“It made everyday tasks easier”: the baby carrier that helped one new mum feel more confident

Izmi, operated by founder Emily Rising (a mum and baby-wearing consultant who launched the business back in 2016) and Wear My Baby founder Hannah Wallace, offers carriers, wraps and a selection of practical accessories. The brand is UK-based, with its products available to try out at sling libraries across the country.

The Izmi Breeze Baby Carrier is one of the latest launches from the brand, comprising a soft waistband, spreadable shoulder straps (designed for more even weight distribution) and a mesh-based body panel that promises to help keep you and your baby cool and comfortable. At around £89, the Breeze sits below premium carriers such as the Ergobaby Omni Breeze and BabyBjörn Harmony, offering a lighter and more affordable alternative.

The Izmi Breeze Baby Carrier is available from Izmi

How easy is the Izmi Breeze Baby Carrier to put on for the first time?

Confession time: I’ve always found baby carriers hard to put on, with their various straps, clips and poppers. So when I initially went to try on the Izmi Breeze, I fully anticipated to go through the usual merry-go-round of “OMG, why is this so hard?” and “OMG, what is wrong with me?”.

So when I say I struggled the first time I tried to put the carrier on, that’s likely more a reflection on me, rather than the product.

It took a few attempts (and some help from my husband) to get it right initially, but once I’d mastered it, it was straightforward to use going forward.

There are some instructions included, but I personally didn’t find they made things much clearer for me. I also found this YouTube Short, which helped and emphasised how easy it is to use.

It didn’t quite reach the point where I needed to WhatsApp the brand for help using their free 1-to-1 expert fit check, although this is something that it does offer for the ultimate in personalised customer service.

Can you put it on and take it off by yourself?

I initially needed help from my husband to secure the carrier in place, but after that I was confident putting it on solo.

Taking it off was actually easier and didn't require any help.

Is it easy to get your baby in and out on your own?

Yes – simply unpop the head support, undo the straps and lift the baby out.

How supportive and comfortable did the carrier feel for your baby?

My daughter seemed very well supported. As she’s still so tiny and unable to support her own head, I was wary of how comfortable she’d be. However, using the carrier in the classic parent-facing position, I felt confident that she was perfectly supported.

My baby is currently in a phase where she’s desperate to be upright as much as possible, and she seemed to love the snugness of being close to me while also in her favourite position.

The seat design was great for keeping her in a healthy position while still allowing for natural movement, and it certainly gave me peace of mind knowing that she was sitting so comfortably. The head support was particularly reassuring and helped confirm that she was secure and comfortable.

The hood (available to purchase separately for £9.95) also helped her feel snug. It was easy to pop on and can be used to keep the baby secure from sun and wind.

Did your baby settle or sleep in the carrier?

Yes, my daughter happily drifted off to sleep on various occasions when we were testing the product.

Would you feel confident using it from birth?

I know a lot of parents who would undoubtedly feel very confident using this product from day one. I was slightly nervous due to my C-section scar, as well as my inbuilt phobia of tripping over while wearing a carrier. (Any carrier, I should add, not specifically this one. Again, it’s a ‘me’ thing, as well as a reflection on the quality of the paving stones where I live…).

However, I absolutely felt confident that my daughter was secure and comfortable and I was able to happily undertake a range of activities while using it.

I can easily see us usin this through several stages, until my baby outgrows it and it's time to pass it on.

How comfortable is the Izmi Breeze baby carrier to wear?

It felt very comfortable, with the weight of my daughter evenly distributed.

When I initially tried it on, my surgery was still quite fresh and I was wary of the carrier’s waistband potentially rubbing against my stomach, as well as the weight of my daughter causing discomfort. (Not to mention her tiny feet, which had swapped kicking the inside of my stomach for kicking the outside of it!)

However, after putting it aside for a couple of weeks and coming back to it again, I felt a lot more comfortable wearing it.

Did it distribute weight well?

The weight feels very well distributed across my shoulders and hips, so I have been able to wear it for longer stretches without getting a sore back or any strained muscles.

I thought the wide shoulder straps were fantastic for helping with this. They were also useful from a comfort point of view as well — there was no scope for them to get twisted or rub on my skin.

What is it like for everyday use?

I found it worked really well for walks and for housework. I wore the sling when taking my 4-year-old daughter to school and she enjoyed the pram-free novelty of being able to hold my hand.

