Expecting moms know that once their baby arrives, it can become a little more challenging to juggle those everyday tasks. (We also know how hard it is to do it all while pregnant, too!) Your little one longs to feel protected and safe in your arms, and as a new parent, you can’t bear to spend a single moment away from Junior—but when the phone is ringing, your meatloaf is burning, and the dog is waiting at the front door with his legs crossed, you have to do what you have to do!
Fortunately, three companies have recognized the importance of being able to carry your baby around while you slowly but surely check off those pesky items on your to-do list, and are offering soft, secure, and safe baby carriers to free up your hands (oh, and they’re totally stylish, too)!
Björn Again
Swedish company BabyBjörn understands your desire to keep your little one close to your heart, and has devised a series of infant front carriers that help you do just that. With more than 15 products in their portfolio, the family-owned company’s products are available in a variety of colors (from “pop green” for lunch with the girls to black satin for that night on the town) and styles to accommodate both your maternal needs as well as your personal style. Models range from the light and breathable “Baby Carrier Air” to the solid and supportive “Baby Carrier Active,” and they’re all specifically constructed for hands-free parenting—perfect for a stop at the dry cleaners (and the bank and the post office and the supermarket…), an afternoon at the mall, or even a stroll through the park. Plus, thanks to a detachable front, you can lift your sleeping baby right out of the carrier without ever disturbing their slumber. BabyBjörn also knows just how much baby likes to put things in his or her mouth, and so their fabrics are free of dyes and allergenic substances that could cause harm. In fact, all of the company's products are tested (and then re-tested) following the criteria of the Oeko-Tex Standard 100, the international safety standard for textiles. Check out www.babybjorn.com for prices.
Cozy As A Sweatshirt
The “Sleepy Wrap” was born five years ago when its Colorado-based founder was looking for an innovative way to keep both “the carried and the carrier” happy as she attempted to haul her infant daughter around. She discovered baby wraps when her son was born, but struggled with restrictive materials and stretched out wraps that constantly needed retying. So began her search for a superior baby wrap material, and when she made one of her very own from a super soft, heavy cotton knit (with just a touch of spandex), it wasn’t long before all her friends and neighbors wanted one, too. Not only are Sleepy Wraps a convenient way to run your errands and chase your other children around, but they support your child’s legs and eliminate pressure on their developing hips and spine that hard carriers can sometimes cause. Best of all, Sleepy Wraps definitely live up to their name, providing a warm, secure place close to you for your baby to drift soundly to sleep. They may provide a more discreet, convenient way to breastfeed, but don’t think Sleepy Wraps are just for women—our web editor’s brother-in-law admittedly found it daunting to figure out how to tie it at first, but was inspired to give it a second chance when he saw another father using one. And now, he and his new baby absolutely love it! $33.85 at www.sleepywrap.com.
Cool Cover All
In the colder months, a BabyBjörn carrier or Sleepy Wrap may not be enough to keep your baby warm. Fortunately, TogetherBe, the brainchild of Melissa Radcliffe, another Colorado-based mom, has created a fleece vest that you can zip over any soft baby carrier to keep both you and your child snug and cozy. What began as a night on the sewing machine experimenting with alternatives to buttoning up her husband’s winter coat over her daughter’s carrier has grown into a simple, elegant, and socially conscious (they’re made from 85% recycled fleece) way to help parents and babies stay close all year long. The Peekaru Original comes in sizes and colors for both men and women (small to 3XL), and granted, a vest with a big hole in front may look a little silly at first, but once it’s on you’ll agree that there’s never been a more comfortable, stylish way to provide that extra layer of warmth for you and your little one. $80 at www.togetherbe.com.
