Review: KinderPack

This is my full review of the KinderPack soft structured carrier. KinderPacks are made by a work at home mom company (known as a WAHM company), called KinderCarry. I have a standard size (fits 8mo-3yo) with KoolNit (a breathable panel for warm weather). The straps are the standard size with perfect fit adjusters.

I love my KinderPack! I thought nothing could be comfier than an Ergo until I got this (shows you what I knew when I started wearing). I am going to go through each part of the carrier to tell you how the construction makes it a great carrier.

The Straps:
What I love, is the shoulder straps are adjustable at both ends of the buckle on the webbing. So, first you have the padded portion (with perfect fit adjusters it's more adjustable here too), and then webbing, then the first part of the buckle with ability to adjust webbing there, then the other half of the buckle with ability to adjust webbing there, then the rest of the webbing, and it attaches to the body of the carrier. It totally got rid of any under arm rub that I experienced in the Ergo. It makes it comfy, and you can adjust so everything hits you in the right spot! The waist band is padded, with two more adjustable straps that buckle together. The double adjust on the waistband makes it more comfortable for pregnant and plus sized women to wear because than it won't make the buckle sit in a uncomfortable spot.
The Perfect Fit Adjusters (PFAs) allow you to shorten the padded portion of the straps. PFAs are now standard on all KinderPacks, but if you buy used they may not be there. PFAs on plus size straps mean they can be shortened to standard length. PFAs on standard straps mean they can be tightened to be shorter than the petite length - because PFAs are now standard, she no longer makes petite straps. This all means that the same carrier can be shared between different sized wearers! So  a 6' 200lb man and a 5'5" 130lb woman, for example, can share the same carrier comfortably. KinderPacks are popular because they fit a wide range of body types, from thin and petite, to tall and plus sized.
The chest clip can be moved up and down so it is easier to snap together, and more comfortably placed. Both the shoulder and waist straps are well-padded. The padding on the newer carriers is thinner than the old padding, but no less supportive.

The Body:
I love the body of this carrier! This is the deepest seat I have ever seen in a SSC. Baby is definitely sitting in the carrier in the ideal knees above bum position. There is even padding at the edges to protect baby's legs from getting red marks. The way it is shaped to give you that seat, means that baby sits less tightly to you. This took some getting used to, but it was awesome in the hot summer. Most SSCs are built for a less tight hold anyway.
Some KinderPacks are made with a breathable panel to help keep baby from overheating in warm weather. She used to use SolarVeil, but recently switched to KoolNit. I used to own a KinderPack with SolarVeil, but now I have a Kool Nit one. I actually prefer the KoolNit because it is more durable, and won't sag over time. If you are planning to wear baby in weather over 75 degrees Fahrenheit, than I highly recommend getting a KinderPack with KoolNit (or SolarVeil). A carrier with a breathable panel can be used all year round, just dress baby appropriately for the weather and use a carrier cover in the winter.
 Most KinderPacks come with hoods (if you are buying used you may want to double check with the seller if this feature is important to you). The KinderPack has a small headrest at the top of the carrier, this unsnaps to reveal a pocket that stretches down the body of the carrier. The hood is turned inside out and tucked inside. You can reach in to pull out the hood, or tuck it away when not it use. Most hoods are aviator style with two pieces of fabric. The KoolNit hoods are flat - yes, the KoolNit carriers have KoolNit hoods!

Sizing:
KinderPacks are generously, and fairly accurately sized. The infant adjustable size is one of the only SSCs that is regularly recommended for newborn use, because it has an adjustable width so you always get the proper knee to knee coverage! It is the only adjustable KinderPack, because in their first year a baby triples in size. Something I find interesting, the Ergo is both shorter and skinnier than the infant sized KinderPack, yet Ergo claims it can be used until 3yo. I was only able to use the Ergo for months 6-14. Funny how manufacturers like to stretch the truth - Ergo isn't the only company who claims their carrier can be used like that. KinderPack sizing is honest. You can stretch it a bit, but you will get the best fit when you use the instructed size. Never buy too big, because your baby will swim in it - they are made big to last.

Buying:
KinderPacks are made by a work at home mom. She stocks her store every two weeks with new prints. Sometimes they sell out fast, other times they linger until she puts them on sale. Every few weeks there are preorders of certain prints. The best way to keep up with what is coming next is to join the Facebook or Yahoo group associated with the company. She previews her stockings beforehand on those sites, and answers questions posted there. Others will post pictures of their children in the carriers too, so you can get a sense of how your baby will fit.
If the cost seems prohibitive (they are so worth it though!),  look into buying one used. There is a Facebook group, http://www.facebook.com/KinderpackFSOT that has KinderPack for sale. Also take a look at babywearing swaps, such as the ones on The Babywearer forum, Baby Center groups, DiaperSwappers, and Facebook's Babywearing Swap group.

