****** - Verified Buyer
4.5
I love that Solly Baby offers this carrier option for older and larger babies who have outgrown the wrap. This carrier is slightly more complicated in my opinion, but once you get the hang of it, it is still relatively simple to use. It's a different fabric than their wrap, which is definitely a little stretchier. This fabric is stiffer than the wrap, but that is probably for added support when carrying heavier children.I highly recommend searching for the Solly baby YouTube channel for help learning how to get the perfect fit. They go through it slowly and simply. It’s how I learned to tie the original wrap, and how I learned to tie this one. This also gives you a good idea of what you’re getting before you buy it.If you’ve used the wrap for smaller babies, this one is even easier in my opinion. It’s not the same stretchy fabric that you’ll be used to. However, it’s easier to adjust, you don’t need to untie anything. Since it’s not that same stretchy fabric, I feel it needs “broken in” a bit. If you’ve used a WildBird carrier, it reminds me of that. The more you use it, it becomes less stiff and the easier it becomes to pull through and adjust.My toddler (35 lbs) absolutely loved being put in this. It immediately took us back to those baby days, filled with cuddling in his original Solly. He rested his head in and immediately asked for more when it was time to take him out. It’s great for outings when I know he’s tired, but he’s not willing to give up and go in the stroller.I do still prefer my original wrap for my 9 month old, maybe I just need some more time to get used to it, while breaking it in. She just feels so little, and this one just seems like so much more fabric.Also I feel like it’s worth mentioning, there’s only the front carry with this. Which can make it difficult to do things, if you’re hoping to carry your toddler and be productive it’s not going to be the easiest task to move around your toddler.Overall, I like it. However, if you’re looking for a gift for a new mom I highly recommend the original Solly wrap. It takes a few tries to get the hang of it but it’s filled with magical sleepy dustI definitely had to figure out the right comfort level. I definitely had to wash the product right away it was way too difficult to maneuver properly it loosened up a lot after and I was able to wrap it properly. Also I definitely had to look into how to use it perfectly I read some forums and got some good tips. But when it's all said and done I've got the backpack style ergo baby style that is more suitable for my needs although this one makes the baby feel extra close.If you have experience with the Solly wrap, I want you to read this. This is not the same material as the wrap, but it doesn't make it a bad carrier. This carrier is intended for babies up to 45 pounds. That's a pretty heavy baby, so of course, you need a solid fabric that won't stretch all out leaving a wobbling toddler unsecured. The fabric is thick and rough in comparison to others slings and wraps I have used, but my others wraps only hold until about 20 something pnds. For a bigger baby the fabric won't be an issue as it is supportive and not stretchy. For smaller babies, and babies that still doesn't have much muscle strength, are unable to support their necks and backs, the fabric is a bit too rough for mom to snuggle/accommodate a tiny baby, compared to the Solly wrap that is specifically designed for this porpoise. I tried it with my 19 inches doll and was able to get a nice posture, but I feel is way to much fabric for a tiny baby. The wrap box says you can use it starting with 8 pounds baby.Now the ring; the ring or loop is sew in the middle of the fabric. It is a rather small ring, and you just have half ring to insert the two pieces of fabric as the other half is already filled with fabric. Is not the easiest task to get two pieces of long fabric trough it, but it -just the ring- definitely secure the carrier without the need of doing a knot or tie or needing to wrap the excess fabric around your waist or hips. For removing the carrier off my body, I found that for me is easier to take baby out and just take the carrier above my head, like a shirt and then pull the fabric from the ring. I really recommend if you're buying this to look on the online tutorials about how to use it, how to set it up, it will simplify your life. It has a instruction booklet included, but I think is better to see the instructions to get it right.Now the cons; I find that I prefer to carry older toddlers on my back as they have more freedom of motion, as well as myself. It is not the same to have an infant that barely ocuppy the space of your chest while wearing him, and infant that barely moves, than wearing an overweight 30-40 gigantic toddler wobbling hands and kicking legs happily on your front. Wearing my gigant toddler on the back is more comfortable for me and for him. This carrier is not intended for back wearing or baby facing "to the world". So you really doesn't have many options of wearing styles with this product, something very important for products for older kids that are exploring, and changes moods frequently. As a mom of babies of different stages something I look into products is versatility, something this carrier doesn't have. You can wear baby on the side or front facing you, that's it. Another thing is the price, although this a excellent quality design from a recognized USA baby wearing company (owner is a young mom of few kiddos), I honestly think the price of this product is exorbitant at almost 110$ at the time of my review. I think quality baby wearing products should be affordable, and this price for a piece of fabric and a ring is just outrageous.So basically I feel confident recommending this product, as you are getting exactly what is being advertised. There is nothing deceiving about the product description and no false promises. The product is pricey yes, but the first edition -the Solly wrap- wasn't exactly cheap either. Nice carrier for older kiddos, just keep in mind what I mentioned about versatility.I love that Solly Baby has this option of carrier for babies that are bigger and older, and have outgrown the wrap. This carrier is slightly more complicated in my opinion, but still relatively easy to use once you get the hang of it. It is a different fabric than their wrap, which is definitely a bit stretchier than this fabric. This fabric is a bit stiff compared to the wrap, however that is probably for the added support of carrying heavier children. Overall, I do like the rap slightly better, but think this is a great option as your child gets older and would recommend.
