Half Buckle Baby Carrier Buying Guide

Half Buckle Carriers Explained | What Is A Half Buckle Carrier?

Ok. Let's get down to the nitty-gritty.

Halfway between a full buckle carrier and a meh dai carrier, a half buckle carrier offers the ease of a clip buckle at the waist, with the adjustability of long shoulder straps for a truly snug fit, without the reaching for back or side clips. They're good for front, hip and back carrying, and most are suitable from newborn.

They're a wonderful option if you'd like a little more structure for ease of use, but want something mouldable, soft and wrap-like. There are lots of variations between the brands - some have wrap-strap shoulders, some have padded shoulder straps and waist straps.

 

 

What are the Different Types of Half Buckle Carrier?

There are a few variations between the brands - some have wrap-strap shoulder straps, some have padded shoulder straps and waist straps. So let's take a look at the differences between the various brands shall we?

Half Buckle Carriers With Wrap-Strap (Unpadded) Shoulder Straps

 

1. Didymos Didyklick 4U

 

The Didyklick is the semi-structured half buckle carrier from Didymos. It's a half buckle carrier with all the comfort & support of a woven wrap & simplicity and practicality of a buckle carrier, perfect from newborn all the way to toddler too.

For newborns the woven wrap fabric provides a snug cocoon which is easily adjusted to their size and shape.

The best part of a half buckle is how adjustable it is - the waist has a simple, quick buckle fastening. Wide and spreadable, the shoulder straps can be tied in a variety of ways to mould around your shoulders allowing a high degree of adjustability and support for all shapes and sizes.

With the Didyklick you can carry your baby on your front, hip and back right through to toddlerhood and beyond to at least 24 months. Available in lots of designs and colours, all in GOTS certified organic cotton.

 

2. Girasol WrapMysol

 

The WrapMySol Half Buckle fastens with a buckle waist and wide shoulder straps that tie. It’s made from two layers of woven wrap fabric, which nestles like a second skin around your baby, providing optimal support.

The WrapMysol is suitable for your newborn and as they grow and grow; the body of the carrier is easily adjustable - it narrows in the width for younger babies. This is very important to promote a soft, supported position, respectful of a young baby’s physiology. Oh, and it's completely reversible, so it's like having 2 carriers in 1!

 

Half Buckle Carriers With Padded Shoulder Straps

 

1. Girasol Mysol

 

The Mysol is a lightly padded half buckle option. On it's own, it's a meh dai-style carrier (waist straps and shoulder straps, no buckles), but with the addition of the buckle belt, it becomes a half buckle carrier.

The Mysol waist-belt is removable and can be threaded through the upper section of the body, for younger babies, and in the lower for older babies (around 9 months+). Remove the meh dai belt completely and replace it with the buckle belt to create a half buckle carrier.

 

2. Stokke Limas Carrier

 

The Stokke® Limas™ Carrier Plus combines the advantages of a baby wrap with an ergonomic carrier and can be used from one month (4kg / 8.8lb). It's a half buckle carrier made from woven wrap fabrics and provides freedom of movement and safety every step of the way.

Made with soft cotton, it expands as your baby grows to keep them comfy & close. Thanks to the adjustable base and back panel, this half buckle carrier can be expanded to your baby’s size giving them a spread-squat seating position during those early years up until around 4 years (18kg / 39.7lbs).

Front, back and hip carrying options give parents a lot of flexibility. Made of double-layered woven wrap fabrics, the extra-wide, spreadable shoulder straps help to evenly distribute your baby’s weight during carrying. Between these two layers of material is a sewn-in pocket into which shoulder padding can be inserted for extra comfort.

The carrier is really easy to use. Simply buckle the wide waistbelt, then after putting the carrier on, pull the straps tight and tie them in a double knot. Use the wide straps over your baby's bottom for better weight distribution and support.

 

3. LennyLamb LennyHybrid

 

The panel, shoulder straps and waist belt of the LennyHybrid are made from soft cotton and it has a buckle waist.

The width-adjustable panel means that this carrier adjusts to fit your little one's body and as they grow - it's suitable from newborn to toddler (2 years).

The best part is, it's super-adjustable thanks to the shoulder straps. No hard-to-reach buckles. Soft, supportive fabric that crosses on your back. The perfect fit (even for different wearers), it offers a custom fit to every body.

Works for front, back and hip carrying.

This offers a lovely, less structured style; you get all the softness and moldability of a woven wrap, but with a little bit of structure - a main panel with a buckle waist and shoulder straps that tie. The shoulder straps sit on the shoulders and cross on the wearers back, tying either at the front, side or back.

Comes in a toddler / preschool version too which - get this - lasts from 1 - 5 years!

 

4. Storchenwiege Baby Carrier

 

Suitable from newborns to toddlers, the Storchenwiege BabyCarrier allows you to comfortably carry your child from birth (roughly 3.5 kg) to max. 15 kg on your front and on your back.

It's made from 100% cotton using Storchenwiege wrap fabric with a diagonally elastic weave. As there is no padding in the back section, the fabric provides optimum comfort and support for you and baby.

The leg area can be widened so that baby always adopts the anatomically correct splayed "frog" or "M" position which is so important for the development of young hips.

 

What Is The Best Half Buckle Carrier?

Which half buckle is best for you? Which should you choose?

Ultimately, the best one is one that both your little one and you find comfortable. There are a few things to take into account. You can help to narrow your choice down by considering:

- your budget;

- your lifestyle;

- a half buckle that is suitable for the age of your baby; and

- who will be using the carrier.

A really good half buckle will allow you to carry your little one in such a way as to be respectful of their physiology. Their back should be soft, yet supported - not stiff or rigid. Their legs should be supported all the way along the thigh, to the knee pit, with heir bottom lower than their knees - traditionally, this is called the ‘spread squat position’ or ‘M’ position, but is often defined now as the ‘hip healthy position’.

Baby's head should be free, clear and unobstructed. Half Buckles are versatile and relatively easy to learn. The basic design is a main panel with two pairs of straps. One pair ties buckles around the waist and the other pair, sits on the shoulders and crosses on the wearers back then around baby, distributing the weight evenly across the shoulders, back and hips.

Baby can be carried on your front or back, and sometimes on the hip too. All can be used from newborn. Many models can be used right up to toddler-hood and beyond.

 

Shop Half Buckle Carriers

 

I hope you found this article helpful. Please get in touch or email me - beth@lovetobenatural.co.uk - if you'd like any further info on half buckle carriers or babywearing in general.