Got my Suse's Kindercoat today--LOVE IT!!! - Page 2

[maya's mommy]

I also would say that ordering up is not a bad idea. I carry my 10 month old on my back in the jacket and there is just enough room. I normally wear a medium but ordered a large. It is big in the sleeves but I really need the room for the back carry. It does zip snugly if I am have dd in the front without the insert as well.

The only complaint I have is all the strings hanging around all over the coat. It is a bit of a pain.

It took some getting used to but I can now get it on by myslelf with dd on my back. I get stopped and asked about the jacket on a daily basis.

michelle

[Dido]

Originally Posted by spearso

I've had a number of returns due to faulty zippers and snaps.

ETA: I received my stock in early September, the coats had periwinkle fleece. Broken snaps and faulty zippers were an issue. Just please be sure to check the coat thoroughly, or at least request a coat with the tan fleece (means it's a different batch).

susie

I ended up with a tan fleece one, and had a problem with defective snaps. So I think it's a problem with more than one batch.

I did end up ordering a large and am glad I did. It fits fine!

I have to say I don't love the coat. I think the design is overly fussy (all those freakin' drawstrings!) and the workmanship and materials are somewhat shoddy. With that said, it's probably the best you can do for the money, unless you DIY.

Sure wish DD did not insist on having her arms out when she's in back. I can't really take the coat off without help.

[summerbabe]

Oops, looks like maybe I should have kept my large? The medium works great for me and although my baby is only 17 pounds, there seems to be plenty more room in front for growth, BUT I am not using it with back carries yet. Oh well.

[melissabel]

Originally Posted by BrklynMama

I ended up with a tan fleece one, and had a problem with defective snaps. So I think it's a problem with more than one batch.

I did end up ordering a large and am glad I did. It fits fine!

I have to say I don't love the coat. I think the design is overly fussy (all those freakin' drawstrings!) and the workmanship and materials are somewhat shoddy. With that said, it's probably the best you can do for the money, unless you DIY.

Sure wish DD did not insist on having her arms out when she's in back. I can't really take the coat off without help.

I agree with you about all the stupid drawstrings. They are a major PITA. Its especially hard when I'm trying to get to the drawstrings to tighten the back asap before dd can get her arms out but I can reach them under the fleece lining.

I also didn't realize you couldn't get it off if your child is arms out. Totally defeats the purpose!

Melissa

[WhaleinGaloshes]

Originally Posted by BrklynMama

Sure wish DD did not insist on having her arms out when she's in back. I can't really take the coat off without help.

My daughter also insists on putting her arms out (she rides in an Ergo in the back), and to get the coat off I pull my arms out, roll the jacket up a bit into a tube, grab the bottom corners on each side, stretch my arms out and up as far and high as I can behind my back, roll my shoulders forward and pull it over her head like a sweater. I don't know if this is a good enough description to help, but it works for me to get it off alone so it can be done

I'll add to the thread having test-driven my coat more...

It is surprisingly warm and even sweaty; I can get it on and off independently and it has been very useful here. The drawstrings don't bother me.

My negatives for the coat would be, as others have said, that the workmanship leaves something to be desired and the style isn't really me (the big bulky hood-zips-in-collar in particular.) I am gentle with snaps and zippers after reading this thread, and can see how they may not last.

[melissabel]

Originally Posted by easy_goer

My daughter also insists on putting her arms out (she rides in an Ergo in the back), and to get the coat off I pull my arms out, roll the jacket up a bit into a tube, grab the bottom corners on each side, stretch my arms out and up as far and high as I can behind my back, roll my shoulders forward and pull it over her head like a sweater. I don't know if this is a good enough description to help, but it works for me to get it off alone so it can be done

That is similar to how I take off the coat too- I take my arms out of the sleeve first but it didn't work when my dd was asleep on my back with arms out. I think I kind of "need" her to help me with getting the coat off over her arms and head.
Also, when she is awake and I take the coat off she kind of yelps while I pull if over her head and since its heavy and bulky, it takes me some time to lift the whole thing and I'm worried its hurting/upsetting her, IYKWIM.

I feel like I should gone simpler with a poncho

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by melissabel

I feel like I should gone simpler with a poncho

I feel the same way. I'll keep practicing wearing d'baby with it...maybe I will grow to like it.

[Dido]

Thanks for the tip on getting the coat off, Easygoer.

