Manduca® … Germany’s #1 Organic Baby Carrier
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Wear your baby snuggled either on your front, back or side, from 3.5kg right through to 20kg.
ALL Manduca baby carriers are made from 100% organic cotton or organic cotton/hemp mix and when you look at the features, it’s not surprising the Manduca is Germany’s number one baby carrier:
• Baby’s knees are higher than their bottom – othopaedically ideal for best hip development
• Broad sitting base for baby while supporting thighs
• 100% certified organic cotton against baby’s skin, with outer layer organic cotton/hemp mix
• Built-in newborn insert for use from 3.5kgs
• Baby’s back and neck are supported, and support extends as baby grows
• Headrest/sunshade are included with all carriers
• Secure two handed hip clasp with extra long hip strap
• Choice of colours in standard models (organic cotton/hemp mix)
• Designer Limited Edition prints in 100% organic cotton
View the Manduca demonstration on You Tube here.
Find out more about the complete Fertile Mind range here.
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Wow! This looks like a great carrier! I have been looking round for one that is suitable for 6mths and up and this looks perfect!
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Hi Mom’s,I am looking forward to reading the reviews (and hopefully participating!) as I am finding it hard to find a carrier that won’t hurt my neck. I find that most carriers on the market will pull on your shoulders and this is what stops me from using them. I do use a sling, but still find it pulls on one side. I have bought and tried many with my 2 older kids and would dearly love one for my miss 10 month old!
Are any reviewers able to please comment on this factor for me please.
Thanks in Advance
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I am also looking forward to these reviews (and also in hopefully participating). I love using baby carriers, in fact i have three of them. My daughter has suffered with severe anxiety since birth and prefers to be carried than be in a pram. I used a sling when she was smaller but it became painful to carry her in as she got heavier. I then purchased a side carrier which is great for short periods of time but ideally i have been looking for one that can be carried on the front and back.Is this carrier the pain free one i’ve been searching for???
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How exciting! I love that it goes up to 20kg’s. I have a 5 month old and a 19 month old so they could both use it! I haven’t found one like this before! I hope to hear all about it!!!
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I have constant back pain carrying my 4.5 month old baby boy around and this new carrier looks very exciting and very supportive!!!!! LOve it!!!
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I too have my fingers and toes crossed to be on the review panel for this one!
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I am looking forward to these reviews also. I am excited that it goes up to 20kg as my 9mth old grew out of my previous one a long time ago…. Have tried slings but they are not for me and with a very independant 2 1/2 yr old as well as a 9mth old it can be awkward at times with a pram.
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I am looking forward to hopefully being able to participate in this review as I am off too the UK in may and this looks like it would make travelling alone with a 16 month old a whole lot easier. I have previously tried a sling but it put a lot of strain on my back so we didn’t use it for very long. I look forward to hearing the reviews about this product as it seems wonderful!
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I’m hopefully on of the lucky Ones to take part in this trial I’ve been wanting to trial something like this, having 2 kids under 2 and one the way i’m certainly curious as to weather is convenIent, or get in my way… Would love to provide other feedback for other curious mums…..
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I hopefully will get to trial this, i have twin boys who are 14months old and a 3year old as well, it would definatly be nice to carry my youngest and lightest around on me while i push the other two in the pram would make so much of a difference as it is hard to watch my 3 year old when he is activily trying to get away from me!this would keep it underwraps! I have been reluctant to try these as i thought they might hurt my back but it would be a great oportunity to trial them
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im really hoping to be selected for this trial.i wanted a manduca but couldnt afford one so i settled for a baby rock sling boy am i sorry,its soo uncomfy!! and the bigger my boy gets the worse it is!! i have my fingers and toes crossed waiting for the email haha
April 13, 2011 at 2:15 pm, Carly said:
Later in the day we went out and my daughter was in the Manduca carrier for about 30 mins. I stopped in to my work to drop something off and everyone commented at how cosy and comfy she looked in there, plus how comfortable it looked for me, which it was. I had the straps crossed over which I found to be so comfortable. I didn’t have any pulling on my shoulders or pain in my back. I think it was a little fiddly putting the straps on criss-crossed and I wasnt sure what to do with the back strap (it just stuck out) but definitely worth the effort because it made it a lot more comfortable for me.
I’m still trying to figure out how to use the head cover when in front carry because it doesn’t show in the booklet. I’m assuming you can use it in front carry.
I can’t wait to test it out for a longer period of time, see if my daughter will fall asleep in it. And it will be interesting to see if I have any pain with it. I own another very similar baby carrier and have just started getting some pain with wearing it and I was thinking about giving up using it. Hopefully the Manduca will be my saviour.
Photos to come!
