Evenflo Seated Snugli vs. Beco Gemini

[lock3130]

We are headed to Disney in February with our one year old daughter. We have decided to get a carrier and I was pretty much set on the Beco Gemini, however, one site that I got to has a new Evenflo Seated Snugli for $29 instead of $89. Has anyone had any experience with the Evenflo? I'm really looking for something that can at least so hip carry because our daughter likes to look out and see things.

Any thoughts would be great. Thanks!

Also, we have been to WDW many, many times but this will be our daughter's first trip (out of my belly anyway!). We are so excited!

 

[drmrchk]

GO WITH THE BECO!

I did a lot of reserach on carriers about 3 years ago when I was pregnant with my second. I bought a used Beco off thebabywearer.com and I LOVE it...and its one of the older models, the newer ones have lots of improvements. I will supplement that to say that I am not an Evenflo fan in general. I've never been impressed with their carseats -- practical experience as far as installing, quality, longevity, ease of use, that type of thing. Everything I've used or seen that's Evenflo just doesn't seem to be well-made to me, even though some products and carseats get good reviews. I would worry that would translate into my use of the carrier, but that could just be me too.

Most important thing about a carrier is to make sure baby is in there correctly. Kiddos should face your body whether they are on the front or back, the seat of the carrier needs to cover their entire bum and support their hips, and knees need to be pulled up so upper legs are flat and hips are spread wide. You want them to look like they are sitting in a chair, without their legs dangling. There's a new carrier or two that claim to do this front-facing-out, but I haven't looked into them enough to know. THe few pictures I've seen weren't encoraging as to the kiddo's leg position, but I'm not super informed on those.

I wear my girls a lot. I had a wrap with my first, and now I have a Beco and an Ergo. I LOVE them both and my girls (5 and 2) love to ride in them. Good luck in your choice!

 

[lock3130]

Thanks for the opinion. I'm actually torn between the Beco and the Ergo. Which do you like better and why?

 

[4littleones]

I have a Becco Butterfly. I really don't remember why I went with the Becco over the Ergo (it was over 3 yrs ago when I bought it). Wait, I think it was because of the infant insert and the ability to change users without removing the child from the carrier.

Anyway, I really like my Becco. It has gotten tons of use.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

My sister has the Evenflo and loves it.

 

[labst60]

We have a beco butterfly and I L-O-V-E it (DD will be 1 at the end of the month).

My (minor) complaints are:

1) Not as "lightweight" as the Bjorn Air I used over the summer (but she was smaller then and I can only bear her in teh bjorn for about 20 minutes now (22lbs)

2) When she is alseep, I like the way the bjorn head support works better - even at 1, a sleeping baby's head is floppy!

I own 2 bjorns and a hip hammock as well as the beco. I also ordered/tried/returned 2 ergos (sport and organic) and the maya wrap. Beco butterfly blows them all away.

I especially love how you can switch wears w/ baby asleep b/c of the Insert (had to explain) but you can just take the carrier off - with baby securely inside - and put it on your husband (with strap adjustments) Gemini doesn't offer this and Gemini also has a lower max weight.

We live in Orlando now - so this has gotten a lot of use- went went to Epcot one night and she was in it the ENTIRE time. Animal Kingdom 2 weeks ago - we were there from 10-6 - she was in there 90% of the time. Seaworld last week - 5pm - midnight - I wore her the ENTIRE TIME. (I'll admit, I was a little sore after that - but mostly my legs - not my neck/back/shoulders). For reference , I'm 5'9 and about 115 (since size/statue makes a difference on who each type would be comfortable on!)

 

[Stubbzilla]

I don't think you could make it through a big trip with the Evenflo. They are just not comparable to a better carrier like Beco, Boba, or Ergo (or even more options).

As to which of the better carriers is better, it just depends on your build. I have broader shoulders and the Ergo and Boba are very comfortable for me. I love my Ergo Performance as it's fairly cool in the summer, considering there's a warm little body pressed against mine. Other people fit the Beco better. I never bought a Beco as the Gemini is cut smaller than I would like (smaller weight limit for the LO), and the Butterfly II has that inner panel that annoys me, and interferes with breastfeeding. Other people LOVE the Becos, and they are still good carriers even though they don't suit me. Lots of people also love Babyhawk Oh Snap. The Babyhawks don't seem to come on clearance sales as often as the other brands, but it might just be that I haven't seen it.

 

[labst60]

I personally think that the inner liner of the butterfly makes bf *easier* as I feel more "covered up" and it easily shifts to allow access - so I wouldn't necessarily rule it out if you bf.

However, PPs post makes a perfect point about everyones build/preferences being different. You really just have to try them on to see what feels natural to you.

I have had zero problem returns the ones that were duds (to me) to amazon (in the past five months, I've bought 7 carriers and returned 4). Ultimately, the Beco Butterfly 2 is my fav- but yours could be different - gotta try them on!

 

[amylynne01]

I don't think you can wrong with either a Beco or an Ergo. Both are great choices for babywearing!

 

[mrsbicewdw]

Honestly, I have used MANY carriers. Best by far was the Ergo. We use it daily, and I have used it at Disney for me and on DH as well. Pay the extra, and get something is that going to last forever. So comfortable, and made to support babies spine/hips in proper alignment.

It works better for me to BF without anyone even knowing, while walking (heck yes). You can even find them used on sites like diaperswappers.com or Ebay (though be careful with Ebay, there are fakes out there, and that is where they tend to show up). You can not face baby out, BUT for my DS, facing in or on my back he can still see everything and does not get as overwhelmed with everything around him (or have people up in his business).