We are getting many questions about the Beco Carrier availability. Here is the latest information (November 1 2011 update):

last season’s colors of Beco Butterflies are now on sale – $125 each! The original Beco Butterfly is retired and was replaced with version “Beco Butterfly 2” with some noteworthy design changes! We have 16 organic colors in stock – solid black and brown and the new Fall 2011 prints : Niko, Nova, Foxie, Robots, Sienna, Cars, and Owls. All the spring/summer colors are now discontinued and sale price :  Ginger, Luna, Lucas, Paige, Natalie, and Tyler. There are summer season limited editions available for $149 $139, these are Ever and Duke. The spring/summer colors will sell out before long and no more will be made – there are only have a couple left in stock for each color and Becos move extra fast at sale prices, so we will run out before long!  The most recent choices before that for the Butterfly are Duke and Melody colors, which sell for a bit more than the standard carrier cost. Because the baby carriers are over $100, they all ship free the same day or next day after you order them.  The Butterfly carrier is not being discontinued – the new Gemini is a quite different product and these are selling side-by-side. Neither model is a replacement for the other kind.  The first collection of pictures here are all Butterfly models – there are many more colors available on the butterfly than the gemini. Scroll down past these pictures to hear more about the Gemini carriers.

In fall of 2011 Beco unveiled the Gemini carrier – Organic – colors are black, brown, Nova, Foxie, Sienna, Robots, Cars, and Owls. For Geminis, the discontinued colors are almost gone! Only one unit left in each color, and they are Ginger, Luna, and Carnival. Please note that the old colors have the print on the outside panel, much like the Butterfly does, while the new October 2011 Gemini carriers are “Gemini Insider” version, meaning that the print fabric is on the inside of the carrier body, on the fabric that is touching the baby, and so the print only shows when you have folded down the top of the carrier body or have folded in the leg opening area. The main carrier body looks like a solid color, with contrasting piping, even when you buy a print version.

Also, please note that our Lucas Geminis were produced in summer 2011, this set of Lucas Geminis are paired with espresso brown straps. Before this summer, Beco made Lucas print paired with khaki tan straps, but this combination is long gone.

discontinued colors of the Gemini are on sale for at only $105 each. The Geminis are listed in the same section of the website as the Butterfly, just scroll down to order the Gemini carriers. This is Beco’s new 4-position carrier, it does front, back, side, and forward-facing-outward. No infant insert, and price is $10 less than the Beco Butterfly. It is a quite different carrier, and the Butterfly is NOT discontinued. Call or email us if you want help figuring out which carrier would suit you best.  We have blogged specifically about Butterfly vs Gemini at this link.

The Beco Gemini colors are :

The automatic free shipping is FedEx ground. There is a new map on our policies page for delivery speed with Fedex ground service. You may find you live close enough to get overnight or 2nd day service at the Ground price.

Everybody is curious about how the Beco fabric prints look close up and in the sunlight, so we blog these whenever we can. Check the sidebar for the “butterfly photos” section. Our homemade close-up outdoor shots of Isabella and Olivia are here. Extra images of Abby Sara and Natalie are here. Our shots of the discontinued Scooters Becos are here. When we still had them on hand, we took photos of our custom-edition Aubrey, Ethan, and Emma – especially useful because you can clearly see the words in the popular Emma print.  The currently available Paige color has extra photos here.  The Butterfly 2.0 blog thread on colors and stocking is here.

Many people ask about the sold out colors – We have been with Beco since 2006, well before there was such thing as “A Beco Butterfly” and we do still get phone calls asking for colors that came and went long ago. I can confirm that the following colors are discontinued and not being made any more: Duo organic owls in sand, sky blue, or rust orange.  Aiden, Andrew, Anaya, Alison, Avery, Argyle Deer, Carnival, Ethan, Grace, Jacob, Joey, Hannah, Lauren, Panthers, Pony Express, Lenka, River, Ryan, Sara, Scooters, Trinity, Zoye.  That lovely photo above with the lady holding a coffee mug is wearing the Joshua print from an especially small production run from 2008.  Also sold out long ago are the Tender Cargo Exclusive fabrics : custom-made Abby, Mia, Audrey, Olivia and Emma.

Beco Gemini – Left … Beco Butterfly – Center  … Beco Gemini – Right

Color is Paige – Grey and Black

Notice the differences – the Gemini has the black area at top where they have snapped it down to baby’s shoulder level. If it were left up, the carrier body would look much taller, even above the baby’s head. The Gemini carrier has snaps also where the carrier body meets the adult’s waist belt.  In the left photo those are not snapped down, they are showing the carrier at full width. A smaller baby would want those snapped down so the legs wouldn’t need to be opened as wide. Also, a baby in a front carry but facing outward will need those snapped down for the right size leg openings while they face out (shown in the photo on the right). The Beco Butterfly (right) does not snap down at the top, nor does it snap in for adjustable width at baby’s legs. Instead, the Butterfly carrier has an internal seat for baby and the use of the infant insert accomplishes this same goal. However, it will not do a forward-facing position where baby’s back is touching the adult’s chest. With the butterfly, baby is always tummy-to-tummy if on your front, or tummy-to-back when baby is riding on your back.  The actual colored fabric panel doesn’t run as wide on the Gemini. Also the straps have a thinner or sleeker look to them, partly because they don’t need the extra buckles like the Butterfly straps do.  It doesn’t show in this photo, but the Butterfly straps go “backpack style” that is, they connect to their own side rather than crossing the back as an X. There is a shoulder clip ( or chest strap if you prefer calling it that). The Gemini straps are more shaped to cross like an X over your back when baby is carried on your chest. Many people find this more supportive and distributes the weight better.

