Kate here…  My first two kids wanted nothing to do with any kind of carrier or baby wearing. If I tried putting them in a carrier, they would scream bloody murder until I took them back out. We didn’t do baby wearing. Then I had Brody. He arrived almost four weeks early and was so snuggly, wanting to be held all the time. And then infant reflux set in and he wanted to be held even more, especially to stay upright after each feeding. The wrap and sling became my two best friends, and I became a baby wearer.

Now Jack is here and I am once again dealing with reflux and a snuggler. Attempts at the sling have been unsuccessful so far, but he’s a big fan of the wrap. When I was given the opportunity to try out another carrier, the Belle baby carrier, on a light family hike, I jumped at the chance to try another option. Sometimes you just don’t want to wrangle six feet of fabric! And we didn’t have a carrier Dad could (or, rather, would) use. The first thing I noticed when the Belle baby carrier arrived is that it felt substantial without being stiff and heavy or bulky. I chose the Classic Hoot, a blue print with brown and white owls. So cute! But the fabric, cotton canvas and microsuede, is sturdy, which I want in something I’m going to support my newborn in. And it is washable as well, which is a huge bonus in any baby gear!

The Belle couldn’t be easier to put on and get baby in, even with a floppy little newborn like mine. Just fasten the waist belt (a simple ring closure) position baby, throws the straps over your shoulders and buckle. It only takes one person to get it on securely, easy as pie.  I love that  there’s nothing between me and baby, so he was able to snuggle up to me and not the interior of a baby carrier. The removable head support kept him securely in place without being confining. I didn’t feel as though I had to keep a hand on him to keep him from flopping. He was asleep within seconds. And he stayed that way hiking to the hike, through the actual hike and the hike back to the car. And I was comfortable that whole time, too. Well, the carrier and baby were comfortable. I was wiped out! I see the Belle getting a LOT of use as Jack grows!

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disclosure: I was sent a free carrier to facilitiate my review. No monetary compensation was made. Thoughts and opinions are mine and honest.