Given up on searching for a stylish, comfortable baby carrier that won’t kill your back? We found the carrier of your dreams in the PortaMEe. When her twenty-one pound five month old son couldn’t fit into front style carriers comfortably and her back hurt just trying the carrier on due to a c-section, Robin Stein set out to create the Prada of baby carriers and came up with the PortaMEe. “My baby wanted to be held and we both were happier if we could maintain eye contact,” says Robin. “I couldn’t carry him and a big diaper bag, so I designed the product to enable me to leave home hands free.”
Not wanting to look like she was going hiking in the mountains, Robin sought to create a fashionable and chic multifunctional carrier, something that was truly lacking in the market. “Moms hunt other Moms down to find out about where to buy (the PortaMEe),” Robin says. “It seems that everyone wants a well made high end baby carrier that protects their back and body alignment.”
Made of a high quality nylon rainwear for the exterior and a soft micro-suede for the interior and trimmed in cowhide leather, the carrier not only looks stylish, but it is supremely comfortable to wear. Instead of a foam shoulder pad, they used a honeycomb gel. For the lumbar support design, Robin looked at fanny packs and incorporated eight flexible bars into mesh padding. She also consulted her orthopaedist for advice. “I wanted to know how much support was acceptable without giving too much support and then causing the back muscles to atrophy. I have had a history of back problems and I’ve been through physical therapy for back spasms. I couldn’t get my very well known orthopaedist to officially endorse the product because there are too many legal implications, but he LOVES it.”
So aside from style and quality what makes the PortaMEe carrier so different from other carriers on the market? The big difference is that most carriers on the market are for newborn babies. “The Portamee is the next step. It is designed for babies that can hold their head up (about 4-5 months old all the way until they are 35 pounds). It is the ONLY baby carrier with lumbar support where you can actually maintain eye contact with your child. Our carrier is also modular. You can snap on our insulated bottle holder (one for yourself – water, one for your baby’s bottle or sippy cup). You can snap on the hooded cape. Our carrier isn’t packaged in those 4 color corrugated boxes that people just discard. We packaged our carrier in its own matching leather trimmed drawstring tote bag.”
With a built in spot for your cell phone, Blackberry, wallet and keys, the PortaMEe is truly the baby carrier for today’s modern parents.
Learn more at www.portamee.com
By Kris on 04/23/07 in 2007 Business Spotlights, Children, Editor Picks, Featured, Gear, Parentrepreneur, Style
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May 3rd, 2007 at 4:09 pm
You may also want to check out the EllaRoo Mei Hip. http://www.ellaroo.com/mei-hip.php
It is a similar design, but more streamlined and not so gadget-y, if that’s a word. :) The Mei Hip also has a wider shoulder strap, to keep it from “digging in” to your neck. I use my Mei Hip almost daily with my 12 month old. It’s easy to put on and comfortable for both of us.
May 13th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
I’ve seen the Portamee around NYC and after reading your review I just bought one for my wife.
She LOVES IT and wears our newly walking 16 month old.
She’s really thrilled with that lumbar support and all the pockets. It’s also really well made. Thanks!
May 16th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
We love the Portamee, too — glad you agree!!
June 1st, 2007 at 9:47 am
What a scam. These reviewrs must be the 2 owners posing as others. Save yourself somemoney and more importantly your SHOULDERS and get the Playtex HipHammock Deluxe. After selling me a FAULTY portamee and replacing it with an offer of an upgrade once the new portamee is available, I have been unale to contact the owners. We got a playtex hip hammock deluxe. Both my husband and I LOVE it. And the portamee is sitting around like the pile of garbagae that it is. THERE IS A REASON YOU DONT SEE ANY NEW YORKERS USING THIS CRAPPY PRODUCT.
June 1st, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Hi Noha -
I saw your comment about the Portamee and wanted to let you know that Clever Parents is never paid for our reviews and the reviewers of this product are not the Portamee owners. We happen to love the Portamee and I’m sorry you didn’t have the same experience. We do appreciate your feedback, though, since it is a different point of view.
Kind regards,
Kris Jackson
Co-Founder
Clever Parents
June 6th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Portamee collects hundreds of thank you notes and testimonials from parents worldwide.
We are terribly sorry to hear that Noha did have a most positive experience…as that is not the norm.
Portamee 100% guarantees its product. Noha is absolutely encouraged to contact the office to return her carrier for a full refund.
We have records of all phone calls and emails for our company database.
Our office has not received any correspondence from Noha.
Our office information is easily accessible via http://www.portamee.com
Best regards,
Robin Stein
Co-Founder
Portamee
June 13th, 2007 at 9:00 am
Hi Everyone:
I am deeply upset and offended by Robin Stein’s comments that she did not receive any calls from me. Not only did she receive calls from me, she called me 10 days ago (after I posted this review) to apologize for not returning my calls, saying that she was dealing with family issues and travel to China. I also received a refunt from her. Honesty is important when conducting business both as a client and as owner.
In the meantime I have discovered the product that really works for older/larger babies – the Ergo carrier. It is extremely comfortable and ergonomicaly sound. Strongly recommended.
Noha
July 23rd, 2007 at 1:17 pm
i was just googling the portamee to find out more because my mom just got me one from babystyle. i actually think its great and have been enjoying it with my daughter, who now weighs about 16 lbs. i totally adjusted it to where its totally comfortable — my daughter and i love it!
October 30th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I have to tell people about this product!! As a busy mom of a toddler and a newborn, I was introduced to a baby carrier called Portamee. It carrys toddlers up to 35 pounds, it also has a newborn attachment! I can hold my child’s hand, she is very comfortable, I am very comfortable and it comes with everything I need without carrying another bag. A place for diapers and snacks, a bottle holder, and a place for my belongings. I can walk straight out the door! The lumbar support is fantastic and I have no aches after carrying my toddler! I have to rave about this carrier to everyone! If you are interested, check out the site! http://www.portamee.com Thanks!!