Beco Gemini – Left and the Beco Butterfly – Right

Color is Metro Black. Position is Backpack Carry.
This can be done about age 6 months, when baby sits up on their own and has full head control. As you can see in the photos, the Gemini base is fully extended for full support under baby’s bottom. the Gemini top is snapped down so baby’s head is uncovered. The Butterfly in this photo is showing an older child, but both carriers are suitable for about the same age range, 7-35 pounds on the gemini and 7-45 pounds on the butterfly. In fact, the Butterfly can do a back position sooner than the Gemini, because the Butterfly internal seat offers more support to the baby’s position, allowing a safe, secure, and confident back carry at 4 months old.  The Butterfly carrier has more buckles and adjustments than the Gemini, or compared to the Ergo for instance. But it is this extra harness that most people appreciate so much in daily use, especially with new babies, because the carrier offers so much “help” in getting baby safe and snug. Most people put the carrier on themselves first and then lift baby in to position. However, the Butterfly also offers another way – lay the baby in the carrier first, check their position and buckles and then lift the whole ensemble to your chest (or your back). Many nervous parents prefer to do it this way, and only the Butterfly carrier can do it.  However, this same infant insert and internal harness for older babies does prevent a hip carry position.  To see the side (hip) position, look at the gemini below, the photo at the bottom left. Side carry positioning tends to be “a love it or hate it” issue. It’s the sort of thing that most people never even try, while other folks use every day.  If you have been wishing your older Beco could do a hip carry, you’ll love it with the Gemini.  But that said, most Gemini users will stick to the more common front and back positions for carrying baby around town.  Both  Beco carriers accommodate newborn babies without buying an extra insert or other accessory purchases.

Our most popular question so far is “when is the beco gemini coming out” or “when is the gemini carrier available”.  Folks, it is here NOW! There is no more waiting!   After that, people often ask which carrier is right for them.  We hope this blog post helped you. If not, call us to chat about your individual situation – we love to help! (877) 333-0697

Also, you might want to look over the Gemini user manual. The PDF is here

Currently the Beco Gemini comes in 8 prints and 2 solid colors.  The butterfly comes in the same 2 solids, 6 regular prints, and 3 limited edition prints. Pricing is $129 for Gemini and $139 for Butterfly. August 2011 Back to School Sale puts the Gemini at $105 and the Butterfly at $125! Free shipping is automatic within the USA. All Becos can be purchased here

Fathers Day Anyone?
Gender-neutral light blue design with black straps. This organic Beco carrier was last summer’s bestseller, a favorite of dads and parent carrying of baby boys. We have lots available in the store now to ship immediately, and there is no charge for shipping within the US.

Beco butterflies are $139, but this color is not being produced anymore so is on sale to clear out at just $119. Click to order online and see our other pictures of this carrier.
Californians, this item is in-store for pickup at 3399 Mt Diablo Bl, Lafayette CA

Homemade photos here for beco butterfly carriers in Lauren, Argle, Panther, and Avery fabrics.  Click the images to enlarge. The Lauren is stunning – maybe not for everybody but it it goes with your style, you will love how it looks in person. All Beco carriers are in stock at this link. $139 for the Butterfly, $129 for the Gemini, US shipping is free.  We have one store location with baby carriers available to try on, as well as ordering online for anybody not in the local area.

The popular Paige color Beco is back in stock and shipping to you immediately. This gender-neutral print is organic cotton and great for both moms and dads.

See this link for a Beco Carrier photo gallery of Paige color Becos in natural lighting and amateurish photography conditions

Click here to shop

The Paige Beco butterfly is a new organic color for winter/spring 2010.  We took our own amateur photos of it here at the store because some of Beco’s official shots made it look more blue than the grey that it truly is.  Hopefully these images will help you see the print and colors more accurately.  Each image opens larger if you click on it.

Paige beco is in-stock and the free shipping is automatic within the US. To order, click here.

The limited edition Scooter Becos sold out

But before we ran out, we made a gallery of photos to show off the colors of this fabulous carrier in different lighting situations.

All Beco images will show up larger for you if you click them.

Of course, if you want to purchase a Beco, click here.

Three new Beco Butterfly designs just arrived.

Open for orders now – these are not preorders, we are actually shipping to our customers already

We now have 15 colors in stock, plenty of choices for everyone! All our Becos are $139 and free US shipping. Shop here for the biggest Beco Butterfly selection.

Aiden

Lucas

Natalie

Q: Why don’t you carry the Ergo?

A: It’s complicated! You may be surprised but we actually do carry the Ergo in our physical store location! We just don’t show it in the online shopping at tendercargo.com among all the other kinds of carriers.

The reason is that Tender Cargo’s roots are in the independent brands. We stock a dozen kinds of baby carriers, slings, and wraps, and our selection has always favored the smaller brands, the ones you can’t find in mainstream big-box stores. And likewise, our customers are looking for the niche brands, not the dominant player.

With that said, you might be wondering why we carry it in our physical store! the reason is that we like showing people all the choices, and having them out to try on side-by-side. If you come shop with us in person, you can see and test every carrier until you are sure you’ve found the right one for you! While many people walk out with a Beco or a Babyhawk, it is an important part of the decision process ot also try on the Ergo and see the differences. And of course, we have the full selection of colors and accessories for people who find that the Ergo is their favorite after all!

I know I speak for a lot of people by saying I’m so glad that Beco brought back the Avery and Lenka colors!

These were bestsellers earlier in the year and once they sold out we received an endless stream of calls about these prints – they are lovely gender-neutral choices – and those phone calls and emails never stopped even until now.

What changed is that finally have a better answer to tell – that Beco did make more and that finally we have them back in our store for sale! Whew! Welcome back Lenka and Avery!