Baby Carriers

I had to smile when I saw this furry red coat from Catmini.  My older daughter had a coat very similar to this one when she was a toddler.  I loved the way it looked and she loved the way it felt.  It was so eye-catching that people used to stop me all the time to ask where I had purchased it.  One woman even gave me her business card and asked me to call her when we were done with it!  I tried to interest my younger daughter in a furry coat last winter, but I didn’t find one quite this cool, and she wasn’t very interested.

Although the coat is a bit on the expensive side at $120, you can always count on Catimini to be as well-made as it fashion-forward.  We have one Catimini coat that survived my older daughter for two winters and will be handed down to my younger daughter this winter.  You will not be disappointed in your investment.  The coat comes in sizes from 24 months to 4 years.  This design of this coat is so fun that you could actually give it as a gift.  You can buy one at AChildsCloset.com.  The coat is still on pre-order at this time, but is scheduled to ship soon.

The Gucci Baby Carrier, a favorite of celebrity parents such as Gwen Stefani (above), is shaped to snugly fit baby’s body (up to 20lbs). It has adjustable shoulder straps and comes in the signatory beige/ebony GG fabric with dark brown or white leather trim.

This is a bit extravagant for the casual buyer, but if you have the means, you can purchase this item, priced at $850.00 at  Gucci.com.

Mamma’s Milk has sold its famous baby carriers/baby slings to celebrities such as Julia Roberts, Brad Pitt, and Naomi Watts. This particular design is promoted as a “fabulous combination of function and style.”

At one time, the baby carrier was considered to be a novelty item. Now, it’s become a must-have accessory for all parents, not just celebrities. Mamma’s Milk offers its baby carriers and slings in many fabrics and colors, ranging in price from $45.00 to $85.00. You can view the many styles available and photos of celebrities who have purchased them at MammasMilk.com

The Moses Basket comes in a variety of materials and sizes. I like this particular style because it’s simple, roomy, and comes with an Organic Pad. This basket provides a safe, roomy, cool environment for babies to play and sleep.

This Moses Basket by Pure Beginnings comes with an organic cotton pad that is natural and more breathable for delicate skin. You can purchase it for $69.99 at Purebeginnings.com.

Jessica Alba recently purchased a Serena & Lily Market Sling for her new baby, and it is easy to see the appeal. The sling has a very earthy vibe about it, and yet it is quite stylish at the same time. This hand-embroidered sling is made of 100% organic cotton to be as gently and soft to your baby as it is kind to the Earth. Your commitment to your child and to the environment will be obvious to others whenever you use this sling.

The sling is made of one piece that eliminates the need for buckles or straps. You simply slip it on and you are ready to go. It is available in three sizes and various colors. You can purchase one for $129 at Babybox.com.

This fun set of socks by Posy Toes would make a great gift, or a nice little starter set for your own daughter. The set features six adorable pairs of socks, each featuring a different flower in vibrant shades of pink, white, yellow and/or green. They come packed in an equally-cute gift box.

The socks are 80% cotton, 15% nylon, and 5% spandex for just the right amount of stretch. They fit newborn-12 months. You can purchase the set for $24.95 at oliebollen.com.

Here’s a two-in-one idea that I would have liked to try out. I remember those long doctor visits, standing in line at the market, waiting in line at Disneyland. Having the diaper bag work double duty would have been helpful!

The Sidekick Diaper Bag has compartments for all the necessities - a large pocket, zippered diaper/wipe pockets, double side pockets for bottles and sippy cups, insulated bottle wrap and changing pad. It even has a cell phone pocket.

You and your youngster are good to go with the Sidekick diaper bag and built-in child carrier. It comes in green or orange and is priced at $79.

Visit go-baby.com. And happy trails!

All three of my children are close in age. So while I was running after my two toddler boys I was also trying to hold onto my infant girl! Someone had given me a metal-framed baby carrier (almost like a hiker’s backpack) but it was just too bulky and cumbersome for everyday use.

Coming across the Karma Baby Sling online I immediately recognized how useful this product would have been with its soft, natural materials and unique shape. Mykarmababy.com offers a wide variety of fabrics and patterns to fit your personal needs and tastes. When you visit this site, take time to read the “About” page.

The creator of the Karma Baby shares some very helpful and insightful information about the true benefits of the the Karma Baby Sling. Prices begin at $46.95 and up.

This is one of the more innovative designs I’ve seen in a while. The Babykeeper by Mommysentials keeps baby in place while parents go about their busy days, securing the child in the shopping cart, on mama’s hip, or even on the stall wall!

I’m all for having baby on my hip or safe in a shopping cart but the hanging portion of this device makes me a little nervous. I do see the definite merit in it, but I would fear a nasty person’s meddling or a child’s curious fingers on the other side of my stall unhooking the Babykeeper. Imagine baby tumbling from his hanging position!

