I am a huge fan of baby-wearing and used to carry my daughter around in a sling all the time when she was a baby. However, as she got bigger and more wriggly, I found my original ring-sling and wraparound slings just too uncomfortable. I thought that our babywearing days were over, but then I was asked to try the Scootababy Carrier, available from Slumber-Roo. I have had the carrier for two weeks now and have carried my 18 month old daughter nearly every day! It has been great and I am so pleased to have found a comfortable, easy to use carrier that my daughter seems to enjoy using as much as me!
Ease of Use
The Scootbaby is a hip carrier, designed to hold your baby/toddler on your hip, just as you would if you were carrying them by yourself. There is a very comfortable padded hip belt which you fasten into place first. You then hold your baby into place on the carrier on your hip, pull the back up around them and slip the shoulder strap over your head and onto your shoulder. It then has a simple strap which can be pulled with one hand to tighten the carrier and hold your baby in place. It took a couple of attempts to get it right, but I can now put the Scootbaby on in seconds and don’t even think about what I’m doing. I really can’t emphasise enough just how easy the Scootbaby is to put on and adjust. It’s wonderful, and because it’s so quick and easy to use, it’s perfect for quick trips into shops and on the school/nursery run, when you don’t want to spend ages putting a sling on and getting comfortable.
Comfort
The Scootbaby is very comfortable, both for your baby\toddler and for you. I wore it for nearly an hour on several occasions, and it always felt just as comfortable at the end as it did when I first put it on. The hip belt is nicely padded and can be tightened up so that most of your baby’s weight is carried on your hips. The shoulder strap is padded with beautifully soft fleece, and this can be spread out over your shoulder so that the weight is distributed evenly. This supports your baby as they lean back into the carrier, leaving your hands and arm free as you don’t need to support your child.
It also seems to be comfortable for my daughter as she is always happy when I carry her in the Scootababy. I especially like the fact that the Scootababy has a very wide seat for her to sit in, meaning there is no strain on her back.
Appearance
Although baby carriers and slings are all about carrying your baby, no-one can deny that looks are also an important factor! I tested the Wall Street Scootababy design (shown in the main photograph at the top) – a very simple black version with small white flecks on the body of the carrier. It’s very stylish and is one that both men and women will be happy to use, so ideal for dad to help too. There are several other beautiful designs available on the Slumber-Roo website. My favourite is the very funky Picadilly Circus (shown in the photograph right) – absolutely gorgeous!
Portability
The Scootbaby comes in a small, black drawstring bag. Although the carrier is quite substantial, I was pleasantly surprised by how small it was when folded up, and I found it easy to pack it away into it’s bag and keep it in my changing bag / car so that it was always available when I needed it.
Value For Money
The Scootababy costs £66.99, which is slightly more expensive than other slings. However, I do think it is worth the extra money. It is very well made. The baby seat section and straps are beautifully soft and padded, and all the buckles are very substantial – they will certainly last well even if the carrier is worn again and again.
Overall
I have been very impressed with the Scootbaby, so impressed that at the end of the two week product test, I decided to purchase a Scootbaby from Slumber-Roo myself. It is so nice to carry my daughter around next to me when we are walking around, and to chat to her and point things out. She always ‘chats’ back and our walks and shopping trips are so enjoyable.
If you would like to try the Scootababy before you purchase, Slumber-Roo also offer a sling hire service, so you can see just how good it is yourself!
Verdict: 5/5 – a very comfortable, well-made hip carrier
Sue is a stay at home mum to 2 girls and gets her bargain thrills scouring the internet hunting down good quality stylish products for them. Find out more about Sue.
Leave a Reply