I’ve been passionate about babywearing for five years.
Ever since I slipped on my first stretchy wrap, I was smitten. The feeling of your baby snuggled up close to your body, being hands-free (especially once you have another child in tow), and being able to lull your little one to sleep while you’re running errands all contribute to the magic that is babywearing.
I’ve been able to review many types of baby carriers, and I even did a TV segment about a bunch of my favourite wraps, slings and soft-structured carriers (SSCs). And when the emeibaby carrier recently became available in Canada, I really wanted to give it a try because it’s like nothing I’ve ever used before – it’s a hybrid carrier that’s one part sling and one part SSC.
Thanks for sending me one to test out, emeibaby!
THE GOOD
Would you believe me if I told you that after my neighbour (who had a three-week-old baby at the time) borrowed the emeibaby for a weekend, she ordered one that same week? It’s the truth. And that says a lot about a product. Especially when she had the opportunity to try every sling, wrap and SSC I have lurking around my house.
It’s really easy to use, and if you had an infant and a toddler, converting it to accommodate both ages is a snap. It’s really nothing more than a string at the base that tightens the fabric for tinier legs and a smaller bum. The fabric then gets adjusted on either side via ring slings and you’re all set. If you’ve read that it’s complicated in the least, don’t believe it. My neighbour had never “worn” her first baby, and she barely needed any help from yours truly to get started. Until I film my own, you can watch any of these videos to help you get started with the emeibaby.
I like that you can carry even a tiny baby (from 6 lbs., 6 oz.) the same way you’d carry a toddler – tummy to tummy with Mommy – in that beautiful “M position” (the most ergonomically correct position for proper hip alignment and spinal development). In my opinion, actually, this is probably the best baby carrier for newborns that can go on to be used well into toddlerhood.
Even with newborns, you don’t need any kind of insert with the emeibaby. Even the carriers that can accommodate wee babes have some kind of inner structure to support them. Not the emeibaby – and that’s the beauty of this hybrid carrier. Tie it up and your little one has all the support she’ll need.
The fabric is basically a woven wrap, which – if you’ve ever seen them – are thin but strong, and this helps create that nice, rounded back you want to see when you’re carrying your baby. It also ensures that there isn’t so much support under your baby’s bottom that the M position isn’t achievable.
emeibaby has some great patterns available; very reminiscent of Navaho prints in some cases. Lots of girly and neutral options.
The shoulder pads don’t sit too wide on my shoulders and have the right amount of padding. I never feel like they’re going to fall off on either side, are pulling my shoulder blades apart or are encroaching on my jugular. That’s always nice.
Same goes for the hip band – it doesn’t dig into your, erm… crotchal region like some SSCs.
The buckles are all strong and feel really secure.
If you wanted to breastfeed your baby in the emeibaby, it operates the same as any SSC – just drop the shoulder strap a bit and off you go.
emeibaby carriers are from Austria. Maybe it’s because I’ve lived in Europe that I believe the quality of products coming from there are always such high quality; this is no exception.
The issue I’ve been having with my beloved Boba 3G lately is that Miss Q is just so darn long that her legs dangle out the sides of it – well beyond where they should optimally be. This is probably where the foot straps would come in handy, but she hated them every time I tried them and I really have no clue where in my dungeon hoarding room storage space they might be. There’s enough fabric on the emeibaby that I can pull it out right under her knee-pit (that’s what that’s called, right?).
Overall, the emeibaby carrier is just super-duper comfy and every baby or toddler who’s been in mine seems to love it.
THE GAFFE
When you’re trying to be all things to all babies, something’s gotta give. I get that. I do think, however, that the complaint I’m about to make can be fixed for emeibaby 2.0: the fabric that you have to tuck into the waistband when you’re carrying a toddler ultimately ends up back out of the waist band as your toddler’s heavy legs put pressure on it. So that perfect M position and fabric all the way up to the knees goes awry until you re-tuck, which gets annoying if you’re carrying your toddler for a good stretch.
The emeibaby carrier only goes up to 33 pounds. This is a full 12 pounds less than many of its SSC cousins, like the ergobaby or Manduca. It’s got to be that the woven fabric – one of the very features that makes this carrier so unique – just isn’t as strong as double-walled cotton or whatever the hell SSCs do to reinforce the carrier to accommodate a 45-pound child.
No real pockets to speak of – not ones that have any kind of secure closure to make carrying keys or money or a smartphone easy.
It’s not organic, and while there’s no organic option, the cotton used is – at least – certified by Oeko-Tex.
The price tag is on the high side – considering it’s not organic. At somewhere north of $170 (depending on where you buy it or where you live, tack on up to an extra $20) before taxes, this is premium priced in line with organic SSCs.
THE GEARS
4.5/5
Pam says
I have the Emeibaby since my daughter was three months old. I think it’s great for newborns and babies, not so much for toddlers. I used it until she was 18 months and it started to be too short on the back. She was 22 lbs and 32 inches then. I agree about the fabric going out of the waist band too. At that point a friend lend me an Ergobaby for a while and even when the back panel was a bit short too, it was more comfortable tan the Emei. Now we use a Tula toddler with her and I love it. She goes trekking with us for hours without a complaint.
