Baby Review - The Manduca Baby and Child Carrier

Planning for the arrival of our first baby, we had no idea what to buy at all. So, like many new parents we spent a lot of time looking at products, and strongly considering buying products that we were likely to either never use, or not have space for (our daughter has just turned one, our living room is a shrine to plastic, singing items, why must they all sing?!)

But, although I am not a massive baby-wearing advocate, the Manduca baby carrier was one of my favourite buys.

Image from http://www.manduca-baby-carrier.eu/

We have the carrier in the pretty Circadelic Grass pattern shown here. We paid a little more for the snazzy pattern but its been complemented all over - via Facebook, on the train and even in the queue for Communion one Sunday at Church. 

Honestly, this carrier is so easy to use that I use it all the time - its much easier to do the nursery run in the morning, rather than manhandling our bulky travel system, single handed, down the steps from our front door to the street. Its also great for round the shops and especially for going up to London where the combination of the Tube and a pram is an almost certain recipe for disaster. Its also adjustable enough that my husband and I can easily swap it between us if required, although the resultant strap-adjustment is much more straightforward with four hands than two! 

When Little Bit was a newborn (well, from about 6 weeks) we used the carrier with the internal straps for a newborn and she nestled herself down and happily slept while I got on with life. Now, as a curious 1 year old, we still use this as a front-carrier, and she happily sits and waves at passers-by, cars, local cats and the occasional street light. She never grizzles being put in and is generally content to be in there for a couple of hours if required. That works quite well as generally a couple of hours is about as long as I can carry her without feeling like my arms might detach at the shoulder (she's getting heavy and I really need to get to the gym...). That said, the shoulder and waist straps are well padded and I have never felt like they have rubbed or chafed, whether I have used this wearing a thick winter sweater or a light summer t-shirt.

The sling has other carrying position options for larger children and can be used as a back and hip carrier. We haven't used these positions yet - Little Bit has only just got big enough to consider using them but I think we will probably use it as a back carrier on our upcoming trip to Hawaii as she will be able to see but I will also have more space to carry and use my camera (I hope!)

All in all, the Manducawas one of our favourite baby purchases and is always one of the first things we sling (pun intended) in the car when we are setting off on our travels. I highly recommend it.

What's your go to carrier?