We tested the Baby Beco Gemini Organic baby carrier. Overall, the product is a winner that boasts legitimate “green street cred.”
Baby Beco Gemini Organic Carrier
Highlights: GOTS certified cotton cover. Durable and washable. Easy to adjust sizing and rotate between different body sizes. Baby can be carried in 4 different positions.
Baby Beco Gemini Organic Carrier at a glance:
| Country of Origin: | Taiwan |
| Materials: | GOTS-Certified organic cotton, plastic (for clips), elastic |
| Certifications: | GOTS |
Table of Contents
I will confess – one of the things I was most looking forward to when I found out I was going to be a new Dad was using a baby carrier. On a trip to the Japanese grocery store while visiting family in Michigan, I saw a Dad with his baby in a front-facing baby carrier, and resolved that I would have the same fun experience with my newborn daughter.
When it came time to choose a baby carrier, we went with the Beco Gemini Organic.
Note: The Beco Gemini Organic’s leaf rating was assigned by our head of research, Leigh Matthews.
Why we chose the Beco Gemini
It may seem like an endless set of options for baby carriers exist online, but they can be neatly divided into four basic types of carrier.
In our post on non-toxic baby carriers, we identify four core types of baby carrier:
- Sling Rings
- Wraps
- Meh Dai Carriers
- Soft Structure carriers
Being new to the parenting scene, I hadn’t heard of Meh Dai carriers, and was concerned about the increased risk of suffocation with a wrap.
We went with the soft structure Beco because I liked the “backpack” straps and reviews said the Beco was easily adjustable so that both my wife and I could take advantage of the carrier with a simple adjustment.
I am 6’1″ and my wife is more petite, and after using the Beco for 4 months now, we have both able to use the carrier with no problems. The straps are easy to adjust, just as many reviews say.
It was also important to us that the Beco carries GOTS certification for its cotton cover, both from a water conservation, and toxicity standpoint. We strongly prefer certified organic cotton when buying clothing for our baby as well.
Our experience using the Beco
As of today, we have used the Beco Gemini carrier for 4 months.
Once you get the hang of it, using the Beco Gemini is easy. Babies can be placed front-facing, which is a great option as they get older, or they can face towards your chest (“front carry facing in” on the Beco manual), which is a position that will help many babies get to sleep.
The Beco also allows for hip carry and back carry positions, which adds to the product’s flexibility.
Beco Gemini possible positions:
- Front carry – facing in
- Front carry-facing out
- Hip carry
- Back carry
We found that the chest-facing position was a very valuable way of “winding down” an energetic baby and getting her to sleep. Because the backpack straps are easy to slide off while you still cradle your baby to your chest, the Beco is a surprisingly good tool for transitioning a sleeping baby to her crib without waking her.
The Beco also has an adjustable head rest that can be snapped into the up position when the baby’s neck strength is still developing, but folded back for more independence as she grows. The neck support will need to be folded into the down position in order to carry the baby in the dual front-facing position.
The Beco Gemini is intended for babies 7-35 pounds.
We started using the carrier when our daughter was still very young, and she adapted easily to a stroll down to the Jackson farmer’s market (about a 15 minute walk each way). When your baby is small, you can make the base padded area of the Beco more tapered, which allows for a baby’s little legs to comfortably pop out and hang down.
As the baby grows, this area can be widened for greater support.
Any downsides?
The soft black fabric is prone to attracting lint, which can make it look messy, but the Beco Germini is relatively easy to clean, and is washable.
I also wish Beco made their products in the USA rather than China so as to reduce the carbon footprint of shipping.
Last, Beco could be more transparent about all of the materials that go into making the Gemini carrier. They list “cotton” but the carriers have other components that clearly aren’t cotton. I’d like a full accounting of materials.
Overall, the Beco Gemini Organic Carrier has been a winner for us.
This product has been a major value add for my wife and I as it allows for us to have our hands free while still cuddling with our daughter.
Beco Gemini Buying Guide – Pay Attention!
When buying a Beco, especially on Amazon, be careful which model you choose as not all Beco Gemini carriers are made with organic, GOTS certified cotton.
You will have two options:
- Beco Gemini Organic Metro Black – GOTS organic cotton
- Beco Gemini Metro Black – No GOTS, conventional cotton
This review, and the Leaf ratings Leigh assigned, apply only to the organic Gemini model.