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In a nutshell

A multi award-winning sling, designed to keep your baby comfortable while supporting your back

What we tested

  • Comfort for baby
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort for you
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Ease of use
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Design
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
  • Sturdiness
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.8 out of 5.

Pros

  • Sturdier than similar products; padded, soft and comfortable, ideal for parents whose babies like being close

Cons

  • Fairly expensive for what it is, not good for babies in a lively mood

Glasgow-based company TotsBots - known for their reusable nappies – have taken the ancient papoose or baby carrier and brought it to the stylish modern day with their sling the Papoozle. Like many baby carriers, antique or contemporary, the Papoozle, first seen on the market back in 2008, has been designed to make carrying your baby easier. But what makes it different from other carriers is the structured and padded waistband, which offers back support.

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Fiona Smyth, director of the company came up with the idea for the sling, when carrying her son began to hurt her back. Having won the Mother & Baby Gold award for Best Baby Carrier in its first year, the Papoozle has since been redesigned to include more padding, making it more comfortable to wear.

What's in the box:

  • Papoozle sling
  • Instructions

Any additional extras?

No, everything is included in the box.

How easy was it to put on?

I’ve tried a similar sling that was just one length of fabric, which could be wrapped and tied around the body allowing me to carry my baby in a variety of different ways. In comparison, putting on the Papoozle and strapping my baby in was a breeze. I found the eight-step instructions clear and easy to follow. And the waistband is easily adjusted, so one size fits all, but the sling looks like something you would wear to perform martial arts.

How comfortable is it?

Depending on what mood he is in, my eight-week-old son, Samuel, seems to find it very comfortable. If he’s feeling sleepy, I can wrap him up in the Papoozle and get on with what I need to do, hands-free. On these occasions it feels lovely to carry him so close. Most of the time though, Sam doesn’t like to feel restricted – for example, he hates being strapped into his car seat– so we have to pick our Papoozle-wearing moments. I find the sling comfortable. It’s very padded and its buckled waistband is reassuringly sturdy.

Did it provide the support your baby needed?

At first I was a little concerned about how far apart Sam’s legs appeared to be when I was wearing the Papoozle, but the assurance from TotsBots - that it offers ‘knee-to-knee’ support for babies - gave me peace of mind. I used the sling foward facing inwards, for breastfeeding and to support my back. It can be used to carry babies as heavy as 35lbs.

Is it value for money?

Yes. Most baby wearers seem to be expensive for what they are – sometimes little more than a length of fabric and some instructions. At £49.99, the Papoozle is still fairly expensive, but it’s comparatively better-designed and more substantial.

Who would this carrier be most suitable for?

This type of baby wearer is ideal for the parents of newborns who like to hold their babies close. I also imagine that wearing it would be a wonderful way to get babies that do not like sleeping in Moses baskets or cots to drift off.

In a nutshell:

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The Papoozle is an improvement on other fabric baby slings, which aren’t as supportive and can feel like they are stretching and sagging as you’re wearing them. It is made from a lovely soft material in a range of colours, and can be bunged into the washing machine in a 30 degree wash.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandTots Bots
ModelPapoozle
Price£49.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)Birth to 12 months
Child weight1.5kg to 15kg
Features
Washing instructionsMachine washable
Carrying positionsFront
Features
  • Padded straps
  • Waist support
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