KiBi Baby Carrier

Structured, ergonomic KiBi baby carrier

The KiBi is a baby carrier (very different from conventional carriers). It resembles the Asteraki mei tai, but it is somewhat more structured, more “ready to go”. It’s an ideal choice for older children and toddlers, as well as for back carries, because its base widens and narrows (it grows for bigger children, and shrinks for smaller ones). Although it has buckles and fastens, it is a baby carrier, with all the points of care that the Asterakia offer too.

It allows the baby to sit in the same ergonomic position offered by all baby carriers (deep seat, correct spine curve, supported legs). It has a wide belt that fastens securely, reinforced shoulder straps with padding, a hood for coverage and support, adjustment for the baby in five points: (leg opening at the base, seat depth, back support, height of neck support, hood) and for the mom or dad wearing it. Super easy for breastfeeding, suitable for walks and sleep. Made from 100% cotton, suitable for babies from 3.5 kg up to 20 kg (the only one with a base that opens up for toddlers and children up to 4 or 5 years old).

Note: We don’t like the term “ergonomic”, because all Asterakia are ergonomic. It seems, however, that in Greece we’ve gotten used to distinguishing this type of carrier (soft structured carrier) with this word, so we use it too for the KiBi. 🙂

See in the video below a newborn baby breastfeeding in a KiBi carrier:

Differences between the KiBi and an Asteraki mei tai

• It is not made in Greece. Although all Asterakia are made here, the KiBi carrier is imported ready-made, manufactured in the European Union. Until now, for the Asterakia, we couldn’t find anything that met all the specifications we set and that ensure maximum comfort and safety. For example, for the ring slings, some had a comfortable shoulder style, but not the right fabric, others had good fabric, but the wrong ring size, others were very beautiful, but hard to adjust, others were too warm for the Greek climate, etc. So, all Asterakia are made entirely in Greece, in order to bring together all the elements that make them unique. However, we examined the KiBi very carefully, we compared it with many more brands of baby carriers of this type and we find that it couldn’t be made any better! That’s why we decided to bring it, as it is, into our collection!
• Suitable from 3.5 kg. The specifications from its manufacturers are for babies from 3.5 kg and up. See also this video.
• It extends when it comes to leg support and is therefore particularly comfortable and practical for older children and toddlers. An Asteraki mei tai can also be used comfortably with very big children. However, from a certain point on, the whole leg up to the knee may not be supported (depending on how tall the baby you want to wear is). If you plan to wear a toddler for a long time, for hikes and long routes, with the KiBi you’ll have greater comfort at these ages. The KiBi grows much more at its base and with a 4-year-old toddler, for example, it will be easier to achieve the correct “seat”. At the link about age limits, there is a video at the bottom of the page where you’ll also see a child almost 5 years old in a mei tai. As you’ll see it works and is completely safe, but you’ll see how far the support reaches on her legs. With the Kibi we could have a much greater extent of support on the legs.

In the photos above, you can see the very wide opening at the base, which narrows for small babies and widens for toddlers. You can also see how the height is adjusted, which can be raised to support even very big babies, but also lowered so that a small baby who is holding up its head can see comfortably and have as much freedom as it wants.

• • • You can have it pre-adjusted on your body and so it’s much faster and easier to put on, with two moves. Essentially, an Asteraki mei tai also takes very little time to put on (about half a minute from the very start, up to and after the check, you can see it here). There are also ways to put on your mei tai already tied (e.g. this one), which also take very little time.
      The KiBi will however be faster and easier for a back carry (on the back) provided that only you wear it. (If, apart from you, someone else wears it too, e.g. dad, then you’ll need to re-adjust it each time, so you’ll lose this advantage).
    • The position it’s worn on your body is fixed. It has a wide and comfortable belt that fastens around your waist. This offers comfort, but it means you can’t do, for example, a high back carry (where the baby is high on your back and sees over your shoulder). With an Asteraki mei tai, this is possible, as you tie the straps high, under your chest. With the KiBi, you’ll always tie around your waist and the baby will necessarily be on your back, at about the same height it would be when you wear it in front of you.
      This may not matter with big children. It matters for small babies who aren’t tall enough to see over your shoulder, or, for example, during a pregnancy, where you can’t easily use the KiBi, unless you tie below the belly, but that won’t be very comfortable. Whereas with the mei tai you could tie above the belly, or do an onbu tie, with a completely free belly.
  • • For now, it has detailed instructions in English. However, as with all Asterakia, you’ll have the option of help and support via skype or via email. We are always available to answer any question you may have.
      Also see the video below: