Comparison: Lenny Lamb Baby Size vs Lenny Lamb Toddler size

The Lenny Lamb "ergonomic baby carrier" is increasing in popularity. This is due to several factors:

• It's easily attainable, it's a great price, it's a wrap conversion (making it softer and more breathable), and it has a unique fit. The size of the carriers is different from Tula or KP sizing. However, like the Tula, there is a Lenny Lamb call- "Lenny on the loose!" and "Baa!" In response. ;)
• 
  
• The stats for the baby size are:

40cm/16in. tall

35cm/14in. wide at the base

32cm/12in. wide at the middle.

The stats for the toddler size are:

48cm/19in. tall

45cm/18in. at the base

38cm/15in. at the middle.

In the photos you can see my 24lbs, 26in., 12 month old in the toddler size night stripes carrier (right) and the baby size rainbow carrier (above). He is just big enough for the toddler size, due to the smaller middle width and a deep seat. 



Baby size on top of the toddler size for comparison.

Both carriers have 3-way adjustable straps, a safety buckle, and a sewn in adjustable hood. This carrier can be worn front, back, and on the hip; the straps are also able to be crossed. The baby size comes in either 100% cotton or a 60/40% cotton and bamboo blend. The toddler size is only available in cotton; this makes it more supportive for heavy kiddos. The carriers are super soft right out of the bag and require zero breaking in! You can buy them directly from Lenny Lamb in Poland, or from US retailer 5 Minute Recess. In stock carriers are less than $200.

Jade lives in east Tulsa with her husband, two boys, and dog Crash. She is passionate about supporting parents. Jade is a Post Partum Doula with Better Birth Now. 

**The carriers in this post are personally owned by group members.  Neither Jade nor BWAT was paid or reimbursed in any way for this comparison/review. 

Disney World, Two Kids and No Stroller

When I first said to my husband we should take our two littles to Disney World without a stroller, he looked at me like I was nuts. ‘No really, it can be done!’ I promised.

I immediately posted in Babywearing Around Tulsa, asking for experiences from others who had done the same thing. I was disappointed when there were as many nays as yays.

So, I kept that to myself and we boarded a plane to Orlando with a 2-year-old in a Kinderpack and a 9-month-old in an Ergo and no stroller.

And it worked out just fine. Below are some of our pictures and a few tips for taking on such a task!

A large theme park with two ages two and under is no small task. And it requires stuff. But maybe not as much stuff as you think. I tend to go minimalist anyway, but for this particular outing I made sure everything I packed was necessary. Refillable water bottles for everyone, sunscreen, a few snacks and enough disposable diapers for the day plus wipes was a much pared-down diaper bag from our usual day-to-day diaper bag filled with cloth diapers, ointments and oils of every kind.  

Ditch the diaper bag. I know, I just said I packed a diaper bag. And I did, I just packed it in a backpack, which is key when you are babywearing and have no stroller. I also utilized all of the little pockets on our carriers and attached my wristlet Baggallini to my Ergo for easy access. 

Bring extra adults. This may not be feasible for every trip, but we had my husband’s parents come along with us. This meant my husband and I could wear the kiddos and grandpa could wear the backpack. If we had not had the extra adults, my husband would have worn the backpack anytime my toddler wanted to walk, which was quite a bit, and I would have worn it on my back with baby on front in between.

Consider the weather. We took our trip to the big mouse’s house in May and we lucked out. The temps were in the 80s at their hottest and it was quite breezy. Even so, babywearing gets warm and we were all thankful for our recently purchased chilly pads. We just wrapped them around the torso of the kiddos when they were being worn. We also scheduled some built in breaks from babywearing: lunch inside and air conditioned shows interspersed throughout the day broke it up nicely. 

Know the rules. Before going, we checked out all of the rides and requirements online. I knew ahead of time that I would be able to wear my son on all of the rides we had picked out, anything that was all ages. Since this was a quick trip for the kiddos, we weren’t concerned with getting on rides that everyone wouldn’t be able to go on. Getting on and off the rides wasn’t an issue either since I was able to wear the baby. My toddler hopped in and out of the Kinderpack and my husband would just buckle the empty carrier back on like a backpack. I’m sure this saved time over searching for a stroller in the stroller park after every ride

Now that we’ve done it, I’ll admit it. I was pretty scared of not having a stroller. But by the end of the trip, my husband and I were constantly noting how in the way all of those strollers crowding the park were, how quickly we could get around and how nice it was to keep moving even though the little guy needed to nurse or nap.

Though it may not be everyone’s style, my husband and I had a blast wearing our babies at Disney World and can’t wait for our next big babywearing adventure.

 

 

 

Lauren Holloman is the proud momma of two kiddos plus a small menagerie of dogs and cats. When she isn't busy chasing two kids who are running opposite directions, she writes, edits and designs. You can read her pet blog at tulsapetsmagazine.com.

