carrier.  The Boba Air is also very light and thin, though made out of nylon, so not as breathable as some carriers.

If you prefer mei tais, Earthy Bliss has a wrap conversion mei tai called the Heavenly Breeze that has been designed to be light weight and cooler.  It is made using a single layer of woven wrap for the body panel, so it is lighter and more breathable than other conversions that are usually made with several layers of fabric.  Cotton mei tais like Two Mommas Designs and BabyHawk are generally also decent light weight options.

Nuzzle Me Creations and KinderPack both make mei tais and buckle carriers with a mesh center panel, though both these brands can be harder to buy new since they are usually made to order.

Water Carriers
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. Our Kalea Baby water slings as well as the Two Mommas Designs full buckle water carriers are made with Solarweave, which is super light, dries fast, and has a UPF 50+ rating.  SweetPea Ring Slings, Comfy Joey and TaylorMade Slings make mesh ring slings for use in water.  Solarveil Mei Tais and ring slings are harder to find, but they are out there, especially if you look for people selling used carriers, but they do not offer the sun protection that Solarveil once claimed (see more about Solarveil here).

See our special blog post for more information about choosing a water carrier.

Sun Protection
As we mentioned, there are a few carriers that offer sun protection, but most do not.  Making sure your little babe doesn't burn is important while enjoying the summer together.  Make sure your baby has a hat, preferably one with a UPF rated fabric.  All fabrics will shade the skin, but just because a fabric offers enough shade to keep your baby from turning red doesn't mean that their sensitive skin is not still being damaged by the UV rays.  Some people also use umbrellas as portable shade.  You may look a little silly at the park, but your baby will thank you.  Another option is to buy a special cover designed to protect their skin, like the Peekaru Ozone cover, though this particular cover has been discontinued and there are a limited number available before they are gone.  Sun blocks are also an option, but make sure you get one that is safe for your baby and their age.  Tickle Time is a new powder sun block that is 100% all natural minerals. 

Final thought
Summer is hot and having your baby touch you is never going to be cool. That being said, a little sweat never hurt anyone and it's worth the added convenience and snuggles you get in exchange! So find a carrier that makes you more comfortable and enjoy your summer!

For more general information on fabric options and carrier styles when choosing a summer carrier, see our Warm Weather Babywearing post.

Have a tip you'd like to share? Contact us, we'd love to hear it!

NEW Moby GO!

Moby has recently released a new carrier called the Moby GO!  This is a soft structured carrier (aka SSC or buckle carrier) and is specifically designed for older babies that may not be as comfortable to wear in a Moby Wrap anymore.  I think this is awesome because many people use Moby wraps and some of them have no idea the world of options available to continue to comfortably wear as their child grows.  The Moby GO is likely to reach a wider audience and keep more babies being worn for longer, which I think is an AWESOME thing for everyone!!!

Another thing I think it awesome about Moby's new SSC is the price!  At $79.95, the Moby GO is more affordable than many other carriers on the market making it more appealing to the newer or more casual babywearer.  I believe there are people who are just not able or willing to spend $100+ on a baby carrier, and the Moby GO is more likely get those people that are not convinced babywearing is worth the investment to give it a chance.  And more people babywearing is always a good thing!

Moby GO Closeup

The Moby GO has some great features at an amazing price. 

The Moby GO is a soft structured carrier designed to keep you on the go as your baby grows.  Wide straps that distribute your child's weight and a high body makes this a perfect carrier for older babies and toddlers from 15 - 45 lbs.

• 100% cotton body with should straps that are 97% cotton 3% spandex for added comfort
• Wide shoulder straps with cross-shoulder design
• Ergonomic seat design with a 14.5" seat and a 18" tall body
• Padded leg openings for added comfort
• Removable hoodie-style sleeping hood with storage pocket
• Unique dual foam waist belt that adjusts from 26" to 54"
• Designed to be used for front carrying only

First Impression

I tried the carrier the other day with my two year old and there are a couple of key things that make the Moby GO stand out to me.

The price - As I said earlier, the Moby GO is very affordable.  At $79.95, it competes with many more expensive carriers on the market.