April 13, 2011 at 9:23 pm, Shanski said:
I loved the box it arrived in. The carry handle is very useful and the compact size is practical. The way the Manduca was folded in the box was brilliant but as soon as I unfolded it I couldn’t get it back in (a carry bag would be handy to store the carrier in when not in use)
I sat down to read the manual and found it difficult to find the english instructions as all translations are on the same page (maybe sectioning them out would be easier to read especially if you have toddlers running around)
I did a dry run (without baby) and it was a bit fiddly getting used to what tag goes where. Practicing in front of the mirror as suggested in the manual was handy as well as some videos on youtube. Perhaps a dvd tutorial could be included with the printed manual.
I grabbed my miss 2.5 (16kgs and 92cms tall) and we had a go at the piggy back hold. It was awkward getting her into the carrier and getting it clipped and adjusted but once she was in I felt comfortable and felt she was really secure. We did a few laps of the lounge room and I’m keen to try this position for a longer time frame.
Our big adventure was shopping. I had a few practice goes at home in front of the mirror with miss 5 months (8kgs and 70cms long) and found the crossed straps to be more comfortable for me.
So we were out and about for an hour and a half and I had miss 5mths in the Manduca the whole time. She even dozed off for 30mins. She did get a little cranky when she couldn’t look out and see the world as she usually can in her pram. Towards the end of our trip I found my shoulders were starting to pull a little and the waist/hip strap was digging in where it wasn’t on the padding. Surprising to me I had no lower back pain and thats where I usually get it with my other carrier.
Once I get more confident with “strapping” the kids in I will add some photos of our adventures.
When practicing its best to wear fairly fitted clothes as its easier to find the straps, also wearing a bra is handy so you get a true feel for the Manduca.
Feel free to ask me any questions or to ask me to test in certain situations.
April 13, 2011 at 9:54 pm, tcappleby said:
It was a bit fiddly with all the straps as I’ve been using a baby bjorne when he was a bit younger and a cloth sling at the moment. Once I did the straps though, bubba looked comfy (even if his legs looked quite spread out (carried him in the front for today). Mind you, have been so used carrying him on the hip so I’ll try the hip position next time. Apart from the straps, the material was quit soft and comfy, and loved the padding. I loved the fact that I could use this till he’s 20 kg and that even when I was walking around for more than am hour, my back and shoulders didn’t hurt. I’ll try to get more used to the straps and carry him on the hip position this weekend
April 16, 2011 at 2:06 pm, Shanski said:
We went out to our swimming lesson and I had miss 5 months buckled in and she was quite cosy and happy until we got inside. She wanted to look at all the other kids and watch her sister swim but due to the face to chest position of the carrier she got cranky. I will definitely need to practice the piggy back position for her.
Despite her crankiness I was comfortable. I changed the straps from crossed over to just straight and I much prefer the crossover position.
Hubby is home this weekend so we will practice the piggy back position with both kids and venture out and about.
April 16, 2011 at 5:10 pm, k123 said:
I started to check all the clips out and all the straps to see how everything adjusted.
Since I had been told I had contagious tonsillitis the previous day my Mum was given the first go!
We popped it on and popped bubba in to try it out for comfort to start with. I needed to help my Mum (who is in her 60′s, I love she has a go at anything!) found it a bit tricky to get the strap behind her head but I did that for her. It sat comfortably on her frame and bubba was very happy as she likes to be carried around anytime she can.
I got to try it out yesterday for the first time!! YAY! thanks to a extensive course of antibiotics and I used to help me get some of my chores around the house down.
I found it really comfortable and the material and make of the carrier is very high quality.
I loved how you use the little section inside to secure bubba. I knew there was no way she was going to fall out especially when it comes to taking it off.
She was a very happy camper as I pottered around and tidied the mess that had accumulated around the place for the last few days. She was very secure and I got lots of my jobs done. She wanted out when she started to get tired so she may not want to sleep in it but I want to try and test that next week.
She did have a good suck on the left arm padding which was a bit wet but it looks like a easy to clean fabric, which I will try out after next time as she will probably slobber on it again anyway.
So far I must say I love this carrier!!
April 16, 2011 at 5:31 pm, calinkal said:
I received my Manduca and was impressed first of all by the packaging-a nice, neat box with great information on the outside. I was a bit disappointed that it did not come with an instructional DVD like other carriers I have purchased in the past did which is essential if you have never used a baby carrier before.
The included instructions could be more extensive and perhaps only in English/German editions so as to make it easier to read.
As for the construction of the Manduca, I was impressed. Good quality fabric and the straps and buckles are of a good quality. The stitching is strong and the waist band is well structured. There is a broad range of adjustability of the straps. I particularly liked the waist buckled once I worked out to push in the catch first. Perhaps a more detailed section in the instructional book would help with this.