Rocking the Ring Sling

Ring Slings are some of the easiest and most versatile carriers there are.

 

(ok, so thats just my opinion, but I bet a few people agree with me.)

They can hold a newborn squishie up on mama's chest or keep a wiggly toddler tight on mama's hip.  Many people can nurse in a ring sling.  Some even back carry in a ring sling.  The tail can be nursing cover, sun sheild or blanket.  And the best part is they come in every color of the rainbow and every pattern imaginable so you can pretty much gaurentee that you can find one that suits your personality and style.  From fun and silly patterns to elegant silks, ring slings rock.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are just a few ages and stages enjoying some ring sling snuggles.

Snuggly 2 year old

Oscha Starry Night Nebula dyed Blue Ice

You can see that the way a ring sling is tightened strand by strand allows for completely individualized fit.  Whether you are wearing a tiny new squish, a wiggly new walker or a tired toddler, a good supportive ring sling is a great option. 

Hiking with a 15 month old

AnnaCarrieBaby water ring sling

20 month old gets tired of walking at the Tulsa State Fair                  Giving mama hugs.

Bristol Looms Peacock (handwoven)                                                  Natibaby Africa

Two month old squishie goodness!                       I don't want my picture taken, I just want my mama.

Oscha Braid Obsidian with lambswool                   Natibaby Mossy Forrest - Hemp/Cotton blend

 

Tiny Newborn love! (2-3 weeks old)
Hopp Timbuktu

Notice baby is close enough to kiss, neck supported and feet out.

Airway is unobstructed and face is visible.

Newborn C shaped spine is fully supported through strand by strand tightening.

 

Sleepy two year old at the Oklahoma Aquarium

Bristol Looms Peacock (handwoven)

(totally successful transfer out of car seat and into the ring sling without waking her, a definite victory)

 

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to E, a bundle of energy. She is a Babywearing Institue Scholar working towards her certification. She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.

Kinderpack Versus Tula: A Photo Comparison

 Kinderpack Versus Tula

 

      People often ask the question, "Kinderpack or Tula"?  That is a hard question to answer.  Some people prefer the Kinderpack while others prefer the Tula.  I prefer them both!  They are both great but different.  Below is a photo comparison and a few of the differences between the two carriers.  My daughter is 22 months old, 32" tall and about 25 lbs.

 

Standard Kinderpack 

      The standard Kinderpack fit us great for a very long time.  As you can see from the pictures, it is no longer knee to knee but is plenty tall.  She can comfortably get her arms our which is how she prefers to ride. 

 

 

 

Toddler Kinderpack

      The toddler Kinderpack is almost perfect for her.  It is slightly big on the width knee to knee but is comfortable.  You can see that her arms are out but up on my back.  She can't quite rest them out and at her side as she can in the standard.  This is still a better fit than the standard.



 

 

 

Standard Tula

      The Standard Tula fits similar to the standard Kinderpack. High enough on her back but no longer knee to knee.

 

Toddler Tula

      The toddler Tula, like the toddler Kinderpack, is slightly wide on the knee but comfortable.  While it seems higher on the back, it is easier for her to get her arms out than in the toddler Kinderpack.  The body of the Tula is shaped differently and thinner than the Kinderpack.  I believe this design is what allows her to get her arms out easier.  Although it is not pictured, her arms are able to rest at her side in the toddler Tula.



 

      There are some basic differences in the two carriers.  The arm padding in the Tula is narrower than the Kinderpack.  While it is narrower, I find it just as thick.  I prefer the Tula arm padding.  There is also see a noticable difference in the legs out padding.  You can see in the pictures that the Tula leg padding is much more substantial.  This doesn't seem to make a difference in comfort.  Both carriers have perfect fit adjusters (pfa's).  This feature allows you to get more of a custom fit and also makes it easier to share the carriers with someone of a different size.    

 

       The Tula does have a small pocket under the body along the waist strap.  I have never used it.  It may come in more handy for someone who uses front carriers which I rarely do.  The Kinderpack waist band buckles in the middle and allows you to tighten on both sides of the clip while the Tula clip is on one side of the waist band.  I like both styles.  The Kinderpack under arm webbing can be tightened on either side of the clip as well.  The Tula webbing can only be tightened one way and there is no clip under the arm.  I am finding this a big plus on the Tula side for me as I hate the clip or webbing under my arms.  This does pose a problem for someone who wants to be able to do hip carriers in the Tula.  Since the straps do not come unclipped you cannot hip carry.  The kinderpack straps do unclip therefore allowing a hip carry.

 

      Which do I prefer? Both!  I find myself wearing the toddler Tula most days but I still love my Kinderpack. They are both great high quality carriers.  I recommend trying them both if you are able.  If you are local, its you lucky day as we have both carriers in our lending library and available at our monthly meeting for comparison.