Today I start a series of reviews focused on baby carriers as a part of BEST FOR BABY feature. I had the opportunity to try out 5 different carriers and would like to share my experience with you.
BOBA CARRIER
I’ve always been a fan of hard carriers over wraps and slings, because the latter confounded me. It turns out they are not as hard to use as I thought, but hard carriers still remain my favorite. Before I used any of the carriers you see above, I had bought an Ergo with its infant insert. To be completely honest, I hated it and Alexis hated it. The carrier itself was fine, but the infant insert was like being wrapped in a down comforter. The process of putting a newborn into an infant insert and the an Ergo was ridiculous. And within a few seconds we would both be sweating. And with Alexis being the stubborn girl that she is, if she didn’t like something, she DID NOT LIKE IT. It would have been fine later on, but I needed something for when Lexi was still small. So I knew I needed to find a carrier that would allow newborns to be carried without any sort of “insert”.
That’s how I came upon BOBA carriers.
They have a really wide base, so instead of having any kind of insert or seat for infants, you simply fold your child’s legs into a frog position, like you would in a Moby wrap. I was concerned that Alexis wouldn’t like it or that the stiffer fabric would be rough on her feet, but surprisingly enough, she went with it. And as you all know, she’s not the kind of baby to just go with anything 🙂
Moreover, she seemed pretty comfortable being seated that way. It has head support flaps for when her head needed it and now that she has good head control and is bigger, she loves being able to see around and the little flap still supports her head when it’s a bit boppy.
I love having a cute looking carrier other than the standard black and Boba offers quite a few adorable designs besides Soho (which what I am wearing).
I haven’t tried using it in a front carry position yet, as I don’t think Alexis’ legs are quite long enough to fit comfortably, but I cannot wait to try it out since the seat is supposed to sort of cradle your baby’s butt and body. You can see that little bit of a curve to the carrier in the pictures.
I am still pretty new to baby wearing and I am sure I am doing some things wrong, like not pulling the back strap for better back comfort. But with Alexis it’s less about my comfort, more about “how do I get her into a carrier fast enough so she doesn’t start fussing?”.
A few other features that will come in handy in the future when I am able to get out and about a bit more:
- 2 zipper pouches in the front of the carrier
- a head sling for baby’s sleeping head ( though I doubt Lexi will ever be the kind of child to just fall asleep anywhere aside from in my arms on the rocking chair)
- and the coolest footrests for an older child ( I am really excited about this one for some reason)
And the most important thing is, as you can see from the pictures, Alexis is enjoying the carrier just as much and was so focused on checking out the trees that she didn’t mind the hot weather and pictures snapped of her.
Speaking of hot weather, the carrier isn’t thick. It’s hard but thin, which makes it ideal for Florida weather.
Boba also has a cute wrap that I haven’t had the chance to try, along with two organic options, so be sure to check that out, as well.
BUY IT:
Boba Family Website $120-125
Amazon: $120
WIN IT: Boba is running an awesome igiveaway below and you can win a Boba carrier and 2 Boba wraps. Open internationally.
Disclosure: I was not compensated for this post. Boba provided me with a product sample to review. All opinions are 100% my own.
I actually just bought one of these second hand so I’m so glad to hear you like it – you’re looking great!
THis carrier looks awesome., I have had a hard time finding one that doesnt hurt my back! I would love to try this one!
what did you think about the K’Tan? I’ve been eyeing the K’Tan Breeze for baby #2, hoping it might be less hot to wear than the Moby.
I will be writing about K’tan in the next few weeks. All these carriers have pluses and minuses. It is slightly less hot than Moby though, you’re right. But you gotta be really careful with sizing. I’ll talk more about it in the future posts.
Thanks for having giveaways that are open internationally! I usually never get a chance to enter anything
I always try, but it’s never up to me, but the trade laws and companies sponsoring the giveaway!
you look so beautiful, Elena
Thank you, Sonya! Love you!
What beautiful pictures! Alexis is a doll!
Thanks, Erin :)))
Have you tried the Beco carriers? I have the Beco Gemini, and my daughter LOVES it. From your pictures, it looks very similar to the Boba.
I haven’t had the chance to try Beco since it’s pretty much the same as Boba, like you said.
Please DO NOT try a forward facing carry. The Boba is not designed for it.
Taken directly from their website:
Can my baby face out in the Boba?…
No, this carrier is not intended for forward facing. The Boba carrier is designed to comfortably carry babies in a physiological manner, oriented toward the carrying individual (either on the front or on the back) with baby’s legs supported in a flexed abducted (froglike) position.
They are only meant to be used tummy to tummy on the front, or worn like a backpack on the back.
I wasn’t planning on having it forward facing. I was talking about front carry position which is facing the person carrying her.
Which carrier out of those you tried is the best for you and the baby and yet the most economical? Any suggestions?
They’re all about the same price and all have things I love about them. In the end I found that each one of the carriers fits a specific stage better than others and it’s only been 3 months. I figure over the next year I’ll be switching back and forth depending on her needs. Newborn- moby,k’tan,sling (which one depends on personal preference), older – Boba or Nordic. I’ll be writing about each one, so you can make up your own mind.
Looks super cute and love the design! The moby wrap almost looks like a body cast.
I have 4 kids and have spent more money on carriers than I care to admit! I found the Boba 15 months ago when my daughter was born and LOVE it! It is by far the best carrier out there! I still wear her on my back all the time (grocery store lifesaver!) and she loves it! No other carrier I have owned would still allow me to carry my boys by this age. This carrier will take you well into the toddler years with her. My babies were all big like your daughter and loved it even better when their legs were out. It seems at first like she will not be comfortable but she will get use to it and it will be cooler for you both. When she was little I would sometimes put a burp cloth down by her bare legs on really hot days just for some extra comfort. Try it! Also, in my experience the more you wear them the more they sleep in it! A total lifesaver again for me at the park with the other kids! I just can’t get enough of the Boba! I was excited to see you wearing one in an earlier picture. Love the pattern too! Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the review! This carrier looks great. I’m with you in that I like a hard carrier better and I also had issues with the Ergo. Olivia hates it, and the infant insert is ridiculously hot.
I adore my boba!
Oh wow, I really like this carrier. I have a Moby and while I love it, its such a pain to get on and the baby into it in the car for Grocery Shopping and stuff.
Elena, does your husband have a preference? I have a Moby, and while I love it, my fiance does not (plus it gets very sweaty)
Hubby isn’t A fan of Moby since it’s girly. His only requirement is black.
He hasn’t carried her in carriers that much yet but the one he uses is Nordic
Is this contest already over? I don’t see anything…hope not!
Yes it is 🙂 sorry!