Here you’ll find the best comments, advice and information on all of the slings & carriers on test. Our panel gave the Best Buy award to the Bruin 3 Way Carrier but make sure you read all of the categories to see how the various styles performed under different criteria. Don’t forget, if you’re a regular user of any of the slings in our test or have an experience you’d like to share, please add a review.
Our parent panel comments on the following:
Ease of Use
According to our panel, a carrier or sling that’s easy to use is one
of the first things you should look for. ‘Some carriers look simple but
once you get them on, there are so many straps and fastenings, it’s just
downright confusing’ – ‘single straps and popper style fastenings will
keep your sanity in tact’.
+ The Bruin 3 way carrier was praised for its
‘straightforward instructions’ and ‘simple to use harness’. ‘There are
quite a few straps, buckles and poppers with this carrier but it certainly
provides extra reassurance for your baby’s security. The straps are easily
adjustable and baby fits snugly in the harness.’
+ Our panel found the Red Castle Tikamak carrier
one of the easiest to put on: ‘you just throw it over one shoulder and
under one arm and you’re ready to go’. ‘One large buckle secures the whole
thing in place – the perfect option for impatient parents!’
+ ‘The Baby Bjorn comes in two halves and once
the initial set up has taken place, it’s very easy to secure your baby.
The instructions are lengthy but very easy to follow’.
+/- Our panel
found the Wilkinet ‘a tad fiddly to put on’ but since it has ‘material
straps as opposed to clips and buckles, it is extremely easy to adjust’.
‘The carrier also has a website which comes complete with an instruction
video’.
+/- The Kari
me looks a tad intimidating to start off with as there’s so much material.
It all falls into place however and once the ‘basic knot’ is overcome,
it’s very simple to adjust.
Versatility
A versatile carrier will allow you to carry your child comfortably
when they are sleeping, feeding or simply watching the world go by. Look
for models that allow you to carry your baby in several positions – particularly
if you’re planning to breastfeed whilst on the move.
+ The Kari-me is extremely versatile and ‘your
baby can be placed in lots of different positions’. ‘Like the Red Castle
Tikamak, it’s ideal for breastfeeding and offers one of the best positions
for feeding on the go’.
+ ‘The Wilkinet carrier is the only one on test
that allows you to place the harness and your child on your back single-handedly.
It also allows you to use it in four different positions – a great one
for every day use’.
+/- ‘On paper the Red Castle Tikamak carrier looks
perfect for parents after a multi-position model. However, this certainly
depends on the size of your baby. My 5 month old was cramped in the cradle
position and the only position that really suited us was straddling on
the hip. I think this carrier is best suited to a smaller baby’.
+/- ‘The Baby Bjorn Active carrier boasts compatibility
for the breastfeeding mother yet no instructions are provided in the manual
for how this is likely to be achieved. I followed the picture on the box
and found that I had to undo three buttons before I could breastfeed Callum
successfully’.
+/- Another multi-position carrier is the Rock
Star Baby which offers 3 positions for your baby – front facing, facing
you and on the back. ‘My only snag with this was the need to adjust the
straps before putting it on (which is achieved by feeding your arms and
legs through) and if it’s done incorrectly you have to take it off and
start the whole process all over again – not ideal if you’re a single
parent!’
Comfort
If the carrier doesn’t meet your comfort requirements, it’s likely
to end up gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere. To avoid wasting your
money, look for styles that offer extra padding on the shoulders and back
with plenty of support for your baby’s head and neck. You also need to
consider adjustability – particularly if both parents are going to be
using it.
+ The Bruin 3 way carrier, Baby Bjorn Active,
Red Castle Tikamak and Wilkinet all scored well on comfort with our mums
reporting ‘continued comfort for parent and child over long periods of
time’. The Bruin and Baby Bjorn were both ‘easily adjustable to fit both
parents’ with ‘additional head rests and padding for smaller babies’.
+ A clear winner in the comfort stakes was the
Kari-me sling: ‘This feels like an extension of your own body, the weight
is distributed evenly and there is no need to pull it into place or move
it around – the absolute best for comfort’.
