I've been wearing my baby since he was about 2 weeks old. I had 3 different carriers handed down to me: two of which I never figured out how to properly use, and 1 which we've loved using for the past 8 months. I love it, but that's not to say it has it's issues. Mostly that it's a bit bulky to carry with me for the just-in-case situation in which little one is screeching in the stroller and needs to be held, and also that it takes a bit of effort to wrap and tie on. Not to mention every time my husband wears it, little one ends up sagging down further and further until he has to be hoisted up and carrier retied.
So, yes, I'm always on the look out for child carriers that address above issues and was so excited to come across Bitybean child carrier recently. When they say that it's "ultralight and portable" they are not kidding!! Look at this thing packed up, weighing in at all of 8 ounces, ready to easily slide into your diaper bag:
So, yes, I'm always on the look out for child carriers that address above issues and was so excited to come across Bitybean child carrier recently. When they say that it's "ultralight and portable" they are not kidding!! Look at this thing packed up, weighing in at all of 8 ounces, ready to easily slide into your diaper bag:
So, it's ridiculously light weight and portable - check! But is it comfortable?? Hubby and I had to give it a good test run...
Here are the boys showing off the back-carry position (suitable for babies over 6 months and under 40 pounds), ready for a walk through the mean streets of Brooklyn!
Me and Kenzo using the front-carry position, suitable for babies over 3 months, from 8-25 pounds.
Never having worn a buckle carrier before, I was really curious as to how it would do. I'm not gonna lie, I did my best to get baby in the back-carry position by myself and was a hot sweaty mess before I finally had to give up and ask hubby for help. Maybe after baby can stand on his own it'll be doable? The front carry position was easy peasy, MUCH quicker than my current tie-system carrier (and less dirty because none of the straps are long enough to hit the ground!!). It's also much cooler because it's such a leightweight nylon and mesh material (not to mention quick drying - great for a beach trip!).
I took my 20 pounder for a 30 minute stroll around the neighborhood and it was so comfortable! Seriously!! No aching shoulders - the weight is distributed well between the shoulder and waist straps (full disclosure, I'm a regular baby wearer; someone wearing their child for the first time might not find it ache free until their body and muscles get used to it). Not a pinch or a rub or any issues whatsoever! Kenzo was happy as could be, snug as a bug in a rug. Of course, he always loves being worn!! You can see the Bitybean is very supportive for baby's legs/hips/spine, distributing weight out to the knees (or nearly) rather than leaving them hanging with all weight on the spine and hips in an unnatural position (such as some popular carriers which I will not name).
I took my 20 pounder for a 30 minute stroll around the neighborhood and it was so comfortable! Seriously!! No aching shoulders - the weight is distributed well between the shoulder and waist straps (full disclosure, I'm a regular baby wearer; someone wearing their child for the first time might not find it ache free until their body and muscles get used to it). Not a pinch or a rub or any issues whatsoever! Kenzo was happy as could be, snug as a bug in a rug. Of course, he always loves being worn!! You can see the Bitybean is very supportive for baby's legs/hips/spine, distributing weight out to the knees (or nearly) rather than leaving them hanging with all weight on the spine and hips in an unnatural position (such as some popular carriers which I will not name).
The next day I had to venture into The City by myself, which is always an adventure since the New York City MTA is so completely stroller and wheelchair unfriendly. None of the subway stops I'd be using had an elevator or escalator, so I usually just wear baby all day when I go in by myself. But as you can imagine, this is so tiring - carrying a 20 pound baby and 5+ pound diaper bag. Agh!! But Bitybean, being so tiny it fits into my diaper bag, gave me an idea!!! We took our stroller, then I quickly put Kenzo into the carrier when we reached the subway, and I just bumped the stroller (now super light without baby inside) down the stairs to the train! It worked just as easily coming up out of the subway. No more stress of having to ask someone to help me with the stroller. No more being super exhausted after a whole day of walking around wearing my baby. HOORAH!!! Bitybean has cured me of my dread of taking mass transit alone with my baby!! THANK YOU BITYBEAN!!!
You can buy a Bitybean on Amazon today for $59.95, or you can enter to win one along with 10 other awesome baby products in my Baby Bonanza Giveaway ending September 18, 2013 - enter HERE!!
Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
Disclaimer: Although I did receive this product free of charge, I was not compensated in any other way to do this product review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and completely unbiased.
