I received this product free for review. All opinions remain my own.
======> Find my Ultimate Guide to the Huggaloops Carrier here<=======
My life would suck without my Huggaloops. How’s that for a review starter? Since I received it, when she was two weeks old, I have worn Little Miss Cub in our Huggaloops for many hours every day. Some days, she’s in it more than she’s out of it. I have woken up in the morning to discover I’ve worn it to bed.
It’s no surprise to know that when you have another baby, your preschooler doesn’t miraculously become independent. If anything, Cub’s become more needy since he doesn’t much want to share me with his sister. Thanks to the Huggaloops, I’ve been able to care for Cub and Little Miss if not easily, let’s at least call it “efficiently.” I can change Cub’s diaper, get him dressed, brush his teeth, get his breakfast, get him on and off his little potty, and most important to him, get down and play trains or action figures .
It’s much more comfortable to sit down when wearing Little Miss in the Huggaloops compared to a buckle carrier with a thick band around your waist.
My Dad spent 10 days visiting last week, and he was as enamored with the Huggaloops as me… since it meant HE didn’t have to help with potty duty! (Photo courtesy of his low-quality iPad camera.)
Cub’s “Iron Man-Thomas Train” birthday party would not have been pulled off (both the baking and the hosting) sans Huggaloops. (Yes, Papa is cropped out of the picture at his behest.) When I first received my Huggaloops, I admit I struggled with following the video instructions for how to wear it. The videos were crystal clear, it’s my Mommy Brain that is foggy as heck. Even more so since kids, though this has always been an issue, I am monstrously uncoordinated. I cannot for the life of me do Aerobics (is that still a thing?) or Zumba or any kind of exercise class because I cannot imitate another person’s movements. I still have to make an “L” with my left hand to make sure I’m correctly identifying left and right. I think it’s some kind of issue with spatial reasoning in my brain… ANYWAY, let me assure you that once I figured it out, I realized that it’s extremely easy to put on a Huggaloops if you’re not me. And now that I HAVE figured it out, I can do it in the blink of an eye. (Can you imagine if I were reviewing a carrier that DID involve any kind of folding or tying?! Or, even worse, an instructional dance video?)
When Little Miss was super tiny, between 8 and 10 lbs or thereabouts, we did the newborn carry so she could be in froggy legs position:
Now, she gets to ride with her legs out:
If you’re thinking to yourself, “Wow, that looks SO cozy! That looks SO comfortable!” then you are right. I’m not really sure if I can quite communicate to what extent my life as a Mom of two is more enjoyable because I can wear her in what basically feels like a t-shirt.
Confession: I have at times worn my Huggaloops over my bra and forgotten I am not wearing a shirt at all. (Lucky for the mail man, I guess?) I have also been saved by my Huggaloops when I get home from grocery shopping and realize my shirt was fully unbuttoned from nursing.
My biggest passion in my spare time is blogging, and spare time is not exactly a thing any more. In order to blog, I need Cub to be with his Papa, asleep or really engrossed in an activity (ideally playing independently, but realistically watching Netflix or playing iPad). That leaves the baby. She is happiest and settled for the longest stretches of time when she’s in someone’s arms, and I need my arms to type…
Sometimes I work standing up so I can jiggle her (you know, the classic Mama-Baby-Soothing-Jiggle). If she’s fast asleep, I sit with her. I can nurse her and keep on working, too! I can also maintain my dental hygiene.
Now that it’s getting chillier outside, I can wear my Huggaloops under my Belly Bedaine Maternity Sweater, and I can actually get Little Miss Cub in and out of the Huggaloops without taking the sweater off (basically impossible if it had buckles or ties). I love that I can just wear my Huggaloops around the house and pop baby in and out of it as necessary. I usually have it on before I leave the house. When I take her out of her car seat, I can just slide her in and wrap her up. (I try to avoid lugging the bucket seat with me and much prefer to wear her.) I get a lot of compliments on my Huggaloops: twice in one outing, I was stopped by men who wanted to tell me how sweet we looked all cozied up together (in a totally non creepy way, I promise). It’s quite possibly THE baby item I could not live without. In terms of comfort, I assume you get the idea that it’s comfortable if I’m wearing it all day, every day.
Putting on a Huggaloops
Huggaloops has an awesome YouTube channel showing you all the fabulous ways to use your carrier.