+/- Our panel were split on the Rock Star Baby
3 way carrier with comments ranging from: ‘it is perfectly fine in terms
of comfort’ to ‘the solid panel on the harness made my breasts feel like
they were in a corset!’
Quality
+ Our panel cited the Bruin 3 way carrier as ‘a
great value for money product – it has some fab quality features at half
the price of some of the others on test and it looks good too’.
+ The Wilkinet is a ‘sturdy, well designed carrier
that will last several babies’, ‘it’s made from heavy duty cord material
that will serve you and your baby well’.
+/- The most expensive of the bunch, the Baby
Bjorn ‘is a tad over-priced’ but ‘worth the investment for the superb
style and quality you get’.
+/- ‘The Rock Star Baby carrier is sponge clean
only but the material is of a good standard and would last for more than
one child’.
Extras
+ The Bruin 3 way carrier is sold with a storage
bag, dribble bib and headrest – ‘an absolute must-have for my new baby
and great for early teethers’.
+ The Kari-me comes in a machine-washable drawstring
pouch that’s ‘ideal for storage and keeping it clean’. ‘It doesn’t come
with any other extras but it really doesn’t need them – it’s in a league
of its own’.
+/- The Baby Bjorn Active carrier doesn’t have
any extras though ‘the benefit of being able to adjust the straps easily
outweighs any extras’.
Results
|
|
Baby Bjorn Active Baby Carrier
£70.99
|
Bruin 3 Way Carrier
£29.99
|
|
Red Castle Tikamak Baby
Carrier £44.99
|
Rock
Star
Baby
3 way
Carrier
£42.99
|
Wilkinet Baby Carrier
£35.99
|
Ease
of use |
4.5
|
5
|
3.5
|
4.5
|
4
|
3
|
| Versatility
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
3.5
|
4
|
5
|
| Comfort
|
4.5
|
4.5
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
4
|
| Quality
|
4
|
5
|
5
|
4
|
4
|
3.5
|
| Extras |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Value
for money |
4
|
4
|
5
|
3.5
|
4
|
4
|
| Total
score |
25/30
|
27/30
|
26.5/30
|
23.5/30
|
|
24/30
|
Where to next:
Loading ...
Competition ends 31st May 2012
Consumer Editor-says…Slings and carriers
Baby carriers and slings
Baby carriers
Overview of Slings and Carriers
Here you’ll find the best comments, advice and information on all of the slings & carriers on test. Our panel gave the Best Buy award to the Bruin 3 Way Carrier but make sure you read all of the categories to see how the various styles performed under different criteria. Don’t forget, if you’re a regular user of any of the slings in our test or have an experience you’d like to share, please add a review.
Our parent panel comments on the following:
Ease of Use
According to our panel, a carrier or sling that’s easy to use is one
of the first things you should look for. ‘Some carriers look simple but
once you get them on, there are so many straps and fastenings, it’s just
downright confusing’ – ‘single straps and popper style fastenings will
keep your sanity in tact’.
+ The Bruin 3 way carrier was praised for its
‘straightforward instructions’ and ‘simple to use harness’. ‘There are
quite a few straps, buckles and poppers with this carrier but it certainly
provides extra reassurance for your baby’s security. The straps are easily
adjustable and baby fits snugly in the harness.’
+ Our panel found the Red Castle Tikamak carrier
one of the easiest to put on: ‘you just throw it over one shoulder and
under one arm and you’re ready to go’. ‘One large buckle secures the whole
thing in place – the perfect option for impatient parents!’
+ ‘The Baby Bjorn comes in two halves and once
the initial set up has taken place, it’s very easy to secure your baby.
The instructions are lengthy but very easy to follow’.
+/- Our panel
found the Wilkinet ‘a tad fiddly to put on’ but since it has ‘material
straps as opposed to clips and buckles, it is extremely easy to adjust’.
‘The carrier also has a website which comes complete with an instruction
video’.
+/- The Kari
me looks a tad intimidating to start off with as there’s so much material.
It all falls into place however and once the ‘basic knot’ is overcome,
it’s very simple to adjust.
