An Honest Review: The Lalabu Soothe Shirt
It was a Black Friday deal that I jumped on: a shirt that your baby can fit into! As a new mom, I thought that it would be a great and unique addition to my postpartum wardrobe. I immediately ordered the Lalabu “Soothe Shirt” for myself and a shirt for S, called the “Dad Shirt.” It arrived in the mail and I promptly wrapped them for Christmas!
I wish I tried it on sooner, because it was tight. Like, impossible to get off, tight. To get out of it I had to bend over and squirm my way out! The website says to order your pre-baby size, but I didn’t seem to fit in that anymore…😅 So, I ended up exchanging for a larger size. Of course, S’s fit like a dream…and by the time I had exchanged mine, they were out of my preferred color.
The shirts are both very, very structured because they need to be able to support the baby. There is a flap that can be folded up or down for extended support (behind baby’s neck) but I don’t really feel like it does much, so I keep my hands near baby at all times. G is turning into quite a tall baby, and I have an extremely short torso, so I think her days to fit in this shirt comfortably are limited. So, if you are on the shorter side like me, consider this before you buy.
The Soothe Shirt is a tank top that doubles as a baby wearing shirt and nursing shirt. Turns out I am a huge fan of baby wearing, and I began wearing G at around 2-3 weeks. She is able to sleep in it, as she was in these photos (7 weeks). I call it my “Kangaroo shirt!”
PROS+
Great to wear when you’re visiting other people, or just out of the house in general. It replaces the need to bring another carrier or wrap.
Baby can sleep comfortably in the kangaroo pocket, and nursing is also comfortable for me.
Placing baby in, and removing baby out is straightforward. No complicated baby wrapping required!
Lalabu has frequent sales, so it’s worth watching out for and joining their mailing list.
Returns and exchanges were simple on the Lalabu website. Their customer service is very responsive and supportive!
CONS -
The life you’ll get out of the shirt is obviously limited.
Sizing is difficult to nail on the first try. I had to size up, and if you’ve gained weight during your pregnancy other than pregnancy pounds, I’d recommend sizing up. Check out their sizing guide.
It isn’t the most comfortable shirt for mama. That being said, the snug fit is to keep baby safe and secure in the pocket. If you prefer looser fitting clothes, I’d skip the Soothe Shirt.
I find that with all baby wearing accessories, my baby gets warm very quickly and that equates to a stuffy, uncomfortable feeling. So, in my case, this type of shirt can only be worn in short intervals.
VERDICT
In the end, I decided to keep my Lalabu “Soothe Shirt” but I find myself reaching for my baby wrap more often than not. I think it is the tightness of the shirt that feels ever so slightly constricting. I love baby wearing and all of its benefits, though, so I will continue to wear the “Soothe Shirt” from time to time (until G no longer fits!).
On the other hand, S loves his “Dad Shirt.” It is so important for dads to have the same closeness and bonding with baby, so I am glad that he has this and can avoid the complications of traditional baby wraps.