PRODUCT REVIEW
I really like the idea of baby carriers and I have tested lots, so I was hoping to find that Cybex's innovative First Go carrier was going to be the one, but I'm still looking!
I liked the padded styling of the carrier and the black shade it came in. It's also available in blue and red.
Aside from the newborn insert it comes with to use it from birth, it is very similar to the Cybex 2.GO carrier.
It was a bit difficult to set up the carrier, as the instructions didn't have any pictures, and I had to fasten it around the back, which was quite difficult and I was disappointed, as I've been looking for a baby carrier I could put on, adjust and use without help. However, the action required to fasten the carrier was quite like doing up a bra and I managed it on the first attempt, but having Mia-Joan in the carrier on the second attempt I didn't feel it was safe to have both hands around my back while she was in the front and not fastened in properly, so I would definitely say this is a two-person operation.
Once Mia-Joan was in the carrier she was quite happy, but I felt that there wasn't enough support and after 20 minutes my back and shoulders started to hurt. I could see were the straps needed to be tighter, but I couldn't make them any more taut,as I would have started squashing Mia-Joan.
What you loved
I was impressed with the idea of a newborn position in a baby carrier with the addition of a horizontal insert, but when the carrier arrived Mia-Joan was already too heavy to use this.
It was very easy to clean the rim around the top of the carrier, a baby wipe had it looking like new.
There are six carrying positions including the newborn horizontal, but Mia-Joan could only try the hip and front-facing ones, which she liked. The rear-facing and mobility positions aren't recommended before six months.
What to watch out for
Although Mia-Joan was too heavy for the newborn insert, I set up the carrier in that position, but the buttons to attach the insert were quite tough. It was also difficult to judge how sturdy and safe it felt without a baby in it.
The Cybex First Go carrier is priced at £105, which is probably a fair price as you can use it from birth, but I don't think you could use it up to the age of five, as it suggests, as a child wouldn't want to go in it at that age and it is a strain on your back. Sometimes it is difficult to get a 1-year-old in a baby carrier with a winter coat on and do up the restraints.
The click-fastening on the back was difficult for my husband to do up on his own – probably as he's not used to putting on a bra!
Who is this baby carrier best for?
Parents who need a carrier from birth.
MadeForMum verdict
A nice idea to have a baby carrier that works from birth, but I didn't feel it offered me the support to want to use it very often.
For more information visit Cybex.
