Product Reviews
The new era of Babywearing: the Moova carrier
The drive behind the creation of the Moova baby carrier really is fascinating.
While all other baby carriers, except the ringsling maybe, want to keep our babies safe by storing them away in a huge amount of fabric, the Moova carrier aims to give our little ones freedom while being carried.
Henrik Norholt, the creator of the Moova, is a specialist in the development of infants. He worked as a CEO and medical advisor for Ergobaby for many years.
At one point, he thought that there must be a way to promote motor development in a carrier better while also giving the baby more freedom.
The idea for the Moova baby carrier was born.
But first, let us explore what the Moova carrier is and how it works.
Introduction
The Moova carrier is a structured fullbuckle carrier made of canvas fabric (other than the fabric used for baby wraps.
It allows front carry, hip carry, and back carry. The shoulderstraps will always be crossed on the carrying person’s back (or front if back carrying).
The seat is adjustable and works for small babies until toddlers. There is a special setting for newborns and small babies to shorten the height of the backpanel.
Plus a setting that allows a higher backpanel for toddlers.
What is special about the Moova is a removable grip for the baby’s hands and a backpanel that can be pulled down via a zipper.
The founder of Moova believes firmly that there is a subtle interaction between baby and caregiver that ensures the baby’s safety even if the baby carrier is not completely supporting the baby.
We see that every day on the streets. People who don’t feel confident with their baby carrier will automatically have one hand on the baby and support the back and/ or head. Often, this is indeed done intuitively when the carrier is put on not in the correct way and is not completely supporting the baby.
For the Moova carrier though, the idea is a little bit different. It shall actively promote movement in the carrier when the baby is awake and active. At these times, the caregiver can pull down the backpanel partly to give the baby more freedom to move.
The baby can then use the grips to hold on to the carrier, or just the shoulderstraps or the caregiver’s clothes. Of course, at these times, the caregiver should also be focused on the baby to make sure they are safe.
When the baby is sleepy or needs snuggles, the backpanel can easily pulled up again, securing the baby and making the carrier hands-free.
Parallel shoulderstraps seldom sit in the best possible way. Either they’re not giving a good fit on the shoulder, or the connection buckle to hold them in place is worn too high or too low. This is the reason why the Moova’s shoulderstraps come in a crossed setting only. For most people, the crossed straps in front when back carrying aren’t uncomfortable either.
The Moova is a new invention on the Fullbuckle carrier market.
It was created to actively support the baby’s motor development.
Safety
The Moova baby carrier is using a special kind of zipper that makes the opened backpanel safe. The zipper will stop at the location and won’t open further on its own.
The whole carrier is safety tested.
From a Babywearing Consultants View
For the best motor development, it is said that a baby needs time on the floor. These days though, many parents strap their children away in car seats, bouncers, and whatnot. Babies who have been in such a device for a very long time can develop the so-called Container Syndrom.
However, studies also found that carrying a baby in a baby carrier is almost as beneficial for motor development as floor time. In a carrier, the baby is automatically following all the movements the carrying adult makes. They have to balance these movements and often need to work agains them. This actively trains the baby’s muscles.
The Moova, however, goes even further. It allows babies of a certain age to move even more inside the carrier. Reaching further for objects, turning more to the sides.
It shall also prevent parents from misusing the forward-facing position in other carriers. The Moova does not come with this option for a reason.
Many people put their babies in the forward facing position without knowing anything about forward-facing and the risks it might bear.
Forward-facing is ok as long as the baby is awake and alert. A caregiver (doesn’t matter if it is the carrying person or another person) should interact with and observe the baby to catch any cues that show that the baby had enough (getting sleepy, overstimulation).
To prevent damage to the carrying person’s body, and to prevent overstimulation, forward-facing shouldn’t be done for a longer time.
Moin Moin Baby’s
Comprehensive Guide to Forward Facing Carrying
Download my free guide about forward facing carrying!
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(Never carry in the forward facing position when your baby is asleep!)
When the backpanel is down, the baby can get in a position to allow a view almost as wide as forward facing, but also giving the possibility to turn away and only focus on the sights the baby finds interesting. It’s a different kind of freedom given to the child!
This position also makes sure that the caregiver is focused on the baby to make sure s/he is safe. The level of interaction is completely different and way more positive than in the typical forward facing position.
For me, the Moova is a real enrichment for the babywearing world and I hope it will soon be widely available.
And who knows? Maybe collaborations with babywrap brands will be possible in the future to broaden the design options?
As always, the overall design of the carrier might not be the most comfortable for everyone. It can happen that the waistbelt or the shoulderstraps will not fit your body the best way.
I highly recommend trying the carrier before deciding on it.
You can do this through one of my various services.