I then proceeded to quickly put Mr S, my 9.2kg, 80-odd cm tall, 8 month old into the carrier which I did with ease as I am familiar with the “M” placement of the legs from using my Mei Tai carrier. I quite liked the fact that the Manduca has the structured waist band as it helps with heavier babies or children. The shoulder straps comfortable. I only tried it quickly as I was on my way out.
So far I found these suggestions to improve the Manduca:
1. Better instructional manual. One language and more detailed information.
2. An instructional DVD would be a must have addition
I will write further reviews once I have given the Manduca a proper road test. I will also attempt to use it with my 15kg Mr N on board
April 16, 2011 at 9:40 pm, Carly said:
Next well try the back carry, maybe tomorrow when we head out and about. I had every intention of taking photos today but completely forgot! Tomorrow…
I also agree with those who have mentioned about the instruction manual. I found it difficult to follow and find the English instructions on each page.
I don’t think a DVD should be included, thats an extra expense/ packaging. The YouTube videos are sufficient. Perhaps the instruction manual should have a website listed which has links to YouTube videos.
I also think providing a carry bag would be handy (to store the Manduca when not in use).
April 18, 2011 at 4:45 pm, Carly said:
I had a big review written then hit submit without clicking on the ratings so I lost it!!
This is a photo of my daugher in the Manduca in the back carry position. She was in it for about 45 minutes while we walked around looking at display homes. I got a few comments that she looked pretty cosy in there. I was quite comfortable for the most part, towards the end my shoulders got a bit sore where the straps were pulling. The front strap also was scratching across my chest.
I had to get my husband to help me put her in it, but I took her out by myself. Watching the YouTube video really helped me to know where to put my hands to take her out.
I didn’t like that I couldn’t see her, and she cant tell me what she wants/needs. I’m not sure I would use this position if I was by myself. I do have an attachable mirror I used to check on her occassionally but its just not the same as her being in front.
Loving this review, really like the Manduca carrier!
April 19, 2011 at 4:48 pm, tcappleby said:
I agree with the others with regards to a small carrier bag when not in use and a way to fold it up, tucking all the straps neatly.
I am loving the carrier as I think that it’s a great one to get when bubba gets a bit heavier. The durable straps and fabric makes me feel confident carrying my heavy baby without breaking my back, extra that I know he’s definitely secure and comfortable.
April 20, 2011 at 9:28 am, calinkal said:
April 24, 2011 at 8:18 pm, k123 said:
This afternoon we headed to the park for a play so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to test out the multitasking Mummy with the Manduca. You can see my wee one peeping out of the carrier in the bottom photo. She was very comfortable in the carrier and I found it to be very comfortable to wear. I did still find it a little difficult to be able to clip the strap together behind my head, my flexibility is not as good as some peoples I think. It was great to have a spare hand to be able to push my eldest daughter on the swing. The carrier does make me feel that she is very safe and secure as it is so well made and the fabric is such high, strong quality.
My wee one did get a little over being in the carrier after about 20 minutes but I think it is because she is getting to the stage that she wants to be able to see what is going on . So I want to test out the side carrying position next and see if she is happier to sit in there longer.
April 26, 2011 at 9:49 am, Shanski said:
I’ve done a couple of shopping trips for about 30-40 mins and miss 5.5mths was ok but started to get cranky as she wanted to look around and interact with her sister and in the front carry position it was hard for her to do this.
Also I found it rather hard getting her into the carrier from her car seat. I found the straps were dragging on the ground as I was adjusting her in the front pouch, also without a mirror it was hard to find the side straps to click into and I was having a hard time adjusting it to a comfortable fit.
We went out yesterday and I had my husband help me adjust the carrier and he was a bit perplexed by it all. He also commented that it seemed harder to use than our current one and he wondered how I managed to do it alone. I did find it hard to sit down while wearing my bub as the front hip section sat funny.
The good thing about the Manduca is in wearing it and bub I didn’t get any pain in my lower back or hips at all, I was having some trouble with pulling on my shoulders but I do think this is from struggling to adjust it properly. I did wake up the next day without pain which is a huge benefit.
The straps, construction and quality of the Manduca is excellent. I feel very confident that miss 5.5mths is very safe and secure whilst being carried.
April 27, 2011 at 3:56 pm, juliamumof3 said:
April 30, 2011 at 4:21 pm, Carly said:
I have an Ergo as well and I haven’t used it since receiving the Manduca because I much rather the Manduca! I’ve been telling a few friends who have new bubs or bubs on the way about the Manduca, and how good it is. One friend was about to buy another brand (not mentioning any names… it allows bub to face out) and I pulled out my Manduca. I explained how it’s better for both baby and mum and is so comfy. I love that it has support for newborns, no need to spend extra money which is awesome and important when babies can get so expensive.
