Boba Baby Carrier {Review & Giveaway}

We're going to do this review in a he said, she said fashion.  I (Amy) will give the She said version, and Nick will (obviously) be the He said.  As in any good relationship.  Ladies first ;)

She Said:

Can I just tell you how excited I was to get a Boba baby carrier for review?  I love wearing Aidan.  That sounds funny doesn't it?  I digress.  I love having Aidan close to me.  I can't get enough of this kid.  I also like having my hands and arms free while shopping or walking or eating.  I would love to tell you that wearing him discourages people from wanting to touch him all the time, but I would be lying.  However, wearing him makes it harder got them to touch his face.  I still don't really like it, but at least they can really only get to his legs.  

Ok, so on to the review.  When we found out that we had been approved for the carrier review and giveaway, I let Nick pick out which one he wanted.  The last carrier we had was purple and flowered.  (Yes, I know, I have a boy, but it was a $180 dollar carrier I got at a consignment sale for $80, I overlooked the fashion of it, lol)  He of course, chose the Camo one:

 Photo taken from Boba

We got the Boba just before leaving on our first of 2 family trips.  We were heading to NY to visit family. I honestly about jumped up and down when it got delivered.  We packed it in the car and headed for NY.  A couple days into out visit, we went to do some sight seeing, so I whipped out the Boba, and put Aidan in it for the first time.  He's used to being in a carrier, but I wasn't sure how he would react to the new one.  No worries!  He looked around, could see all around him, and could have his hands in or out, depending on what he wanted to do.  I had my teething bling on, so he was pretty intent on that at the time (He popped 3 teeth that trip).  

Aidan's first time in the Boba...and yes, I'm a dork.

Since that first time, I have worn Aidan in the Boba every single chance I get.  Sometimes, I have have to let daddy wear him, too.  One of my favorite baby wearing experiences with the Boba was when my mom, Aidan and I were at Wal-Mart, getting last minute things before Nick, Aidan and I headed to New Hampshire for a few days.  We had been in Wal-Mart for at least an hour, people were oooin and aahhhing over him, as always.  It was creeping closer and closer to nap time, and Aidan started giving me his signals.  Rubbing his eyes and pulling his hair.  So I put the hood up over him, figuring that he would probably fight it, but to my surprise, within about 5 minutes he was out like a light...arms folded on my chest, head down, out.  It has happened a few time since then, but, I just thought that was the cutest thing ever!  

Overall, I absolutely love our carrier.  I will not use another one.  We haven't tried a back carry, since he just this week hit 20 pounds.  We also have not tried the foot straps as he's still too young, but once he hits the age for them I'm sure they will be a plus.  I also love the fact that we can wear him until he's 45 pounds!  Yay for saving mommy (and daddy's) back!  But I love the fact that when we have another baby, we don't have to worry about an insert, or anything like that, just snap a few snaps and we're good to go.  It's super easy to get on and off for me.  I don't need help getting a million clips together, there's not 3lock clips, it's just simple.  And comfortable.  And, yes, I'm going there, I can use the restroom while wearing him.  There, I said it.  But all you mama's you there know that sometimes, you just don't have another choice!

I give this carrier my mama seal of approval.  Now I'll hand the blog over to Nick for his He said.


He Said:

Overall I was impressed with the Boba, but I did have a few minor issues with it.  I am a fan of how Aidan sits in it - it seems that it is more comfortable for him (not that other ones were uncomfortable).  It feels like it wraps him up better, supporting him more without having his little legs at weird angles.  It may have been the placement of how I had the straps, but it seemed like he fit to me better and more comfortable than other carriers.  This is especially important right now because I have been have back issues from an accident I was in.  There is no strain or discomfort on my back - it almost acts like a back brace.   Aidan seemed to really be able to snuggle up to me better and more frequently instead of leaning his head back, twisting around, or trying to kick and grab everything in sight.  Don't get me wrong, he still has the ability to reach out with his little paws and move his legs around, but it seems like he prefers to keep everything inside the car until the ride comes to a complete stop.  I've noticed him to be more calm - never protesting to be placed in it with Daddy or Mommy.  He likes the hood when it is too sunny out, also.

