Product Reviews
Kari-me
 
Number of reviews: 8
Overall score: 
Baby Sling
Available from www.kari-me.com, price £37.50
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Kari-Me Sling - Great for big babies too!
Test length: 4 weeks
Parent Panel review by Heidi
- review date 31 August 2005
Before Euphemia was born, we bought the usual sort of baby carrier good for babies up to six months of age from a popular chain store. By three months old, Euphemia was already too tall for the carrier (the non-adjustable straps pressed on her shoulders). I've always wondered about slings but have never known anyone who has used one so probably wouldn't have risked buying one on my own.
Ease of Use
Testing the Kari-Me Sling was fantastic. It was so much easier to use than I thought it would be. My first impression when I looked at the instruction book (with pictures) of how to put it on was "yikes, I don't know if I can do that", but, the very first time I tried it, it went on perfectly.
Comfort and practicality
Because its a sling, its 100% adjustable to your size and your babies size, this was the very first thing I liked about it. The sling is made from a soft stretchy fabric that is so comfortable to wear. You aren't left feeling restrained. Since I gave birth, my back muscles have been feeling very weak thus, my back gets sore quickly from carrying Euphemia. The Kari-Me Sling was so much easier on my back than the carrier we had previously bought. The fabric that goes over your shoulders can be bunched up or stretched out to distrute the babies weight better.
Because the sling is made from fabric, it is like having another piece of clothing on. So, it might not always be good to use on warmer days. The instruction booklet warns you of this.
Carrying Positions
The only thing I was disapointed in was that I couldn't place Euphemia into the sling myself for the back position. You need the assistance of a second person to secure the sling and the baby in place. All the other positions are easily done on your own. You can carry your baby on your back, face to face, baby facing forward, on your side (baby on your hip), and in front (nursing position). I tried all the positions and all but one of them worked well for us. I was unable to get Euphemia into the nursing position. She both didn't have the patience to be put in that way and her legs were too long to fit inside so they ended up sticking out a bit awkwardly.
The first time I tried the sling, Euphemia was content to ride in the front facing position for 40 minutes. This was unheard of with our previous carrier. The only reason she tired of it after 40 minutes was that she was getting tired and hungry.
Overall Verdict
By the end of our product test, when I would pull out the Kari-Me sling and begin wrapping it around me, Euphemia would smile and kick her legs in anticipation!
I felt really comfortable using the Kari-Me Sling. In a way, it was like being pregnant again without any of the annoying symptoms. It just felt so natural to wear and I felt very bonded with my baby. People thought she looked cute looking out of the front too.
| Best Feature: Fully adjustable to size- yours and the baby's. |
| Worst Feature: Too warm to wear in hot weather. |
| Verdict: I loved it, I think it is better than the carriers sold in the popular baby chain stores. |
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| About the reviewer: | | First time mum of one |
Member reviews
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"Shopping with baby must have"
Hi i have 3 types of baby carrier, i have this one for when i go shopping, its fab, my 10 month old has always bee used to being carried in slings etc (he is confident and very curious) he always goes off at toddler groups etc and very rarely cries or moans he is happy to go to anyone as i believe having him in the sling from small has given him a sense of security (im also a childminder and now ALWAYS use my slings with my minded children if they fit, it helps them settle in quicker and they bond with you and are less distressed when settling in!!). Anyway i use this one when going out for the day to the shops and i use my lovely pram for. . ha ha the shopping! With this type of sling/carrier its comfy multi position usable from birth and the older baby/child can see all going on, its springy when you walk along which they love and i never hear a murmer from him, he doesnt wriggle and i found this to be fab, i use a ring sling when at playgroup as its quick to get on and off when you need to. This one you wrap round over shoulders back again and tie so you can't get it on and off in a hurry but its really great for when you are doing any length of walking and you feel lovely and close to your baby or little one its great for wearing around the home when doing jobs when they are ittle or poorly and its very very supportive to them and also to your back, if ever your back hurts just put it on a little tighter next time..I use my ring sling at home now he is older when i have jobs or when its nearly nap time if he goes to sleep in it i just pop him in his cot.
Member review by lisa - Mother of one year old and teenager
- review date 11 January 2008
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"Excellent"
I find this easy to use on my own, my baby is secure and I don't feel the need to hold her all the time as I did with other slings I used with DD1.
DD2 sleeps well in the Kari me and DH finds it easy to sue to!
The ONLY downside I would say is that it can get very warm especially at this time of year with such changeable weather. We are currently dressing her in layers so she doesn't get too hot if the sun is out.
Member review by madeleine - Mother of 2
- review date 18 May 2007
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"what a waste!!"
I really liked the idea of the kari-me system and shopped around so fortunately didnt have to spend too much ( got mine on ebay). when it arrived my partner and i tried all the suggested 'ties' and sussed them quickly. ok so far... until we introduced the baby!!! did the designers of kari-me forget that babies move and not always in the way that you would like them to!?! my son hated it, he was really restricted, looked uncomfortable and cried constantly. there is no way you could do it on your own and thats what i wanted a carrier i could use alone as i dont drive and rely on buses. it was uncomfortable for me and he felt heavier than ever. even with it tied tightly he still dropped down and i had to keep stopping to re-adjust. i was really disapointed. the only consolation is the fact i didnt pay the rrp. dont bother. (i have put 0 out of 5 for value for money based on the rrp)
Member review by becki
- review date 1 March 2007
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"Best sling...ever!!"
I absolutely LOVE my kari-me! I'm not the only one - Matilda so obviously loves it too. She sleeps for an age whilst in it, with a smile on her face. I have residual SPD after my pregnancy, mainly affecting my back now, and I find this much easier than my ring sling, as the weight is widely distributed.
It was really easy to put on (once I'd read the instructions)!