Dear Nanny: Infant Positioning

*When I use the royal "we" in this post, I am often referring to the babywearing community.

Dear Nanny,

I was looking at baby carriers at Babies R Us, when a woman who was passing saw me holding a box for an Infantino carrier. She said not to buy that one because it is a "crotch dangler." What is a "crotch dangler" anyway? Are there really some carriers that are bad for baby? What kind of positioning should I be looking for?

Thanks for the help!

Concerned FTM

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Dear First Time Mom,

There are some carriers that are certainly not recommended, but only one type that I would categorically say to never use. I will talk about that type, the bag sling, farther down. The term "crotch dangler" refers to carriers that hold a baby with just a strip of fabric between their legs. Baby is hanging in the carrier with their legs dangling down. This puts pressure on baby's developing spine, hips, and pelvis. It is basically a not very nice term for front pack carriers, though some other types of carriers can have baby hang too. A carrier that a baby hangs in does not offer the ideal positioning. I say ideal because there has not been enough study done on baby carriers to say words like right and wrong in terms of positioning.  However, we do have enough research information to state that some positions have more benefits than others. I'd like to note that some people find the term "crotch dangler" to be offensive. It is better to use the term 'front pack' instead.

To understand what proper positioning is, we first must gain some knowledge of infant physiology. There are two main parts I am going to focus on: hips and spine.

The Infant's Spine:

Picture used without permission from here.

An infant is born with their spine curved in a C shape. This is so they can fit curled up in the womb. It takes more than a year for it to straighten out into an adult spine's S curve. To keep from from forcing baby's back out if it's natural curve, a baby carrier should support baby's back from all sides. Part of this comes from how baby's hips and legs are positioned. 

Zolowear Ring Sling

You can see in this photo how baby's spine is being supported in it's natural curve. Supporting a curved back doesn't mean the carrier should be loose however. Baby should be tight to the wearer so that they won't slump. Slumping can tuck baby's chin to their chest and reduce oxygen intake.

An Infant's Hips:

These two photos show the difference between how a baby's hips are supported in a carrier where baby's legs hang and in a carrier that provides support from knee to knee. In the first photo you can see how pressure is being applied to the hip joint. While this wouldn't really be an issue for an adult, a baby's bones are partially made up of cartilage. Cartilage is soft and flexible, pressure put on the soft cartilage in an infant's hip can cause hip problems. The second photo shows better hip alignment, thought the photo doesn't really illustrate the ideal position of knees higher than baby's bum. 

Research done in Germany, mainly by  Evelin Kirkilionis, points to the ideal positioning that is now used all over the world to teach babywearing. Ideal positioning has baby upright, tummy to tummy (really chest to chest, but it's called tummy to tummy), close enough to kiss, with baby's knees higher than his/her bum, in view at all times, with baby's chin at least two [of your] fingers width off of their chest, with baby tight to you, and baby's back well supported while preserving the curve of their spine. Baby should not be slumped, and baby's chin should not touch chest (to preserve oxygen intake).

This photo shows what the ideal positioning looks like for a newborn, 0-3 or 4 months (except baby should be higher, "close enough to kiss"):

Photo used without permission from here

This photo shows the ideal positioning for a baby 3 or 4+ months:

Photo used without permission from here

You can see in both pictures that the babies knees are well above their bums. They are supported from knee to knee. Their backs are rounded, yet they are tight to the wearer. Their chins are off their chests. Note that the newborn's legs are only spread as wide as their pelvis. Once they can naturally open up their pelvis, they can spread their legs more to embrace the wearer. I prefer to use wraps or ring slings with newborns, because they provide an easier, and often better, fit.

When babies are positioned like this, it is also more comfortable for the wearer. A baby that dangles throws off your center of balance, forcing you to compensate for the extra weight (think of how awkward you felt 9m pregnant). When a baby is positioned more ergonomically, they are stabilized by your center of balance. This takes pressure off of your shoulders and back. You can stand up straighter, carry heavier babies and you can carry for longer periods of time.

Most baby carriers offer ideal positioning, but the most popular ones that you often see in social media do not. Infantino does make some ergonomic carriers now. If you are on a budget, the ergonomic ones should be OK. There are better carriers out there, but those won't do any harm. 

