Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is your return policy?
A. We request that you notify us if you will be returning or exchanging a carrier within two weeks of your purchase. If your carrier is not what you expected or you are having trouble using it, we want to hear about it. Let us help troubleshoot any problems you may be having. If the sling or pouch is with the original bag and all instructions, etc., we can refund your full purchase price up to 30 days after your purchase (minus shipping charges). If the sling has been opened and shows obvious signs of use (stains, tears, strong odors or washed), a refund of 50% will be paid for the return. Unfortunately, shipping charges cannot be refunded on returns. We strive to ensure that you are happy with your purchase from Cobalt Carriers.

Q. How are orders shipped?
A. The majority of our orders are shipped via USPS priority mail which takes 2-3 business days to deliver in the U.S. Occasionally, if we run out of a carrier, your order will be drop shipped from the manufacturer. Shipping methods directly from the manufacturer can vary, but most of the time it is mailed using USPS Priority mail, and occasionally UPS. And they are shipped in 2-5 business days.

Q. Do you ship internationally (outside the US)?
A. Yes, we do. However, estimating international shipping charges is difficult. If you place an order for a carrier that will be shipped outside the US, we will send you a paypal invoice (payable with credit card or paypal) for the difference in shipping. Your carrier will not be shipped until we receive payment for the additional shipping costs.

Q. Is the sling hard to use?
A. No, but it does take a little time to get used to using it. Each time you use it, it gets easier. We recommend using your carrier at least once a day for two weeks to really get the hang of using it.

The MayaWrap Pouch and Sling both come with instructional DVDs (or videos), watching it will make learning to use your sling or pouch a breeze. The Simple slings come with an instructional CD-ROM for viewing on a computer.

The MamaBaby Sling and the Mei Tai comes with detailed directions and photos on how to use it. If you want to purchase a DVD or video for the MamaBaby sling or the Mei Tai, you can order the NEW! Tummy2Tummy DVD.

Q. Does it get heavy carrying the baby around in a sling, pouch, mei tai or ERGO?
A. The MayaWrap slings and pouches do an excellent job of distributing the weight of your baby. As long as you take the time to make sure you have the fabric spread out across your shoulder and back you shouldn't feel the weight in any one spot. You can also eliminate some of the weight by purchasing two MamaBaby slings and distributing the weight across two shoulders. For better weight distribution, we recommend purchasing a Mei Tai. And, for the ultimate in weight distribution, we recommend purchasing an ERGO.

Q. Is there any risk of my baby falling out, or the fabric slipping or breaking?
A. You must use your best judgement when bending over with a child in the sling or pouch. It is recommended that you use your hand to support your baby when you are leaning over. The mei tai and ERGO hold your child close to your body at your waist and shoulder points so there is very little risk of your child spilling out of the carrier.

You need not worry about your sling or pouch breaking. The zippers on the pouch are rated to hold up to 135 lbs. And in the unlikely event that a zipper should fail, the pouch is made from one continuous loop of fabric, so it would lengthen a few inches, but not open up.

The MayaWrap sling rings require more than 500 lbs. of pressure to bend them, and then an excess of 900 lbs. to break them. The rings are the same size and therefore cannot pass through one another. Therefore, it is virtually impossible for the sling fabric to slip through and drop a baby.

The MamaBaby sling rings have been tested to withstand an impact of 250 pounds. The rings on the MamaBaby sling are smaller and hold the fabric even tighter than the regular MayaWrap sling. So, rest assured that it is near impossible for a sling or pouch to fail to hold your child.

Our Mei Tais have triple stitched straps and are each quality inspected before being shipped to you. Be sure to follow the instructions on carrying your child safely. When trying the straps on your Mei Tai, it is recommended that you tie them with a square knot.

Finally, with the ERGOs you can carry up to 60 pounds, but really the carrier will accommodate you as long as you and your baby would like to carry and be carried. We have sold the carrier to people whose children were already 3 years old when they bought it. The ERGO has been tested and successfully held a 90 pound adult.

Q. What is the weight limit for the sling/pouch/mei tai?
A. The Maya Wrap Baby Sling and Mei Tai can be used while you child grows from infant to toddler (35 lbs). For your comfort a weight limit of 35 lbs. is recommended. But, you can carry your child past this weight limit safely.

The ERGO can carry up to 60 pounds, but really the carrier will accommodate you as long as you and your baby would like to carry and be carried.

Q. How do I wash my carrier?
A. All our carriers can be machine washed, however we recommend spot cleaning and no drying. If you must wash your sling or pouch in the laundry, use your regular detergent with like colors. Be sure to wash your carrier in cold water to avoid shrinkage or puckering of the fabric design on your Mei Tai. You should not use fabric softener on your sling as this may make the fabric lose it's grip on the rings. If you like the length of your sling you should not put it in the dryer. If you want to shorten the length some, it will shrink about 3" in the dryer.

Q. Are the dyes used in the fabrics of the MayaWrap safe if my baby sucks on them?
A. We have a certificate from our manufacturer stating that the dyes used to make Maya Wrap Baby Carriers do not contain any copper, nickel, lead, mercury, cadmium, cobalt, aluminum, arsenic, chromium or any other poisonous substance.

Q. And the rings on my MayaWrap, what if my baby likes to suck on them?
A. If the rings are silver, they are stainless steel.  If they are gold, they are a brass plate, but do not contain anything dangerous.  We are very careful of anything that would come in contact with a baby or young child.

Q. I live in the Triangle Area of North Carolina, can I try on a carrier for size before I buy?
A. We do not have a store, we are strictly web based.We used to take appointments for local customers, but we had to stop taking appointments. Juggling the needs of our two little ones and appointments was more than we could handle.

We donated one of each of our carriers to the Triangle Babywearers lending library. You are welcome to "check-out" a carrier and try it before you decide to buy. More details on the lending library are available by joining the group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/trianglebabywearers/

You are also welcome to pick up a carrier from our location, if we have the carrier in stock. (Email us first for inventory). We also can tell you that we have a very lenient return policy (see first question).

It pains us to not be able to help our customers in person. We really enjoyed meeting and helping parents pick out carriers. But, we need to put the needs of our family first.

Q. Are your products fairly traded?
A. It is Maya Wrap company policy that all those involved in the production of Maya Wraps are paid a fair wage in the local context, have healthy and safe working conditions, and are at least 16 years of age. To verify this, the president of Maya Wrap, visits Guatemala every year and goes to the places where our fabrics are woven, laundered, and products sewn. The children of all those involved with making Maya Wraps are in school. Some of the artisan's children help their fathers but it is in the context of doing chores and not child labor. The artisans who prepare the yarns and set up the looms support their families well by local standards. The weavers make less but are still fairly compensated. Maya Wraps are not sewn in a maquiladora. The youngest employee at the sewing facility is about 20.

ERGOs are made in China. The owners of ERGO frequently visit the factories to make sure that their products are made in a safe environment and free of children.

We believe that our products are fairly made and purchased. We also believe that our products are made with strict quality and safety in mind. If you ever have a problem with a carrier purchased from us, please let us know immediately.

We would be happy to try to answer any other questions that would be helpful to you. Feel free to email us: info@cobaltcarriers.com