Whether you are a new parent, second or more-time parent, or a grandparent, finding the right baby gear can be a daunting task. With so many options on the market, and so many safety considerations it can be hard to know what will be a truly useful purchase that will stand the test of time.
I remember being overwhelmed after the baby shower for our first child, and my husband and I left in a state of shock after our first visit to a large baby department store. And by the time our second child came along our house was already full of the essentials - plus so much more.
Our family was eager to know what to buy us to welcome our second child, but we said we didn't need a thing. We are an active family who loves to camp, travel, and spend time in nature, and we already had a soft baby carrier and travel stroller.
It wasn't until a couple of years later, when pregnant with our third child, that our attention was drawn to hiking carriers and what a difference carrying a larger baby or toddler on your back makes over a soft carrier or travel stroller. No more struggling with a stroller up stairs or across grass. No more trying to manage a squirming child in a front carrier designed for small babies. And have you ever t tried to carry an 18-month-old on your shoulders while they pull your hair and poke your eyes and entertain themselves by leaning in every direction?
Looking back, we wish we had thought to ask for contributions towards a backpack carrier to welcome our first or second child. It has been an incredibly useful addition to our lives for baby number three - allowing us to do much more outdoor activity with our older kids, and to create beautiful family memories.
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Here's why we think Panda Child Carriers are the BEST baby and toddler hiking carrier.
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It's lightweight and extremely strong: The carrier is made with a lightweight aluminium frame that can support up to 20 kilos, making it suitable for infants over 7 months and toddlers up to 4 years old. In fact, it is one of the lightest backpack carriers on the Australian market, without compromising stability or strength.
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Adjustable straps and multiple points of support: The carrier has padded shoulder straps and waist belt that can be adjusted to fit both mum and dad comfortably. It also has a padded back panel and multiple points of support to help distribute the weight evenly.
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Built-in sunshade and stirrups: Panda Carriers comes with sunshade included in the price (many other brands sell this separately) that can be easily attached and detached as needed, as well as stirrups which help some toddlers to feel more secure.
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Multiple storage compartments: Panda Carriers have large and well thought-out storage for nappies, wipes, snacks, and other essentials. We keep ours in the boot of the car with nappies and wipes and sunscreen permanently in the pockets, so we can just grab and go for a quick walk when passing a duck pond or other spot to explore. I also keep a small bag of oats in there too for feeding the ducks (if allowed).
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