Tula Free to Grow

Thread: "Is Artipoppe worth it?"

The only reason to go with an Artipoppe is their bougie fabric choices. Functionally they aren’t going to be different from other soft structured carriers, it’s a waist belt, a panel, and two shoulder straps. Anecdotally, I’ve seen people mention that they aren’t as good for smaller babies. Everyone that recommends Artipoppe seemingly also has a referral code that gives them a kickback, so I’d take their reviews with a grain of salt. IMO it’s the overpriced designer handbag of baby carriers. For less than half the price you can buy a Tula Free to Grow which would be almost identical but have better adjustments in terms of the panel height and width. Ergobaby and Lillebaby both make carriers that come with a lumbar support piece if you are really concerned about your back. ETA: if both of you end up babywearing frequently you may want two carriers. It’s a PITA readjusting straps constantly to fit two bodies.

Thread: "Tula FTG vs Explore"

These carriers are functionally identical, except the Explore panel is padded to allow facing out. It’s also not quite as adjustable as the FTG height-wise as you can only flip that headrest piece up/down. The FTG has much better panel height adjustment with straps, and it’s much lighter weight over baby with one layer of fabric vs padding. I’d 1000% go with the FTG. That was my favorite carrier until my kiddo outgrew it.

Thread: "What's the deal with tula carriers?"

I love the tula bc they’re size inclusive. Both my husband and I are plus size and can wear the tula carriers without issue.

Thread: "Best baby carrier for newborn?"

Wraps are the most ergonomic and customizable way to carry newborns (can be done from day 1 even with tiny babes). What is it you don’t trust about them? A lot of buckle carriers won’t fit tiny babies and are actual suffocation risks if too big. Lennylamb Light, Didymos, Tula FTG are some that adjust down rather small and fit from around a few weeks old. The Ergobaby Embrace is a buckle carrier for newborns but will stop to fit after a few months. Take a look at the automod safety and automod wiki, they have plenty of useful information.

Thread: "Mabé, Tula, or Momcozy?"

Tula Free to Grow should fit babe now, and is the highest quality carrier on this list! They’re doing a 30% off sale site wide right now with the code SPRING30.

Thread: "Just buy the expensive baby carrier"

+1 on the Tula! We had the ergobaby omni and I loved it but once my son turned 1 it didn’t go wide enough to support his legs. Moved to the Tula & just wish I did sooner, it’s so comfortable and looks way nicer too

Thread: "What’s Your Holy Grail Carrier for Babies?"

Mine is tula ftg. Still using it at 21mo.

Thread: "Baby Carrier Recommendations [ON]"

Ergobaby Omni 360 (with the clip, not velcro) is my favourite by far. It wears until they are toddlers. Have tried unstructured wraps as well but they were only comfy up to a month or two, and a pain to put on and take off. Tula carrier is also excellent.

Thread: "Mabé, Tula, or Momcozy?"

Baby is too young to forward face and may be too small for structured carriers at this point. She may be big enough now though! I really like my Tula, it’s easy to use and comfortable.

Thread: "Best Baby Carrier?"

I have tula free to grow and like it so far

Thread: "Baby Bjorn claims another victim."

Definitely post a fit check! I’ve gotten tons of help my my Tula free to grow here. This post wasn’t to judge parents on their baby wearing. Only to highlight how absurd It is that companies can get away with ads like this. Truly, zero judgment whatsoever. I commented below that my first carrier was a Bjorn and my baby and I looked exactly like this image

Thread: "Can I put a newborn in a Tula free-to-grow? Also, was this a good deal?"

You can start with the Embrace while baby is very very little and move up to the Tula Free to Grow which is a great carrier especially at that price.

Thread: "Is a Tula baby carrier worth it?"

I have a free to grow that I’ve loved. My husband uses it more than the wraps/half buckle I have. It’s currently MIA though…

Thread: "Toddler sling recs?"

No doesn’t need to be hands free. We will be at a concert. That’s why I’d like to have the ability for him to be in and out quick without a bunch of buckles and such. I may just use my Tula and put him on my back I just need to practice to get it right 😁

Thread: "Is the LILLEbaby carrier actually suitable for newborns or do I also need Ergo Embrace?"

I did not realize how expensive Lillebaby is! Good call on noticing the pictures are unsafe. Along with the head rest, they also have babies leg tucked in the carrier which is generally not considered best practice anymore now that carriers are coming more adjustable. The lillebaby only has two panel width which means there is a while where the panel will be too narrow but the wider setting is too wide. If you want a buckle carrier “newborn and up” (depending on how big baby is you will probably need a newborn option like stretchy wrap, ring sling, etc for the first little bit but you can often find them second hand for cheap.) I would go with the Tula free to grow or Lenny lamb Lenny light instead.

