The Nuna CUDL carrier, introduced in 2019, quickly gained recognition for its ultra-supportive and hip-healthy design, which prioritizes ease of adjustment for parents while ensuring comfort for babies. Constructed with OEKO-TEX certified fabrics, the CUDL is free from harmful chemicals, making it a safer choice for infants. Its ergonomic and intuitive design, coupled with a strong emphasis on safety, contributed to its accolade of winning the prestigious Red Dot Award in 2020, affirming its position as a leader in functional and stylish baby carriers.
Launched in 2024, the Nuna CUDL Luxe embodies the perfect fusion of luxury and functionality, crafted from an exquisite cashmere-silk blend that elevates the carrying experience for both parent and child. While it shares similarities with the original CUDL Clik, the Luxe version includes additional features designed to enhance comfort and usability, such as extra padding and stylish design elements. Moreover, it impresses with a stunning presentation, making it an ideal giftable option for new parents. The CUDL Luxe not only prioritizes safety and support but also brings an air of sophistication, appealing to those who value both practicality and elegance in babywearing.
The Nuna CUDL serves as the base model, while the CUDL Luxe enhances the experience with features such as a removable pouch, a buckled waistband for added support, and a removable breeze cover for improved airflow and comfort. These additional enhancements justify Luxe’s higher price point, providing parents with greater versatility and convenience while maintaining the elegant design and quality synonymous with the Nuna brand.
Modes of use
All CUDL models, including the Luxe, provide four versatile carrying positions designed to support healthy hip and spine development as your child grows. These options include facing the parent with an infant booster for newborns, facing the parent without the booster for older infants, facing out towards the world for exploration, and a parent-facing position on your back for added comfort and stability. This adaptability makes the CUDL models an excellent choice for parents seeking longevity and ergonomic support in babywearing.
Facing in/ infant booster
Designed specifically for infants in their first few months, the CUDL models come with an included infant booster for newborns weighing between 8 and 15 pounds. This booster is essential for ensuring proper support and safety, as it must be utilized whenever your child weighs less than 15 pounds, allowing for a secure and comfortable carrying experience that promotes healthy development from the very beginning.
The CUDL carrier is recognized by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as a hip-healthy option for babywearing, provided it is used as directed. For optimal support, your infant's thighs should be positioned from the hip to the knee joint, creating an ergonomic "M" shape that minimizes pressure on the hip joint, promoting healthy hip development as your child grows.
Facing in
Once your baby surpasses the 15-pound mark, typically around 4 months of age, you can remove the infant booster and continue using the CUDL carrier with your baby facing inward, accommodating weights up to 30 pounds. Additionally, the head support can be adjusted to either a raised position or folded back, ensuring continued comfort and support as your child grows.
Facing out
As your baby reaches around 6 months old and gains sufficient head and neck support, you can transition to the facing-out position in the CUDL carrier, suitable for infants weighing between 20 and 30 pounds. This allows your child to explore and engage with their surroundings while still being securely supported.
All CUDL models come equipped with an enhanced front-facing leg adjustment feature that allows for a tailored fit, accommodating smaller babies comfortably and securely. This design ensures that your little one is properly supported while facing out, promoting both safety and comfort during outings.
Back carry
For infants aged 9 months and older, the back carry position is a great option for both you and your child, beginning from the Facing In position. As this method requires adjusting the carrier on your body while your child is already secure, Nuna advises practicing the back carry setup several times without the baby to ensure safety and confidence before attempting it with your little one.
It's crucial to remember that while your child can face inward or outward in the front carry position, they should never be positioned facing outward in the back carry mode for safety reasons. Maintaining the correct orientation helps ensure your child's comfort and security while being carried.