I’m still using the Emeibaby with my newborn and I’m happy using it again, even though I wish it had a pocket for keys and phone and the rings bip on airport security checks, so if you travel a lot, I would recommend another option.
Mommy Gearest says
I completely agree on all fronts! We used it until my daughter was around 2 and then switched to the TULA Toddler as well. But for infants, few SSCs beat the emeibaby, IMO.
Pam says
I have the Emeibaby since my daughter was three months old. I think it’s great for newborns and babies, not so much for toddlers. I used it until she was 18 months and it started to be too short on the back. She was 22 lbs and 32 inches then. I agree about the fabric going out of the waist band too. At that point a friend lend me an Ergobaby for a while and even when the back panel was a bit short too, it was more comfortable tan the Emei. Now we use a Tula toddler with her and I love it. She goes trekking with us for hours without a complaint.
I’m still using the Emeibaby with my newborn and I’m happy using it again, even though I wish it had a pocket for keys and phone and the rings bip on airport security checks, so if you travel a lot, I would recommend another option.
Mommy Gearest says
I completely agree on all fronts! We used it until my daughter was around 2 and then switched to the TULA Toddler as well. But for infants, few SSCs beat the emeibaby, IMO.
Nikki says
Why do you like the emeibaby better then the Tula but only up to
Jessica Naomi says
Well I had a butterfly and sold it around 6 months post baby. It just wasn’t comfortable and I wasn’t using it. From day one, Emeibaby carrier is hands down the best newborn ssc/ hybrid. I thought the butterfly II would make newborn carry easier, but it had too many straps and buckles. The newborn insert is too much to mess with. The Emeibaby fit snugly and securely around baby, and has been comfortable for me as well. Baby is now 11 mos and I’m still using this carrier daily!
Nikki says
Why do you like the emeibaby better then the Tula but only up to
Jessica Naomi says
Well I had a butterfly and sold it around 6 months post baby. It just wasn’t comfortable and I wasn’t using it. From day one, Emeibaby carrier is hands down the best newborn ssc/ hybrid. I thought the butterfly II would make newborn carry easier, but it had too many straps and buckles. The newborn insert is too much to mess with. The Emeibaby fit snugly and securely around baby, and has been comfortable for me as well. Baby is now 11 mos and I’m still using this carrier daily!
Jessica Naomi says
Can you extend on your review of the Beco Butterfly? Or, have you posted about it somewhere? I’d love to read your notes on it as I’d almost decided on buying one recently before going back to the drawing board and reviewing options again. I’ve only worn the Ergo, which I just sold as I’m convinced there is a SSC better suited for me out there.
I want something that is really easy to wear during the newborn stage, throughout the first year. I felt that I was always waiting for baby to get bigger for the Ergo, and then when he did, I was just uncomfortable with all the added bulk. I plan to wear baby much more frequently (all the time) during the first year, so for me- I’m not as worried about the long lasting carrier. I can always trade/sell for a Tula toddler if I continue wearing into the second and third years.
Also, I am not worried about all the positions. Back and front carries are the only positions I’ll want to use unless I can get comfortable with a woven/linen/ or silk ring sling and put baby in a cradle position.
I did use the jersey Maya wrap for the first several months and had no patience for the amount of stretching it does while wearing, and all that extra fabric wrapped around me all day.
I do not live in an area serviced by a baby wearing co-op or anything of the like. Nor do we live in a larger community with lots of options for trying different carriers. More than likely, I’ll be purchasing without trying, or choosing to rent a couple before deciding.
The Beco Butterfly appealed to me because you can adjust the carrier, then put baby in, and I could take off the carrier and put it on my back with baby in it which could be great for nursing and then wearing while baby sleeps on my back. I like the idea of that most of all.
Any expertise would be most appreciated!
Jessica naomi says
Sorry, I meant that I’ve used the jersey Moby wrap, not a Maya ring sling.
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Jessica! Glad you found the review of the Butterfly…it’s really not one of my favourites at all. For me, the top contenders would be the emeibaby and the Boba 3G. Then the TULA Toddler if you continue carrying baby into the 3rd year. If you have any specific questions about these carriers, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Always easy to post on my FB page (www.facebook.com/mommygearest) and I can respond there and others can weigh in, which can be helpful. 🙂
Jessica Naomi says
Can you extend on your review of the Beco Butterfly? Or, have you posted about it somewhere? I’d love to read your notes on it as I’d almost decided on buying one recently before going back to the drawing board and reviewing options again. I’ve only worn the Ergo, which I just sold as I’m convinced there is a SSC better suited for me out there.
I want something that is really easy to wear during the newborn stage, throughout the first year. I felt that I was always waiting for baby to get bigger for the Ergo, and then when he did, I was just uncomfortable with all the added bulk. I plan to wear baby much more frequently (all the time) during the first year, so for me- I’m not as worried about the long lasting carrier. I can always trade/sell for a Tula toddler if I continue wearing into the second and third years.
