As you can see below, the Beco doesn't make me look shorter or heavier. I do feel like a kangaroo when I wear my baby, but any carrier makes me feel this way. My Gemini meets all of my needs when it comes to a baby carrier.
I tower 4 feet and 10.75 inches in height; yes, the .75 inches count when one is this short. And this is the most accurate to date since I just came from the Doc's office. The nurse was determined in getting my exact height for some reason! Finding the perfect carrier took hours of reading blogs, reviews, trials, and product returns. Due to an upcoming trip, I desperately needed to find that perfect carrier more than ever to have at least a few weeks to break it in. I needed my carrier to not cause backaches, not make me look like I'm drowning in it, and to accommodate my baby's comfort.
I've read about the Beco being fantastic for petite moms. Its construction does not make a petite mom like myself look 20 times heavier. Being so frugal, I couldn't justify the cost in the past; when there were more inexpensive options. Yes, I've tried those options. I bought two at a time in case, I mean, knowing it would eventually break.
The Gemini's price is actually most affordable when you compute the time and gas spent trying different brands. Also, if I calculate the amount of usage it will be under, the cost is more acceptable. Let's say I wear my son at least once a day for 30 minutes. $140 (with tax) divided by 365 days in a year, it equals to .38 cents per day for its cost. However in reality, I could wear him for maybe up to 2 years. Then the cost for 2 years would only be .19 cents a day. Rather than buying an inexpensive one that will break on me and I would have to replace several times, my lovely Beco is a bargain.
It is also very comfortable! Back and shoulder pains can also be expensive - very expensive! Having the right baby carrier can either mean back pains for days or minimal to none. I can wear my baby for an hour and not have back aches after. I thought I would need a couple of tries before this could be really comfortable, and wow! At first try for more than 30 minutes, my son fell asleep and my back was not sore! He didn't even sweat in it unlike the other ones I've tried that left both of us drenched in sweat! It doesn't make me look like I am wearing an armored vest, either; which most carriers I have tried made me look.
Just a quick background on me. I am clumsy. When I walk through hallways, I always find myself hitting the walls, on each side simultaneously. I trip. I fall. I am petite. This baby gear sure messed with my center of gravity at first. I found myself learning to balance with the baby in tow. After I got the hang of it, wow! I think it even helps with my posture. I find myself standing more upright than usual. So, if you wobble the first times you wear your baby, be assured that you will find your balance soon.
What's cool about the Gemini is that the baby can be worn facing forward. I haven't tried it on the baby because I know he's going to love it and I will be stuck carrying him this way. Moms are advised to limit wearing the baby facing forward for developmental reasons. However, I like the idea of being able to do this, if ever I wanted or needed to. The two other features I love are the strap elastics and safety button on the buckles. If the strap is too long, you can roll it up and tie it with the elastics at the end of the straps. The safety buttons on the buckles prevent them from being unbuckled accidentally. When I rented my Beco before purchasing it, I was taught to unbuckle the straps with two hands. As parents, we want to do things with the least hands possible. I figured out that when the straps are pulled hard, I can push the safety button first. Once the safety button is out, I can unbuckle the rest quickly.
I've read everywhere that soaking the Beco in vinegar during its very first wash will help keep its color from fading too fast and avoid lint. Many reviews have stated that their carriers faded during its first wash. I used Woolite on delicate cycle with cold water. I hung it dry away from direct sun. The carrier was exactly the same color. To limit the number of washes, they do sell drool pads that the baby can chew on.
Overall, the Beco Gemini is a wonderful gear for petite moms. I have recommended this to so many moms. Don't let the price scare you. It is worth every penny. It is so comfortable and easy to use. I wish it had a pocket of some sort to put my stuff in. I found some stores in Etsy that make drool bibs with pockets on them. I even found one that made a little purse you can hang on one of the straps. Also, maybe if the design of the print can have vertical lines, petite moms can look taller. I also think a design that has a shape of an hourglass in the middle would make post-partum moms look leaner. My bestfriend bought her Gemini from PaxBaby.She customized it with the print she wanted for an additional fee. If I don't lose the rest of the baby weight, I might just opt for my carrier to be customized with vertical lines to give the illusion of more height and leaner torso.
Do you have a suggestion on how to incorporate something to carry my keys, phone, and cards with my Beco? I don't know how to sew, but maybe you have other tricks that might work.