I prefer leaving baby in the cart and using the largest available bathroom stall instead. However, for the less paranoid mom, the Babykeeper really is a useful apparatus. The Babykeeper was designed by two moms in Woodinville, WA, Tonja King and Wliza Johnson, who founded Mommysentials as a home business.

I’m guessing baby would find it to be fun as well to be hanging above mom in a bathroom stall. Should you love this idea, get yours at mommysentials.com for $69.99.

I’m a big fan of baby carriers. As parents, we know that it’s hard to get anything accomplished while carrying around a little bundle of joy in our arms, so these great products can really come in handy. I’m always on the lookout for new and interesting designs and styles, that’s why Rockin’ Baby Pouches caught my eye.

These carriers are not only functional, they double as fashion accessories! There are so many different styles of the Rockin’ Baby Pouch to choose from including this reversible one with one side having black and ivory leaves and the other a beautiful red color. I love that you can flip the Rockin’ Baby Pouch to match your outfit! Who says moms can’t be fashionable??

Another great thing about these carriers is that they have adjustable zippers to customize the size so it fits you and your baby comfortably. Oh, and several celebrities including Angelina Jolie, Carrie-Anne Moss, Billy Bob Thorton and Courtney Cox Arquette have been spotted sporting these hip pouches with their little ones.

You can get your own Rockin’ Baby Pouch carrier at stellamaternity.com for $81.95.  This baby carrier was also reviewed on the Swanky Moms Blog.

If you are looking for a luxurious and upscale alternative to the Baby Bjorn, you might want to check out this Shearling Baby Papoose from Bill Amberg. Made from shearling, bridle leather, and top-quality suede, this carrier is definitely something different.

This baby papoose is designed to be comfortable for both the baby and the wearer. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a similarly-designed carrier that had so much padding on the shoulder straps. It might get a bit hot in warm weather, but it definitely looks comfortable.

This baby carrier by Bill Amberg can hold an infant up to 22 pounds, with the baby facing either in or out. You can purchase one for $550 at milkshop.com.

I’m sure you’ve been in a situation where you’re out with your child and all of a sudden it starts raining. Even though your stroller has a top shade, it still may not be able to keep your baby completely dry. That’s what makes JJ Cole’s Bundle Me Lites so great.

The Bundle Me Lite sacks are great for keeping your baby dry in a rain storm, protected from harsh wind and will also keep them safe from harmful sunrays. It is made from a material that keeps them warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. It’s great for strollers, car seats and bike trailers a like.

The Bundle Me Lite by JJ Cole comes in graphite or blue and costs only $32 at bestdressedkids.com. You can find more information at bundleme.com.

See Greta’s review of the original Bundle Me for another opinion.

Style and elegance in a diaper bag is certainly a plus, but we moms know that practicality, usability, and easy maintenance are features that have to be manufactured into any baby product! The stylish look of the Grommet diaper bag caught my eye, but it was reading about the tabbed magnetic closure (no fumbling with clasps or hooks), easy-to-clean interior lining and plenty of separate storage pockets that captured my interest.

The Grommet Diaper Bag also comes with shoulder straps that can be switched to stroller mode in seconds. This designer bag by Nest (San Fransisco, CA) is 15″ length by 7″ width by 12″ height and is priced at $285. Order your bag at artebebe.com.

I don’t know what I would have done with out my JJ Cole Bundle Me. My son was born in January and the day we took him home it was -10 degrees outside. Thankfully we got a Bundle Me.

Now he still had on a ton of layers but with the Bundle Me it was much easier transporting him in the winter. I didn’t have to dress him in big snowsuits I just zipped him in. The Bundle Me always kept him warm and never even came out of his car seat, except to be washed.

JJ Cole also makes a Bundle Me Lite which we used in the spring. I would highly recommend the Bundle Me’s to make a busy mom’s life just a little easier. You can find them for $39.00 at major baby chains.

I think we all know the benefits of baby wearing, so deciding to buy a carrier is a pretty easy decision. Wading through the many carriers on the market is a little more difficult. The My Baby Nest carrier offers some unique features that make it worth considering.

Unlike many slings, it is made with two loops. This means that it distributes weight more evenly, making it easier on the wearer’s back. The last sling I bought wasn’t adjustable, which was a big downside for me. I therefore really like the fact the My Baby Nest is highly adjustable—all without requiring any wrapping, which is another huge plus in my book. It also has a convenient storage bag, so it is easy to carry it with you.

My Baby Nest can be used in a number of holds (see the Web site for illustrations), and can support a toddler up to 35 pounds. There are a number of color options to choose from, and the sling is machine washable.

Three sizes are available to give you the best fit possible.
This sling has received a lot of positive press. It won an iParenting Media Excellence award earlier this year, has been included in celebrity gift bags, and has been featured in a number of national publications.

You can purchase one at mybabynest.com. Prices range from $59.90-$62.90. Best of all, for each sling purchased this month, the company will donate one to the March of Dimes.