Thursday, January 28, 2016

Huggaloops: my baby carrier obsession




Hello!

It has been a long time since I have published a post.  I am enjoying every single moment of mommyhood with my 10 month old (almost one, ahhh!)!

My reason for posting today is due to the fact that I have a new baby gear obsession!  My Huggaloops carrier!

Let me start by saying, my dear husband believes I have a problem.  He may be right.  I am addicted to baby carriers.  My son is a cuddle bug and has always enjoyed time spent in his various carriers.  It is much easier running errands when I can pop him in the carrier and go, plus it saves this germ-conscious mama the hassle of disinfecting every surface my curious baby may touch when we are out, HA!

When my little guy was a newborn and infant, I was an exclusive Baby K’Tan user (find my review on this carrier here).  It was like a wrap carrier, without needing to wrap anything.  Wherever this busy mama can save a few precious seconds, she does! I liked the concept of the K’Tan and it really met most of my needs, however, it wasn’t my “dream carrier”.

This Christmas I was researching carriers that would have the same qualities as my trusted K’Tan (it was getting a little tight for my 18lb-er and me), but that would grow with us and provide the comfort and security we needed to continue babywearing for a few more months at least.  Insert the Huggaloops facebook page!  I stumbled across the page randomly and let me tell you, I am so glad I did.  The carrier (the company really) is owned by a Canadian mama who really “gets it”.  It is like she saw the need for combining the best qualities of a few different wrap style carriers and did just that to create the most comfortable, intuitive, and versatile carrier there ever was. 

The carrier is basically three conjoined loops.  There is a loop that goes around the waist and two that go around your arms (forming an “X” shape on your front and back).  You then place your baby in the “X”, creating a “seat” and back support out of the two arm loops.  The loop that is around mama’s waist is then stretched across the baby’s back for added support and security (confusing I know... please see the picture for a clearer understanding of how the carrier looks, or check out the Huggaloops instructions here!).  Don’t worry, there are detailed instructions and photos explaining step-by-step how to put your carrier on and how to properly and ergonomically place baby.  

I have the Huggaloops Bamboo Carrier in Shadow Grey.  The color is classy and easily matches most of the outfits I wear regularly (this is not a selling point for some, it’s a huge selling points for others). If I could have one in every color I would!  The color options are beautiful!  The material is soft and stretchy and comfortable.  It feels like a favorite stretchy tshirt, however it is thick enough to provide support for mama and baby.  Though it is winter here in the northeast so I have not field tested it in the summer months, I feel that the material and weight of the carrier will not be too hot and uncomfortable for mama or baby in the warmer months.  The carrier is snug when you first put it on, but it conforms perfectly to the body once it is in position and provides adequate back and shoulder support.  My little is over 18lbs now and I comfortably wore him around the house last week for over three hours (thank you random fever that caused my baby to cry and not sleep unless he was snuggled up with mama).  The comfort for mama and baby is unparalleled with this carrier. 

I have found that, putting this carrier on before I leave the house to run errands, etc. is the easiest way to use the Huggaloops.  It saves you the hassle of needing to put it on in the car when you arrive at your destination.  With the carrier already in place, taking baby out of the car and popping him/her into the carrier hardly takes longer than putting them in a cart! I also love the way the carrier is totally smooth when wearing.  What do I mean by this?  I mean, when the carrier is on, with baby tucked safely inside, the carrier is smooth across mamas back.  Other wrap style carriers I have tried leave bulky areas of gathered material across the back or have an awkward tie across mamas back or front that does not promote a sleek profile.  For some, they may not mind, for me: comfort and wear ability and fashion are key! The Huggaloops has everything. 

Whether this mama is working around the house, spending time outside, running errands, or going on outings, the Huggaloops is my new go to.  If I had won the powerball the other night (1.5 Billion, my goodness!), I would have purchased a Huggaloops “The Everywhere Carrier” (HA, probably one in every color… why not).  It is a new carrier that has the same genius design, however it is made out of a sport performance fabric that is supposed to be lighter weight, anti-microbial, and provide UV protection.  I think this will be my next purchase (perhaps when we start thinking about and planning for baby #2).  Until then, I highly recommend the Huggaloops carrier and I would encourage you to try it out! It is babywearing like never before!  You will love it!



XO