We got the chance to give a real great test a few weeks ago while we were on vacation in New Hampshire.  DADDIES LISTEN UP!!!!  I love mountain climbing and hiking and have been doing so for roughly twenty years now.  I have been looking so forward to being able to go hiking/mountain climbing with my son for the first time.  Amy and I were anxious to see how it would hold up in the Great Outdoors.  We ended up hiking a little over two miles round trip (I know - a very short test by hikers' standards) up and down Eagle Mountain in Jackson.  The terrain was a little rough in some spots and a bit steep, but I had no trouble taking Aidan up in the Boba.  It fit just fine and, once again, seemed to give my back support while remaining comfortable to him.  So comfortable, in fact, that on the way back down the mountain, my little outdoors-man fell asleep like he was being rocked in a cradle!  That says a lot considering the circumstances!  DISCLAIMER:  Don't get me wrong, I'm not encouraging anyone to go out and buy any carrier and test them out by hiking up a mountain with an infant or toddler.  I have years of experience and would never put my son at risk of danger.  Don't try that unless you have experience and know what you are doing!  

 Taken by Mommy at the top of Eagle Mountain, Jackson, NH

So here are the few issues I have, and it could just be operator error.  I find it difficult to reach the top strap in the back at my shoulders.  I can't quite bend my arms that easily and I am pretty flexible.  It seems Amy can reach that strap much easier on herself than I can.  She has to help me get that when I put it on.  This can be a big problem if I am all alone with Aidan and wish to use it.  I feel that people with a broader chest or shoulders than me may have a more difficulty with it.  Maybe that can be solved by adjusting  a strap somewhere, I just haven't tried that yet.  I'm hesitant to adjust any straps because once its on, it just seems to fit perfectly.  To go along with that issue, when I initially put it on, it is very awkward and uncomfortable on my shoulders (I know I just said it fits perfectly).  It's not until Amy buckles that top back shoulder strap that everything comes in and it fits well.  That's especially tough if I am by myself.  That could be more difficult for a person with broader shoulders.  Again, that could be easily fixed by adjusting a strap here or there.

All in all, I am very pleased and would recommend this product for parents.  Once Aidan is all strapped in properly, it fits very comfortably for the both of us.  I feel so much closer to him and he seems much calmer - almost happier in the Boba as opposed to other carriers.  It supports both you and your child well and balances the child's weight perfectly, while being fairly easy to operate.  At least go to a store that sells them or ask someone you know who has one and try it out - you should be pleased!    

 We Say:

We've discovered that, while Nick might have a harder time getting things clipped, I have no trouble.  This is the first carrier we have used that hasn't felt way too long on me.  I'm sure in time, Nick will be able to get it clasped on his own.  In fact, I know he has done it on at least one occasion ;)  Other carriers seemed to throw us off balance and change our centers of gravity.  Especially if Aidan is particularly squirmy that day.  The Boba doesn't.  We can have Aidan in there on his squirmiest day, and no matter how much he turns and turns and tries to stare at the ceiling, or whatever, we never feel pulled by him or the carrier.  It almost becomes a part of you.  Aidan has never once cried, or protested at all while we put him into his Boba carrier.  In fact, we both seem to recall a time or two that he cried when we took him out of it!  We still have the freedom to tickle him, give him kisses, or raspberries!  It's like having an extra set of arms.  The Boba is one set or arms, lovingly cradling and keeping our son safe, while our arms are free to do what we need to, never needing to worry about Aidan's safety in the carrier. 

Now for the fun stuff.  We're giving away 1 {one} Boba Carrier to a lucky reader!  Complete the entries on the Rafflecopter below and it could be you!!

This contest is open internationally.


*We were sent a free product from Boba Family in exchange for our honest review.  All opinions are 100 percent ours, and we was not financially compensated. *

*Thank you to all of Blog friends for helping us spread the word about this amazing giveaway!*

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