An affordable carrier-that's worth it!

When I was pregnant and looking into which carrier to purchase, everything I read said purchase the baby bjorn. When I was filling out my registry I even went so far as trying it on and walking around the store w/a doll in it! I wanted to see what all the hype was. The price is what kept me from buying it-$80.00 is a lot for a carrier!

When I saw this Snugli Comfort Vent Soft Carrier, I thought, no way, for this price is has to be uncomfortable for me or baby or something. I figured for the price, ($19.95), it couldn't hurt to try. I am so happy that I did!!

First of all, use of this carrier is as follows:

For use by FULL TERM infants 7-26 lbs (3.2-11.8 kg)
Child must face toward you until he/she can hold head upright*
For walking or standing only*

The carrier has 6 buckles (which seems like a lot but it's really not)

2 shoulder strap buckles
2 head support buckles
2 side entry buckles

Directions for "baby facing in"
Put carrier on
Buckle shoulder strap and adjust til snug
Sit down
place unbuckled carrier in your lap and place baby facing you on carrier
buckle side entry buckles
While supporting baby buckle head support buckles

Now, this seems like a lot. And yes at first I was like NO WAY. There are way too many straps and buckles. But, I sat down and me and the baby put it on and off a few times and from there it was a snap (literally!)

To remove the baby from the carrier you simply sit down again and follow the same directions for putting him or her in but in reverse!

Washing instructions say hand or machine wash, gentle cycle
To me the material almost has a waterproof feel and I wipe mine down w/a damp cloth. The front of the carrier is like a padded canvas and the remainder (including straps) is like winter coat material. I don't know how else to explain! The material listing says: 55% polyurethane foam
27% polyethylene foam
11% polyethylene board
7% nonwoven
(like that helps!)

The carrier is blue on blue. Dark blue back, lighter blue front. The color is good for mom or dad. My husband doesn't mind wearing it at all.

The shoulder pads are nicely padded so you can wear this for an extended period w/o being uncomfortable. For this carrier to be snug on me, there is about 12" additional strap. I am about 135lbs. My husband also wears it and there is about 8" left on him -he's about 190lbs. I am trying to give you an idea of how much room there is in the carrier for mom and dad!

Now for baby's comfort: The leg openings are padded-I have a son and he rides in it and hasn't once seemed uncomfortable.

As the name tells you there is a "vent" on the front of this carrier so that baby stays cool. It's just a mesh patch on the front.

There is also a little pocket in the front. I think it's completely useless. I haven't found anything (short of a dollar) that fits in that pocket. But, it's still there.

The only thing I can say that I don't like is the "side entry buckle". It always takes me at least one try to get it off. You have to twist the buckle out and then lift up before removing. The box says you can remove a "sleeping baby" from this carrier, but I have yet to do it. I realize that the reason the buckles are as difficult as they are is for safety, so they won't effect my feelings for this carrier, but it is a little unnerving trying to remove a sleeping baby w/those buckles.

I am very happy w/this carrier and we have used it many times-sometimes for more than a few hours of walking (2-3) and the baby has slept the entire time!

I purchased my carrier at Wal-mart. That was the only place that I happened upon it and that's wear I bought it-I'm so happy I did!

* from instruction manual included w/carrier