Word on the Street and In the Press

Pregnancy & Birth | The Rebel baby carrier review

"This strong and sturdy design is very easy to assemble and put on, but is only for babies over three months. I can see how fantastic this would be when my child gets a little bigger"

Irish Independent | Mothers & Babies |
The Deep Blue baby carrier review

"This is a Welsh-designed and manufactured infant carrier that uses a patent stitching in its manufacture, which minimises the amount of material used while still offering maximum strength. With a reduced carbon footprint in comparison to other infant carriers, it is also reversible and has been tested for strength and durability up to 20kg. Rose and Rebellion carriers can accomodate babies from three months old to four years and are designed to spread the baby's weight over the whole of the body and on the core muscles, rather than the back and neck. "

Practical Parenting and Pregnancy
The Rebel baby carrier review

"Perfect for funky mums, this sling is suitable from
3 months to 4 years."

MumsRock website
The Rebel baby carrier review

"If you hate the utilitarian look and feel of most of the baby carriers on the market then Rose and Rebellion was created just for you. Designed and built in the UK, these carriers are a lesson in how to combine style with purpose. Comfortable enough to carry kids from three months up to four years and built to ensure most of the weight doesn't end up on your poor shoulders or already aching back. Designs range from shabby chic floral to graphic monochrome which means there's bound to be a look that appeals. But perhaps cleverly of all - they've made each carrier with a plain black reversible side so it's like getting two for the price of one. "

Bambino website
The Rebel baby carrier review

I love baby-wearing and have a couple of slings and baby carriers which I use regularly to carry my 20 month old daughter around, so I was really pleased to be able to try the Rose and Rebellion carrier.

Concept: This is a soft, structured carrier which can be used to carry babies from 3 months either on your front or your back. The carriers are designed to be super stylish and safe, as well as very practical. I was really pleased to see that all the Rose and Rebellion carriers are designed and manufactured in the UK.

In use: Very easy to use, it's small, light, and folds up very neatly, which makes it easy to carry with you in the car or in your changing bag. Very clear instructions are provided with the carrier, but it is so easy to use I didn't really need the instructions. However, it did give some very good tips and details on how to get your baby onto your back on your own, which I found very useful. Both the waist and the shoulder straps have good, solid buckles on them which are very easy to fit and adjust, making the carrier very quick and easy to put on. The waist belt is adjustable and fits sizes from 8 to 18 (a separate waist extender is available from Rose and Rebellion).

The carrier can be used on your front or your back, but I used it mainly on my back, as this was the position my daughter liked the best. I have used back carriers before but only very structured ruck-sack style walking back-carriers. I was concerned that the Rose and Rebellion carrier wouldn't be as good as these as it was so much lighter and less structured, but I was very pleasantly surprised. The shoulder straps and waist belt are well-padded and the carrier was very comfortable to wear, even when my daughter was wriggling about. It also felt very safe. She was nicely cocooned within the carrier and felt really well supported, so I knew she was safe and snug. I also liked that the bottom of the carrier is nice and wide, so she 'sat' in the seat well and it supported her under her bottom and legs.

Positives: I used the carrier on several shopping trips around the town and also to carry my daughter to her sister's nursery and back. It was very comfortable to wear and my daughter enjoyed it and seemed comfortable and happy too. It's easy to put on and so small and light, making it so easy just to pick up and put it in the car ready for shopping trips, and it's ideal for older toddlers like my daughter who like to walk sometimes. I was able to take the carrier off and store it in my bag when she wanted to walk, leaving my hands free to look after her.

The carrier looks really good and there are lots of great styles available on the Rose and Rebellion website, and all are really stylish and different. My favourite is Deep Blue (shown in the photo on the right). If you prefer a less conspicuous baby carrier though, they can be reversed so that the plain black inside is visble. We tested the Autumn Walk version (shown in the top photo), and I always wore it with the design showing. It looked great.

Any negatives: The only negative for me was that the carrier can't be used to carry your child on your hip. My daughter has always liked being carried around on my hip, so when I did do this I had to use another carrier. However, I don't think there are any carriers which do everything and I think that regular babywearers tend to have a couple of different carriers/slings that they use. The Rose and Rebellion carrier would be a great addition to any parent's sling wardrobe!

Where can I buy one? The carriers are available direct from the Rose and Rebellion website.

Value for money: The Rose and Rebellion carrier costs £67.99, which I think is very good value for money. It's slightly more expensive than the usual wrap / pouch slings which are available, but it compares very well to other soft, structured carriers. It can be used once your baby is 3 months old and if you bought one when your baby was young, you would get a great deal of use out of it, making it excellent value for money.

Overall: I have really enjoyed using this carrier. It's great to find something that looks so stylish and different, but is practical and well-made too. I just wish that I had had one when my daughter was a young baby as she would have loved being carried around on my front in it.

Verdict: Overall a 4/5 - if you are looking for a front / back carrier for your baby, this would be ideal.

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Customer comments

Emma Flint

Wow - where to begin! I really love the R&R for so many reasons - I am a busy mum of 4 little ones, and getting out the door on time is something I am always aspiring to - but rarely achieve! The buckle fastenings allow me to just 'clip and go' in the morning - I fasten the waistband and the shoulder straps before I hip-scoot my child onto my back, then whip the straps up and adjust in 5 seconds flat! Perfect!! Never in all my babywearing years have I worn a carrier that was as easy to put on as a coat, and comfy first time, every time. The padded waistband is probably the best feature of the R&R - I am confidently and comfortably carrying my youngest son of 35lbs on the 25 minute school run walk 4 times a day. I've also carried him (on the front and back) for well over 3 hours at a time when we go walking. The carrier is supremely well made, and folds up super small - I regularly pop it in the glove box in the car!

Overall, I cannot fault this carrier for use with toddlers! (I hope to try it with a baby soon ;-) ) It fufills the requirement of being super supportive - and quick as flash to get your little one in and out of, especially great when you reach the 'up/down walk/tired' age!
Chloe Frayne

I received my sling and it's great. The best one so far, better than my Anglepack and Yamo. The material is lovely too! I am very pleased with it.
Emma Darby

My main reason for buying this sling was that it is possible to put the baby on to your back without needing the help of a second person. I have used the Kari me since Elliott was born and it is not possible to put him on my back with that one. I found the operation of the sling really easy. Just clip round the waist and tighten, place the baby against you and pop the straps over your shoulders and clip...easy as that. Nearly as easy to get them on your back, just a little jiggery pokery to slide them round from your hip to your back. Once in place Elliott was definitely comfortable and this is a baby who ALWAYS lets you know if he disapproves of something! When Elliott was on my back all I could hear was laughing and giggling along with the occasional sucking of the fabric. Carrying Elliott on my back is so much easier than having on my front...he is just too big now and it puts a strain on my shoulders!

Along with Elliott I have a 5 year old who likes to go across the road to the woods and climb!!! A sling is essential and so much better having him on my back since then my hands are free to help big brother.

Lynsey Clarke

I was lucky enough to get a custom carrier made by Lou. I was amazed at the quality of the carrier. It is beautifully made and the service excellent!

As soon as the postman delivered the carrier, I put it on straight away (without instructions, it is that easy to use!).

My 3.5 year old asked if she could have a carry, so I told her to hop in. I thought, there is no way this is going to work, she will be too heavy, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is a joy to carry a 3.5 year old in a carrier. Ideal when she is getting tired legs. On holiday we took the carrier and when she got tired of walking she hopped into the carrier and away we went. No more tired arms or aching back. I had several other parents ask me if my back hurt carrying a child in a carrier and I was pleased to say, "No! It doesn't hurt a bit!"

I actually purchased the carrier to carry my 6 month old baby in. He loves it too! It is just perfect. We recently went on a special steam train journey and whilst I was happily walking around with baby in the R&R, other mums and dads were complaining about carrying their children in their arms and their arms aching.

I would definitely recommend to anyone to purchase an R&R carrier. They are reasonably priced and you will definitely get your moneys worth out of it, with years of use.

Oh and to top it all of, the carrier comes in an R&R bag to store it in when not in use. Perfect.
Elisabeth Webber

I have to say I have fallen in love with the carrier. I thought I would "like it" but I "love it".

