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By The Connecta Baby Carrier is one of our all-time favourites. And we have tried a LOT of baby carriers. It’s incredibly easy to use, faff-free, lightweight and just SO comfortable.
Here’s all you need to know.
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THE CONNECTA IS RIDICULOUSLY EASY TO USE
If you want to avoid fiddling and faffing with lots of clips and adjustments, the Connecta is just great. It has a simple fabric body panel to support your baby, a barely-there waistband and simple clip-on shoulder straps. Et voila.
There is an integrated hood (handy for naps and sunny or blustery days) that sits neatly when not in use. When parents try it on for the first time, the usual response is, ‘Is that it?’ Easy peasy.
LIGHTWEIGHT – AND BABY FEELS WEIGHTLESS
This super lightweight carrier has straps that cross over your back, and a wide base to hold the baby in an ergonomic position. Once fitted snuggly to you, your baby’s weight gets evenly distributed around your upper body.
That’s why there’s no need for any bulky padding on the waistband. Even heavy babies are well supported – and feel lighter than if you were carrying them in your arms.
PACKS DOWN SMALL
Unlike bulkier carriers, the Connecta can be tucked away neatly into your bag or under your buggy, making it an ideal travelling companion.
CONNECTA IS SUITABLE FROM NEWBORN
With a couple of neat tricks, Connectas can be great for newborns.
Connecta Baby Carriers come with a separate little strap that can be used to cinch in and narrow the base of the carrier. You can also roll over the waistband, or wear it higher up on your body, to reduce the height of the carrier. These two adjustments will give a better fit for smaller babies, from 7.5lbs (3.5kg) upwards, ensuring their legs aren’t overstretched and that they don’t disappear down inside the carrier.
BUT PERFECT FROM 1-3 MONTHS to 18 MONTHS+
But the Connecta really comes into its own with babies from 1-3 months upwards, when no tweaks are needed at all. It will last until at least 12-18 months, and much longer for petite toddlers.
While the Connecta Baby carrier is safety tested up to the mega weight of 52lbs (24kg), many people size up to the Connecta Toddler Carrier after this age.
IT COMES IN TODDLER AND PRESCHOOL VERSIONS
The body panel is an extra couple of inches wider and taller, giving more support for big kids.
The Connecta Preschool carrier is a couple of inches bigger again, making it suitable for youngsters from 2-3 years up to school age!
ALL THE USUAL CARRYING POSITIONS
All sizes of Connecta offer the usual carrying positions: front carrying, back carrying and a hip carry. Thanks to its lack of padding, the Connecta makes a much better hip carrier than most other buckled carriers. It’s not to be used for front facing outwards, but most babies (from 4-5 months+ only please) are happy to have their arms-out as a non-restrictive alternative to facing-out. Which is very easy to do in a Connecta.
When carrying your baby on your front, the shoulder straps cross over your back (in an ‘X’ position), so there’s no fiddling around to do up a clip behind your back. When worn on your back, the straps are worn rucksack-style, using the separate little strap provided to keep the straps securely in place.
THE PERFECT-FOR-SUMMER ‘SOLAR’ CONNECTA
As if Connecta’s weren’t lightweight enough (they are), for hot weather and beach trips you may wish to bag yourself a Solar edition. The Solar Connecta is made from a super-light, breathable, sun-protective fabric which blocks 95%+ of the suns harmful UVA and UVB rays.
It is very quick drying, so great for wearing on the beach and is the ideal hot weather baby carrier.
SPECIAL STRAPS FOR PETITE PARENTS
Petite strap versions of the Connecta Baby and Toddler Carriers have around 2 inches less padding on the shoulder straps than the standard strap version. This gives a more snug fit when back carrying for those under 5’2″ and/or UK ladies size 8 or under. The strap type doesn’t affect the fit when front carrying.
THE DOWNSIDES
What’s not to love about the Connecta? Well, the lack of a padded waistband makes is a bit Marmite-y. Many parents – including us – find the design much more comfy and less cumbersome than more structured and padded carriers. However, some do miss the extra support. But overall – it really is a winning carrier.
This would certainly be a better feature for front-wearing parents with smaller babies who may need cover from the sun or light rain when sleeping.
This is a really pretty carrier and it’s comfortable to wear, but there is a knack to putting it on with a wriggly baby in it and that takes a bit of getting used to.
I have no trouble with the front carry, and the weight distribution there is good. As long as you get her up nice and high, she is light enough to wear for an hour or so quite happily.
I’m finding that it’s very tight on my 4 month old thighs and is leaving marks. I’m
not sure if I am doing anything wrong
Please send us a photo so we can advise on how to adjust the fit.