As well as convenience for mum or dad, the Close Baby Carrier provides comfort, security and stimulation for baby and a real sense of closeness for both of you.
What we love
I feel really close to Zoe when we use the Close Baby Carrier – she’s snuggled up against me and I can talk to her and cuddle her as I walk along. We get to experience things together and she enjoys a great view of the world. It turns even a mundane trip to the shops into a fun, shared experience!
The carrier’s organic cotton fabric is really soft and the wide straps are very comfortable across my shoulders. Once you get used to it, the carrier’s amazingly quick and easy to use. However, it takes a bit of practice at first (see below).
The Close Baby Carrier is comfortable enough for fairly long trips out, and gives us great freedom on the Tube, in crowds and in places with lots of steps. Zoe’s comfortable and secure enough in it to nap when she’s tired, too.
Because it’s mainly fabric, the carrier folds up very small – perfect for taking as a back-up option when we go out with the pushchair and ideal for squishing into a suitcase for holidays.
And the Close Baby Carrier is machine washable and can be tumble dried. Plus it comes with a short and really helpful instructional DVD.
Although it didn’t suit her when she was a really small baby, since she was about 4 months old Zoe’s seemed really happy in the Close Baby Carrier and she loves being in it far more than her pushchair.
What to watch out for
When Zoe was newborn, she seemed really uncomfortable in the Close Baby Carrier. She didn’t like having her head tucked under the fabric of the strap (as recommended for a baby of that age) and was always trying to lift it free.
She also used to overheat really badly in this position (although she’s quite a ‘hot’ baby generally). Because of this, when she was just a few weeks old, I gave up using the carrier until she was old enough for me to put her in it without covering her head (approximately 4 months).
I struggled to get to grips with using it at first, too. Initially, I needed to stand in front of a mirror when I was putting it on. Once on, it looks messier than in the manufacturer’s pics. And the ‘Rouge’ colourway is more of a dull rust than the lovely bright red shown on the website - I was so disappointed with mine that I swapped it for a charcoal one.
Also, while in theory the Close Baby Carrier is great for wearing your baby while you do chores indoors, this hasn’t worked for me – partly because it makes us both really warm.
Since I started using the carrier again when Zoe hit 4 months, we’ve both absolutely loved it. But, although it’s advertised as suitable from newborn to 32 lbs, I’m sadly now wondering how much longer I’ll be able to use it with Zoe - aged just 11 months and weighing far less than 32lbs - because of the strain it puts on my back now that she’s bigger.
Who is the Close Baby Carrier best for?
Mums and dads after a fabric option to keep their baby close.
The Close Baby Carrier is a soft, comfortable carrier that offers you and your little one great closeness. You may need a little practice before using it becomes second nature, and you may not be able to use it as early or for as long as it is advertised.
