Okay, as long as I’m talking about baby carriers, I’ll share my thoughts on a few others this week as well. Of all the different carriers I’ve tried, so far my all time favorite is my Kozy Carrier. It’s a mei tai, or Asian baby carrier – essentially a rectangle of fabric with straps coming out of the four corners. The Kozy comes a wide range of fabrics, from pretty to funky and even camo for dad. The straps have just the right amount of padding at the shoulders – enough to be comfy, but not so much that they are bulky. The canvas is sturdy and holds up well, but isn’t stiff or rough. For a little extra money you can get one with a pocket to carry stuff in, or get extra long straps if you’re really tall.
The Kozy has a slight learning curve to it, as you have to figure out how to tie the straps for different positions, but it’s not hard to do. It is primarily used as a front/back carrier, but it can be worn on your hip as well. Newborns ride with their legs folded up inside the carrier, while bigger kids ride with their legs out. The top of the carrier is curved up a bit to make a headrest for sleeping children or young babies without much head control, but it can be folded down for better visibility for the child as well. The length of the body of the carrier can be shortened for small babies by folding it as well. This really is a carrier that will go the long haul, from newborn to toddlerhood and beyond. I have even carried a tired 3 year old on my back for an hour or so during a long day of shopping.
For me, the best thing about the Kozy is the back carry. It has really been a life saver for me! I feel like I have more freedom of movement of both of my arms this way, so it’s easier for me to go about my housework or chasing the bigger kids at the park. It’s the only carrier I really feel comfortable cooking with a child in, as they can’t reach out and touch things that could hurt them. And I can wear it for hours and hours comfortably; a day at the zoo with a toddler on my back is no problem. I haven’t even used a stroller at all with my last two children since I got my Kozy.
The Kozy is not the cheapest carrier around, but it is definitely worth the price. I highly recommend it for anyone, but especially for those who are active outdoors or busy with other small children.