Child carriers are, quite simply, the oldest known method of transportation. Prehistoric in origin, the child carrier is humanity's first and best method of caring for a child . . . providing the developmental benefits of close contact with mother or father without depriving parents the freedom to fulfill their day-to-day duties. By all accounts, keeping your child close to you in a child carrier during their early development is beneficial to both you and them. It is not only a bonding technique, but also a way for your child to see and interact with the world as you do, and not as an idle spectator.

These are just some of the benefits to "wearing your baby":

Pure Convenience
You can use Both Hands! Shopping, eating, cleaning, taking care of your other kids, and walking busy streets become much easier when you use a baby carrier. You always know where your baby is, and keeping them close enhances their development (see below).

Aids Breastfeeding
Some babies feed better while moving, and children that are slow to gain weight are known to gain weight if they are held or carried in a sling for several hours per day . . . proximity to mom encourages eating and weight gain.
Many child carriers and slings, such as X and Y, are designed specifically for breastfeeding. These and other models often have special flaps to protect mother's privacy.

Enhances Baby's Development and Experience
Studies indicate that 'worn' babies have improved visual and auditory alertness relative to children that are frequently left on the floor or in a crib or playpen. Other studies indicate that carried babies have improved speech development since they are more directly exposed to normal adult conversation rather than 'child directed speech'.
Keeping your baby 'up' and with you as you manage your day-to-day tasks, especially in a forward facing child carrier, provides them with a 'heads up' perspective on the adult world.

Reduces Crying and Colic
A survey of 99 mothers of infants in Pediatrics indicates that carrying a baby for at least three hours per day reduces crying and fussing by 43% in the day and 51% at night, even when the child is set down.

Builds a Bond
Perhaps the best thing about a child carrier, baby sling, or front carrier is that the close proximity between parent or caretaker and baby can be instrumental in enhancing the close bonding that children need in order to be happy and satisfied. For mothers in particular, the close and constant proximity afforded to users of baby carriers stimulates and encourages the development of unspoken cues.

The North Face® Kids Gear and Clothing now available at Upsideover.com

The North Face® Kids now at Upside Over a Leading outdoor kids gear and clothing retailer, Denali jackets, footwear, sleeping bags and more.

New York, NY (PRWEB) April 3, 2008 -- Upside Over Inc., (Upsideover.com), a leading outdoor kids specialty retailer announced today that it will be carrying The North Face® for kids outdoor clothing products. The North Face for kids product line provides the quality and technical features you expect from The North Face, with sizes and colors especially for kids. Kids ski and cold weather jackets, vests, pants, hats and gloves for boys and girls. The North Face Kids consists of everything active boys and girls need to enjoy the outdoors during all seasons.

"Our team is extremely excited to be carrying one of the best brands in the industry for outdoor kids"', said Peter Dean," The North Face continues to be a strong brand that delivers great value to consumers and we are proud to be providing it to Upside Over families and kids that are looking for high quality technical gear that is safe, secure and comfortable for a variety of outdoor activities."

As an example Upside Over will be carrying both the boys and girls The North Face® Denali fleece. The Denali is an essential outerwear item for any kid. It is warm, lightweight, compressible and an ideal all-around fleece..a kids favorite. In addition, the Denali zips perfectly into North Face shell jackets, creating the ultimate layering system. Multi-position underarm zippers regulate temperature and 2-ply Supplex nylon abrasion resistant fabric on elbows and upper body increases durability when you're carrying a pack. The Girls Denali Fleece is perfect for a wide range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, backpacking, skiing, kayaking, snowboarding...the list goes on. The unmistakable style of the Denali makes it a big hit with the kidsUpside Over is committed to providing a wide range of The North Face product line, including but not limited to, the Boys and Girls Bionic Jacket, Momentum Jacket, Venture Jacket, Meridian Convertible Pant, and Meridian Short and much more.

Visit us at The North Face Kids.

