Tell me your baby wearing preferences

[penstamon]

As a first time mom-to-be, I have no idea which wrap/sling is the best out there. SIL bought me a hotsling, but it is the wrong size. In looking at it though, I feel like it may be uncomfortable since it is only puts weight on one shoulder. I have minor scoliosis which I never notice unless carrying a shoulder bag. Plus, DH would need a different one in his size too.

Others that I have looked at were moby (looks great but soooo much fabric) and mei tai.

What did you find to work best?

[songbird45]

A lot depends on your preferences, from what I understand. I found this link on the baby wearer website that seems helpful.

[askew]

When DS1 was just born, I used a pouch sling like the hotsling for a few months. He got large fast and it became very uncomfortable.

We had the Moby and loved it when DS was newborn-5 months. It was so comfortable to wear him in that and clean the house, cook etc. I used it around the house all the time.

We had a babyhawk mai tai and I used this from newborn- about 18 months. I loved this one the best. It felt the most secure to me as well. I actually painted my house with DS on my back. (well ventilated and no VOC paint) If I had to choose one, I would go with the mai tai. We used this for hiking, trips to the grocery store, everywhere. I also loved that he was right on my belly so my winter baby did not have a million strangers leaning over him etc like babies in the carseat carrier thing.

At 18 months we got an Ergo carrier, and this is my ultimate favorite. It is soooo comfortable. I can still wear my 2.5 year old 32lbs kid in it. On my front or my back. When we got a babysitter at 13 months, wearing DS down in the Ergo was the only way she would get him to nap. I did hear that they are not as great for newborns though.

[lindsayjean]

My DD LIVED in her hotsling for the first 3-4 months of her life. Then she lived in her babyhawk Mei Tei for a good amount of time after that. I am going to try a moby also this time.

I've heard of different babies having different preferences for how they are worn... so I guess the best thing is to be flexible with it.

[learnlovebe]

I was skeptical of the Moby too when I was pg last time. I thought..seriously? ALL that wrapping around? But after reading a lot, and so many people thought they (meaning the wrap kind of carriers) were the most comfortable, I decided to give the Moby a try...and I'm REALLY glad that I did. I *LOVE* the moby wrap. *LOVE IT*

Once you've got the inital "wrap" figured out (and it's not hard, it just looks a little confusing at frist), there are so many possibilites to customize the fit and carry for what will work for you. I used it all the time...until my wee one wasn't so wee anymore and he got heavy.

Then, I switched to the Ergo. I am a HUGE fan of these carriers- NO back pain because of they way the weight is distributed. I LOVE this carrier too, and it's still in my car (my son is almost 21 months) in case we ever need it while we're out. I really liked that I could carry him up front until after he was a year old (he never really liked to be on my back for more than a little bit, he preferred to see where we were going, I guess!) and it didn't bother my back at all (and he was a BIG boy!).

I, too, had a hotsling, but it was too small so I never used it.

I also had a ring sling, but I didn't use it too much so I sold it on ebay. I am looking at getting a different one this time though!

I also have a hybrid sling/pouch made by a local gal, and I DO like that one- especially as a hip carrier when he got old enough to sit up, and for naps during the day. It did hurt my back after a short time though (not so much in the hip carry, but in the asleep in the pouch mode).

[treetop]

I love my Baby Pocket Sling! You can buy it on ETSY. It is handmade by a lady here in Ketchikan. It is a silk ring sling and I have used it for over a year and looks almost brand new! I bought a mai tai and it was the wrong size. It was to big for her but I haven't tried it now that she is older.

[*violet*]

For a newborn, I love the Hug-a-bub. It's a long stretchy wrap, like a Moby. We used it until ds2 was 6 months old. From there, we constantly used our Babyhawk MT. I could never get the hang of a back carry, though.

[vonn's_mama]

For newborns, I love wraps (e.g., Moby). I'm eying a Gypsy Mama Gauze wrap for this one just because the idea of wrapping all that t-shirt material around me in a Texas July is not too appealing! Once your baby starts sitting on your hip (6-7 months), having a ring sling or a hot sling type carrier is handy for quick trips in and out of stores. When you don't want to take the time to do a wrap or even strap on a Mei Tei or Ergo, a ring sling or other sling can be just the thing. Then, I agree that the Ergo is great once the baby gets bigger. Becos look similar and they have some cute fabrics, but I don't know if they're comfy since I use an Ergo. I'm thinking I might have to check out the Mei Tei everyone is talking about. It sounds great!

[songbird45]

so how often do you have to wash your wraps? I have been organizing my clothes and I have a few saris (essentially 6 yards of fabric) that I will not be wearing anymore. But the reason is that they require ironing, they aren't colorfast in the laundry, and generally are too hard to care for. I feel like it would be great to repurpose them into carriers, but not if I have to wash my wraps every week.

[KimProbable]

I absolutely loved my CuddlyWrap when DD was tiny. It's a nice stretchy wrap and I found it to be way more versatile and comfortable than the slings I have. Granted, I'm really not at all a sling person due to hip/back problems that make asymmetrical carries uncomfortable.

This time around, I'm going to pick up a really nice woven wrap for the babe. I used one last winter and couldn't believe how lightweight DD felt (she was about 27 lbs at the time). I really love wraps because they're so comfortable and easy to use once you get the hang of them. I also really want to be able to put babe on my back from early on to make it easier to clean and do more active things.

I've also got an Ergo which I've never used with a small baby since I got it when DD was over a year old. I love it for going for walks but I think it'll get more use once the new baby is a bit older.

[vonn's_mama]

I washed my Moby 2-3 times during the 9 months or so that I used it. I washed my ring sling once I think. I've never washed any of my others. My son isn't too messy though. My sister's daughter was eating a banana in the Ergo and permanently stained the straps with banana drool...

