Kangaroos Get It Right, Babywearing is the Natural Way to Go

Research indicates that babies who are carried cry less, which is only one of the benefits that have made baby wearing a popular way to comfort, cuddle, and bond with a little one. Baby is kept safely close and snuggled, while parents enjoy both a content infant and hands-free convenience. There are many styles of babywearing carriers on the market, available in a wide variety of fashions, functions and price points, including these popular choices from Wrap n’ Wear, Rockin’ Baby Sling, Kemby, The Hippie, The Peanut Shell, Sakura Bloom, Baby K’tan, Beco Baby Carrier and kokopax.

Retailers are encouraged to research all of the reported developmental and stimulation benefits of babywearing so that they can better educate their customers about the best type of carrier to meet individual needs. An educated parent is a safer parent and a snug baby is a secure baby. Retailers should reassure themselves, and their customers, that there is a wide selection of safe baby wearing options on the market, but retailers should also remind parents to always read product instructions and stay aware of their infants’ needs throughout the day, as there is no substitute for attentiveness. Keeping a baby’s face within kissing distance is the first step to ensuring that baby is safe and secure.

Wrap n’ Wear Wraps Baby in Security

The Wrap n’ Wear comes in a variety of colors and patterns with the option of 12 different carrying positions, making this a versatile, comfortable carrier. Wrap n’ Wear is an easy-to-wear, safe, and fashionable baby carrier that is made in the USA. Each carrier is constructed with high-quality 100% crinkle cotton — a light-weight fabric with a slight one-way give that boasts breathability and durability.

At Wrap n’ Wear, the safety of babies is the number one priority. The company provide a DVD with easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions on how to wear the 12 basic holds. This wrap does not have the baby placed in a pouch and hang. The wrap stays secure because it is tied with a double knot or square knot, which does not come loose, slip or need adjustment. Every fabric selection is tested for breathability to ensure safety and SIDS prevention. Keeping baby snugly accessible and securely attached, this outstanding carrier is suitable for newborns and children weighing up to 45 lbs. Retails at $49.99.

For more information to wrap your head around, visit www.wrapnwear.com

Rockin’ Baby Slings Carry Baby in Fashionable Comfort

The Rockin’ Baby Pouch is a babywearing necessity that’s hip, fashionable, eco-friendly, made in the USA and available in an amazing array of spectacular, reversible designer fabrics. The Rockin’ Baby Slings brand boasts a perfect safety record and promotes educated, safe wearing to ensure a comfy pouch that adheres to and exceeds all safety standards when used properly.

An easy-to-use zipper system allows for simple adjustments for multiple wearers and the growing needs of the baby. Five different carrying positions distribute weight evenly, offering supreme comfort for both the caregiver and baby. With no confusing snaps or buckles, natural breathable fabrics and lasting durability, this attractive baby pouch retails for $82. Rockin’ Baby Slings also offers baby carrier support and education at 1-888-645-BABY as well as advice on its website for how to use the pouches with the utmost safety.

For more on these rockin’ carriers, check out www.rockinbabysling.com

Packhorse Parents Get Help with the Sidekick

It’s great when a baby care product multitasks, and the Sidekick from Kemby does double duty as the world’s only all-in-one child carrier and diaper bag.

Babies with good head control and toddler’s up to 35 pounds can be carried with the Sidekick on the parent’s hip while enjoying the reassurance of a stable perch and parental eye contact.

Carrying your child on the hip provides maximum breathability and proper back alignment and support. With an abundance of compartments and parent-inspired extras, the Sidekick really kicks it up a notch for multi-use function, fashion and fun on the run. Retails for $165.

For more information on this unique multi-tasker, visit www.kemby.com

The Hippie Carries a Child and Saves a Back

In the world of baby carriers, The Hippie is not a flower child from the Age of Aquarius, but a doctor-recommended product for carrying children. It was designed by a physical therapist to eliminate the strain of carrying the weight of heavier children. Rather than carrying the child’s weight on one’s upper back, shoulders and wrist, the Hippie permits weight to be distributed to the hips and legs.

Not only is the Hippie designed to be safer for parents, its unique design ensures maximum safety for children as well. The Hippie offers a completely upright position for children, encouraging good neck control. Chiropractors, physical therapists, pediatricians, OBGYNs and osteopathic doctors have recommended the Hippie for toting tots for its health and safety benefits for both child and parent. The compact design is perfect for traveling, errands, or going up and down stairs. The Hippie retails for $49.95 and is available in two sizes, in both lefty and righty styles.

For more information on this hip carrier, go to www.getahippie.com

The Peanut Shell Is Baby’s Perfect Pod

The Peanut Shell baby sling is designed to provide comfort, versatility and maximum adjustability to fit every wearer and baby with ease. The Peanut Shell keeps babies and toddlers secure, warm and within kissing distance to ensure comfort and safety.