Designed for older babies and toddlers in mind - The Moby GO is designed to be used from 15-45 lbs.  Though the Moby Wrap can be used with a larger baby, most people prefer to stop using it with older babies because it is just not as supportive as other carriers available.  The Moby GO is the perfect option for people that have been using a Moby Wrap and want something more convenient and supportive for their older, more active baby.  That being said, the body of the carrier is TALL and may not fit all babies at 15 lbs.  At 18" tall, it was even tall on my petite 2 year old.

Shoulder straps -  The shoulder straps on the Moby GO have a unique shape to them.  The straps are wide and curved, which makes them surprisingly comfortable.  They are not padded, but the width of them makes the additional padding unnecessary.  The width and slight curve of them distribute the weight more like a wrap and also allows them to sit further out on your shoulder while being crossed in the back, not riding up on your neck like some carriers can do.  Another thing is that the strap fabric has 3% spandex in them, giving them just enough one way stretch to allow the fabric to conform to your body.  The fabric portion on the shoulder straps is MUCH longer than on most SSC.  This means that the straps can only be crossed and prevents the carrier from being able to be worn "backpack" style for a back carry, which is why this is only considered a front carry baby carrier.

The sleeping hood -  The sleeping hood on the Moby GO is cool!  It is a hoodie style hood, not a flat hood like you see on many carriers.  I don't personally use sleeping hoods often, so I don't have any opinion on functionality, but I thought I would mention that it was different.  It is easily rolled up and stored in a front pocket, which I love.  And I really love that the hood can be removed completely!  Some people LOVE sleeping hoods, so I think they are important to have on a carrier.  But I like the fact that people that don't use them ever can just take it off all together.

Storage pocket - I love pockets on carrier and wish more had them.  99% of the time I am carrying my entire house with my in my diaper bag, so it doesn't matter, but it's nice to have the option of throwing a credit card and a camera in my front pocket and traveling light when I am able to.

Waist belt - The waist belt had a few unique things I wanted to mention.  First, there is what I would call a utility strap across the waist belt that you could clip things to, like your phone or keys, though its wide enough that you may have to buy something specific if you want to strap your keys to it.  The second thing that is unique about the waist belt is that there is a flap of fabric that extends underneath the webbing that gives some added comfort and keeps the webbing from touching as much of your body.  I thought the waist belt felt really comfortable and I liked the additional fabric.

Buckle safety - There are safety loops for the shoulder strap buckles.  This is great if you are one of those few lucky people out there that have a toddler that likes to unbuckle carriers.  Most don't do this, so it's not generally an issue.  But if they do, this would stop the shoulder strap from coming completely undone.

Now that I have pointed out some of the unique or cool features about the Moby GO, I'll list my personal opinions of the pros and cons of this carrier.

Pros

• Price: $79.95 is super affordable for a carrier of this quality
• Designed for older babies when they have outgrown other carriers.  18" body make this ideal for toddlers and will easily fit through the babywearing years.
• Uniquely designed shoulder straps are extra wide and comfortable.  I also loved that they didn't have the added bulk of the padding.  It really felt nice across my back.
• Fabric feels soft right out of the box.
• Removable sleeping hood with storage pocket.
• Utility strap on waist belt to hook phone or keys.
• Safety strap for shoulder straps to keep the carrier from coming off if your toddler figures out how to unbuckle the carrier!

Cons

• Designed for older babies and can not be used with infants or petite/younger babies.  18" body is a very tall carrier that will only fit once a baby is a certain size.  Some babies will not be big enough at 15 lbs.
• Can only be used to do front carries.  The way the straps are designed does not allow them to be worn "backpack" style, so the straps can only be worn crossed.  This would not be a con for me personally since I usually wear even my toddler on my front, but some people only like wearing their bigger babies and toddlers on their back and find it uncomfortable to do a front carrier with a larger, older baby.
• May be too big for really petite wearers.  The carrier itself is wide and taller than many carriers since it is designed for older babies.  The added fabric on the waist may also make it harder for someone really petite to get the waist comfortable.  But the waist is supposed to adjust to 25" and since the carrier should be worn lower than your natural waist, even people with tiny waists may still be able to wear it comfortably.
• Some people may not like the safety strap for the shoulder buckles since it adds an extra step in buckling.  But it's not really a con since it keeps babies safe! :)
• These carries are made in Thailand which could be an issue for people that prefer to by US made products.  Part of having a carrier of this quality available at this low of a price is that it has to be manufactured outside the US.  US made carriers can not be made with this many features and be anywhere near this price point.  Action Baby Carriers are an amazing brand that is also super affordable, but their low cost is only possible due to their super simple design and lack of extras.  This same carrier would cost much, much more if it was made in the USA.