Thread: "Anyone buy a structured carrier after getting tired of the wrap?"

I was in this exact situation! We’ve been using the k’tan for naps at home, but she’s getting heavier so she was sinking low in the carrier and I was always having to hike her back up. I still have her in it for daytime contact naps. I just got the Free to Grow and I love it! It’s structured but I can see us using it for a long time. I’ve used it at the farmers market and she enjoyed being able to look around and knock out when she was ready. The fabric is a great hardy linen, it’s not lined with anything extra (the wildbird carrier is lined with polyester) so it’s great for every season. I recommend it! They have a few colors on sale right now, too!

Thread: "Ergobaby or Tula? "

I much prefer my Tula free to grow over my ergobaby Omni breeze.

Thread: "Is the LILLEbaby carrier actually suitable for newborns or do I also need Ergo Embrace?"

Piggy backing here to say that lennylight is one of the only ones to actually fit newborns. Granted my babies weren’t born super small (around 7 lbs) but I was able to get a safe fit when I tried it with my second at a couple days old. It’s my all time favorite carrier. I also like the Tula FTG, pretty inexpensive if you’re open to second hand but it most likely won’t fit for at least a month. Lillebaby isn’t my favorite, the straps were too long that I could only get it to fit X-back which I’m not a fan of and the fact that the panel only adjusts to 2 positions left a lot of time when it wasn’t an optimal fit for my baby. You can get a safe fit with the lillebaby once baby is big enough (maybe between 1-3 months depending on baby size) but it’s lack of adjustability can make it not the comfiest. If money isn’t an issue or you can find one cheap on something like Facebook marketplace I do think the embrace is good to have. Super easy and comfy for little babies. But if you only want one I vote for lennylight.

Thread: "Anyone buy a structured carrier after getting tired of the wrap?"

I am also in this situation! Baby K'tan has been great but baby is almost 3 months old now, getting bigger, and I'm debating ring sling, Tula Free to Grow, or possibly both....

Thread: "Expecting dad wanting recommendations on baby carriers !"

Tula FTG is a fantastic option and my husband’s favorite carrier. My 7 week old fit in it pretty much from birth, although she was almost 9 pounds when she was born. If you have a smaller baby it will take a few weeks. Other ones he likes are the Lenny light (fits baby soonest but hubby less well) and Lenny upgrade. For reference hubby is 6’4” and weighs around 200 pounds if that helps. He really struggles with any kind of wrapping or even x back style carriers. It would be good for you to find a way to try some on and learn how to use them before baby is born. See if you can find a Babywearing educator, lending library, or mailing program like Little Zen One try before you buy (US/Canada)

Thread: "Fit check: babybjorn baby carrier mini"

I think it would be easier to look on this sub for carrier recommendations, there are tons of posts about this that can be super helpful ♥️ Generally for structured, full buckle carriers around this price point people love Tula (my personal recommendation too, I have an Explore and my husband has a Free To Grow), Lenny Lamb and Ergo carriers, but I'm sure I'm missing a few! I was personally still using a stretchy wrap when my baby was this small but I don't know if it's worth getting one 6 weeks in, but baby might be a tad too small for the great options that they won't outgrow super quickly so it might be worth making your own post asking for recommendations for your specific situation :)

Thread: "Seeking newborn carrier for nervous first time dad who needs to be able to use his hands again"

The embrace has plenty of head support if you use it properly! I would also look at the Tula free to grow or the Lenny Light for a longevity. You could also show him a ring sling and see what he thinks, less fidgety than a wrap and appropriate for newborns. You can use the tail for extra head support.

Thread: "Just buy the expensive baby carrier"

Lol I know people hate on them because of the $$$ but I also love mine. So much better than the Tula free to grow I also bought.

Thread: "Ergobaby carrier or Baby Bjorn?"

Tula free to grow, perfect for newborns-toddler! I loved my solly baby wrap as well for newborn times 💗

Thread: "Good carriers for men?"

Following because I have the exact same question regarding my partner. He was initially good with a sling, but it is uncomfortable not our baby is bigger. We also have a tula ftg and an ergobaby, but he fond those uncomfortable as the waistband skips down.

Thread: "Thinking about getting a ring sling. Any recommendations?"

I have a big baby (95th percentile, currently 19lb). We started with a Solly stretchy wrap and quickly outgrew it. Since, we’ve been using a Tula ring sling at home and a ssc (Tula Free to Grow) on longer outings. I was worried that the Ring Sling would start to dig, but it’s still so comfortable. I did try Nalakai and WildBird first, and neither of those provided us the same support. I think they would’ve been fine earlier or for a smaller baby, but the Tula fabric has a lot more structure and is very supportive still.