Angela Marsay

As a back sufferer, after having a serious car accident 15 yrs ago, I am very wary of using such items. I have tried using the bush baby carrier but it did not suit either me or my son. He cried the moment he was in it and it was not comfortable at all. So when I heard about these slings i thought I would give it a try as they looked so comfortable, and I was right. We have been on small walks and shopping with it on, but I think the best test was the five mile walk I have done today. Ok my legs and knees hurt but that is not down to the Sling!! He loved being in there and even fell asleep for the last two miles!! It was so comfortable, I had the pushchair with me just in case but it was not needed. I am determined to use it when I go for local walks and have my 2 yr old daughter with me as well, she has been in the sling a couple of times but not for a period of time. I think it will be very useful for me to have when i take both children out for a walk instead of a big double buggy. It provides me with so many options in that situation. I showed it to my chiropractor and he was impressed too. I am so glad I became aware of this product, and so is my DH who has worn it in with the pattern side in. I would highly recommend this product to anyone who wanted to buy a sling and had a baby and a toddler, infact I have to many of my friends, who are all rather jealous of my funky sling. Seriously I love this sling!!

Debbie Broadhurst

I have used the RR sling just about everyday since I bought it. Its fab, I love the fact that I can carry my youngest (now 8 months) on my back, leaving my front free for toddler hugs and navigating the supermarket. I have successfully carried my now 3 year old in it front and back and its very comfy and doesn't strain the neck or back where you might thing it would. It takes a while to get used to the front carrying position, you do have to alter the straps to make it comfy, else it feels like you are wearing a backpack backwards. Once the correct strap adjustment has taken place it is hugely comfortable. I just love it. Have always carried my babies, and up until now its been with a wrap sling. Since getting RR I have used my old sling once.

Estelle Scott

I am 23,clothes size 14-16 and my baby is 6 months. I thought it would be easy to write a review but now I'm stuck! Basically i will just go through the points i find relevant to baby wearing.

1.accessibility- I find it easy to put the sling on my front and get my baby in and of without any fuss. I can't yet put him on my back by myself however i am in no hurry to do so.

2.comfort(me)- For me the carrier is very comfortable even when i wear it all day and walking everywhere from flat roads to bumpy hills. I can also sit down and i don't feel as though i am crushing my baby.

The back support from the strap that goes around my waist is very comfortable as are the generously padded shoulder straps and the extra strap at the top of my back that stops the shoulder straps slipping. The straps have never slipped.
3.comfort(baby)- My baby will happily sit in the carrier for hours, he can watch the world go by and he falls asleep when he feels like it. There is no head support for when he is asleep but he can burrow his head in to me or i will hold it if i feel it is necessary.

In another of my baby carriers my baby gets upset when he faces me and wants to be turned around to face the world. I have tried to turn him facing out in the Rose Rebellion but i cant do it so we are both comfy and secure so that's annoying BUT strangely enough my baby has never been upset wanting to turn around in this carrier.

4.cleaning- Seen as babies are quite often sick this is something to consider! I have put the carrier in the wash on a 30degree cycle, the colours didn't run on to other clothes and the colour of the sling is still bold as ever. If it is not that bad a wipe down works and if you can't wipe it down when you are out for what ever reason the sling is reversible so you can easily just turn it around.

Also as it can be used either way my partner can also wear it plain black. He is about 6' tall and finds it comfortable to wear and he wears it right at the end of the strap.

Meg Price

Just received my beautiful carrier in jolly roger... the picture (although good) did not do it enough justice it is so lovely! baby is still rather light but an starting to find it less comfy in other types of carriers, in the r&r he is totally weightless so thank you for such a lovely carrier

Rebecca Ryan

Absolutely love my Rose & Rebellion carrier - as does my 19 month old Zachary

Sarah Woodgate

Thanks Louise we LOVE our gorgeous custom carrier :D can't wait to show it off! Its perfect, exactly what we needed and wanted

Simon Brown

Gave my new carrier a good work out yesterday and found it very comfortable. Works a treat and glad to say I find it just as easy, maybe easier to get on than the smaller baby one which I'm really pleased about. That wide stiff waistband gives great support, as do the wide shoulder straps. Top stuff and very pleased. Thank you for making it for me, it's lovely

Vicki Sheath

I received the carrier yesterday thanks and I just wanted you to know its fab! I’ve been using a hired ergo for a while and i was going to buy one but was so tempted by your lovely designs.

I have to say its better than the ergo. Its lighter, less chunky and longer so instead of the lower strap cutting into my back it sits on my belt. Plus the shoulder straps are less bulky.

Overall it makes much lighter work of carrying than the ergo!