Many experienced parents love babywearing. It provides the close contact that your baby needs to stay calm and secure while freeing up your hands so you can get things done.
One of the latest models available is the ErgoBaby Embrace. Even though the Embrace has a higher price point than the average soft-structured baby carrier, it has an ergonomic, supportive, and cozy design that you and your baby will both love and just might be worth the added cost.
We’ll take a closer look in this ErgoBaby Embrace Baby Carrier review.
Designed to Grow with Your Baby
Designed for babies 7-25 pounds, it’s perfect for use with newborns. It can also be used in baby-in or baby-out mode as your child grows, usually, until they are around 12-18 months.
This doesn’t last as long as some other carriers (up to 35 pounds), but carriers for older toddlers do not always provide enough support. (For parents looking for a carrier better for larger babies, check out our reviews on toddler carriers for children 20 pounds and up!)
An adjustable strap buckles around your little one to keep them secure. This attaches to a thick, padded waistbelt that provides support to your lower back. The adjustable strap lets this carrier grow with your baby so it always provides the right amount of support.
Mothers who are breastfeeding will also appreciate the wide design of the carrier. This makes it easy to discreetly feed your little one.
Hip Healthy
One of the biggest factors parents should consider when buying a baby carrier is the support it will offer their little one. In addition to cushioned neck support that is critical for providing support in infant mode, the ErgoBaby Embrace baby carrier provides hip support.
The M-position for baby carriers is important for allowing your little one’s legs and hips develop naturally. This is really important if you love babywearing as much as I do because your baby will be in this position a lot. The Embrace has certification from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute naming it a “hip-healthy” choice.
Easy to Use
As your little one grows, you’ll start folding down the back of the carrier when they can support their head and neck.
The ErgoBaby company has provided several tutorial videos on their website for the Embrace. We recommend watching them make it easier to use the carrier the first few times. The videos are incredibly easy to understand and you’ll be able to take your baby in and out of the carrier in less than a minute with practice.
Ergonomic, Comfortable Design
One of the biggest complaints of parents who choose baby wraps over baby carriers is that the carriers make their shoulders sore or don’t provide enough back support.
The Embrace is designed with shoulder straps that are over 3 wide. The criss-cross design distributes your little one’s weight evenly whether they are infant mode or forward-facing.
Even the design of the soft knit fabric is designed for your little one. It provides much-needed neck support in the newborn phase and holds its shape in the washing machine.
The fabric is made of Oeko-Tex Standard 100% certified fabrics using a blend of 79% polyester, 17% rayon, and 4% spandex. This fabric is stretchier and more lightweight compared to some other Ergobaby baby carriers, including the 360, Adapt, and Omni 360.
This is also available in several colors for boys or girls. These include Oxford blue, heather grey, pure black, and burgundy.
Durability
When you are paying more for something, you expect it to have the quality to last.
The ErgoBaby Embrace baby carrier has fabrics that hold up well through normal wear and tear. It is machine washable, so taking care of the baby carrier is easy. The buckles are made from durable hard plastic.
The durable parts mean that this will last until your little one outgrows it. It can even be used for your next child or passed on to someone else.
The Embrace also comes with the ErgoPromise Lifetime Guarantee that guarantees replacement or refund if there are any manufacturer defects or problems.
Why You Should Wear Your Baby
The bond that a mother shares with her baby after carrying him or her in utero is a special one. Outside of the womb, that bond continues to grow when you keep your little one close.
Babywearing involves using a sling, wrap, or structured baby carrier to cradle your baby to your body and give you freedom with your hands. You’ll easily be able to make bottles, pack diaper bags, make phone calls, and get the other things you need to do done.
Benefits of Babywearing
Aside from finally having your hands free, babywearing has several other benefits, including:
- Close contact with baby boosts breast milk production
- Reduced risk of flat-head syndrome and SIDS
- Good for neural development because your baby is constantly being stimulated
- Encourages bonding between baby and anyone who wears him/her
- Easier to discreetly breastfeed in public
- Better gastrointestinal and respiratory health
- Improved balance because baby is used to being upright instead of laying down
- Baby is in the action, making it easier for him or her to learn
Will Babywearing Spoil My Baby?