About Upside Over (Upsideover.com)Upside Over's, outdoor kids gear and clothing, goal is to inspire, advise, and equip today's active families to give them the confidence to participate in outdoor adventure activities by choosing the right gear for the right activity. The company's online store provides the best available collection of outdoor gear for kids and kids technical clothing. The company exists in one of the fastest growing areas of specialty retailing, the outdoor kid's market. Its online presence is located at www.upsideover.com and the company's headquarters and warehouse are located in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Upside Over - Kids Outdoor Gear and Clothing

Inspire. Advise. Equip.™###

Camping Gear Online Stores

Thursday March 6, 2008 - By David Sweet, About.com Guide to Camping since 1997

If you're ready to introduce your infants and young ones to some outdoor adventures, and you're concerned about having them dressed appropriately, then look no further. Peter Dean opened Upside Over's online doors in April 2006. Peter and Cynthia Dean are outdoor enthusiasts who wanted their kids to have appropriate outdoor gear too. With this thought in mind, Peter created Upside Over, a store dedicated to offering the best selection of outdoor gear for kids.

"Having the right gear is critical for a child to realize the same comfort that we enjoy as we participate in outdoor activities and gives us the confidence we need to introduce them into the activities we enjoy. We are here to assist families in finding the right gear for the right activities for their children while continuously researching and, in many cases, hunting down the right products to get the job done.” ~ Peter

Check out Upside Over

Baby Carriers and Baby Slings:May I give you a hand

While baby carriers and baby slings give your baby the developmental benefits of intimacy and physical closeness to you, the most convenient benefit to parents is their easy, hands-free operation. With your baby safe and your hands free, you can go about everyday tasks such as grocery shopping, running errands, or even vacuuming with peace of mind.
Many carriers come in chic, modern designs focusing on both comfort and style, so you can stay in fashion and still be comfortable while wearing one.

Baby Carriers
Many carriers hold your baby facing your chest when he's small. Then—once your baby has sufficient head control—some baby carriers let you face your baby forward so he can explore the world and enjoy the view. Some carriers are reversible even, switching from front- to back-carrying so you can carry a small baby on your chest and then use the carrier as a backpack when your infant is about 6 months old.
Also, as your baby grows, carriers can be easier on you since they distribute your child's weight more evenly along your back instead of concentrating on your shoulders. Generally, baby carriers work great for newborns and toddlers up to 30 pounds.

Baby Slings
With a little practice, baby slings and wraps can be easier to put on and take off compared to the typical baby carrier. Slings and wraps not only allow you to nurse discreetly, but they even let you lay your baby down without waking him. This is because of an important distinction between carriers and slings: carriers have safety restraints, whereas slings and wraps do not.
For this reason, many parents opt for slings when the baby is newborn and not quite as active as an older infant. Some parents can continue to use the sling throughout the first year and even when their baby becomes a toddler, although many children find the sling too restrictive once their muscles and senses develop more.

Baby Backpacks
Baby backpacks are best for an older infant—your baby must be able to sit up alone before riding in a backpack. Baby backpacks are very similar to camping-style backpacks in that most have a lightweight frame that supports and distributes weight along with padded backing and shoulder straps. Many backpacks offer additional strapping, such as a waist or sternum strap, to distribute the weight over more of your body.

If you and your baby are the outdoorsy type, you should look for models that come with accessories such as sun or rain canopies (or the option to upgrade or add-on) so that your baby stays cozy and shielded from the elements.

The drawback to backpacks is that some models can be cumbersome to put on and take off if you’re by yourself or if you need to make frequent stops. However, some baby backpacks are equipped with frames capable of standing on their own and even acting as a baby seat, supporting your little one while you take a break.

2007 Deuter KangaKid Child Carrier REVIEW

A lightweight internal frame child carrier that compacts for use as a day pack. by Marty Coatney 2007-10-03 03:00:00-06

Introduction At 3 pounds 12 ounces, the Deuter KangaKid is among the lightest framed child carriers with storage on the market. Its long list of features makes it a great for day hikes or overnights, as long as you have a shorter torso.

Whats Good

• 5-point child harness keeps kids in place comfortably
  
• Pack carries up to 35 pounds with comfort


• 1800 ci of available pack space will hold child's gear for an ultralight overnight trip or both kid's and parent's gear on a day hike


• Side entrance feature makes loading and unloading a child quick and easy for two adults


• Water bottle pockets, lack of an exterior frame, and large volume makes this more "pack-like" than most child carriers on the market.


