I’d be lying if I said I didn’t jump on the buzzy bandwagon when it came to buying baby essentials. I’d also be lying to say aesthetics weren’t a big part of my decision-making process too; during pregnancy, I was convinced I could do things differently, that my décor would survive the whirlwind of ‘stuff’ that arrives along with a bundle of joy.
Boy, was I wrong. The chic Stokke cot I forked out for? It’s un-used in the nursery because I promptly spent another £200 on a bedside crib when I returned from hospital. The state-of-the art bluetooth baby swing? It remains sad and still, next to a £35 Argos alternative my three-month-old prefers.
But when it comes to baby carriers, you can’t afford to prioritise style over substance. Mums will know all too well the discourse surrounding babywearing and hip health, but we also know how effective slings are for enforcing wake windows (when babies don’t nap on time, things turn sour quickly) and getting some things done around the house using not one but – wait for it – both of your hands.
Luckily, brands have cottoned on to the need for making ergonomic baby gear look as pretty as is possible. Celebrity-loved Artipoppe has made a name for itself with luxurious carriers made from the likes of plush velvet and houndstooth tweed. BabyBjorn brought a new permanent colourway into its baby carrier lineup after the limited-edition leopard One sold out instantly. And now, Seraphine has launched the CARIPOD™.
With cool fabrications like technical canvas and leopard-print jacquard on offer, plus a fairer price point of just £189, we reckon this new baby carrier is going to give Artipoppe’s spenny Zeitgest a run for its money. Here’s everything you need to know about Seraphine’s new It baby carrier.
What’s so great about Seraphine’s Caripod?
The patent-pending Caripod does things a little differently. The carrier comes with a harness and a ‘pod’ that comes completely away so you can change your little one’s nappy or breastfeed without getting waylaid by straps and buckles.
This carrier makes life a little comfier for baby and, having tested it, I can confirm it’s also incredible comfortable for parents too. The BabyBjorn One I was using beforehand is pretty good, but the addition of the supportive back panel on the Caripod makes a world of difference – you'll get those 10k steps in without suffering from the inevitable back pain that comes with frontloading all of your little one's weight.
The details of this carrier are well thought out. Instead of adjustable pull buckles, there’s a number system arranged by height so you can fix the straps perfectly to the individual wearer. I also like how the straps can be tucked away in Velcro flaps to create a neater look.
The cherry on top of this carrier? The price point. Other sought-after carriers lingered around this sub-£200 mark, until Artipoppe blew everyone out of the water with its designer tags that start from £360 and end at £3,300. With all the expenses that come with kids, this is a purchase that feels quite extravagant, so Seraphine is really saving the day with its chic alternative.
Is the Caripod easy to use?
Look, like most baby carriers, you need to practice a bit before taking it out for a spin. I did so at home, feeling confident for the first outing, but the second attempt didn’t go so well – my baby’s screams put immense pressure on the situation and I promptly gave up after getting tangled in all the straps. A word of advice: always detach the pod before putting the Caripod on, even if the shoulder straps are set to your height.
The good news is, the Caripod is designed for you to be able to pop baby in yourself. Having tried other carriers, I can attest to what a godsend it is.
Which celebrities own a Seraphine Caripod?
Baby carriers are a bit of a parenting flex these days. The Mummy equivalent of a designer handbag. Artipoppe's Zeitgeist is loved by the likes of Rosie HW, Em Rata, Kylie Jenner and Sienna Miller. Millie Mackintosh and Gigi Hadid have been seen sporting BabyBjorn’s leopard-print baby carrier. Seraphine’s Caripod only launched a few weeks ago and Daisy Lowe has already been out and about in the black version.
What colours does the Caripod come in?
One of the best bits about this new launch is the endless colourways. Right now on sale there’s a monochrome geometric option, grey jersey, leopard jacquard, navy canvas and the black option loved by Lowe. Plush wintery fabrics are to come this autumn, too.
I tested the black canvas which combined with the utilitarian design is giving '90s Prada Sport. Even the logo plaque taps into this – it seems Seraphine really does know what’s up when it comes to luring fashion-conscious parents in.
I read an amusing Reddit comment that compared this carrier to a bulletproof vest, which isn’t entirely unfair – but isn’t better to have a ‘strong’ utility vibe than something unsupportive for baby? Especially if the boho papoose look isn't for you.
I love that this black design works really well with sports- and streetwear but also all-black tailoring, and that both me and my boyfriend want to wear it (he’d been rocking the leopard BabyBjorn too, but it was pretty difficult to style with his wardrobe).
Can you put a newborn in a Caripod?
The Caripod is designed to suit children from newborn to toddler stage, or until they weigh 15kg. The neck support has four different modes so you can adjust the carrier depending on your baby’s size.
Can you nurse in the Caripod carrier?
So I was a little bit confused by this claim from Seraphine of the carrier being nursing and changing friendly. To be clear: it’s not designed for you to breastfeed while wearing your baby. The pod detaches easily you can quickly sooth a screaming infant without having to un-do lots of buckles and fully remove the carrier and thus your coat.
Can you wear baby facing out in Caripod?
Absolutely. Once your child is aged six months or more and fully able to support their own head, you can switch to the world-facing mode when babywearing.
Is the Caripod carrier worth it?
This is a hard yes from me. Until now, especially with recovering from a C-section, I’ve avoided babywearing because of how front-loading the weight is. I found the whole process totally exhausting, so I couldn’t get far. This left me in quite a predicament when my little boy decided aged 12 weeks he no longer wanted to nap in the buggy.
The Caripod is comfortable for both me and baby, and it looks good. I enjoy the utility of the black canvas with tonal black looks and my go-to postpartum Adanola tracksuits. For a winter upgrade, I’m putting the navy on my wishlist.
Abigail Southan is our Senior Fashion Ecommerce Editor and has five years' experience as a writer and editor in the industry. Abigail has a BA in History from the University of Bristol and an MA in Fashion Journalism from Central Saint Martins. Abigail currently covers all things style and shopping across titles including Harper’s Bazaar, ELLE, Esquire and Red. On a daily basis, she helps readers buy better with how-to-wear guides, first-person product reviews and deep dives into the latest trends. Previously, Abigail has worked for The Sunday Times’ Style and Fabulous magazine as their first ecommerce writer and was a founding editor of Sun Selects. She has also written for Net-a-Porter, I-D, Man About Town, Wonderland and 1 Granary, and has interviewed the likes of Paris Hilton, Dua Lipa and Christopher Bailey. You can follow Abigail on Instagram at @abigailsouthan.