Here’s a visual demonstration of me putting Little Miss Cub into the Huggaloops, photos courtesy of my Dad, who was taking pictures while being violently accosted by his grandson.
The part that I found trickiest was getting my body loops UNDER the waist loop. If you hold your body loops out in front of you as in photo 1, so they make an X but aren’t twisted, then you can’t go wrong. The goal is to have an X on your front and an X on your back. Then, the two “arms” of your letter X support baby’s bum so it’s like she’s sitting in a “V” (picture 11). You want to make sure you put her leg through the loop closest to your body first. Then you just unroll each loop from hip to shoulder, then pull up the waist loop. Takes me 5 seconds, tops!
Shop & Connect
Huggaloops come in “The Everywhere Carrier” model and the “Bamboo” model, both sold for $79.99 CAD. In my pictures, the Everywhere is the aqua-coloured one.
The Bamboo Huggaloops is more “snuggly,” and I enjoyed it when she was super tiny. Nowadays, I’m only using our Everywhere, which is much more supportive for both of us. My Huggaloops are both Size 1, but I should technically be using a Size 0 (after consulting with the owner, Stacey).
If in doubt, I would recommend joining the Huggaloops official chat group on Facebook to see what seasoned Huggaloopers would recommend for you. I know that initially I found it easier to get into my Bamboo model because I found the fabric slightly stretchier. The Everywhere, made of Polyester Chitosante and Spandex, feels like a swimsuit, or the spandex shorts I used to wear in 1990. It’s a technical fabric with high-stretch recovery, making it supportive for even big babies. The Bamboo feels more like a t-shirt, and it’s definitely nice and breathable for warmer days.
Rachel Neufeldt says
It looks very similar to the Baby K’tan but without the waist belt, am I correct?
Lindsay Gallimore says
I’ve also got a KTan to review! The carry is identical, but rather than a separate belt, the belt is attached to the two body loops so it’s all one piece. The other major difference is in the stretch and performance of the Huggaloops fabric. I prefer the Huggaloops for ease of use and comfort as I find the attached waist belt more practical and I get a better fit with it, but the KTan is easier to put on straight out of the box.
Stacey Vukovics says
Hi Rachel! At first glance it might appear similar, but there are some pretty key differences, the biggest difference being that Huggaloops is made from 3 loops that are all connected (like chain link). The “belt” is integrated into the carrier for enhanced support.
You can wear the carrier with the 3rd loop on the inside to hold a really teeny babe or on the outside for bigger babes and toddlers. This design is adjustable too!
My favourite thing about this carrier is the fabric – bamboo/coon blend with 5% spandex for stretch recovery.
Carolyn Russell says
So glad someone else asked, because that’s what I was coming here to do! So I take it this is a sized carrier like the K’tan, then? Did you find the sizing complex? (I won a K’tan many years ago and selected a size that was far too big, so I ended up selling it but was sad I never got to use it). Also, rather than standing to work while blogging, have you tried sitting on a yoga ball at your desk/table instead of a chair? 😉 I got a lot done that way when Emily was a baby, bouncing away with her in my Moby 😉
Stacey Vukovics says
there are 3 sizes Carolyn, and the sizing chart on the website is really accurate. Definitely go by “inches” measurements as dress size can be somewhat subjective. Should be a nicce snug fit 🙂
Megan Moir says
Lindsay, I couldn’t agree more! My huggaloops is a lifesaver with a 3 year old and now 8 week old. I love how compact it is, I can pop it in the diaper bag and it’s so simple (now) to pop on at the store. I love that I don’t have to lug that heavy bucket seat everywhere or unfold the stroller to quickly pop into the grocery store for that one thing I always forget.
My huggaloops is my go to for night time fussiness too, the soft, warm bamboo is like my favorite sweater and blankie all rolled into one amazing, pacifying, hands free magical baby holding device. I can get the big kid ready for bed while the little is calm and snuggled close.
I originally had a larger huggaloops for when big kid was smaller (OK, so I used it up until he was 2 and a half so not that small!) and when I tried to use it with the newbie, it was clear I had lost a significant amount of weight and needed a new size. (It’s SUPER IMPORTANT to size for you) I was able to use the videos to size down until I got my new huggaloops but it makes all the difference in the world to have the right size.
