I swore I'd never wear one, too!

As the proud new Mommy of a perfect little boy (yes, I'm totally biased, but aren't we all?) I have already managed to spoil my son. He hates to be put down (he's 2 months old) and I hate to put him down, so we're a good match for each other. =) Tired of feeling like my arms were about to fall off at the end of each day (amazing how someone so little can make your arms go numb after 12 hours) I went right out and bought the Parents of Invention Ultimate Baby Wrap in Navy for 39.99. Taking it out of the box, I found a big long piece of cloth. I actually had to watch the video/read the directions to figure out how to use the thing (Heaven forbid I actually have to read the directions on something!). To make a long story short, you have to rewrap yourself & the baby everytime you want to use the thing. Imagine your baby screaming his/her head off while you are trying to wrap this huge piece of fabric around yourself about 50 times until it fits snug and all the while you are trying to maintain a soothing voice to calm your upset baby.
So I set out again to Babies "R" Us where I found the Snuglie carrier for $19.99. The price was right and it didn't look complicated (read: I wouldn't have to read any directions) so I happily bought it and came home to try it out.
The carrier has comfy shoulder straps that criss cross in the back and then come under your arms to clip onto the carrier itself. I have found these straps very easy to adjust - even when I have it on. Once adjusted, the straps stay nice and snug until you decide to change them. You put the carrier on/take it off over your head.

~~Putting the baby into the carrier~~
This is tricky at first, but it gets really easy after you try it a couple of times. Now that I have the hang of it, I can do it all by myself. Besides where the shoulder straps clip to the carrier, there are two additional sets of clips. Put the carrier over your head and attach the shoulder clips. Then undo the other 2 sets of clips (both are on the sides of the carrier) so that the carrier flops down. Now you hold the baby to your chest - either facing in or out -- and with your other hand you reattach the sets of clips so that the carrier wraps around your baby. (It's kind of like putting a huge diaper on your baby) It sounds complicated, but really it's not. It just takes some practice. If I can manage it, anybody can! If you put the baby in facing you, the back of the carrier rises up to support the babies head. If you put the baby in facing outwards, you can fold this back piece down so that your baby can see out. Taking the baby out is just as easy, you just follow the steps in reverse.

~~Material and Design~~
I have found this carrier to be very soft and comfy for the most part. It has a vent in the front that is supposed to let air in - really, I think it's more for decoration than any real purpose. There is also a zipper pocket on the front of the carrier that would be perfect to hold house keys if you take your baby on a walk.

The one thing that I would change about the design of this carrier is the leg holes. My son is now about 12 pounds (the carrier says it goes up to 25lbs) but I'm already finding that the leg holes are a bit snug. So this carrier would not be the best choice for a baby with those adorable chunky thighs.

I once swore to my husband that I would never be caught dead wearing one of these things (and he took great joy in reminding me of this several times as I was buying it) but this really doesn't make you look like you are the reverse humpback of Notre Dame.