We receive lots of admiring glances and comments about how comfy she looks in it - oh, and the lilac colour is lovely - matches my crocs!
Member review by carla - Mum to Matilda (6 weeks)
- review date 30 January 2007
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"Offers the most skin-to-skin contact than any other carrier tested"
My first thought when I unravelled the extensive amount of material was “oh my word, where is all of this going to go?” I assumed that it would take forever to knot, wrap and tuck, but I was wrong. There is one basic way of “starting off” any of the chosen holding positions, and then arms/legs are moved accordingly for your final holding pose. The instruction manual offers diagrams, but the pictures are in 2D, offering basic lined diagrams. The front of the model on the picture is similar to the back of the model, so be careful not to get confused. When you get the hang of which leg of baby needs to go where, it is easy to secure baby in.
The handy little drawstring pouch that the carrier arrives in is great, machine washable as well as the carrier itself. Very compact, so can be hidden away in a changing bag or the pocket on the back of a car seat for shopping trips. Baby can be placed in numerous positions, but like the Tikamak, the hammock position is only suitable for the more petite baby. The back carrying position requires assistance to put baby in.
There are no additional extras on this carrier. I do not feel this is a downside as the plus points outweigh it. This product is offered in a range of colours too. Pay attention to the way that it has been packed in its drawstring bag. Yards of fabric might make it tricky to fit back In its bag if not done correctly!
This was the best carrier overall for my comfort and Callum seemed to sit very still and content. The fabric is vast so can be spread out over your shoulders and drape over the top of the arms for maximum support. The style is very unique. I got stopped 7 times in the space of one hour with questions of where to buy one and comments like “I thought you were pregnant, then I saw his head!” The snug fit can cover all of baby if it is a chilly/windy day and on a warmer day, baby’s arms/legs can be exposed. Completely machine washable too.
I think this will withstand machine washing time and again as it is made of jersey (t-shirt) material, so therefore last through more than one baby. Even if this stretches after much use, the basic length of material is still there, so will work like new. I felt very close to my baby, no structures or clips, just “au naturale”
I loved the natural aspect of this carrier. This offers more skin to skin contact than any of the other products in the test. The whole feel of clip and structure-free did it for me. There are no restrictions whatsoever on this carrier as it moulds to any body shape, male or female. I found out that if the starting knot is tight to begin with, the weight of the baby will not slacken the fabric.
Member review by Lianna - mum to two cheeky cherubs
- review date 27 July 2006
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"An absolute must-have!"
This was a godsend! I'd chosen a pouch sling before my baby was born, but it was clear that he hated it from the beginning - he was all squashed up in it. The Kari-Me is so comfortable - the first time I put him in was in the shop at 4 weeks old and he just relaxed and cuddled in to me.
In the early weeks I barely used the buggy/ carrycot as we have stairs in and out of the flat, and it was so much easier just to sling him. He would also love to be carried in the sling indoors and out, and it was the only way he would sleep so that my husband and I could eat dinner together. My son didn't like lying down after a feed (wind and reflux), so I'd pop him in the sling and carry on with my life!
Like the other reviewer, even when he's screaming, if I start putting on the sling, he stops crying and starts smiling and kicking his legs because he knows he's going to get put in the sling and taken out for a walk.
The nursing position never worked for us either, but the huggy position (where the baby faces inward) is very comfortable even now he is older. The outward facing position is a little harder now he's getting bigger (although he loves facing out to the world and kicking his little feet), but the hip carry is very good and still leaves both hands free. I have a bad back and neck, but this sling can spread the weight so well that I don't have a problem with carrying him at all. He isn't old enough for a back carry yet, so I haven't tried that.
Another advantage to mention is that once you've put the sling on you can lift them in and out (and in again) whilst standing up, which isn't possible with some other carriers.
I've had so many people stop me in the street to ask me where I bought mine, I've lost count. Also, people are always commenting on how comfortable it looks for both of us! Several of my friends have tried it on, and gone out to buy one (or two!) of their own. Even my husband loves it - he wasn't impressed that I spent more money on another sling at first, but considering the total number of hours we've used it, I think it's been the best value item on a cost per hour basis!
Member review by Kin Yee - Mother of 7 month old
- review date 18 May 2006
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"Wish I bought this sooner"
I got this sling when my son was 6 months old. Had I known about it before would have loved it when he was tiny I think although can't comment on how easy they are for newborns so this review is based on 6+ months.
It is easy to use once you get the hang of it.
In the forward facing position and cuddle position I could carry my son for well over an hour no problem until he was nearly a year old. He would even sleep in it although I had to be careful not to wake him and he fought this from about 10 months (more due to him than the sling - he likes to sleep by himself) My son is now 18 months old and carrying in the forward positions is hard. His legs dangle and kick me in the shins and he bounces on my bladder (he also looks ridiculously big). So I recently tried to use the back carry position. This was difficult to do as although I can put him in and out no problem on my front trying to instruct someone (i.e my mum) how to do this without being able to see what she was doing was difficult. Therefore when I was carrying him did not feel secure as I hadn't done it myself. Not sure he really enjoyed being carried in this way though as he was low down so just looked at my back. In the picture of this position the girl is older maybe 2 half or three so maybe they can see more then. Certainly beats carrying a child that size anyway.
I have made a ring sling for side carrying is much easier I think. Although Kari-Me is comfortable enough in side use is a bit fiddly and you have to tie a knot. Unless you tie a flat reef knot it can dig into your shoulder.
Still, based on the front and cuddle postions alone this was great for me as we go on a lot of caravan holidays and do lots of walking.
Shop around for a good price. Think I paid just under £30 for mine new on Ebay.
Member review by Clare - Mum to 1 and expecting
- review date 15 May 2006
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