I'm gonna keep wearing this and practicing and I hope it will get better for me. Let's keep checking in with each other, fellow Kindercoat users!

I considered the poncho option but just didn't want something that shapeless, and decided I wanted something that I could wear for a regular winter coat once DD outgrows the Ergo. Hmm....

[LeslieB]

Originally Posted by easy_goer

My daughter also insists on putting her arms out (she rides in an Ergo in the back), and to get the coat off I pull my arms out, roll the jacket up a bit into a tube, grab the bottom corners on each side, stretch my arms out and up as far and high as I can behind my back, roll my shoulders forward and pull it over her head like a sweater. I don't know if this is a good enough description to help, but it works for me to get it off alone so it can be done

That's how I get mine off, too. Seems to work okay.

I had to edit my previous post because my front zipper just busted over the weekend. I hope I can exchange mine for a new one with better zippers.

[melissabel]

Well I sold my Kindercoat and in my last attempt to find a babywearing coat that works for me, I have bought a mamajacket. I'll post a new thread comparing the two when I get, since i don't want to hijack this one.

Leslie- that stinks about the zipper. I think that's why I dislike all the zippers, drawstrings and snaps on the kindercoat- too many chances something will break. Also I always felt a little concern about it being made in china ane being so inexpensive

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

The children's needs store took the coat back to repair the zippers...We will see if this works.

I forgot to update about the coat. I received a call quickly from the kindercoat guy about the zippers. He said I could replace them with the smaller zippers but I kept the big zippers. He was very nice and explained that he fixed the zipper problem and to email or call him if I had anymore problems. Very good customer service. He even sent me a christmas DVD with the coat. So I was able to wear the coat around and got lots of comments on it being a good idea. IT kept me warm enough in 5 degree weather, I had to stop wearing it though because the temps have dropped below 0 to -20 without counting windchill. I have been wearing the inner liner in the house and I did start liking the coat better especially because I tucked the strings away and shortened them. I still love the idea, and am going to hold on to this coat.

[LeslieB]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

I forgot to update about the coat. I received a call quickly from the kindercoat guy about the zippers. He said I could replace them with the smaller zippers but I kept the big zippers. He was very nice and explained that he fixed the zipper problem and to email or call him if I had anymore problems. Very good customer service. He even sent me a christmas DVD with the coat. So I was able to wear the coat around and got lots of comments on it being a good idea. IT kept me warm enough in 5 degree weather, I had to stop wearing it though because the temps have dropped below 0 to -20 without counting windchill. I have been wearing the inner liner in the house and I did start liking the coat better especially because I tucked the strings away and shortened them. I still love the idea, and am going to hold on to this coat.

Was that Kurt? I had to return my coat to a guy in Utah named Kurt. He is replacing my coat with a new one. Yay!

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by LeslieB

Was that Kurt? I had to return my coat to a guy in Utah named Kurt. He is replacing my coat with a new one. Yay!

sounds like the same guy...very nice.

[LeslieB]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

sounds like the same guy...very nice.

My replacement coat came yesterday so he sent it out fast. Now I'm just hoping this one holds out through the winter. I will probably have all the zippers replaced in the spring.

[ber]

I got a Kindercoat a few months ago and noted similar problems as a lot of you mentioned - cheap-ish snaps and zippers, at the top of the list.

While I was going through each piece of the coat, two metal pieces fell out. My DH and I looked over each snap on the coat, and even though the pieces appeared to be parts of snaps, it seemed that my coat was intact. So hopefully it's all good.

I also was a little nervous about the black shell's durability. At first, the drawstrings were really stuck inside their tracks, and I had to mess with them a little bit before they would move enough to tighten. While I was doing that, I was a little afraid about tearing the shell.

The drawstrings dangling everywhere drive me a little nuts, but I saw someone else said they had shortened them, so maybe I'll try that too.

I haven't tried the coat while babywearing because I'm preggo and just haven't had to wear DS in a while. But I'm looking forward to wearing it this winter/spring w/the new baby.

So far, it's been a great pregnancy coat though.

[Dido]

I want to add another tip for getting the coat off when you have an arms-out baby on your back. This only works for the ergo, though.

-remove your arms from the coat so it is just hanging down around her.

-Then move the whole Ergo around to your front, Ergo, coat, baby, and all.

-From there you just take the coat off the Ergo and take the baby out of the Ergo as you would normally do.

HTH someone!