Also, I am not worried about all the positions. Back and front carries are the only positions I’ll want to use unless I can get comfortable with a woven/linen/ or silk ring sling and put baby in a cradle position.
I did use the jersey Maya wrap for the first several months and had no patience for the amount of stretching it does while wearing, and all that extra fabric wrapped around me all day.
I do not live in an area serviced by a baby wearing co-op or anything of the like. Nor do we live in a larger community with lots of options for trying different carriers. More than likely, I’ll be purchasing without trying, or choosing to rent a couple before deciding.
The Beco Butterfly appealed to me because you can adjust the carrier, then put baby in, and I could take off the carrier and put it on my back with baby in it which could be great for nursing and then wearing while baby sleeps on my back. I like the idea of that most of all.
Any expertise would be most appreciated!
Jessica naomi says
Sorry, I meant that I’ve used the jersey Moby wrap, not a Maya ring sling.
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Jessica! Glad you found the review of the Butterfly…it’s really not one of my favourites at all. For me, the top contenders would be the emeibaby and the Boba 3G. Then the TULA Toddler if you continue carrying baby into the 3rd year. If you have any specific questions about these carriers, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Always easy to post on my FB page (www.facebook.com/mommygearest) and I can respond there and others can weigh in, which can be helpful. 🙂
Susan says
What would you recommend, this one or ergo performance for wearing long periods at a time?
Susan says
Also, which is most comfortable for the toddler- the ergobaby or the emeibaby? Thank you
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Susan! To answer both your questions at once: I find the emeibaby more comfortable overall but only until your kid is 33 lbs. Now, there are some 4 year olds who still around’t 33 lbs., but my two year old was at the weight limit pretty quickly. We moved on to the TULA Toddler carrier. I would personally look at the TULA or Boba 3G over the ergobaby. Don’t get me wrong, the storage pouch on the ergobaby is amazing, and for a Dad I think it’s the best carrier out there. But for a Mom/woman, I just don’t find the new design as comfortable because the band is very wide now.
Susan says
What would you recommend, this one or ergo performance for wearing long periods at a time?
Susan says
Also, which is most comfortable for the toddler- the ergobaby or the emeibaby? Thank you
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Susan! To answer both your questions at once: I find the emeibaby more comfortable overall but only until your kid is 33 lbs. Now, there are some 4 year olds who still around’t 33 lbs., but my two year old was at the weight limit pretty quickly. We moved on to the TULA Toddler carrier. I would personally look at the TULA or Boba 3G over the ergobaby. Don’t get me wrong, the storage pouch on the ergobaby is amazing, and for a Dad I think it’s the best carrier out there. But for a Mom/woman, I just don’t find the new design as comfortable because the band is very wide now.
Janine Garvey says
There is an organic version
Mommy Gearest says
That’s great news! I don’t believe there was in Canada when I wrote this review. 🙂
Janine Garvey says
There is an organic version
Mommy Gearest says
That’s great news! I don’t believe there was in Canada when I wrote this review. 🙂
Melane says
You can also buy them at Growing Up.
http://www.growingupstpete.com/category_s/1947.htm
Melane says
You can also buy them at Growing Up.
http://www.growingupstpete.com/category_s/1947.htm
Lil says
Which is easier to nurse in – Emeibaby or BOBA 3g? Got a 16 lb 3 month old. My goal is one I can easily nurse in! THANKS!
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Lil – I’d say that the straps on the Boba 3G are easier to move up and down for nursing. 🙂
Lil says
Which is easier to nurse in – Emeibaby or BOBA 3g? Got a 16 lb 3 month old. My goal is one I can easily nurse in! THANKS!
Mommy Gearest says
Hi Lil – I’d say that the straps on the Boba 3G are easier to move up and down for nursing. 🙂
Yolanda Yeung says
Have you used the Beco Gemini? If so, what is your opinion on it compared to this one?
Mommy Gearest says
Hi there! I have only tried the Butterfly 2 from Beco and it’s one of my least-favourite carriers. It has NOTHING on the emeibaby. Especially whee it really counts, which is assisting with proper alignment of knees and bum.
Yolanda Yeung says
Have you used the Beco Gemini? If so, what is your opinion on it compared to this one?
Mommy Gearest says
Hi there! I have only tried the Butterfly 2 from Beco and it’s one of my least-favourite carriers. It has NOTHING on the emeibaby. Especially whee it really counts, which is assisting with proper alignment of knees and bum.
Monique L. S. says
I would have like to have used this with my daughter when she was a baby. It looks easy to use, and comfortable for both mom (or caregiver) and baby. The prints are gorgeous too.
Monique L. S. says
I would have like to have used this with my daughter when she was a baby. It looks easy to use, and comfortable for both mom (or caregiver) and baby. The prints are gorgeous too.
Megan says
This sounds like a great carrier, and the fabric options are gorgeous!
Megan says
This sounds like a great carrier, and the fabric options are gorgeous!