It is also very comfortable! Back and shoulder pains can also be expensive - very expensive! Having the right baby carrier can either mean back pains for days or minimal to none. I can wear my baby for an hour and not have back aches after. I thought I would need a couple of tries before this could be really comfortable, and wow! At first try for more than 30 minutes, my son fell asleep and my back was not sore! He didn't even sweat in it unlike the other ones I've tried that left both of us drenched in sweat! It doesn't make me look like I am wearing an armored vest, either; which most carriers I have tried made me look.
Just a quick background on me. I am clumsy. When I walk through hallways, I always find myself hitting the walls, on each side simultaneously. I trip. I fall. I am petite. This baby gear sure messed with my center of gravity at first. I found myself learning to balance with the baby in tow. After I got the hang of it, wow! I think it even helps with my posture. I find myself standing more upright than usual. So, if you wobble the first times you wear your baby, be assured that you will find your balance soon.
What's cool about the Gemini is that the baby can be worn facing forward. I haven't tried it on the baby because I know he's going to love it and I will be stuck carrying him this way. Moms are advised to limit wearing the baby facing forward for developmental reasons. However, I like the idea of being able to do this, if ever I wanted or needed to. The two other features I love are the strap elastics and safety button on the buckles. If the strap is too long, you can roll it up and tie it with the elastics at the end of the straps. The safety buttons on the buckles prevent them from being unbuckled accidentally. When I rented my Beco before purchasing it, I was taught to unbuckle the straps with two hands. As parents, we want to do things with the least hands possible. I figured out that when the straps are pulled hard, I can push the safety button first. Once the safety button is out, I can unbuckle the rest quickly.
I've read everywhere that soaking the Beco in vinegar during its very first wash will help keep its color from fading too fast and avoid lint. Many reviews have stated that their carriers faded during its first wash. I used Woolite on delicate cycle with cold water. I hung it dry away from direct sun. The carrier was exactly the same color. To limit the number of washes, they do sell drool pads that the baby can chew on.
Overall, the Beco Gemini is a wonderful gear for petite moms. I have recommended this to so many moms. Don't let the price scare you. It is worth every penny. It is so comfortable and easy to use. I wish it had a pocket of some sort to put my stuff in. I found some stores in Etsy that make drool bibs with pockets on them. I even found one that made a little purse you can hang on one of the straps. Also, maybe if the design of the print can have vertical lines, petite moms can look taller. I also think a design that has a shape of an hourglass in the middle would make post-partum moms look leaner. My bestfriend bought her Gemini from PaxBaby.She customized it with the print she wanted for an additional fee. If I don't lose the rest of the baby weight, I might just opt for my carrier to be customized with vertical lines to give the illusion of more height and leaner torso.
Do you have a suggestion on how to incorporate something to carry my keys, phone, and cards with my Beco? I don't know how to sew, but maybe you have other tricks that might work.
It's great to find another small mom. We are the same height. I am using a Moby and a Beachfront Baby water wrap because the Moby is just too hot. I've been looking for a soft structured carrier, but had given up after my experience with others. The 5'2" crowd always recommends something (like the Ergo) for petite moms, but it doesn't work for me. Maybe I'll try the Gemini. I noticed that it is very similar to the previous model called Butterfly and they are a lot cheaper used.
ReplyDeleteYou can attach a hiking clip somewhere to carry your stuff in a small pouch.
Yay, another petite mom. :). I have so many updates to do with this blog, so I apologize that it has been this long since the last one. I know what you mean about the Ergo recommendations. I got those as well. I recommend Googling local baby stores in your area and see if they would be willing to rent you the carriers to try them. When I tried the Ergo, the shoulder straps were off my shoulders a little bit and the structure covered my entire upper torso. The shoulder straps should not deter you from at least trying it though, because I found myself just using the criss cross way with my Beco, anyways. The Ergo straps definitely felt more cushioned. And yes, the butterfly was the edition before the Gemini. They also now have the Soleil. I recommend those to people because it has an infant insert, a head cover, and pouch for your keys. My son is almost two years old and I still wear him with my Beco when I need to just rush through a store, etc. And I sometimes use it to put him to nap when nothing else works. :)
DeleteA perfect gear for mums. Keeping their little ones close to their heart.
ReplyDeleteI know you're out of this stage, but can you tell me, please, up to what weight for the baby can you still use this carrier? I am also 4'10, and baby is a year old, and about 22 lbs.
ReplyDelete