My Experience

I was excited to try the Moby GO out, so I used it the other day to put my 2 year old down for her nap while we visited with friends.  The first thing I noticed was the fit.  The carrier was TALL!  My two year old was definitely big enough, but I am not sure at what age she would have fit in this carrier.  18" is far taller than many standard baby carriers, but is not unusual for a toddler carrier.  That is why the carrier is recommended to be used from 15-45 lbs, but it may not fit all babies right at 15 lbs.  My chunky babies hit 15 lbs very early and they would have be far too short to use this carrier at that weight.

While adjusting the carrier, it was immediately obvious to me that I loved how the straps fit.  I had been concerned about the fact that there was no padding in the shoulder straps, but it actually felt really nice.  The straps fit smoothly crossed across my back and lay nicely across each other where they crossed because there was no padding making them bulky.  The width of them felt really nice on my shoulders and they felt almost like they were hugging my shoulders.  It wasn't until later that I learned there was a small amount of spandex in the strap fabric, but I think that added to the fit of the straps and is likely the reason they hugged my shoulders the way they did.

I only got to wear my daughter for about 25 minutes and am hoping I have the opportunity to wear her longer at some point soon and give the carrier a real test.  But for the time I wore her, it was really comfortable.  I am used to wearing my toddler on my front so I can nurse her when I am putting her to sleep, so for me that was not an issue.  I promise to update this as soon as I have more info, but overall I was really impressed.  Moby has come out with a really great carrier that is well made out of quality materials and kept it super affordable even though they could have easily charged much more for this product if they had wanted to.

Remember...

Your opinion is the only opinion that matters!  I should add this to the end of all my reviews!

I just wanted to add that even though I like this carrier, and I think it is a great addition to the market, it's not going to be the ideal carrier for everyone.  My friend who exclusively back carries can even try this carrier to see if she likes it.  So I tried to be as thorough as I could to give you as much information as I can to help you decide if this carrier could work for you.  But like I have said many times before, everybody and ever body is different.  What works for one may not work at all for another.  The only way to know for sure if a carrier will work is to try it.  But if you know you have a super petite baby or like doing back carries, this should be enough information to rule the Moby GO out in your mind.  But if you like wearing your toddler on your front like I do (yes, even some seasoned babywearers just prefer it), then you might be as impressed with this carrier as I am :)

SBS: Katie M Berggren

Small Business Spotlight

Katie M Berggren is someone I have blogged about many times in the past.  She is a mother and artist that paints and captures beautiful moments of motherhood.

I was introduced to her when I received a couple of prints as a gift for the holidays one year.  The prints were a perfect gift and I immediately loved them.  I looked her up and loved everything I saw.  From her stunning artwork, to her back story and quotes she shares on Facebook, to her donations to helping people in need.  If you haven't already checked her out, you can find out more about her and her artwork on her website. 

Just like the prints I received, I have given her prints to dear friends that have cherished and displayed these precious moments Katie manages to capture in her artwork.  And I will continue to enjoy and gift these paintings for years to come.  I hope you can enjoy them as much as I have.

© Katie M Berggren

SBS: the vintage pearl

Small Business Spotlight

The Vintage Pearl makes beautiful hand stamped jewelry.  This small business was started in 2007 by a stay at home mom with 4 young children looking for a creative outlet.  Since then they have grown enough to open a retail store in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

They carry a large selection of jewelry that can be customized to reflect your family and sentiment.  This gorgeous jewelry is a great way to celebrate those we love with a beautiful reminder we can bring with us anywhere.  It also makes an amazing gift that is sure to touch their heart.

