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By The Manduca Baby Carrier, a.k.a the Manduca First, is a real classic. One of the first baby carriers of it’s kind, it’s been around since 2002 and it’s still a go-to favourite.
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MANDUCA WILL LAST FOR ALL 17 OF YOUR CHILDREN
Okay, so I exaggerate a little. But it’s not uncommon for parents to come to us with hand-me-down Manducas that have been passed around and used well for many years, and they’re still going strong. German brand Manduca are committed to high-quality production and materials – and they mean it. The unique hemp and cotton blend fabric it’s constructed from is soft and strong and all the component of the carrier are top quality.
SECURE INFANT SEAT FOR NEWBORNS
The Manduca is suitable from 7lbs (3.5kg). With no cumbersome insert or booster cushions, the Manduca’s infant seat poppers around your baby to secure them safely and higher up in the carrier, holding them in an ergonomic position with their airways well supported. It’s easiest to pop newborns into the carrier when sitting down. So while the carrier doesn’t adjust width ways to accommodate tiny babies, like some newer carriers, it does offer a great deal of security, comfort, and reassurance for new parents who are carrying their little ones for the first time.
THE MANDUCA GROWS WITH YOUR BABY
As your baby grows, you can extend the height of the body panel to offer extra support and stability, just by undoing the zipped portion of the body panel. This will extend the height of the carrier by 8 centimetres, taking it from 32 to 40cm.
The upper weight limit for the Manduca is 20kg. So long as your child is happy to ride with their arms out of the carrier, you could still get a good fit for a 3-year-old. But if you want your toddler to be more ‘contained’ and able to snuggle down inside the carrier, you may want to move on to a purpose-made toddler carrier like the Isara once they get past 2 years.
IT’S EASY PEASY TO DO UP YOURSELF
The Manduca offers all the usual carrying positions: front carrying, back carrying and – though it’s a bit of a compromise and not so comfortable – a hip carry. It’s not to be used for front facing outwards, but most babies (from 4-5 months+ only please folks) are happy to have their arms-out as a non-restrictive alternative to facing-out. Which is easy to do in this carrier.
When carrying baby on your front, you can cross the straps over your back (in an ‘X’ position), so there’s no fiddling around to do up a clip behind your back. You also have the option to wear the straps rucksack style (in an ‘H’ position), fitting the two straps as loops over your shoulders, if you prefer.
BRILLIANT FOR BACK CARRYING
The Manduca features some clever little adjusters on the front of the shoulder straps. If you tighten these before putting your child on your back (from around 6 months+), they will sit high and snug on your back, giving them a more elevated position and view. Much more entertaining than hanging low on your back and only seeing your shoulder blades. And more comfy for you.
Check out our video where Emily shows you how to Back Carrier using a Manduca.
IT FITS PARENTS OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
While many baby carriers claim to fit everyone, many are best suited to either petite to average size wearer; or average to plus size wearers. But after fitting the Manduca to many hundreds of families, this baby carrier seems to fit the sweet spot more often than most. Mum is 5’2″ and Dads is 6’4″? No worries, just get a Manduca!
STRUCTURED, BUT STILL SOFT
Many of our families want a supportive carrier, but without hard bits digging in or stiff waistbands that stop them from sitting comfortably. The Manduca offers a great happy medium. The waistband is supportive but contoured and malleable. The shoulder straps are padded, but narrow enough that you don’t feel like you’re wearing bulky shoulder pads.
A BABY CARRIER WITH NO ANNOYING DANGLY BITS
The Manduca features a helpful hood, which tucks away into its own little pocket when not in use. Once adjusted to fit your body, the leftover lengths of straps and webbing can be neatly rolled up and secured with the small elastic loops on the ends of them. So you’re left with a neat and streamlined carrier.
THE DOWNSIDES
And the downsides? Well, it’s not our top choice for newborns, as the infant seat can be a touch fiddly at first use. But once you get the hang of it, it works very well and keeps small babies very well supported. It comes in a range of simple, neutral colours so if you’re into funky patterns this may not float your boat. But believe us, what it lacks IN jazziness it makes up for in comfort.
Hi, I have really struggled with a structured back pack / ruck sack where the baby is worn up high (I won’t mention the brand). I am looking for a soft less structured backpack to wear my 12 month old in my back and a friend suggested the Manduca or Connecta. I’ve got a few sciatica/sacral twinges so am not going to wear for longer than an hour, but I live rurally and like to walk. Could you please recommend one? Many thanks
The Manduca XT would likely be brilliant for you in that case; you’ll get a couple more years out of it at least, it suits every body shape (really) and will spread their weight nice and evenly. The other, slightly more structured but still soft, carrier to look at – gives a slightly higher carry that the Manduca XT – would be the Cococho. It’s glorious: https://wearmybaby.co.uk/product/cococho-baby-carrier/
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