Kitty was definitely a sling baby – she loved being (and sleeping) in her JPMBB wrap for the first year of her life. I quite like the freedom of going out without a buggy, so once she’d got too big for the stretchy I decided to try a soft structured carrier. We were lucky enough to be sent a Boba 4G and we’re still using it now, despite Kitty being tall for her age (2). It has an infant insert which is adjustable to allow for carrying brand new tinies (7-10lb) and chunkier babes (11-15lb) – obviously Kitty had well outgrown this, but we did try it out with a friend’s little one and she went straight to sleep, which is always a good sign!
As for our experience – I can’t recommend it enough. Unlike many carriers (and, believe you me, I’ve tried a LOT) it’s comfy to wear in both front and back carrying positions. Both the waist belt and shoulder straps are well-padded and easily adjustable, making it simple to swap between parents if you’re out and about and need a break (Kitty is heavy!). Now, I do prefer wraps as a rule, but I have to say that for quick trips to the shops and the school run, the Boba 4G has proved invaluable. It’s really simple to put on and get a wriggly toddler into and Kitty is always happy in it. Brighton is really hilly and we live at the top of a hill, so although Kitty will often start out walking, she’s frequently reluctant to tackle the journey home, so I fold up the Boba and pop it in my bag for later use.
It has a plethora of pockets for phone, keys and change and (one of my favourite features, solving an age-old problem) a little strap that secures with a popper to keep your bag in place. If your little one likes to nap in a carrier, there’s a handy cotton sleeping hood, so you won’t have to have that ‘Is her head lolling?’ conversation with random strangers. Needless to say, it’s designed to keep hips and spine in the right position and even has detachable foot straps for tired little legs.
I know a lot of people are very attached to their Ergos for toddler carrying, but I’m going to hold up the Boba 4G as a genuine (stylish) alternative, with the added bonus of not having to buy a newborn insert separately. We opted for a classic Montenegro (black), but there are some great new designs being released early next month, including the chic, minimalist Slate, bright and beautiful Wildflowers and, my favourite, the organic Verde (pictured). Get yours from the ever-informative and helpful babywearing experts Slumber-Roo, from £94.50.
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