• More than 10 ounces lighter than the manufacturer's spec!

What's Not So Good

• Short torso length not "one-size fits all" as claimed


• No rain cover available and sun cover sold separately


• No self-supporting frame to stand the pack on the ground makes it difficult to load a child with only one adult


• Manufacturer's weight limit of only 33 pounds


• Uncomfortable at higher weights for those with medium to large torsos

Specifications

Year/Model	2007 Deuter KangaKid
Style	Internal frame child carrier
Volume (pack bag)	1800 ci (30 L)
Weight	Measured weight: carrier only- 3 lbs 11.8 oz (1.70 kg); manufacturer's specification 4 lbs 6 oz (1.98 kg)
Fabrics	"Ballistic Lite"- 210 denier woven nylon version of standard Ballistic fabric (420 denier); "Microrip-Nylon"- 210 denier ripstop nylon with a PU coating
Features	Large main storage compartment, smaller front pocket with interior key-ring clip and pockets for organizing small items, front stuff pouch with small zippered pocket, side mesh water bottle pockets, padded 5 point child harness, child carrying area zips closed to compact pack and hide harness system, padded shoulder straps and waist belt, internal aluminum stay system to support child seat and storage area, load lifter straps
Comfortable Load Carrying Capacity	35 pounds (15.88 kg) estimated maximum comfortable load an average person can carry all day in this pack
Carry Load to Pack Weight Ratio	9.4 (based on a 35 lb load and measured weight of 3.74 lb)
MSRP	$129.00
Options	Sun roof (not tested): $24.99, 9.0 oz (255 g)

Performance

The Deuter KangaKid is a full-featured child carrier that at first glance appears to be a "normal" day-pack, or at least a normal day-pack with an infant stuck in. This is the allure of this compact pack: no bulky external frames to lug around and as much or more storage capacity than many ultralight packs. While 3 pounds 12 ounces might not necessarily be considered ultralight, the KangaKid is among the lightest framed child carriers with storage on the market and is more than 2 pounds lighter than the lightest external framed carrier, the Sherpani Rumba Superlight.

The KangaKid provides a comfortable enough ride that my son Porter had no problem falling asleep after a long day in the pack.

Any child carrier is defined by its harness system and the KangaKid is average in this area. The harness consists of a padded sling-seat as one of the five points, and then waist and shoulder straps that snap into this sling using quick release buckles make up the other four points. These nylon straps are adjusted using ladder locks found over the child's thighs when they are seated. While the harness is very secure, the sling seat cannot be adjusted up or down in the pack to accommodate for different size infants or toddlers. The buckles and adjusters are also difficult to get to when a child is in the seat, especially since it is easiest to load the pack while it is on a parent's back.

The five-point harness system is similar in design to many child carriers on the market. A unique feature is that one side of the seat area opens using Velcro and a quick release buckle to make loading and unloading easier.

Most external frame child carriers are self-standing, making it easy to "drop" the child straight into the harness system. The lack of a self-standing frame makes it easiest to load a child if one parent is wearing the pack while the other secures the child into the harness system. To make this task easier Deuter has added a split side-piece to the 2007 model of the KangaKid. This piece fastens together using Velcro and an adjustable quick release buckle and can be quickly undone to remove the child from the seat, allowing for more convenient side entry and exit.

Once situated in the seat harness, the pack itself can be further adjusted to make a better fit for both the child and the adult. On either side of the child there are adjustable nylon straps that can be tightened to cinch down the seat area. This snugs the child closer to your back and keeps him or her from moving around too much. When our son Porter was smaller we could also partially zip up the sides of the carrier compartment to keep his feet inside the pack and keep him warmer in cooler weather. Deuter doesn't offer pack stirrups for the KangaKid, so this was our only option to keep his feet in place. As Porter has gotten bigger his feet just dangle down the sides of the pack.

Multiple adjustments and straps keep Porter secure to my back while leaving plenty of room for storage directly behind him. Like a traditional pack, this puts the densest, heaviest gear (in this case Porter) nearest my back.