Find out more about The Vintage Pearl and the products they offer by visiting their website.

SBS: Babywearing

Small Business Spotlight: Babywearing

The babywearing world is FULL of small business.  In fact, most companies that make and sell baby carriers would fall into the small business category.  But for the purpose of this post, I am more interested in focusing on the tiny, micro companies like myself and many other home based businesses.

Since there are so many and I don't want to do post after post, I'm going to limit the babywearing spotlights to this post and list several small babywearing businesses that I love.  These are in no specific order. :)

Sleeping Baby Productions
Jan has been making ring sling since 2001!  Her slings are very affordable and are made to order which allows you to order the exact size and fabric you want.  Jan has TONS of babywearing experience and expertise and is a very respected among the babywearing community.

SweetPea Ring Slings
Making slings since 2006, the owner of SweetPea Ring Slings is a work at home mom with a full crew of active kiddos.  Her slings come in a large variety of options that allow you to have a one of a kind sling.

Kalea Baby
Kalea Baby carries in stock ring slings as well as doing wrap conversion slings and custom orders.  Specializing in linen, Crystal make beautiful ring slings with accented stitching.

Nuzzle Me Creations
Nuzzle Me Creations is actually a work at home dad what makes all their carriers.  Tim designed the UMC: Ultimate Man Carrier (or Mama Carrier) which quickly became popular for all the added features that could be added.  They also carry strap covers and a couple other misc items.

AngelPack
Started in 2005 as Chi-Chi Mio Designs, AngelPack specializes in making buckle carrier.  AngelPack carriers are made in the Dominican Republic, where Nelly was born and raised.  She started a sewing house there to help support the community where she grew up.  Their sewing house not only offers employment to the local community, but it also utilizes renewable energy to help power their facility.

Two Mommas Designs
Two Mommas Designs is known for their mei tai and buckle carriers.  Most orders are custom made and can be customized with a variety of options.  They also make kid carriers and seriously adorable little cloth shoes that can be made from wrap scraps!


There are many, many more awesome small businesses that make and sell baby carriers, like Olives & Applesauce and Wrapsody, and I could go on forever listing them!  It's easy to fall in love with babywearing and want to be a part of it in a bigger way.  I love getting to be a part of so many people's babywearing experiences!  So thank you for your support!

Lenny Lamb Rainbows

Lenny Lamb has some gorgeous rainbow wraps, but it can be hard to tell the sometimes subtle differences from most photos.  So we took some up close and side by side photos to help you compare the colors.

Lenny Lamb rainbows come in four different weft colors: dark blue, green, light yellow, and red.  The weft color in a wrap can drastically change the appearance of the wrap, as is very obvious with the red weft color looking like a completely different rainbow.

The red is the most different, looking like completely different colors, but they are in fact the exact same design.  The green and dark blue are the most subtle of the four, but they do look different.

The dark blue weft color is a tiny bit darker and beeper than the green.  It's colors feel the boldest, but it loses some of the softness you get with the green.  The green weft is available in both 100% cotton and bamboo/cotton blend wraps.  The other rainbows are only available in bamboo/cotton.

Wrap name by weft color:

• Red - Sunset Rainbow
• Light Yellow - Sunrise Rainbow
• Green - Tangata (bamboo) & Gaia (cotton)
• Dark Blue - Paradiso Rainbow

And here are some action shots!  See if you can guess the weft color!

You can find these Lenny Lamb wraps and others at our shop.

SBS: Sarah's Silks

Sarah's Silks is a small business that makes play silks and other great toys that encourage children to use their imagination and creativity.  Play silks are simple pieces of silk that can easily be transformed into a cape, gown, pirate sash, grass to walk on, a pond, or even a fort.  The sky is the limit with these open ended toys.

Sarah's Silks was started 18 years ago by a mother looking for a way to nurture her son's imagination and give him the tools to be anything he could dream up.  Over the years Sarah has continued to grow her business while raising her three boys.

Find our more about Sarah's Silks and the great products they offer by visiting their website.