I loved your review Lindsay and I love Huggaloops. It’s like Stacey is giving me a hug every time I wear it.
Ani says
I LOVE my Huggaloops!! I had a moby and am pretty good at wraping but I found the Huggaloops to be sooo much easier than my moby. I had a 4 year old and needed something fast for the baby. I also didnt have to worry about the tails dragging on the floor like I do with my moby. Then as my little guy got older and wasn’t being worn as much I thought about lending it out. NO WAY! Its a life saver in the middle of the night with a teething baby!! I even got it on after the baby was asleep on me, just to give my arms a break! Its never leaving this house!
Andrea says
Huggaloops is the best carrier ever!
Monica Miller says
I really like the no wrap, no tie aspects. I’ve been reading up on babywearing for a little bit now and it is super intimidating. I also am not very coordinated – I fit into the Taylor Swift category of dancing in her Shake it Off video, for a visual lol. So it excites me that this looks fairly simple and is comfy enough to leave in when not babywearing instead of having to wrap and unwrap and wrap again.
Kelly P says
I love the ease of use for this carrier. It looks really comfortable, too.
Candice Piercy says
love that its easy to use and so soft!
Nicole Crawford says
Nothing better! I am still new to baby wearing and have tried a couple different carriers and nothing beats my Huggalooos
Ashley Veenstra says
Great write up!
Fellow huggalooper and my lo lovessss it!
Kyla says
Love this carrier! would love to win! trying to build up our carrier stash for the next (future) baby
Cassandra Rae says
Awesome review mama ! I loved how cozy both you and miss cub looked while you wore the carrier 🙂 I like that it’s a stretchy wrap that is snuggly fit. It’s looks really easy to use 🙂 !
Erin says
Thanks for the thorough review! These look comfortable and practical. It also seems easy to use once you get the hang of it!
Susanne S says
This doesn’t look as intimidating as other wraps. Definitely want to try one!
cassie says
I love the freedom it gives you to move around and do things while still being close to your baby. The bamboo material sounds awesome
Carmen Rudnick says
I love that I can keep my baby close to me while still getting things done.
Sarah Sobocinski says
I love how so simple it is. No buckles to constantly adjust.
Tiffany Blank says
I haven’t had a Huggaloops, but they look so comfy! I’d love being so close to baby and still having hands free to do other things. It would make nursing a breeze!
Viv Sluys says
I love how versatile this wrap is. I saw a picture on Huggaloops Facebook page that had a bunch of ways to wear it. Some of them look like really cool shirts…but with a baby in them 😉
Sabrina D'Arcy says
I like that it seems to be as comfy and soft as a wrap without being as complicated.
Steph S says
Huggaloops looks so comfy and compact! I am using a mei tai, but the straps are so long and unwieldy if I’m trying to put it on anywhere but home.
Danielle Petryshyn says
This looks so comfortable to wear!
Brandy Burkett says
I love baby wearing & am happy to pass this down to my daughter as well as nursing!
wendy browne says
I like that it looks easy to put on versus many of the other wraps.
Theresa Hover says
I like that Huggaloops seems so easy to take baby in and out throughout the day. It’s so nice that they have a bamboo option.
Melanie Morin says
I love that it can be used from birth. I am on the search for the perfect carrier for my little girl due in November. All the options are overwhelming!
Amber Ludwig says
I love that its comfy and cozy for the both of us!! I love that its soft and there no breaking in required~!!
Jodi Armstrong says
I love the ease of use. that it looks comfy, u don’t have to mess around w trying to tie it up w. a newborn
Ali says
I have yet to try this carrier out, but it’s at the top of my list. Looks so easy to use!
Latessia says
I would love to win the giveaway! I’ve never tried one of these but I’d love to have the chance!!
Kathryn Tracey says
I think the no tie aspect of this wrap would be awesome! It looks so comfy too!
ali caudle says
love the idea of not wrapping and tying
Maria Brown says
Finally a stretch carrier that doesn’t have miles and miles of material to wrap around! I’m a short and petite mama and found the other carriers a bit overwhelming especially when out and about. Would love to win this for our newborn baby girl who’s 3 weeks old!
Amy Hall says
I really love wraps, but sometimes something that’s faster, like this is necessary, love that.
Heather Oaster says
I love the ease of use for this carrier!
