Is it a toddler carrier?
Is it a toddler sling?
I don’t know what to call this thing…but I do know, regardless of description, that I can no longer live without it.
Buckle up people, we’re about to take a Wildride.
Be careful, as imitations will try to fool you – but there is only one name in the toddler carrier game that you need to know, and it’s Wildride.
These guys are the original creators of the toddler swing carrier, and once I started using it, I immediately became enamored.
Toddler Carriers – Why Do You Need One?
“Mommy, pick me up!”
Just because your children are no longer babies, doesn’t mean they don’t still act like babies.
Bigger and less drool, yes – but still babies.
Let’s be honest – even as an adult I wish someone would just carry me around all day.
One difference post newborn-phase is now instead of whining and crying until you pick them up, toddlers can actually vocalize their need to be carried.
Typically, still in a whiny crying tone, but there’s some actual words and communication going on when they need something.
And boy, do they need it.
At the zoo. At church. In the parking lot. At the grocery store. Again in the parking lot.
Being out in public with your children can become a full-blown workout.
Am I the only one who’s toddler doesn’t seem to understand that mommy’s fragile back and hips can’t handle an entire day of lugging around a tiny human?
Another difference as they develop, toddlers weigh significantly more. These kids are growing exponentially, burning through clothes and shoes (and money) – some 3 year olds can weigh close to 40lbs!
With two under four years old, we encourage our kiddos to walk independently or sit in our favorite stroller wagon, but it never lasts – sooner or later someone will want to snuggle close and get carried around by mommy or daddy (please say daddy).
Many baby carriers I’ve found are designed more for newborns, and products like Toosh Baby, although great, differ from Wildride, which is designed specifically for toddlers and older babies.
Once your children hit that toddler phase (or 9 months), don’t keep trying to use a carrier made for goo goo’s and ga ga’s – get yourself a Wildride toddler carrier.
Why Wildride?
1. Slim Pickens
Typically, what I’ve found with competitor toddler sling carriers is that they aren’t going to be as slim and easy to use as Wildride.
This bad boy is super transportable, our family takes it with us everywhere.
And when it comes to style, there is truly nothing like it.
Choose from a growing array of colors and patterns (like, 15+ different options) – there is something for everyone. Get a flashy carrier to match your personality (yes, please) or a solid denim/black to be more discreet (to each their own).
Or, splurge and get both.
Wildride isn’t a gaudy piece of baby equipment. It’s a cool, easily transportable, ultra-functional accessory that looks great – as opposed to a cheap, clunky baby item you dread being seen with (look away, I’m hideous).
Truth be told, I kinda like walking around wearing it even when the kids don’t want to be carried.
Like your sash from the beauty pageant, Wildride just slings over your shoulder and across your body as you style around town.
Okay, maybe pageant winner is a little extra, but you get the idea — think lightweight, fashionable, and chic — the functionality seals the deal.
2. One Felt Swoop
Getting your child in and ready to roll is quick and painless.
Instead of picking up kids to get them secure in the carrier, with Wildride you can scoop down and lift them up with the help of the sling itself.
It’s designed perfectly to hold little toddler booties snug, with minimal stress on your hips and back – right from that initial hoist.
My kids know the routine for when they want to be picked up – they come in close to my side, I squat down with Wildride to secure them, stand up, and off we go.
And they love it! Which is also super important!
One nimble little transition and I’m back to life, hands-free (so key) ready to take more selfies and consume more coffee.
Adjusting the buckle strap is simple enough to understand, unless you haven’t been in a car since 1954.
They even sell a slide, this mini-pouch to hold your phone/wallet — it velcros right onto the strap itself.
Easy-peasy. Happy child, happy parent.
3. Brand New Vibes
Point blank, the brand is just awesome.
From the story of its inception (originally a surfer dad using a strap as a sling to carry kids along the beach) to some of the other new designs in their ecosystem of products – Wildride is one you want to be a part of!
We first wrote about the sling carrier in our featured finds from the ABC Expo after we got an up close look at its function and met some of the Wildride crew at the event in Las Vegas.
Great people. Great gear. And their lineup keeps growing.
Their Shoulder Mom Bag includes the same buckle strap as the carrier. Shorten it to wear on your shoulder, widen the strap to fit snug around the handlebar of your stroller – you just got more space than a parent organizer could ever offer.
Wildride also created a diaper bag made from recycled material (posh and environmentally friendly).
Similar to No Reception Club (our treasured travel bag) you can actually use a carabiner system to hang the bag from the handlebar of a buggy, stroller or stroller wagon.
Go pro – get one of all three products in the same matching style (hello Green Graphic).
Sling Your Hook
The flagship piece of merchandise from Wildride is no doubt the Toddler Carrier, but their lineup is rapidly evolving.
Creating items for parents that do things others don’t – Wildride goes that extra mile and includes functions which surprise you as a parent.
Isn’t that what brands in the baby game should be all about? Making parents lives easier with simple solutions that work, rather than a headache to add on top of your hectic poopy-diaper, bottle-filling, mess-spilling life.
Don’t pass on one of our favorites of the year, check out the Wildride toddler sling.