[ATruck]

Depends very much on the age. I am a mei tai addict with my DD, who I am still wearing (I know a lot of people like Ergos, but I am not a fan for myself).

When my DD was tiny, I loved the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch and the Moby Wrap. However, she was a November baby, and I don't think either of those carriers are going to be do-able in a Texas summer. I am also considering getting a Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Breeze, which is gauze. I have heard they are trickier to use, b/c it is easy to get pressure points since the fabric is so thin. I also have high hopes for becoming a real wrapper this time around, and may use a woven wrap from the beginning. You can use these through toddlerhood.

The forums on thebabywearer.com are a great place to hang out and get familiar with all of the types of carriers. You could also check and see if there is a lending library/babywearing group in your area. That is a great way to check out multiple carriers without spending a bunch of money.

[lily7]

I got a hotsling and it just felt wrong for me, and I got Babyhawk and I used it till my DS was 15 mo. old. I love my Babyhawk. I thought maybe pouch would work as well and tried one that my friend has, again I felt so akward in it. So I am definitely a fan of mei tai. The only thing I wish BH had is padded waist.

[AnnR33]

If you need a 2 shoulder carrier then I think a mei tai is a good place to start. Wraps can be overwhelming IMO, esp for a newbie to babywearing.

Mei tais come in so many different variations that you're bound to find something that will work. Some have wider shoulders or shaped bodies, etc. Just depends on what you want.

I think a Babyhawk with the headrest is a good infant carrier to start with. I encouraged my non-babywearing SIL to get one with her last one and she was thrilled with it.

Personally I love my Hotslings for the newborn period (the weight is not just on the top of the shoulder-it's spread out over the ball of the shoulder which helps a lot!) and then I use pouches or mei tais depending on what I'm doing. I love mei tais when they get to be about 15-18lbs and wear them daily.

I have about 8 mei tais, 5 pouches, 2 wraps, and 5 slings so you can see I'm addicted

[georgiegirl1974]

I've heard that pouches (like the hotsling) and the moby wrap are the best for the first few months. I had a peanut shell with DD, but it wasn't stretchy, so I didn't like it much (although she did). I also had a ring sling that she liked a lot. One of my friends is making me a fauxby (fake moby). I also might get a pouch because I've heard the Moby gets really hot in the summer.

I have an Ergo from DD, but that wont work well until he's 6 months or so. I might buy a cooler looking soft-structured carrier (like the Beco Butterfly) that is less bulky than the Ergo. However, I'm going to wait to make sure this baby likes to be worn in that type of carrier. DD was very particular. She liked the Ergo but not the mai tai I had (which I ended up selling.)

[chrissy]

I haven't read replies yet....

My favorite for the first month or so is a stretchy wrap. I have the Hug-A-Bub, and really like it. http://www.hugabub.com/

Then when they're a little less floppy, I really like a ring sling. There are tons out there. I can't even remember who made mine. Oh, and the Babyhawk, I like a lot at that stage too.

Then a little later, my Hotsling is my favorite. I have the one with one padded rail, which I put under babe's legs so they don't get that red mark.

Those are my experiences.

[plantmama]

I am a huge fan of the Moby too! I am terrible at reading directions and I managed to figure it out. It's annoying when you go somewhere in the car and you have to drag the tails in the dirt (or snow and slush since last ds was a nov baby) but that is really the only draw back. Well, and also that they outgrow the stretchy mobys pretty quick, like 6-9 months, AND that it's just going to be too hot in the summer.
I am also planning on looking into a woven or gauze wrap this time.
I can't say enough how comfortable the Moby is. I have trouble with every other sling I've tried. I've never used a Mei Tai so I want to try one of those this time too.
Once the baby can sit up on your hip a hotsling or new native (pouch) sling is great. And so much easier to throw in the car and put on.
I hate my Ergo, for me it's hard to use and very uncomfortable. So you see you really have to try different things out, another reason some of us might have a ton of products
The site the slingstation.com has a really good selection...at least it did 2 years ago, haven't checked it out since then.
One other great thing about Mobys is they are fairly cheap.
Oh, and I rarely washed any of my slings. The only part of a wrap that tends to get dirty would be the tails and you could spot wash them.
I did not enjoy wearing my first ds because I simply did not have the right products so search out what works for you.
Hope this helps!

[Quindin]

For newborns, nothing beats a stretchy wrap. The Moby is very popular, but I am not crazy about it for the summer - TOO hot!
I loved my Calin Bleu and Gypsy Mama wraps though.

I also fell in love with the Connecta baby carrier last time around and I still wear my 1yo comfortably in it. She is very active and just does not have the patience to be wrapped.

Didymos are my favourite overall wraps

[DahliaRW]

I have tried just about every carrier out there with a newborn and hands down my favorite is the Moby Wrap. I did not find it too hot in the summer, I just wore a lightweight shirt underneath.

Around 20 lbs (which with my huge babies was about 6 months) the Moby would start to sag, so then I would switch to a mei tai and later my Ergo (though I wish I had a Beco instead of the Ergo). I like the mei tai (I have a Kozy Carrier) then because the baby is old enough to have good head control and it is super easy to nurse in.

My kiddos never liked to lay down, so I rarely used my sing or pouch. Mostly for hip carries when they were bigger. From birth they liked being upright with their heads right next to my heart. And I felt secure with them wrapped all tight to me so that I could do any chores/shopping/etc.

[koalove]

try the babywearing forum. i have been lurking around there and learnign alot. one thing i learned with ds was that i will never again use an over one shoulder sling. it killed my shoulder!! im going for a mei tai or the ergo.