Disclosure: I was provided the LILLEbaby COMPLETE Airflow baby carrier in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed are my own. This post does contain some affiliate links.
Like most first time parents, we were overwhelmed by all the baby products and options when I was first pregnant in 2009. We took some advice. We made some decisions based on it and some based on our own. We learned a lot.
Learning to Baby Wear
One thing that, while I tried, I just never could wrap my head around – baby wearing. (Pun intended.) It’s not that I didn’t want to. It was back to the overwhelming number of options and prices. Where to begin? Did we really need it? And, honestly, with just one baby who was generally happy 90% of the time and did fuss to be held, I didn’t feel I had a need. I’m also sure that it didn’t help the carrier we did buy, while functional, wasn’t all that comfortable. Neither my son or I ever really liked it so I ended up selling it at a consignment sale in practically new condition soon thereafter.
Last year while pregnant with my daughter, I was determined to find a way to baby wear and to do so comfortably. I tried 3 different carriers – 1 purchased and 2 borrowed. One of the borrowed options (a wrap style) worked well when she was smaller, but I now used on a limited basis as it will strain my back and shoulders when I use it for extended periods. It’s mainly my “go to” when we are somewhere seated and need a way to hold her since she can’t exactly sit in her own seat yet.
Even with so many strike outs, I was still determined there had to be a way to baby wear that was comfortable for both of us. I remembered seeing Krystyn of Really, Are You Serious? wearing her littlest one frequently during Type A Conference last fall. I reached out to her for more information on the brand carrier she was using – LÍLLÉbaby.
LÍLLÉbaby kindly let me select which carrier I wanted to try. I decided on the COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier. The entire COMPLETE line offers the same basic features, but what sold me on the Airflow style was the 3D Mesh fabric. I thought this would work better for us in the upcoming hot, humid summer weather.
Initial Thoughts
Straight out of the box, this is a beautiful carrier both in color (I chose Charcoal & Berry) and construction. It can be used in 6 different positions – 4 on the front of the parent, 1 on the hip and 1 on the back – from birth. No extra components necessary.
I will say, I am a much more visual person. I did read the instructions, but found for switching the seat width it was easier to understand by watching this video by LÍLLÉbaby. Afterwards I shook my head at how easy it was! I’ve switched the seat multiple times as we’ve changed from outward to inward facing.
I have used this carrier a lot since receiving it less than 3 weeks ago. I’ve worn Miss E in the house, at an outdoor festival, on a ‘hike’ through trails in a local park (while napping – something she hasn’t done in a carrier in months), at the pool while we watched her brother’s swim lessons, “meeting” Zack Galifianakis, and even in the car dealership while we waited on service to be completed. Fair to say, this is our favorite carrier so far. With it’s multiple wearing positions and adjustment straps, I’ve gotten a perfect fit every time and she is loving looking outward when she is awake.
The mesh fabric does seem to be cooler for her and I also like the pocket on the carrier. It has 2 sections – the open top where you can stash the hood (or in the photo below, I stuck her hat) and a zippered section accessed from the side. The latter portion is larger and good for carrying anything from your keys & wallet to an extra diaper or pacifier.
See The Complete Airflow Carrier in Action
Hear more of my thoughts and get a better look at the COMPLETE Airflow Baby Carrier in my video review:
You can view the entire line of carriers including the LÍLLÉbaby Carry On which is designed for toddlers (ages 12m+) on their website.
Do you (or did you) baby wear?
Linking up with Mommy & Me Monday at Really, Are You Serious?
Updated September 2015: when we started using our Complete carrier, I mostly carried E facing out. She seemed happiest, however, I soon started trying carrying her facing in more often and that is now our favorite carry. We also regularly use the back carry – perfect for those times she wants to be held or I need to carry something up or down the stairs as I can hold her and still have my hands free.
I also now own the Original style of the Complete carrier which has a canvas fabric versus the mesh. It’s also a great comfortable carrier – just stiffer fabric. I prefer the easier shaping of the mesh fabric on our Airflow, but love the Seahorse pattern on our Original. I use both almost equally although given it’s still so warm out, the Airflow is my first pick anytime we will be outdoors.
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