Crystal E. says
I love that I can keep my baby close to me while I do my normal daily activities and chores! I just found out I’m expecting my second lil one,and this would be amazing to have!
janie vezina says
love to try one of these carriers, and not used to wrapping, so this might be a good carrier to try instead of a wrap.
Amber Delorme says
I haven’t personally tried a Huggaloops Baby Wrap/Carrier, but from reading the above Review, i would Love to give it a try, it looks Super comfortable for both Mom & Babe..it also looks to be a sturdy carrier (even if it doesn’t have a steel frame on it anywhere,like other baby carriers have 🙂 The Huggaloops wrap looks really easy to clean and car for..I Love how their are many different options to show you how to wear your Huggaloops Carrier..(both on the internet or youtube)..
Sammmy says
Would love to win this for someones babyshower. She has two young girls and a baby on the way, she has never baby worn and I think this would be perfect for her.
tracy choy says
Sounds easier to use than a wrap.
Aivree says
What carrier is this most similar to?
Sara says
I think I might need one of these ? It looks so comfy!
Peggy says
Great Carrier, great giveaway!
Kim B says
Great blog and I really want to try a huggaloops
Holly Glanfield says
I love the Huggaloop’s versatility, and how easy it is to wash
Meg says
I have always wanted to try the huggaloops. I had a Moby and it was a pain. I thonk a huggaloops would be so much easier.
teeny says
Have one on loan, would love it !
Rachel says
I love that you were able to wear it under your sweater!
Christine says
I have a ktan but this seems like it’s easier to adjust – how do you find nursing in it? I don’t think I could adjust the ktan enough to do that…
Laura says
Love the ease of wearing huggaloops and the comfort
Deborah says
The huggaloops look so simple yet so comfortable, I’d love to try it!
Kara says
The wide shoulder straps/loops/whatever you call them look great for a person who gets an achy back after babywearing for a while (me).
Nicole says
Seriously considering purchasing the Huggaloops after seeing this review. One concern: does it allow for a proper seat? From the pictures I’ve seen on the FB site and on the Huggaloops site, baby’s bum and leg position doesn’t seem quite right compared to the carry you would get in a carrier that is just one piece of fabric that you wrap yourself (like a woven wrap). I.e., In the Huggaloops, legs look like they hang down a bit too vertically, rather than the ideal bum lower than knees position. Is this my imagination? Just worried about baby’s position while in this carrier. Any feedback would be great! Thanks.
Megan Moir says
Hi Nicole, you sure can get a proper “M” seat in a huggaloops. The shoulder loops should go knee to knee under baby’s bum – and that’s the trick – allowing baby to settle into the ergonomic M position with knees above bum. If you find that baby is dangling, you can simply give a little push on their feet and spread the seat a bit further to encourage the seat.
I love that it’s super easy to get a good seat because you don’t have to worry about tightening rails or keeping tension while tightening, you just spread knee to knee and you are set.
There are some AMAZIMG videos on the huggaloops.com site too and if you are having any trouble, join the “For the Love of Huggaloops” group on facebook.
Nicole says
Thanks, Megan! Super helpful. That’s the only reason I was holding off on getting one 🙂
stacey says
Hey Nicole, Huggaloops provides the exact same type of seat you would get with a wrap, so It’s completely up to the user to ensure that they spread the passes from knee to knee, creating the ‘M’ seat. I still get an amazing seat with my 4yo (yes..my 4yo) but the key is to make sure you spread the fabric all the way out and bring baby’s knees up into the correct position. Hope this helps!
Lindsay says
I should also mention that I need to size down in my Huggaloops, which will help me getting a better carry! I should be a size 0 and will be getting one soon, so will update some pictures!
Megan says
If buying just one…which one is better…the everywhere or the bamboo?!
Shannon O'C says
How is the Huggaloops in warm weather? I’m a fervent Ergo lover, but on hot days I dread pulling it on so I’m looking for an alternative
Jessica says
I want to buy one but am not sure what size to get. (I emailed Huggaloops, but have not received a reply) I am on the border between a size 1 and 2. My initial thought is to get the 1 in case it stretches as it grows in, but I don’t want it to be so tight on me it is uncomfortable. Any recommendations?
Lindsay says
Hi Jessica! I recommend reaching out to Huggaloops via their Facebook page. Stacey can help you out. http://www.facebook.com/huggaloops