Thread: "Mabé, Tula, or Momcozy?"

Agree with this, and often you can find them for a much more affordable price on marketplace!

Thread: "Tula FTG vs Explore"

I’m torn between getting a black hemp one and a teal linen. I feel like getting a darker color one would bug me too much in the summer but I’m not sure how much it actually affects the baby/me feeling hotter :(

Thread: "I’m honestly overwhelmed.. what’s the best baby carrier you’ve actually used?"

I like my Tula free to grow. I got it second hand from eBay so there’s no pressure if baby doesn’t like it. However, she took to it really well! Carrying her weight for multiple hours per day (all naps are carrier naps) does hurt my back eventually. But the carrier itself is easy to use and fairly comfortable.

Thread: "Best baby wrap? What are y’all’s favorites?"

We had the Moby baby and it worked well! Just beware with wraps, once baby is bigger they can be a bit more uncomfortable for both you and baby. You could look into a carrier that has a longer lifespan, so to speak. I have the Tula free to grow and it worked from the newborn stage and still works with my 14 month old! r/babywearing has a lot of knowledgeable people! You can post a "fit check" to make sure baby's in the best position possible for optimal comfort!

Thread: "Dads' favorite carriers"

My husband and my friends husband both really like Tula Free-to-Grow and Explore. There’s a learning curve at first, but pretty easy after the first couple wears. For newborns, my husband loved his Lalabu baby wearing shirt for the first few months. It doesn’t last all that long, but it was a great option until our little guy was big enough for a carrier.

Thread: "Ergobaby v Tula"

My husband and I have both a Tula Free to Grow and a Tula Explore. He prefers the Explore and I prefer the FTG. You could get two used ones for the price (or less than the price) of one new one, if you don’t want to mess with adjusting as often depending on who is wearing baby. It’s very muggy and hot where we are (Midwest USA, temps in the high 90s F and very humid) and baby has been okay in the cotton Tulas in just a onesie and diaper.

Thread: "Is the artipoppe really worth it?"

I love the explore and free to grow by Tula. And they have beautiful handwoven pieces, so if you’d like to splurge on something more special there’s an option for that too.

Thread: "Baby Carrier Recommendations [ON]"

Love love love our Tula Free to Grow! Fit my son from when he was just under 7 pounds and is super comfy even now and he’s just about 15 lbs!

Thread: "Best backpacks for hiking with baby?"

If you're not a super serious hiker, you may just want to use a standard SSC (soft structured carrier) and small crossbody. I'm also not a super serious hiker but have had my seasons of longer more frequent hikes while babywearing with a toddler, and ended up preferring that set up. I used a Lark, but an Ergo or Tula or LennyLight would work just as well I think.

Thread: "What’s the best baby carrier you’ve used that actually works for everyday life?"

Tula free to grow. I have several different carriers and I like them all but my Tula FTG is the ONLY one that doesnt have any aspects which annoy me. Ive used it from around a month old to a little over 3 years. It’s definitely my most ergonomic carrier for both front and back carry. Ive used it for chores around the house and for multi hour hikes. Mine is over 4 years old now and has been used HEAVILY and washed many times and it still looks and feels brand new.

Thread: "Overwhelmed With Carrier Options and Plus Size"

Tula Free To Grow is your best bet to find a budget friendly option secondhand. They tend to fit a lot of people and babies well. They can't forward face though. Only the explore can forward face. When you are looking on Marketplace or wherever you may see a bunch of standard sized ones for cheap. Those you want to avoid for now. They don't tend to start fitting the baby until 9ish months

Thread: "Is Artipoppe worth it?"

Maybe if you have the cash and know what you like. IMO split your budget and you and your husband each get a carrier you love. You’ll find you might have different preferences so even if one carrier is adjustable you might like different “fits” my husband loves our TulaFTG (bonus I got it when they also tossed in a free “lyte” carrier which we use as a car spare or beach carrier.) The structure and support are amazing right of the box and as it breaks in it’s even nicer. My husband has it as his favorite go to he likes the waist band and how it sits on his hips and supports the babe as he carries him on most of our active outings like hikes and likes to know he’s super supported. I love it but also reach for my Lenny upgrade since it’s made of soft woven wrap material and I still get the support needed on all accounts for me and babe but it’s cozier on my mom belly and my 11 month old when we do contact naps which is when I baby we are most often. We got the Tula new and the Lenny second hand and all and all spent $200 on them. FWIW we get lots of compliments on both carriers too. Lots of prints to choose from and colors to compliment whatever you like. Remember you baby will spit up and drool and maybe even poop on the carrier so it won’t look like the Instagram image for long. I haven’t heard or seen much for the lifetime of the artipoppes (several kids, hand me downs etc) so be sure to check into that too and make sure they have great customer service! When our Tula lyte buckle broke because i slammed it in the car door by accident I got a replacement in less than a week!

