MiniMeis

Hands-Free Parenting

MiniMeis

When kids get tired from walking, they often end up on their parents’ shoulders. “The downside is you have to hold them and your hands get occupied,” says Julius Winger, a father of three who invented MiniMeis, a lightweight, foldable and ergonomic shoulder carrier that is comfortable for both parents and kids. The MiniMeis comprises a seat with a backrest and a system of straps to attach the child securely to the parent. Unlike front or back carriers, it distributes the child’s weight squarely over a parent’s center of balance and kids as old as 5 can ride with an unobstructed view. At $149, it’s similar in cost to other carriers, and parents are jumping at the opportunity to free up their hands; in three years, the company has grown from 7,000 sales a year to 15,000 a month online and in Europe, and the carrier is expected to hit U.S. stores this winter. —Emily Barone

Buy now: MiniMeis

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