Cradle Carries

The only carrier that can be said to be definitively bad is a bag style sling. zbag style slings have mostly been recalled due to infant death. They put baby in a cradle carry, which can force their chin to their chest and cause positional asphyxiation. Cradle carries are not a recommended position because of this. The only carrier that can do a safe cradle carry is a traditional, open-tailed ring sling. Bag style slings don't just tuck baby chin to chest. They also have elastic edges that close over baby's face restricting the amount of oxygen that gets to baby. They are also meant to be worn lower, so you can not keep a close eye on baby. These tend to resemble duffle bags.

Recalled Infantino SlingRider

You can see in the above picture how a bag sling tucks baby into a chin to chest position. Notice how she is actually using her hand to pull the bag open so you can see baby. A baby's face should always be in sight when in a carrier so that you can monitor their breathing and assess their comfort. Look at the difference between that and a proper cradle carry in a ring sling:

Sakura Bloom Ring Sling

Baby's face is clearly off of his chest - he has an open airway. He is being worn high and tight, so he is easily monitored and will not slump. I still would recommend an upright tummy to tummy in a ring sling, but a safe cradle carry is possible. Although pouch slings are safe to use in a hip carry for 6m+, I would not recommend using them for cradle carries. A baby can still easily be tucked chin to chest in a pouch sling.

Remember TICKS:
T: Tight. Baby should be tight to you to prevent slumping.
I: In view at all times. You should always be able to see your baby's face.
C: Close enough to kiss. Baby should be worn high on your body
K: Keep baby's chin off of their chest to prevent positional asphyxia, and keep baby's Knees above bum. Fabric should extend from knee to knee, and baby's knees should be higher than their bum.
S: Supported back. Baby's back should be supported in it's natural curve.

See my posts Types of Baby Carriers and When to Use Which Carrier for more information on baby carriers.

I hope this helps,

Katie

Resources and References:

http://jeportemonbebe.com/en/faq-category/positioning-baby-physiology

http://www.babywearingschool.com/drkirkilionis.htm - Info from Ein Baby Will Getragen, by Dr. Kirkilionis

http://www.hipdysplasia.org/Developmental-Dysplasia-Of-The-Hip/Prevention/Baby-Carriers-Seats-and-Other-Equipment/

Babywearing Safely and Securely, by Beate Frome

Has my Carrier Been Outgrown?

You can't necessarily go by what is on the box to tell if your baby carrier has been outgrown. Some manufacturers go by the average height and weight for a child, but most children aren't in the 50th percentile for everything. Some manufacturers stretch the truth about the usability of their carriers. So, I am going to tell you how you will know if your carrier has been outgrown.


Your soft structured carriers and Asian baby carriers have been outgrown if:

• Baby no longer has knee to knee coverage. It's OK to stretch this one, but if you have two inches between baby's knee and the carrier, than it has definitely been outgrown
• The back of the carrier doesn't come up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is important because babies are top heavy. A baby can lean back and fall out of a carrier that doesn't support their upper back.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate. Most SSCs and ABCs are outgrown by height well before weight.

Your frame backpack has been outgrown if:

• The back of the carrier doesn't come up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is important because babies are top heavy. A baby can lean back and fall out of a carrier that doesn't support their upper back.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate.

Your sling has been outgrown if:

• It becomes uncomfortable to wear. Even though the fabric might support a baby to 40lb, doesn't mean your one shoulder can handle the strain.
• The fabric doesn't go from baby's belly button, under bum, up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is the width of the fabric. It should support baby from belly button in front, under and up to baby's arm pits.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate.

Your stretchy wrap has been outgrown if:

• Baby's bottom sags past your belly button when you carry them. Depending how good you are at tightening, this is usually around 15lb. Way before the stated weight limit.
• The fabric doesn't go from baby's belly button, under bum, up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is the width of the fabric. It should support baby from belly button in front, under and up to baby's arm pits.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate.

Your woven wrap has been outgrown if:

• The fabric doesn't go from baby's belly button, under bum, up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is the width of the fabric. It should support baby from belly button in front, under and up to baby's arm pits.
• It becomes uncomfortable to wear. Woven wraps may be strong enough to tow a car, but some weaves and fabrics are not supportive enough for a toddler. You may just need to change the carry you are doing.

It is important to note that here I talk about outgrowing a carrier in size. A carrier that has been worn out is different, and should not be used, even if baby still fits in it.