Features
Securing your child in the Nuna carrier is straightforward thanks to the ergonomically placed buckles at the shoulders and sides, featuring Nuna's MagneTech self-guiding magnetic buckles for ease of use. Each model offers highly adjustable fits for parents, including adjustable yolks, padded shoulder straps, and extendable waistbands, with the CUDL Luxe accommodating individuals up to 60 inches tall, in contrast to other CUDL models which fit up to 57 inches.
The CUDL features a waistband closure made with hook and loop material, commonly known as Velcro, while the CUDL Luxe offers a new buckle closure that may provide a quieter and simpler fastening experience, requiring securing at just one point instead of around the entire waist. Additionally, the CUDL Luxe have built-in contoured padded lumbar support in their waistbands, whereas the CUDL's waistband maintains consistent thickness and shape throughout.
What sets the CUDL Luxe apart is its premium cashmere-silk blend fabric, which offers natural moisture-wicking properties for all-season comfort and exceptional durability, while also being machine washable on a delicate cycle for easy maintenance. Additionally, the CUDL Luxe comes with a pair of exclusive Nuna baby socks made from the same luxurious cashmere blend, designed to keep little toes warm and presented in a keepsake box, adding a thoughtful touch to the overall experience.
Both CUDL models offer convenient storage solutions, with the standard CUDL featuring an integrated zipper pouch on the side. However, the CUDL Luxe elevates this functionality with a removable leatherette pouch that attaches to the waistband, which can be transformed into a stylish clutch thanks to its included wrist strap, blending practicality with luxe appeal.
What’s included?
All CUDL models come equipped with removable, washable organic cotton bibs in off white, while the CUDL Luxe further enhances convenience by including harness covers and a removable zippered pouch that can also function as a wristlet. With everything needed for the carrier's lifespan included in the purchase, no separate accessories are offered for either model, ensuring a complete package from the start.
What’s included with the Nuna CUDL?
- Nuna CUDL carrier
- Pair of GOTS-certified organic cotton bibs
What’s included with the Nuna CUDL Luxe?
- Keepsake box
- Mesh laundry bag
- Pair of GOTS-certified cotton bibs
- Cashmere baby socks
- Set of harness covers
- Removable zipped leatherette wristlet pouch
- Nuna CUDL Luxe carrier
- Storage bag
Price:
- Nuna CUDL - £160
- Nuna CUDL Luxe - £300
Nuna CUDL baby carrier benefits
- Soft, mercerized cotton exterior is silky smooth to the touch
- Zipped pouch is built in so can’t be misplaced
- Least expensive model
- Drawbacks
- Slightly heavier than the Luxe by 0.2 pounds
- Does not include breeze cover
- Waistband’s hook and loop material can be noisy and awkward to secure evenly
- Zipped pouch is not removeable
Nuna CUDL Luxe carrier benefits
- Made from premium cashmere-silk blend, great for both cold and hot weather
- Included a keepsake box and cashmere-silk Nuna socks
- Buckle waistband is quick and quiet to secure
- Contoured waistband provides localized support at lower back
- Zipped leatherette pouch is removable and doubles as a wristlet
- Drawbacks
- Most expensive CUDL model
- Heavier than the CUDL by 0.2 pounds
Conclusion
Choosing between the Nuna CUDL models is straightforward, as all options provide a hip-healthy design and exceptional comfort for both you and your baby from day one and throughout the years, ensuring a rewarding carrying experience regardless of your choice.
The CUDL is a timeless baby carrier designed for comfort and versatility from birth through toddlerhood, featuring a wide hook and loop waistband and thickly padded shoulder straps for optimal support and fit. With its numerous adjustments, super soft fabric, and a variety of modern colors, the CUDL combines functionality and style for both parent and child.
The CUDL Luxe stands out with its premium cashmere-silk blend, offering moisture-wicking properties and warmth in colder climates. Enhanced with a pair of exclusive Nuna baby socks made from the same luxurious material and presented in a keepsake box, this carrier combines style and functionality for an elevated parenting experience, ensuring both comfort and elegance for you and your baby.