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Primo LapBaby
When I became a grandmother, I was thrilled, but worried. Would my disability prevent me from taking care of my grandchild, Ophelia? Would using a wheelchair limit my ability to be the kind of grandmother I hoped to be? Moving along in a wheelchair takes two hands, so I struggled with finding ways to hold Ophelia that allowed me to move about.
In the early months, I carried her against my chest in an infant front carrier. But as she grew larger, heavier and more active, the front carrier—designed to be worn while standing and walking—was less comfortable. My back protested her steady growth and weight gain and the carrier was difficult to put on.
I value my independence so I wasn’t happy having to ask for help lifting the baby in and out of the front carrier. She was happy sitting on my lap but needed to be held in place, and you can’t get far in a wheelchair with one hand. The Primo LapBaby (available at Amazon) solved the problem. If you have ever struggled to carry an active baby on your lap in a wheelchair, you will appreciate this nifty tool—here's why.
What is the Primo LapBaby?
Keep your baby secure and comfortable.
The Primo LapBaby is a wide belt that buckles around your waist. The front of the belt is broad with an attached Velcro band that goes around the baby. You simply pull the Velcro band open, sit the child on your lap and place it across the child’s torso from left to right where it secures with Velcro. While it's not marketed as an adaptive product, I've found it frees up my hands to maneuver my wheelchair or perform tasks while keeping the baby securely against me.
I can roll into the kitchen with baby in tow to make up a bottle or fetch a fresh diaper. I find it convenient for self care and for play. We can take a stroll around the park, and I can prepare a snack or sit and eat at the table while the baby plays with a toy on my lap. My granddaughter just loves riding on my lap while I sing to her. "The Wheels on Bus Go Round and Round" always gets a smile.
The LapBaby is intended for children 3 months and older who can to hold their head up unassisted. It accommodates a maximum adult waist size of 54 inches and a child waist of 17 inches. Some users say they've been able to utilize it for travel on airplanes, but we haven't tested it for that specific use case.
What I like about the Primo LapBaby
The LapBaby adds greater mobility when taking care of an infant.
It’s easy to clean
The LapBaby is made of up two pieces, both which have an inner layer of foam. The outer layer of the adult belt is 100% cotton, and the child's is made of polyester. Both are soft, breathable, comfortable, and machine-washable. I wash it on the gentle cycle and let it air dry. So far it looks as good as new.
I don’t need help to put it on
I can use it independently, as it’s easy to put on and take off. The instructions are illustrated and clearly printed on a patch sewn onto the product. The belt wraps around your waist and snaps in place with a large plastic side release buckle.
It’s comfortable
It is comfortable to wear with or without a child on your lap. I often don it ahead of time so I will be ready to take her from her parent's arms or scoop her up from her floor play and plop her on my lap as needed.
What I don’t like
The LapBaby bib is secured with Velcro tabs.
The lap bib is difficult to access
Though I never found a need for it, there is a removable lap bib folded into a pouch along the bottom inside edge of the child’s band. It’s held in place with Velcro tabs, but it is nearly impossible to get at it.
An extra strap would make it more secure
The baby is well secured by the Velcro band and small buckle, but a crotch strap would be helpful in keeping a child from slipping down.
Should you buy the Primo LapBaby?
Travel with baby in tow.
Yes.
The Primo LapBaby has been a game-changer for me. If you use a wheelchair and have a baby or small child in your life, I highly recommend it. Whether you're using it to take care of them or simply want to have greater mobility while playing, the LapBaby is an excellent purchase.
Get the Primo LapBaby at Amazon for $34.95
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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.