MaByLand Baby Carriers: Frequently Asked Questions
When can I start using MaByLand Baby Carriers?
MaByLand Baby Carriers can be used from birth, as long as your baby weighs between 3.5kg/8lbs and 9kg/20lbs. If your baby weighs less than 3.5kg/8lbs, then you must wait until your baby reaches the lower limit weight allowance.
Why should I use a baby carrier?
There are many reasons why a parent should use a baby carrier, here are just a few
It is essential for babies (especially newborns) to have regular body and eye contact.
- Using a baby carrier is a great way for parents to bond with their baby
- Using a baby carrier enables you to be more mobile rather than use a bulky buggy
- Helps babies with reflux and especially colic
- Your hands are free! You can tend to your other children whilst wearing the carrier, or even do the washing up!
Please read our article TOP 10 BENEFITS TO USING A BABY CARRIER for more great reasons why you should use a baby carrier!
Sheena Woods had an interview with Progressive Preschool discussing Baby Carriers' benefits, advice, concerns and innovation, please click here to read more.
How long can my child stay in the Baby Carrier each time?
You can carry your child in our Baby Carriers for as long as he/she feels content! Nevertheless, we recommend you keep an eye on your baby’s signs and switch between our baby carrier and for example a bouncer, buggy, or their cot. – As small children should never be kept in the same position for long periods of time.
My Partner and I are very different sizes , can we both use your carriers?
YES! Of course you can both use the same baby carrier, MaByLand Carriers have a very easy to adjust “clip and pull system”. We haven’t met a person yet that hasn’t fit into one of our carriers! So it doesn’t matter if you are 6ft7” and your partner is 5ft, to switch the carrier between you both its either a quick pull to tighten, or a push on the adjustment strap to make it bigger!
How do I wash my MaByLand Carrier?
As MaByLand Baby Carriers have a very innovative design and structure we do not recommend that you wash them in the washing machine, and that they should be hand washed. We suggest that you occasionally wipe the body panel (inside the carrier) with a damp cloth, as the breathable fabric will dry quickly, rather than washing the entire carrier.
When can my child start to face forwards?
Your baby can start to face outwards at around 4 months old, or until the child’s neck muscles are strong enough to hold up and support his/her head. Your child will love facing outwards at this stage, as they are becoming more and more interested in the world around them!
Why can’t I carry more than 9kg/20lbs in a MaByLand Carrier?
When designing both the Snuggle and the Trek Baby Carriers Sheena wanted to focus on the initial bonding period between parent and baby, when body and eye contact or most important. The average 10 month old weighs around 20lbs and by this stage most would have started crawling and some even walking and want to explore on their own. Sheena and others in her focus groups found that once baby started crawling or walking they became generally very fidgety when being carried in their carriers, so Sheena decided to design her carriers to last up to and around 10-12 months.
Is it alright for my baby to fall asleep in a MaByLand Baby Carrier?
Yes it is absolutely fine for your baby to sleep in any of the MaByLand Baby Carriers. Sheena and her focus group found that their babies would 9/10 fall asleep when using the carrier due to the movement of walking, and how warm and safe they feel when held so close. MaByLand carriers feature extra back support and an extra high head support so you can rest assured that your child will be comfortable when dosing off. Nevertheless, we recommend you keep an eye on your baby’s signs and switch between our baby carriers and for example a bouncer, buggy, or their cot. – As small children should never be kept in the same position for long periods of time.
I read somewhere that Baby Carriers can cause Hip Dysplasia, is this correct?
No, that is not correct. Your child cannot develop hip dysplasia by being carried in any known brand of baby carrier. Hip dysplasia, is an inherited condition diagnosed through a medical examination. The idea that baby carriers can cause hip dysplasia is a misunderstanding and has no scientific foundation. This is confirmed by leading child orthopedists. Please CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
Are MaByLand Carriers bad because the baby is hanging/dangling from their crotch?
No, this is incorrect. It is important to understand that a baby’s centre or gravity is very different to that of an adult’s. Compared with an adult’s anatomy, baby’s head is much larger and his/her legs are much shorter and subsequently weigh much less in relation to their body. Thus, the child’s weight is distributed very differently; the majority of their weight is not in their seat, it’s also distributed in the baby carrier’s back and head support. Also you must consider baby’s low body weight, all of which results in almost no pressure being placed on the baby’s crotch. Please remember that there is no comparison to if you yourself were sitting in a baby carrier.
When is it most important to carry your child?
There have been many studies that show that it is important for parents to carry their baby especially during the first 5-6 months. It is beneficial for baby to be able to hear their parent’s heartbeat, breathing and voice, making them feel safe and secure. Ultimately this closeness, through eye and body contact help to form the close connection and bond between both parent and child.
Trek Snuggle Carrier
What are these buttons for on the front of the Snuggle Carrier?
Those buttons are what the snuggle blanket attaches to, you will notice that there are four buttons on the carrier altogether, two on the front head panel and two on the shoulder straps.
When would I use the Snuggle Blanket?
The Snuggle blanket can be used to wrap up your baby when there is chilly weather, it shields your baby from the wind and keeps them snuggly and warm. The cotton Snuggle Blanket can also be left loose in the summer to protect baby’s skin from direct sunlight. Also as baby often falls asleep in the carrier it darkens the inside of the carrier and helps keep them asleep for a little longer.
How do I use the Snuggle Blanket?
Baby facing inwards (towards you)
There are four slits in the Snuggle Blanket itself two at the front and two at the sides; these are attached to the four buttons on the carrier. There are two buttons on the headrest at the front of the carrier, and two buttons either side of your shoulder straps, this is where the blanket is attached to when the baby is facing towards you. The bottom of the blanket is loose due to baby’s change in leg length. The loose ends of the blanket can then be tucked accordingly into the carrier’s belt straps around your waist, and in the summer the blanket can be left loose.
Baby facing outwards (away from you)
The blanket can be used to keep baby’s body and legs warm. Attach the blanket to one of the buttons on the shoulder strap, then pass it under the folded down headrest (this stops the blanket from riding up, or covering baby’s face). Then attach the other end of the blanket to the remaining button on the other shoulder strap. You can either tuck the bottom loose blanket end into the carrier’s belt strap or leave it loose.
Can I use the pocket at the front of the Snuggle Carrier for my own things?
Yes you can! The pocket is large enough to hold your essentials, such as your phone/keys/loose change/wallet. But when baby is old enough to face out you cannot fill up the pocket so that its “bulging”, as it won’t allow the head panel to fold downwards.
I have a Trek Baby Carrier, Do you sell the blanket separately?
Currently the blanket isn’t sold separately, as the Trek carrier doesn’t feature the buttons that the blanket attaches too. We are currently working on a separate blanket accessory for the Trek carrier that will be sold separately, and hopefully will launch soon.
LUXURY COMFORT CARRIER
This will be a carrier which can allow parents to continue carrying their toddler unitl 3 years of age. We will be launching this in Spring 2013! Please click here to read more.