Taking design inspiration from thousands of years of babywearing traditions, The Peanut Shell offers a perfect little pod for nestling, with ideal spinal support.

The Peanut Shell comes with instructions showing several different wearing positions that are ideal for supporting both infants and toddlers. This sleek, adjustable pouch sling is available in sizes XXS to XXL to fit a wide size range of wearers and retails for $49.99.

For more on this pouch for peanuts, check out www.thepeanutshell.com

Sakura Bloom Perfects the Art of Babywearing

Sakura Bloom Slings are luxuriously made from organic Irish linens, Indian dupioni silks, and Southeast Asian wild silks. The handcrafted baby slings feature simple, classic lines and breathable fabrics that provide comfort, ease and fashion for stylish babywearing. Sakura Bloom meets and exceeds safety guidelines for its baby carriers, and information regarding safe baby wearing practices is available on its website where the motto— “Use common sense. Be smart, be loving, be safe.”— reminds parents that proper babywearing is safe baby wearing.

Sakura Bloom stands behind its beautiful slings with the stance that,“Educated parents are safe parents, and safe parents can use slings with confidence.” Parents throughout many cultures and generations have carried their children and enjoyed the security and sense of well-being that baby wearing offers the family. Today’s parents appreciate these soft, gorgeous, washable and reversible baby slings offered by Sakura Bloom that turn baby wearing into art. Retail prices range from $88 to $540.

To see more of these luxurious slings, visit www.sakurabloom.com

Baby K’tan Offers a Hybrid Carrier and Sling Combo

An ideal hybrid of sling and carrier, Baby K’tan can be worn to support baby in eight different positions, without complicated wrapping or buckling. This parent-invented baby carrier is lightweight and compact like a sling, and also goes over both shoulders to evenly distribute baby’s weight with adjustable back support, like a structured carrier. The unique double loop design was engineered so that infants can be safely held in an upright position.

Available in 100% organic cotton, Baby K’tan’s double-sling design can hold infant twins, as well as preemies and toddlers up to 42 lbs. Created using only two cotton loops, the second loop provides extra security by keeping baby closer to the body, while it can also be used as a nursing cover for added privacy. Machine washable and dryer safe, with reinforced double seams, the Baby K’tan has been safety tested and approved in accordance with CPSIA, ASTM & FHSA. Baby K’tan provides instructions and warnings with every carrier, as well as video instructions and instructions on its website, so customers are well educated on the proper and safe use of the Baby K’tan Baby Carrier. The Baby K’tan carrier is sized from XS to XL and fits the parent like a snug t-shirt. It comes with a matching baby hat and sash for both sun protection and a cute and fashionable finishing touch.

For more information, visit www.babyktan.com

Beco Baby is a Front-Runner in Front-Wearing Carriers

Soft front carriers are loved for their comfort and versatility and Beco Baby Carrier has added a bundle of fun to that equation with adorable and sassy prints.

Constructed to safely allow a perfect fit for newborns to toddlers weighing up to 45 lbs, the lightweight and adjustable Beco Baby Carrier can be easily worn as either a front or back carrier giving baby the best view in the house with the benefit of complete breathability and proper back support.

Beco Baby Carrier adheres to all safety guidelines and the company reminds parents to use common sense with everything that surrounds their child. Beco Butterfly has two collections of carrier fabrics with an option for custom designs available for the retail prices of $140 to $189.

For more information, check out www.becobabycarrier.com

kokopax Renews the Classic Framed Carrier

Designed by a mother who fell in love with her parents’ vintage baby carrier, the kokopax framed carrier offers parents the benefits of being able to carry infants easily while still taking care of their other kids, cooking, attending school activities, running errands, and traveling freely. While the carrier that inspired the kokopax carrier was super comfy, it offered very little in the eye candy department, which is why kokopax uses modern 100% cotton canvas fabrics with beautiful designs to cover the adjustable, anodized aluminum frame.

Offering comfortable shoulder straps, a padded waist and 5-point safety harness, this lightweight carrier is designed for on-the-go fun for babies and toddlers ages 6 months to 35lbs. All components of the kokopax carrier boast top quality materials and exceed safety-tested standards, to allow for years of happy toting for future generations. Because the kokopax carrier offers an upright, breathable position, it is a safe and responsible baby-wearing option for active, responsible parents. Retailing for $149.99 and available in six designs, this framed carrier is a winner in turning something “classic” into something new, practical, easy and fashionable. Coordinating totes and hats are also available from kokopax.

For more information on this classic carrier, take a look at www.kokopax.com

Editor’s Note: The Giggle Guide^® recently received a public announcement from a concerned group of businesses who manufacture baby slings and carriers. You can find this announcement here: Baby Sling & Carrier Manufacturers Speak Out on Safety Warning