The KangaKid does have an available sun cover, which I didn't test, but offers no option for a rain cover. In situations where sun or rain may be an issue we just carry a lightweight umbrella for protection.

The available sunroof provides shade but no protection against the rain.

The use of internal stays instead of an external frame has some benefits and some drawbacks. The main benefit is that the pack is much lighter than an external frame pack of a similar volume. It also means the pack can be stowed more easily in a car or closet. The downside of not having an external frame is that you can't put the pack directly on the ground to load or unload the child, or to take a break. When we put Porter on the ground in the pack we have to keep a hand on him. When he was smaller and didn't move around as much we could also prop him up against a tree without a lot of worry.

It is possible to lower the pack to the ground with a child in it, but I've learned to do it when Mom isn't watching because the balance point of the loaded pack isn't quite perfect to pull this off smoothly (the harness is secure, though, and ensures that the child won't fall out). The whole pack, including Porter, tends to lean back past vertical making it look and feel moderately unstable. Getting the loaded pack back on by yourself is possible but is easier done with a second pair of hands for help.

The KangaKid lacks an external frame. When putting Porter on the ground in the pack we always have to make sure to keep a hand on him or to prop him up between two stable objects.

Load carrying is limited by the suspension design of the KangaKid. Whereas an external frame pack from Kelty or Sherpani can carry 50 pounds or more, Deuter's recommended weight limit of 33 pounds for the KangaKid is pretty accurate. Our son has weighed close to 30 pounds since he was 9 months old. (Doug Johnson of this website has nicknamed him "Sumo.") This has meant either limiting what we can carry or exceeding the comfortable maximum load of around 35 pounds. With clothes, diapers, wipes, changes of clothes, food, etc. we regularly get closer to the 40 pound mark. While the frame and suspension components of the KangaKid are plenty sturdy enough to handle the weight, the problem is in the torso fit which makes loads over 35 pound uncomfortable for many pack users.

Deuter claims a one-size-fits-all pack size for the KangaKid but the sizing is truthfully for short-torsos only (such as smaller moms). I typically use a medium pack size, but can fit into a large if needed and my wife's torso is about two inches shorter than mine- a definite medium. For both of us the torso length of this pack is too short. This makes it difficult to balance the weight properly between our hips and our shoulders. If we put the weight on our hips, we have to loosen up the shoulder straps to the point where the pack becomes unstable (though the pack does have load-lifter straps to help with this). If we tighten up the shoulder straps to where they are comfortable the waist belt slides up to our belly buttons and off of our hips. When Porter was lighter, which wasn't long for him, this wasn't such a big deal, but now that we are forced to carry heavier weight it gets downright uncomfortable and shortens the distance we can hike without stopping and readjusting. The shoulder straps and waist belt themselves though were quite comfortable but could not be properly used because of the short torso design.

The back panel of the KangaKid is Deuter's "AirContact" system. It consists of crossed aluminum stays and a plastic frame sheet. Overall, the torso length was too short to be truly comfortable for medium to long torsos.

At $129.00, the Deuter KangaKid is less expensive than most child carriers on the market. It is durable and has plenty of room to carry everything a child needs for an overnight trip or everything we all need for an extended day hike. The seat harness system is simple though the adjustments can be difficult when a child is seated. It would be nice if the sling were adjustable. We like the fact that it is compact and very rarely miss having an external frame. Offering a low price and good features, the KangaKid is a great value - especially for those with shorter torsos.

What's Unique
The KangaKid is one of only a few internal frame child carriers on the market, and at 3 pounds 12 ounces is among the lightest. The child compartment zips up to compact the pack if a child is not seated in it, and when open one side has a "quick release" to make loading and unloading the child easier. Recommendations for ImprovementI offer the following recommendations for improving this pack:

1. Offer different size packs or make the torso length adjustable for taller users.


2. Offer more accessories. A rain-fly would add versatility and stirrups would be a great addition.

Citation"2007 Deuter KangaKid Child Carrier REVIEW," by Marty Coatney. BackpackingLight.com (ISSN 1537-0364). http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2007_deuter_kangakid_child_carrier_review.html, 2007-10-03 03:00:00-06.