Boba organic soft structured carrier

There are many benefits to carrying your baby in a carrier. Studies indicate that babies who are carried in a carrier CRY LESS compared to those that aren't. In our modern society of expensive and trendy strollers and other "containers", it is a pity that many parents are unaware of the concept of carrying your baby in a carrier, which costs a fraction of the cost of most strollers and offers many more benefits. Lets examine some of the sensory and motor experiences of babywearing and contrast them with the same baby in a stroller. A baby in a stroller is physically away from mom/dad's body, and usually can't see his parents or smell them or even hear their voices. He lies passively on his back in his stroller, and may be confused and even disoriented, with no human touch to soothe or reassure him. A baby positioned correctly in a carrier is worn close to mom/dad's body. He can feel their heartbeat, see their faces, hear them talk, smell them and is reassured by their touch. Bonding occurs without any hassles and successful breastfeeding is more likely with baby being carried against mom's body. The baby in the carrier is not lying flat on his back, but rather in a range of positions which will place less pressure on his skull, reducing his risk of developing plagiocephaly. He moves with mom/dad and in turn receives vestibular stimulation. He is actively engaging his muscles as he shifts to maintain his balance as mom/dad move. He is working on developing his head control and strengthening his muscles, unlike the baby in the stroller, who remains passively on his back. The baby in the carrier is receiving what is essentially a swaddling like effect in the carrier which calms him via proprioceptive input to his joints. Mom/dad are more in tune with his needs, as they are very close to him. He can look up and see their faces.

For the newborn phase, we recommend a sling or a wrap, where baby can be positioned in the horizontal newborn cradle hold and gradually move to a more upright position as baby attains good head control and sitting balance. According to some physical therapists, it is developmentally advantageous to keep your infant in a horizontal position as much as possible during the first few months of his life.

By the time a baby reaches approximately 5-6 months (around 15lbs) he can sit upright independently and is now ready for a soft structured carrier. Enter the Boba Organic Soft Structured Carrier, from NAP Inc, a true Green Company .

The Boba organic soft structured carrier will support both baby and mom/dad in an ergonomic position. It is lightweight and was designed with safety in mind. Correctly worn, the Boba will support baby in an ergonomic position by placing baby in a seated position with abduction of the hips (knees apart) with the weight off the spine with hip flexion greater than 90 degrees (baby's bottom is lower than knees). This position looks similar to a "squatting position" which toddlers assume throughout the day. For the adult, the well padded wide shoulder straps and the supportive waist band (to be worn on the hip for shorter people) help to distribute baby's weight evenly, thus minimizing shoulder and back pain. Even the most well designed and constructed carrier must be worn correctly to reap the benefits. Our veteran engineer commented that the Boba Carrier is well designed and constructed, is streamlined in design and offers quality finishes and components. The back position requires some practice to hoist baby onto your back, but can be easily mastered by having someone spot you, with the bed and mirror close by for the initial few times.

Boba is a Soft Structured baby carrier (SSC) that is intended for children between 15 to 45 lbs. Two wearing positions are available: front carry and back carry (with child facing in towards the wearer for both positions).

UNIQUE FEATURES


Left: Boba is designed with a few extra inches of height to keep your center of gravity closer to your body and support your little one's back.
This in turn reduces shoulder strap pressure and helps you maintain a good posture
In addition, your child has the option to put their arms in or out of the carrier.

Above Right: The innovative sleeping hood supports baby's neck in a neutral position during nap times and shields him from the elements. It removes easily for versatility.




What makes the Boba very unique is that it features foot straps (attached to the waist belt) for the child’s feet to be placed in, thereby enabling a healthy sitting position for the child. Obtaining the 90-90 posture (approximate joint angles at hip and knee) is favored by many pediatric experts when referencing ergonomic seating positions. The footstraps not only give little tired legs a rest, but support the legs in a flexed abducted (froglike) position. In addition, the foot straps may have a calming effect on fussy babies due to the proprioceptive input to the feet.





Boba is made with GOTS and OE100 certified organic cotton lined with 100% organic Texas cotton manufactured by mountaineering professionals in Boulder, CO. It is made proudly in the USA and we commend NAP Inc. for supporting local workers and not outsourcing. The fabric is lightweight yet strong and super soft against both the baby and the wearers skin. It is important to select products with organic fabrics whenever possible, as the skin is our largest organ and it readily absorbs chemicals. Conventional cotton is grown with many pesticides and herbicides which can be directly absorbed into the skin when wearing clothing. Organic cotton on the other hand is produced with no chemicals and is a healthier alternative, particularly for baby's sensitive skin. From an environmental point of view, we only have one earth and we need to do everything that we can to protect it for future generations. Pesticides and chemicals reak havoc with the earth's fragile ecosystem and the toxic chemicals end up in our water supply and food chain, which can have disastrous consequences.


Our test panel reported that the carrier felt extremely comfortable to wear throughout their day and made grocery shopping a breeze. One parent reported that when wearing baby in the back position, they noticed an improvement in their own posture! In addition, baby fell asleep immediately and when it was time to set her down, they were able to transition her from carrier to crib without her waking. Careful thought, skill and planning has gone into creating this very unique design.

We have reviewed many, many carriers over the years, but this one is very special. Most structured carriers are very heavy and hard to wear in the summer months, but the Boba is well designed for year round use. Its' many additional unique features and organic cotton fabric are wonderful bonuses.



PURCHASING

Buy directly from the online boutique local and international shipping available or find a store in your area.

For additional information, please visit the Boba Carrier Website.


All pictures copyright NAP Inc.

Disclaimer: We did not receive any financial compensation for this review. NAP Inc provided us with a sample for the purpose of this review.