I’ll take some more photos soon and I’ll keep spreading the word about Manduca!
May 02, 2011 at 9:43 pm, k123 said:
Over the last two days we have had two outings with two very different reactions from my bubba. The first was to the beach, I decided to try the side position as she is a sticky beak and wants to see what is going on. Once I figured out how to do it and where the straps went it was actually easier putting her in the side position then the front. She also loved it! Loved that she could see what was going on and comfortable on my hip. It also kept her warm in the breeze off the ocean. She had a good suck of the arm strap again, so I think a investment in some suck pads would be a good idea but she was safe and happy for quite some time until she wanted to have a wiggle.
We also went to the Model Train Show today and it was a very warm day, I put her in the side carry position again and it was easy to pop her in and off we went, we had to walk through the sun to get to the pavilion and I thought I would get a photo wearing the carrier in the pavilion with the trains but that didn’t last long. The pavilion was really hot and the carrier kept her warm the day before but today it made her hot, so I had to take her out as she was getting very upset. So I think the carrier can be great for most weather situations except for when it is very warm or hot as the quality being so great and thick makes her even warmer.
But the side position is a winner!!
May 05, 2011 at 11:41 am, Carly said:
Here’s a pic of little miss in the back carry position, checking out the waves.
I’m still to try out the side carry position because I haven’t had a chance to look at the instruction booklet. Looking at k123′s pic, it looks like the side strap would pull on my neck which I wouldn’t like but I guess I won’t know until I try it.
I think integrated suck pads would be a great addition to the Manduca Baby Carrier. Then it would definitely be an all in one, nothing more to buy carrier. I’ve been thinking about getting some for a while but just haven’t gotten around to it. I haven’t washed my Manduca yet but my Ergo has been machine washed a few times and it’s been fine.
May 05, 2011 at 11:45 am, Carly said:
I’m not sure what happened there, but here is the photo that was supposed to be uploaded on my previous post.
May 13, 2011 at 12:48 pm, k123 said:
It was also good for her as she has a cold and she was in up right position so it was a good position to help with breathing. Although as with anyone when they get sick they get tired so wanted to be cuddled to sleep rather then fall asleep in the Maduca. I see babies asleep all the time in carriers and I am sure it would be very comfortable to fall asleep in but she hasn’t fallen asleep in it yet. I still love the strength of the carrier and that her whole bottom and back is supported when she is in the carrier. It great to know she is safe.
May 18, 2011 at 8:49 pm, Shanski said:
I used the mirror and bed to help me position bubs but didn’t get the booklet out. Going from memory I strapped up the waist, put bubs in and spun her onto my back, I then struggled with getting the straps over my shoulders and clipped in. Once I twisted and turned and clipped and clicked miss 6 mths looked very comfy. She was giggling and laughing the whole time I was trying to get her in so it made it fun for both of us.
We then did some “bike-a bike-a” as miss 2.5 calls it and miss 6 mths was very happy.
I felt comfortable with her in the back carry position and felt due to the quality she was very secure. I had no pain whilst wearing the Manduca but I did find the waist strap digging in when worn in the front position ( also not very comfortable or flattering when holding leftover baby weight)
I think an outward facing position would be great. Both my kids are very nosy and very social and like to interact with people so it would be handy for us.
June 02, 2011 at 11:39 am, unicorn16 said:
June 02, 2011 at 2:43 pm, calinkal said:
I have been using the Manduca around the house to do chores like hang out the washing with my almost 10 month old Mr S (he weighs just over 10kg) as our backyard is mostly red sandy soil which he likes to eat! I found it great to use for doing things like hanging washing or light housework.
June 28, 2011 at 3:43 pm, juliasmumof3 said:
The only comment she has about it though is when you are by yourself it is a bit hard to clip the top clip at the back.
Can’t wait to use it myself in a few more weeks on my newborn!
July 21, 2011 at 2:44 pm, piper404 said:
April 17, 2012 at 7:57 pm, eandr92 said:
Super comfort meets super style
This is one of my favourite carriers and I own many. It is very comfortable and easy to use. There isn’t much you can get wrong with this carrier due to its user-friendlyness. I have easily gone 5 hours of walking with an 8kg baby and it is still going strong with a 10kg 12 month old. It is ergonomic for both baby and wearer and I just love that it comes with the newborn insert for no extra cost. It also has a high resell price which is fantastic for those who are worried about spending money on things that can’t be resold later. I just love that the hood can be tucked in or out and it is a much better and supportive hood than any other carrier I have used. I also love the way it looks.