Have you ever heard that picking your baby up too much will “spoil” them? Even though many once believed this to be true, the research shows that there is no reason not to keep your little one close.
The world is a bigger, brighter place than the cozy time your baby spent in the womb. Keeping them close helps them explore the world in a way that they feel safe.
Babywearing is no different than responding to your child’s cues when they are crying or cuddling them to sleep. There is nothing wrong with it if it fits into your parenting style.
Guidelines for Choosing a Baby Carrier
It can be easy to get overwhelmed when shopping for a baby carrier that is in your price range without sacrificing quality.
Some of the cheaper models can only be used for older children because they do not provide the neck support that an infant needs, while others might hurt the parent’s shoulders or back.
To narrow things down, we’ve chosen four qualities that you should always look for in a baby carrier; ergonomics, functionality, ease of use, and comfort.
Ergonomics
The ergonomic design is most important for your little one, as an ergonomically designed baby carrier always puts their health as the first priority. When he or she is sitting in the carrier, you want them high enough on your chest that you can watch and be sure their airways are open. They also should sit upright with their chin off their chest.
Leg position is also important for healthy development of the legs and hips. Your little one’s legs should be spread out as if they are doing a wide squat. The knees should be sitting above their bottom, and it should make an M’ shape.
Finally, be sure the fabric is supportive and will hold its shape in the wash. Otherwise, the carrier won’t provide the same amount of support throughout its useful life and you’ll find your back and shoulders pained as your little one gets older.
Functionality
The versatility of a carrier determines how much use you’ll get from it. The most common carrying positions are inward-facing front carry, outward-facing front carry, hip carry, and back carry. Inward facing front carry is essential for keeping your newborn safe and supported, while options like hip carry and back carry are better once your little one reaches the toddler stage.
Ease of Use
Having a carrier that is difficult to use makes carrying your baby a hassle instead of a help. Generally, expect that you’re going to be busy after your little one arrives. You want something that is easy to put on and take off.
Additionally, choosing a carrier that is easy to clean can help. Many are machine washable. Others have fabrics that can easily be wiped clean.
Comfort
If you don’t choose a comfortable carrier, you won’t want to use it (and neither will your baby). The purpose of a baby carrier is to provide parents and babies with the support they need.
While the design of a carrier may not mean much when your baby is ten pounds, the support becomes more important as they get older. Having wider, padded straps provide the most support. Ideally, choose something that will be comfortable for your shoulders and your lower back.
Something else to consider in terms of comfort is how comfortable the seat is for your baby. The breathability of the fabric is important, as is the softness of the fabric against your little one’s skin.
A Quick Look at the ErgoBaby Company
For almost twenty years, ErgoBaby carriers have been the ultimate hands-free accessory.
When designer Karin Frost was living in Maui, the carrier options available disappointed her. She wanted to create something new. Most carriers increased bonding between mother and child by maintaining body contact, but they didn’t evenly distribute weight. This increased strain on mothers’ muscles, shoulders, and hips.
Frost’s Ergo Baby carriers allowed parents to hold their children until they were toddlers, and the ergonomic design reduced pressure off of mothers’ joints. Since the carrier strapped to the mother’s body, it allowed them to keep their hands free for other activities. They could hold different items or cradle their child without maintaining their weight.
The ErgoBaby became a hit among new moms. Karin Frost’s invention is so popular because they are made with a strong, breathable material to keep mom and baby from sweating or overheating. Today, there are over thirty designs, including a Swaddler model for newborns.
Final Take
The ErgoBaby Embrace baby carrier is highly functional, easy to use, and supportive, which is everything you want in a baby carrier. Even with a higher price, the Embrace is durable and will outlive its useful life. By adding comfort for babies and parents, it could easily become your favorite accessory in your baby’s first year of life.
