Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Easy Feels Standard size SSC review


Easy Feel's ssc is suitable for 15-44lbs/7-20kgs AND older than 4 months (that means that you have a 16lb 3mo, you need to wait!) it's a nice carrier at a nice price (about $90 aud for a standard, which you can see here in these pics and $105 for a toddler size) and comfortable way beyond it's budget pricetag. Made in India, each carrier comes with it's own stuff sack for easy storage and is labelled inside waistband in accordance with BCIA safety standards.

I am super pleased with this carrier. Maybe my favorite thing is that, lacking shoulder strap clips, it's easy t get on and simple to adjust quickly. It cinches down to a teeny 53cms on the shoulders and 70cms/28inches on the waist belt.

We took this on a walk of a couple kms and I was impressed. Yes, I would be more comfortable with Audrey supported knee to knee (this is the standard size, and she is close to the upper weight limit), but this is a great carrier that was easy to fit and didn't require a lot of fussing. It's one downside is that the straps aren't crossable,  but they cinch down so well that I don't think that's a deal-breaker.


I can actually get a snug back carry in this and feel like Audrey isn't sagging away from me - a lot of shoulder straps are just a little too long for my short torso and then I have to overtighten the chest strap, boo sucks etc. The Easy Feel is really forgiving and allows plenty of tweak.









One handy pocket on the waistband to replace your hip pocket...and velcro closure for security.

Perfect fit adjusters (these were great when using the carrier with my 8kg demo doll) to get a snug fit of body panel and no gape at the top.

The standard size body panel measures 36 cms in the seat and features leg padding. Obviously Audrey is no longer knee to knee in the seat, but she said it was comfortable and was happy to stay up while we walked to the shops.



I like this! There's a nifty concealed pocket in the body of the carrier that lets you roll the sleep hood and velcro shut so it's nicely tucked away and invisible.


Don't forget the stuff sack!



You can see it in action here: <iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FKeepCalmAndCarryThem%2Fvideos%2F1160690647287027%2F&show_text=0&width=560" width="560" height="315" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowTransparency="true" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe>

Monday, July 18, 2016

Nona Juno Caelestis review


Juno Caelestis is from the range of Nona wraps that's a LOT softer and more malleable than the first batch I met. Let me say right now that they're a great budget buy - Start Well Babywearing has them in stock at $102 aud for a size 6 - and for their wrapping qualities I'd be snapping one up.   


Juno has a nice amount of grip - you may think it a little rough after a first wash, but it's become friendlier and easier to work the second pass with time. Nona wraps do come prewashed and preshrunk, but I like washing a wrap and letting it airdry.

 I found that the loft of the pattern really relaxed and became an asset holding a reinforcing pass in place. Also, how lovely is the monochrome contrast?! 
At 280gsm, this felt dense without being beastly, and had a nice cush on my shoulders. It's all-cotton and very easy-care. We possibly had a small mishap with soy sauce and I just chucked it in the wash when we got home (I don't have time to baby wraps!) and pulled it out to line-dry when done. 


This performed really well with an 18kg child. I tend to prefer multi-layer carries now, but this is absolutely fluffy enough to make an excellent shortie and I admit there were a couple of hasty rucks smashed out - no stress!




Easy to tie, easy to tighten, great amount of grip and not a lot of work to break in (I washed a couple times,  left it twisted up for a day, and let Audrey use it as a hammock on our dining table). I think these would make fantastic wraps to use from newborn -they're only 65 cms wide (which I still found quite enough to make a nice seat) and will certainly continue to be supportive as your little one becomes big. You can read about my other encounter with a Nona here :)


NANA Australia Babywearing poncho

Things I have learned:On a dodgy autumn/winter day it will invariably begin to rain when walking home. Often it's not THAT cold here, so we just get uncomfortably damp and bedraggled, because who can be bothered lugging a coat around JUST IN CASE. 

You know those resourceful people who always have a little foldup rain poncho in their bag and stand around smugly while everyone else is shivering? I JUST BECAME ONE. Nana Australia is making waterproof ponchos that work easily for back and front carries - you just change the adult hood's snap settings and HEY PRESTO!



It's kind of hard to take decent photos in light, drizzly rain, but I think you get the idea - go have a look at it in action in this little video here.


The poncho is a full circle one-size-fits-most that velcros to secure sleeves or can be left as a free full circle. Obviously it works with every carrier! The hoods and slot for baby can be cinched to keep you both dry, and there's a handy pocket for bits and bobs. If you're constantly braving sports or big-kid activities in all-weather this is a great solution to roll up and keep in the bottom of your bag :)

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Erin Lanais Designs - buckle ONBU/waistless carrier



Erin Lanais (http://erinlanais.com.au/)
 is two clever Aussie mums who have combined their skill sets to bring custom carriers to the world! Krystal and Nadine have both worked in the baby wearing world before and bring their experience as textile artists and baby wearing parents to bear on their carrier construction. 
The sent me one of their Erin Lanais waistless carriers - basically, a buckle onbu which functions like a backpack - to try out and I have been very impressed with their take on the simple panel carrier. Buckle onbus are a panel with two adjustable shoulder straps and a chest safety buckle. They're suitable for children who are at minimum sitting independently and care should be taken that they're appropriately sized to the child - which is why these lovely onbus come in a standard and toddler size.

Chest strap is on adjustable sliders - it cinches to a minimum 13cms and extends to 29cms. Here I have it at about 20 cms wide, sitting squarely in an "H" shape. 

I love and adore the flat padding in these straps - not overwhelming, sleek enough to fit under a jacket and rolls up tiny. 
Excuse my underarm, but you can see a nice amount of leg padding here too. 

Let's talk seat width: Audrey has just turned four and is pretty leggy. With a panel width of 42 cms in the toddler size (the standard is 32 cms) she is very well supported and made no complaints. The seat angled her thighs upward to my core and I found her 18 kgs totally manageable. The toddler size is a 56cm-high panel, (standard is 50cms) which will give you a back panel height of 43-48 cms depending on how tight you tighten the straps and bring the seat up between you. The standard will give you around 40-45 cms, and was a good fit for my 9kg-ish demo doll. 
Onbus seem to have a limited adjustability, but they're fantastically simple and alter very quickly and easily between wearers, helped along here with the addition of perfect fit adjusters at the top of the body panel. 

I've been really impressed by the construction and attention to detail in these Erin Lanais carriers: nice design in strap tapers, finishing on adjusters and elastic safeties on the strap buckles. 

Apparently they're just as comfy for the child as the adult carrying, and Nadine and Krystal have the aesthetic side covered too - you can browse their latest work at http://erinlanais.com.au/build/catalogue and find your perfect match ;)