Tell me your baby wearing preferences - Page 2

[treehugger75]

I like the ring sling for times when I'm just running into a store really quick or running errands, or going somewhere where baby will be in and out. If I'll be wearing my baby for a longer stretch of time then I prefer my Gypsy Mamma wrap. It's soooo much more comfortable than the ring sling! I have a stretch one right now but I think I'm going to try to get a gauze for summer. And because I just want one, ha ha! Now if I could only decide which design I like best...

I haven't tried a mei tai yet but I think I'll get one this time around.

One other thing I LOVE is the Gypsy Mama water wrap. It awesome for the shower or in the pool.

[aricha]

I LOVED my Baby Bundler, which is similar, I think, to a Moby wrap. It was absolutely perfect for my newborn, and grew with them through all their various wearing preferences. It even went into toddlerhood when I wanted to sling them on my hip-- it was more comfortable for me because I still had their weight on both shoulders (at least somewhat) even on my hip. Supposedly you can use it as a backpack-type wrap for older todds, but I never have.

[bef72m]

I used a ring sling for newborns, but my babies seem to get really big really fast, so we switched to the ergo at about 4 months. I have a lot of love for the ergo. DH even enjoys wearing it. When DD was born I bought a ring sling made out of solarveil which I really loved. Solarveil is very lightweight, and gauzy, yet surprisingly strong. The best part is that it provides 99% UV protection. Perfect for water/pool/shower/beach. Especially in July. It dries in about 15 - 30 minutes just hanging up. I wish I could remember where I got it from.

[ohiomommy1122]

I HATE ring slings speaking of that I have a wise woman stretch twill close tail one that I wore once and want to sell pm me if you are interested I like my Hotslings for quick trips or nursing but my Moby wrap gets the most when the baby is little after that baby is on my back on my ergo which ILOVE its sooooooooo comfy and you can get so much done with the baby on your back, cooking, yard work laundry, you name as far as the Beco goes it does have cuter prints but its not as padded and cmfy as the Ergo

[LindsC]

I have both a Mei Tai and an Ergo and I love them both.

I am definately getting a wrap this time around though.

[donutmolly]

Every mama and every babe seems to have their preference. I love my ring sling for the early months and then when they're toddlers who want to get in and out a bunch. Neither DD liked to be "laying down" in the sling, but I carried them in an upright, kangaroo carry from the time they were tiny.

I also have a Babyhawk which I don't love as much as I thought I would. But great for totally hands-free, fine for a newborn because of the headrest, and if you don't have a ginormous baby (DD2 was 20lbs at 4mo) I think it'd probably be great for the first year.

Which brings me to the Ergo -- my favorite. Learn to do a backcarry and you're set from the time they're starting to sit up. I have a super old school one that I got 3rd hand and it's held up amazingly well. I love the Egro.

[wencit]

What do you ladies think is the best carrier for the summer months? I've seen a lot of love for the Moby, but also several mentions that it's too hot for the summer (and where I live, the temps normally are 90-100F). I have an Ergo that I love for when the baby gets a little older, but I'm looking for something that will carry me through the first few months. With DS, I had a Zolo ring sling that he and I both hated.

[Quindin]

A lightweight wrap - such as the Gypsy Mama gauze wraps
A solarveil sling or pouch - many brands have slings and pouches in this material
A lightweight Meitai - Babyhawk, Freehand, etc

[eli's mama]

I have a moby which i love for itty bitty babies, a ring sling that I use for all ages, a babyhawk that I use as soon as babe is ok on my back. I am thinking of getting a beco or an ergo not sure which yet.

[annettemarie]

Moving to Babywearing

[hyde1080]

i LOVE the Moby wrap-- great when she was an infant and i still use it now that shes 12months. Its so easy to use and great on the back. I have the hotsling and it does bother my shoulder after about 30mins. I like the hotsling for when im running a quick errand.

[Amberoxy]

When Sam was first born, I tried a hot sling - it hurt my back though. I switched to a Moby and loved it! This was during the summer and I did not find it too hot. I would tie it on in the morning and leave it on during the day and just pop him in and out as needed. I never felt comfortable carrying the bucket seat around so the Moby was a much nicer alternative.

For the winter, I got a Moby D with a fleece middle that was really cozy!

When he got big enough for back carries, I tried the Ergo first. I hated it. I hated the padded shoulders and I hated the strap across my chest. I hated the stiff fabric. After the Ergo I tried a Chunei. I love that thing! See thebabywearer for pics. It is a Korean baby carrier that goes on like a vest. So easy to put on and take off. Very comfortable - even in the summer. But, I don't get hot easily so others may disagree.

I have also tried a Mei Tei, for me, I couldn't get it comfortable. I don't know why but it didn't work for me. I tried a couple of different ones but just couldn't get them to work.

Around this time I also went back to my hotsling and found it great for quick errands. It would still hurt after too long but for quick rides, Sam loved it and it was easy to use.

I also have a ring sling which I like the adjustability of - the hotsling I bought for when Sam was a newborn got too big for me after I lost some of my pregnancy weight. There is no problem with that with the ring sling. Mine was a zolowear and I loved the pocket. I am planning to use it a lot with the next babe.

Finally, I tried wrapping with a woven wrap for back carries. I love wrapping but by the time I got around to it, Sam wasn't really patient enough any longer. Still, I was able to get the hang of it and knew it would be my first choice for my new baby. I figured a nice soft broken in woven wrap would work from newborn to toddler.

I ended up actually purchasing something called a BBO for my new baby (her name is Anika.) It is made from a Didymos Natural Indio cotton / linen blend. Someone chopped up the wrap and turned it into a Mei Tei and this is called a BBO (I don't know why.) I was hesitant at first due to my previous experience with Mei Tei but I thought maybe the wrap straps and softer fabric would make it easier. I just got it in the mail yesterday and love it!!! It is so soft and it went on so easy! Now, I can place Sam on my back and he stays there so it was quick to just slide the BBO over him and tie it into place. It will be so nice for Anika to snuggle in and I am glad that I went with that choice since it has the benefits of a wrap and of a Mei Tei.

Sorry so long!!! I love babywearing so tend to get long winded Now, I'm late... gotta run!

OP - as you can see there are a lot of types to choose from. My recommendation would be to go to the For Sale Or Trade forum on thebabywearer.com and start to try things. If you don't like them, you can usually turn around and sell them again for what you paid and then try something else. In case you haven't heard yet, you want to try to stay away from the big deep pouches they sell in big stores like Babies R Us. I can't remember the names of them but they impede the breathing of the baby. The ones to use are the shallower ones like Hotslings. Also, Bjorn's are notorious for back aches.

Good luck!!!