Your Mama Likes Wearing Baby in a Backpack

I have to be honest:  I’m not really into the whole babywearing thing.

I mean, I bought (or received) all manners of slings and wraps before Peaches actually arrived.  I had the highest of hopes and truest of intentions.  What no one ever told me though, is that some babies don’t like to be worn.

• Parked full

Now, don’t get me wrong:  Peaches likes to hang out at eye level if she’s up and smiling and wants to hang out.  But she does not like to be held closely, especially facing inward, when she’s not in the best of moods. She – much like her father – is not a snuggler.  So the whole “babies are calmer when they’re worn” and “babies like to be held close to mama” benefits of babywearing?  Totally lost on this child.  If she’s not having it, she lets us know and demands to be put down and left alone to wriggle around by herself.

Rails & Ties movies

Enter the Kokopax backpack carrier.  The kind folks at Kokopax sent me this carrier to try out for babywearing week here at Your Mama – and they picked the right girl to try it.

Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery movies

See, I understand the benefits of carrying my baby rather than using a stroller.  A mission through Target (that inevitably ends up being at least a full hour)?  Helping Adam set up his art show?  Walking through a crowded farmer’s market?  All places where baby-wearing (and hands-free function for me) makes sense.   But damn people.  I live in Florida, and it’s at least 94 sweaty, humid degrees outside already – and it’s not getting any cooler.  All this to say that wearing a baby is HOT.  I can’t imagine it’s any more comfortable for baby.

The Kokopax carrier is a backpack with a metal frame – much like any serious outdoor backpack you might find if you live anywhere near wilderness, where people can actually hike (I do not. I live in west Florida.  We have beaches, not forests.  I still found this backpack useful).  The frame supports the carrier as you load baby in and out and provides a lower back support while you’re wearing it.   All of this results in minimal body contact between us – which of course defeats the entire point of babywearing for many, but for me means comfort on humid afternoons.

The metal frame has a hinged arm that swings in and out and actually stands freely on the ground so you can pop baby in; pick it up and put it on like any other backpack, then fold that arm in while you’re wearing it.  Because the frame stands on its own, I’ve used the carrier as a seat for mah little lady while her dad and I had lunch after strolling around the farmer’s market.

There are even two little loops on the inside corners where I was able to attach toys for her to keep content while we enjoyed another beer – score for both of us. Kokopax makes an adorable little monkey called Koko that attaches to the ring that I just might have to buy, too. In fact, the monkey comes with a soft little cloth that covers the front lip of the carrier – right where Piper likes to drool and gnaw.  A perfect companion to the carrier, I’d say.

The Kokopax is also one of the cuter carriers on the market – I spent an entire afternoon debating the different fabrics and finally let Adam tell me which ones he would actually be seen wearing.  Yes, folks, this is a gender-neutral backpack carrier and he was as excited as I to carry little Miss around – a first in the attempts at babywearing around here.

Piper really likes the backpack.  She likes to play with (read: pull, entangle, yank on) my hair and smiles adorably at the passers-by who all comment on how cute she is the carrier is.  People are always asking about the Kokopax, and I am happy to share.

The backpack did get a little heavy the first time I used it for any serious walking – but I’ve been getting more and more used to it over time.  It’s also a bit awkward to put on with the baby in it – pulling it up from ground-level while trying not to dump baby out takes some practice, and is much easier when you’ve got help from a friend.

The only thing I don’t like about the Kokopax is that it’s big.  It takes up quite a bit of room because of the metal frame and it doesn’t fold down or fit easily into a closet.  I haven’t quite figured out how or where to store it.  Also, the price tag on this carrier is pretty steep, IMO ($179.99) but it should last you a couple years (range is 6 months – 2 years or 35lbs) – and if you’re planning to do any hiking with a toddler, I can’t imagine a better backpack.

How about a video?

Discount Alert

Kokopax is offering Your Mama readers a 10% discount at Kokopax.com

The Return film – just enter the code ymr2009 upon checkout.  (You don’t have to buy the carrier – they also have really cute bags and sun hats for baby.)

About the author:  One day, Andi hopes to teach the men in her life that they, too, can pick things up and put them away after they’ve used them. Read more from this author.