Versatility
A versatile carrier will allow you to carry your child comfortably
when they are sleeping, feeding or simply watching the world go by. Look
for models that allow you to carry your baby in several positions – particularly
if you’re planning to breastfeed whilst on the move.
+ The Kari-me is extremely versatile and ‘your
baby can be placed in lots of different positions’. ‘Like the Red Castle
Tikamak, it’s ideal for breastfeeding and offers one of the best positions
for feeding on the go’.
+ ‘The Wilkinet carrier is the only one on test
that allows you to place the harness and your child on your back single-handedly.
It also allows you to use it in four different positions – a great one
for every day use’.
+/- ‘On paper the Red Castle Tikamak carrier looks
perfect for parents after a multi-position model. However, this certainly
depends on the size of your baby. My 5 month old was cramped in the cradle
position and the only position that really suited us was straddling on
the hip. I think this carrier is best suited to a smaller baby’.
+/- ‘The Baby Bjorn Active carrier boasts compatibility
for the breastfeeding mother yet no instructions are provided in the manual
for how this is likely to be achieved. I followed the picture on the box
and found that I had to undo three buttons before I could breastfeed Callum
successfully’.
+/- Another multi-position carrier is the Rock
Star Baby which offers 3 positions for your baby – front facing, facing
you and on the back. ‘My only snag with this was the need to adjust the
straps before putting it on (which is achieved by feeding your arms and
legs through) and if it’s done incorrectly you have to take it off and
start the whole process all over again – not ideal if you’re a single
parent!’
Comfort
If the carrier doesn’t meet your comfort requirements, it’s likely
to end up gathering dust in a cupboard somewhere. To avoid wasting your
money, look for styles that offer extra padding on the shoulders and back
with plenty of support for your baby’s head and neck. You also need to
consider adjustability – particularly if both parents are going to be
using it.
+ The Bruin 3 way carrier, Baby Bjorn Active,
Red Castle Tikamak and Wilkinet all scored well on comfort with our mums
reporting ‘continued comfort for parent and child over long periods of
time’. The Bruin and Baby Bjorn were both ‘easily adjustable to fit both
parents’ with ‘additional head rests and padding for smaller babies’.
+ A clear winner in the comfort stakes was the
Kari-me sling: ‘This feels like an extension of your own body, the weight
is distributed evenly and there is no need to pull it into place or move
it around – the absolute best for comfort’.
+/- Our panel were split on the Rock Star Baby
3 way carrier with comments ranging from: ‘it is perfectly fine in terms
of comfort’ to ‘the solid panel on the harness made my breasts feel like
they were in a corset!’
Quality
+ Our panel cited the Bruin 3 way carrier as ‘a
great value for money product – it has some fab quality features at half
the price of some of the others on test and it looks good too’.
+ The Wilkinet is a ‘sturdy, well designed carrier
that will last several babies’, ‘it’s made from heavy duty cord material
that will serve you and your baby well’.
+/- The most expensive of the bunch, the Baby
Bjorn ‘is a tad over-priced’ but ‘worth the investment for the superb
style and quality you get’.
+/- ‘The Rock Star Baby carrier is sponge clean
only but the material is of a good standard and would last for more than
one child’.
Extras
+ The Bruin 3 way carrier is sold with a storage
bag, dribble bib and headrest – ‘an absolute must-have for my new baby
and great for early teethers’.
+ The Kari-me comes in a machine-washable drawstring
pouch that’s ‘ideal for storage and keeping it clean’. ‘It doesn’t come
with any other extras but it really doesn’t need them – it’s in a league
of its own’.
+/- The Baby Bjorn Active carrier doesn’t have
any extras though ‘the benefit of being able to adjust the straps easily
outweighs any extras’.
Results
£70.99
Bruin 3 Way Carrier
£29.99
Kari-Me Sling
£37.95
Carrier £44.99
Rock
Star
Baby
3 way
Carrier
£42.99
Wilkinet Baby Carrier
£35.99
of use
4
4.5
5
4
4
4
for money
score
27/30
26.5/30
23/30
Where to next:
test page
3 Way Carrier
Bjorn Active Baby Carrier
Baby Carrier
Castle Tikamak Carrier
Star Baby Carrier
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forum
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