Review: Belle Baby Carrier

The Belle Baby Carrier is ergonomic and stylish and allows for front or rear facing positioning.

When I first put on the Belle Organic Baby Carrier, I was immediately impressed with its overall stylish look. I’ve tried on other carriers that did not leave this impression, and for a hip dad like me, style is important. Of course, stylish design isn’t the most important aspect, but it is a big plus, so before I even tried it out, the Belle carrier was already receiving high marks. I believe that all baby carriers look good on moms, but this is a baby carrier that looks good on dads.

More importantly, of course, is comfort for the baby and adult, and the Belle Baby Carrier, which uses a very simple crossover strap and buckle system with an independent waist belt, is surprisingly comfortable. I say “surprisingly” because it isn’t overly padded. It is padded just enough. The ergonomic design distributes the baby’s weight evenly across the straps and panels. Once you get going, it can be easily adjusted for the best fit. I took my five week old daughter for an hour long stroll and only needed to make a few slight adjustments to the shoulder straps and it was perfect. As far as my daughter, the Belle kept her close to my body for a great sense of security and bonding. Her spine remained in a natural position and she was perfectly happy.

It takes a few tries to get proficient at loading and unloading your baby – it is suggested that you practice with a doll or stuffed animal – but once you get good at it, it is a relatively easy process. The Belle allows you to position your baby facing in or out, and for infants who are still working on supporting their head, the carrier has an attachable head support panel for use in the facing in position. I find that this panel also helps to keep warmth in, which is a nice bonus this time of year here in New England.

Belle carriers are made in Colorado and are available in classic or organic fibers (using 100% organic cotton and hemp).