General
I realized that my baby carrier collection is almost only based on what is available in Europe and what I find „normal“ in the babywearing world.
However, the options widely available in Japan, especially on the used market, are quite different and I wanted to see if I can find locally more available brands that I like and find worth adding to my collection.
On Instagram I saw a picture of the Power Support Carrier by Lucky Industries.
This carrier was created together with a university to find the most comfortable design for parents.
So I contacted Lucky Industries if they have the possibility to rent a carrier to me for trial and if they offer a discount for babywearing consultants.
In the return mail I was invited to meet the CEO in their shop in Jiyugaoka and to try the carrier there.
Lucky Industries Jiyugaoka
Long story short: I still find the Power Support Carrier interesting and ordered a used one for my collection. I think I will introduce it in detail when it arrived!
I also tried their Polban Hipseat and the Quattro Air. I am writing more about the hip seat later when I come to the part where I visited Airbuggy.
The Quattro Air functions almost like the BabyBjörn One Kai.
It’s comfortable and easy to get on the back. With giving this extra bit of secure feeling while bringing baby to the back.
However, just like the One Kai, I think it lacks a good seat for baby.
The seat is okayish only. The legs are not hanging down, but the knees are also not higher than the bottoms.
It won’t damage your baby, but it also didn’t convince me to add to my collection.
Airbuggy in Daikanyama
The same goes for the Airbuggy Carrier. It’s lightweight and the magnetic buckle closes more easily than the one of the Lucky Quattro Air, but compared to that one, the Lucky felt even more comfortable.
However, I also tried the MiaMily at the Airbuggy store.
It’s a brand from Switzerland and actually a hip seat with a backpanel attached (removable).
For newborns it comes with an infant insert and all pictures I have seen of that so far were horrible. I really don’t recommend a hip seat carrier for newborns. (It’s not damaging newborns but it’s as far from the best position as the very old BabyBjorn. So if you are looking for a comfortable carrier FOR YOUR NEWBORN, run from this one.)
With the bigger doll without infant insert, this carrier was surprisingly comfortable.
The doll even managed to have a rounded back in the carrier, however, it has to be seen if this is archivable with a real baby without compromising the airways.
When using it as a hip seat only, it was definitely more comfortable than the Polban from Lucky (for me! You might feel different) but both share that they are more comfortable on the side and not in front of your belly.
Nuna in Daikanyama
The Nuna carrier also surprised me. The waistbelt was extremely comfortable for me.
However, the carrier shares the same problem as the Quattro Air and the Airbuggy.. it might fit well, but it can be difficult to archive a good seat. I would rank it higher than both other carriers though.
Stokke in Daikanyama
Lastly Stokke…
I know the Stokke carriers very well since I sold them myself before Limas was sold to Stokke.
With the sale came some minor changes. The carriers were better before, but they are still very, very good carriers and probably, together with Ergobaby, the best carriers broadly available in Japan from a biased babywearing consultant’s view.
Conclusion
Don’t get me wrong here. The „best“ carrier is not enough when you can’t handle it well and you and your bub aren‘t feeling comfortable using it. In this case, the Quattro Air might exactly be that carrier you need!
Most important is, that your baby is safe!
And here we are coming back to Lucky Industries in Jiyugaoka!
This shop is actually amazing. The staff is well trained in using their products, will explain in detail how to use their carriers safely, and you can even go on a walk, exploring the area, to see if the carrier really fits and you are feeling comfortable in it.
If you consider a Lucky Industries Carrier or already got one (new or used) and needing help with it, I really recommend this shop!
Please note that they will explain within their possibilities given in the carrier manual. If you need tricks going beyond the manual (for example different ways to get baby on the back), you should better ask a babywearing consultant.
In all shops, everyone was so nice and helpful when I asked to try the carriers. A big thumbs up for this.
Stokke does not have a shop to go to, but had a two-hours seminar on how to use the carriers for their retailers.
While they probably lack practice (the carriers start to sell on November 9, 2022), they should know the basics how to use the carriers.
What do you think? Which carriers do I need in my collection?
Carriers available in Japan which are in my collection:
Sun&Beach
Ergobaby (most models)
Boba X
BabyBjorn (limited models)
Lucky Power Support
Didymos DidyTai&DidyKlick
MaMo (also available in my shop)
Hoppediz (also available in my shop)
(Fidella)
Montbell
Konny
Pikimama
Design: Grey
Design: Grey