I also found the carrier really helpful for walks in the rain. As well as avoiding the faff of trying to attach a rain cover to my baby’s pram, using the carrier on the day when Storm Amy hit meant that I was able to hold an umbrella over us, keeping us both snug and dry. It also meant I didn’t have to choose between holding an umbrella or the hand of my older daughter!

In addition to that, I found the sling really helpful when doing household tasks, such as tidying up after said 4-year-old and vacuuming.

Is the Izmi Breeze baby carrier easy to adjust?

Yes, I found the straps easy to adjust. We were primarily testing it in that weird transitional time of year between summer and autumn, when one day can be scorching and the next freezing. This meant I tried it when wearing just a T-shirt as well as when wearing a thick jumper.

Once I’d got the (admittedly very straightforward) knack for adjusting it, it was simple to make it tighter or looser depending on what I — and my baby — were wearing.

My 6ft 1in husband also tried it on and we had no issues with adjusting it to fit him.

How breathable is it?

I was curious to see whether my baby would feel too warm from being so close to me, but I think the mesh material helped ensure she stayed at the right temperature.

I was also curious to see how I would find it. I detest feeling too hot and would happily shiver rather than sweat. But the mesh fabric definitely delivered on its promises and ensured we both felt comfortable and cool.

What are the materials like?

Made from soft cotton and lightweight mesh, I found the materials of the carrier to be both comfortable and lightweight. And crucially, gentle on both my skin and my daughter's.

The breathable nature of the mesh material makes the product a particularly good choice for both parents and babies in the summer.

Which carry positions did you try?

It offers four positions (depending on your baby's age and development):

• Parent-facing
• World-facing
• Hip carry
• Back carry

I’ve only tried parent-facing for now as my baby is still so small and can’t hold her head up. I would definitely like to progress to world-facing when she’s older.

Is this a carrier you would use regularly?

Yes, definitely — it made everyday tasks easier and helped me feel more connected to my daughter, especially compared to when she's in her pram or bouncer.

When I was at home, I also really liked how it helped my baby feel close to me without us being confined to the sofa.

Is it portable?

Yes. Despite its various straps and buckles, it weighs less than 500g (480g to be precise), which means it’s non-bulky and easy to go out and about with.

How easy is it to clean the Izmi Breeze baby carrier?

I haven’t needed to machine wash it but have spot-cleaned it. Izmi recommends this as the preferred way to keep the carrier fresh. The product can be machine washed – but only when “really grubby” (to quote the brand), followed by air drying.

Was it easy to remove marks, spit-up or leaks?

I found removing some regurgitated milk straightforward enough with a damp cloth. It washed well and dried quickly.

What's in the box?

• Carrier
• Instruction manual
• Pointer card for safe wearing
• Card with reminder that free fit-check is available

Is the packaging recyclable or minimal?

Yes, packaging is largely paper/cardboard based.

Is it worth the money?

Integrated into a busy life, I would definitely say yes.

If you’ve been struggling to find a way to juggle normal life with the blurry whirlwind of having a newborn, it’s an easy-wear product that makes getting on with things – while feeling close to your baby – easy.

Are there cheaper products on the market? Yes. But I really like the story and expertise that’s behind the product, as well as the comfort, versatility and quality that it’s been designed with.

Would you recommend it to new parents as a first carrier?

Yes, it’s a great all-round product that’s been thoughtfully designed with comfort and practicality in mind. As a carrier newbie, it felt reassuringly secure for my tiny daughter and was also comfortable for me to wear just a matter of weeks after my surgery. I like that it can be worn by either parent with minimal fuss, and also that it was so straightforward to lift the baby in and out.

Where can I buy the Izmi Breeze baby carrier?

It is available from: Izmi

MadeForMums verdict:

I would definitely recommend the Izmi Breeze Baby Carrier to other parents, particularly if comfort is one of your top priorities.

The moment I placed my baby inside, I could feel her weight was balanced and evenly distributed, which gave me real confidence that I wouldn’t wake up the next day with sore shoulders or an aching back.

What I really liked on the whole about this product was how much care has gone into its design. Every detail has been designed with both the parent and child in mind, with elements such as the mesh panels and wide shoulder straps thoughtfully implemented to ensure a comfortable experience for both of you.