Short answer: to find a good-quality baby carrier at a reasonable price, check these things first, then compare prices. Check that it:
- fits the person wearing it
- still fits as your baby grows
- goes on without help
- carries your baby the ways you need
- suits your weather
- is easy to wash
- passes basic safety checks
Konny FLEX, a carrier you slip on like a T-shirt, costs US$59.99 on konnybaby.com and carries your baby three ways. It comes in two wearer sizes, each with a size adjuster that goes from 1 to 13 for a snug fit, and you keep the same size as your baby grows. Konny's US store sells two kinds of carrier: Konny FLEX, in SoftBreeze and AirMesh fabrics, and the Dual Support Hip Seat. The checks below use these carriers as examples, except the safety checks, which are general guidance.
Does it fit your body?
A carrier has to fit the person wearing it. Konny FLEX goes by your pre-pregnancy clothing size, not by your baby's age or weight. It comes in two sizes, XS-XL and M-4XL. By women's US dress size:
| Women's US dress size | FLEX size |
|---|---|
| 0-6 | XS-XL |
| 6-8 | Between sizes (see the FAQ below) |
| 8-18 | M-4XL |
One exception applies after birth. If your weight is more than 22 pounds (10 kg) above your pre-pregnancy weight, choose a larger size. For a small frame, see Best Baby Carrier for Petite Moms.
Check the fit before your baby goes in:
- Put the empty carrier on.
- Pull the back panel down to the center of your back.
- Spread the sashes wide over your shoulders.
- Check that you have space for two to three fists between your chest and the stretched carrier. If you can't, adjust the size adjuster and check again.
If the size still isn't right, you can request an exchange within 30 days of receipt (Size Guide).
Will it still fit as your baby grows?
Buy Konny FLEX snug from the start. The fabric contains spandex and stretches as your baby gets heavier, so you keep using the same size as your baby grows. Do not buy a size up to grow into, unless the 22-pound rule above applies to you.
Can you put it on by yourself?
You can put Konny FLEX on by yourself. It has no complicated buckles. You slip it on like a T-shirt and spread the sashes over your shoulders. There is no long piece of fabric to wind around your body or trail on the floor. For the steps in photos, see How to Put On Konny FLEX.
The Dual Support Hip Seat works differently. It is for a child who can sit up unassisted. You wear it over one shoulder, and your child sits on its non-slip bottom pad. It is not hands-free. Always keep one hand behind your child's back, and lift your child in and out with the buckle fastened. More in Best Hip Seat Carrier for a Toddler.
Which ways can you carry?
Konny FLEX carries three ways: a newborn hold, baby facing you, and baby facing out once they can hold their head up. The Dual Support Hip Seat has two carrying positions, a side carry and face to face.
Which fabric suits your weather?
For warm days, choose FLEX AirMesh. For a soft poly-cotton blend you can wear all year, choose FLEX SoftBreeze. Both come in the same two sizes at the same price.
How easy is it to wash?
Check the care instructions on the product page before you buy. You can machine wash both Konny FLEX fabrics in warm water. Do not machine dry or bleach them. Wash the Dual Support Hip Seat on its own in a laundry bag, in cold water with mild detergent.
What safety checks can you run on a carrier?
These checks are general guidance from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's Soft Infant & Toddler Carrier Safety Tips (CPSC), the American Academy of Pediatrics' Baby Carriers page (AAP) and the International Hip Dysplasia Institute's Baby Carriers & Other Equipment page (IHDI).
When you buy:
- Find the tracking label. It names the manufacturer, the location and the model name or number (CPSC).
- Look up recalls at cpsc.gov/recalls (CPSC).
- Check the support. The carrier should support your baby's back and use sturdy material. Its leg holes should be small enough that your baby can't slip through (AAP).
- Look for healthy hip positioning. IHDI encourages parents "to choose a baby carrier that allows healthy hip positioning": "the hips should be allowed to spread apart with the thighs supported and the hips bent." (IHDI)
When you use it:
- Fit it to yourself first. Adjust the carrier for a comfortable, secure fit on the wearer before your baby goes in (CPSC).
- Check the parts. Make sure no buckles, straps, rings or other hardware are broken (CPSC).
- Follow the maker's instructions and warnings, including its age and weight recommendations (CPSC).
- Check on your baby often, in any type of carrier: "Make sure that their mouth and nose are not blocked by fabric or your body, and that airflow is not restricted." (AAP)
To check the fit with your baby in, go through the T.I.C.K.S. checklist.
How do you compare prices?
Konny FLEX SoftBreeze and FLEX AirMesh cost US$59.99 each on konnybaby.com, and you keep the same size as your baby grows. The Dual Support Hip Seat also costs US$59.99, and its one-handed size adjustment fits wearers from XS to 4XL.
| Carrier | Price on konnybaby.com | Wearer sizes | Carry positions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Konny FLEX SoftBreeze | US$59.99 | XS-XL or M-4XL | Newborn hold, facing you, facing out |
| Konny FLEX AirMesh | US$59.99 | XS-XL or M-4XL | Newborn hold, facing you, facing out |
| Dual Support Hip Seat | US$59.99 | One size (fits XS to 4XL) | Side carry, face to face |
See the FLEX collection and the hip seat collection.
FAQ
What if I fall between two FLEX sizes?
Follow the rules in the Size Guide:
- Choose XS-XL if you will share the carrier with a slimmer user.
- Choose M-4XL if your bust is over 37 inches (95 cm).
- Choose M-4XL if you will share the carrier with a larger user.
What size does a dad choose?
A dad chooses his regular T-shirt size. The Size Guide also lists men's jacket sizes.
Not sure which Konny carrier fits your family? See Find Your Carrier.