Daddy's carrier
Pros:
Attractive and comfortable carrier for heavier baby
Cons:
Not comfortable extended periods; strap scratches baby's face
The Bottom Line:
It's a fairly good carrier given its price range.
|
|
Overall Rating:
|
 |
|
Author's Review
WHY PURCHASED
We now own four baby carriers: Baby Bjorn, New Native Sling, Hug-A-Bub, and this one. Each serve a different purpose. The Bjorn was great until our darling daughter (DD) started to get heavier (at about 5 months). The New Native Sling never fit me quite right, while my husband liked it when she was a newborn. The Hug-A-Bub is by far my favorite as I can still comfortably carry my 13-month 20-pound DD without breaking my back. My husband, however, felt the Hug-A-Bug was a bit too feminine for his taste, and found the tying cumbersome.
So, when we found this in Buy Buy Baby, just before a trip to England, we went ahead and purchased it without doing any research. In fact, we had not even heard of it or seen it before.
We're glad we did, but do have a few reservations.
DESCRIPTION
The following are features as listed on Combi's website (http://www.combi-intl.com/9755.htm, as of 7/26/2005):
* Accommodates a child 15-35 lbs.
* Allows you to carry baby with you anywhere.
* Can be used as an over-the-shoulder bag or waist carrier.
* Generously padded shoulder pad protects shoulder and covers the harness to protect baby.
* Adjustable harness can be easily lengthened or tightened for parent comfort.
* Infant/toddler belt keeps baby secure.
* Storage pockets carry small items when you are out.
* Protective hood cleverly stored in zippered pouch. Can be used in inclement weather to keep baby dry or just warm and secure.
* Storage pockets carry small items when you are out.
OUR EXPERIENCE USING THE COMBI URBAN CARRIER
We've had this product now for a couple months. We've used it when traveling, and in our own home city (NYC). Overall, my husband likes the carrier quite a bit. I, however, find it uncomfortable to use after about an hour. He can wear it for a couple of hours.
My husband's sister also has been using hers for her 18-month 20-pound DD. She finds she can wear it for several hours. While her DD weighs the same as our DD, we've found that her DD, being older, is more balanced and therefore easier to carry.
THE ADVANTAGES
1. We've found this carrier is very useful when you want to move around quickly in crowds without a stroller. In other words, when we know we're going to be on the subway or bus longer than we will be walking, we leave the stroller at home and take this instead.
2. Our DD will fall asleep in the Combi. She rarely falls asleep in the stroller.
3. The rain shield is quite clever and very helpful when traveling. (It should be noted, however, that my sister-in-law cannot get her DD to agree to wear it when it rains.)
4. It's attractive for both men and women.
SOME DISADVANTAGES
1. For some people, like me with recurring back problems, the Urban Carrier gets uncomfortable after a while.
2. The strap hits our DD's face and will rub against it quite a bit leaving red marks on her cheeks.
3. The shoulder padding could use an anti-slip material on it. It twists and shifts so that you end up not getting any cushioning on your shoulder at all, and needing to readjust the strap frequently.
4. The pouch/pocket is very small and sits tight against the baby's back. Therefore, things like keys in the pouch could poke the baby.
5. The leg straps are too tight for our baby's somewhat chunky thighs. We never use them but feel the seatbelt is safe enough.