Thread: "Best carrier for chronic back pain ?"

More info: Where is your back pain in your back? Are there things you find that make it worse currently? I have lower back pain and I’ve found that I have to break one of the baby carrying rules of where I put the hip strap. I have to put it more on my hip nook rather than my natural waist which takes the weight off my lower back. If I put it on my natural waist i can get it tight/comfortable enough and it then centers the weight in a bad spot on my back. For some with upper back/shoulder pain, a carrier that can have the straps cross in the back might be better. Or maybe it’s a bigger lumbar support pad on the carrier. Edit: and it’s in my flair, but my go to carrier, and the only one that doesn’t make my back ache, is the Tula Free to Grow.

Thread: "Am I looking for a unicorn? Hot weather, quick to put on, works with front and back carry. "

Second the mesh, I’m both in Mexico and Houston and the heat is getting up there! The mesh is great for keeping baby cool.

Thread: "Mabé, Tula, or Momcozy?"

You said you like these brands because they are similar to Artipoppe but not nearly as expensive. What is it about the Artipoppe that you like? Have you tried one before and liked it? Is it the chunkier/bigger waterfall style waistband you like?

Thread: "Holy Grail Product."

1. My brest friend. I bought two in case I need to feed him in the car! It’s like a little baby shelf. I can feed him and carefully maneuver him around. Its so much easier to use than a squishy pillow. It’s helpful if I’m holding him upright because homefry is HEAVY without the little shelf support. It’s like a tushbaby but multipurpose lol. 2. Tula free to grow carrier. Doesn’t make me hot like a boba wrap, and I can actually move around and do stuff unlike the solly wrap. He loves it, and it’s the only way he naps during the day. Idk what we would do without it. 3. Graco swing - we tried a bouncer and he wasn’t into it. The swing lets me get my coffee in the morning and sometimes even eat breakfast.

Thread: "Baby carrier recommendation?"

I bought a used Ergo and a used Tula. Both seem great so far but we’ll see once babe is here which is better. I figured for the price I paid used I could sell one again if I absolutely hated it.

Thread: "Baby carrier recommendation?"

I love my Tula free to grow!!!

Thread: "Ergobaby va Baby bjorn"

Certified babywearing consultant here. The ergobaby Omni 360 has an adjustable seat which is what you want with a carrier. The baby Bjorn Mini is an older style carrier with a narrow seat and at this point your baby has actually likely outgrown the width of it. You really want baby to have support from knee to knee and have the carrier holding them so that their knees are higher than their bum in a spread squat position all the way until a year old. After a year its okay if the support isn't quite knee to knee. I'd actually add in a few other recommendations which many parents tend to enjoy instead of either of the ones you've listed. Lennylamb lennylight, tula free to grow, tula standard, Happy baby original, and once baby is a little older the hope and plum lark. Check out r/babywearing for lots more info on safety and picking carriers. 😊

Thread: "Tula explore reviews"

Awesome thank you both! I’ll look into the FTG over the explorer. I guess I was thinking front facing would be better if we went to the aquarium of someplace like that but I’m sure she can look around plenty front facing too.

Thread: "Is Ergobaby really THAT bad?"

My first carrier - a Tula Free to Grow, was also suitable for newborns above 3.5kg. However, my girl was only born at 2.5kg and hence had to wait till she was about 6-7 weeks before she could fit in there. The panel was still too wide for her at the narrowest setting, hence we had to wait. Most carriers say they are suitable from a certain age... But your child may not be ready for it.

Thread: "Tula FTG vs Explore"

I got first Explore and I regret it! Now I am using an old FTG it's blimmin amazing. My LO just didn't like the structure of Explore... FTG is so much lighter and cheaper.... I wish I got FTG first :)

Thread: "Babybjorn vs ergobaby?"

If you’re open to other options I think the Tula Free to Grow or LennyLamb lennylight are great if you want something structured for that age. You can find a Tula FTG pretty easily on FB marketplace, or either one on Facebook BST groups.

Thread: "Best carrier?"

I love love love my Tula Free to Grow. You can use it from newborn (7lbs) until 45 lbs. I had the Ergo Embrace, but I have a bad back and it wasn’t supportive enough for me. The Tula is so much more comfortable for both of us.