Recommend - sling for newborn - needs to be hands-free, secure, bf accessible, and comfortable...

[Serenyd]

I need a sling I can keep my baby in while she/he is sleeping, nursing ect. and I am chasing/caring for a 22 month old toddler and doing household chores. I am 5'7" average weight (128lbs). I disliked the last carrier I had which was a ring sling (over the shoulder baby holder) because I never felt like the baby was secure, and it always seems to bend the babies neck unnaturally and make them uncomfortable. And I don't want anything that is complicated or takes a long time to get in and out of, I get frustrated with that sort of thing quickly. TIA.

[ElaynesMom]

Have you tried an open tail ring sling like the maya wrap lightly padded? It would likely be much more adjustable and may feel more secure.

You could also look at a wrap, but some find long wraps warm in the summer. Stretchy wraps (like the moby or Wrapsody Bali Baby Stretch) are much more "poppable" as far as getting the baby in and out, but a woven wrap would last much longer.

Another option might be a mei tai.

A wrap or mei tai would likely let you be more hands free.

[possum]

How about a wrap? They are very secure and versatile. If you got a woven one, you could even use it for your older child.
Melinda

[Serenyd]

what do you think of this mei tai? http://foxdenlane.com/store/mei-tai-...c-4_12_40.html

[Happiestever]

Moby for sure! While it may take a minute to learn how to use (try youtube if you need to) I love that it really feels comfy and completly hands free if need be.

[Sheryl1678]

Wraps are SOO comfortable for newborns. I also like pouch slings but they can be tricky for the newborn/cradle because small babies can "fall in" a deep pouch and fat babies have to be stuffed in a thinner pouch. If you get it right, they are very easy in/out though.

[ElaynesMom]

Originally Posted by Serenyd

what do you think of this mei tai? http://foxdenlane.com/store/mei-tai-...c-4_12_40.html

I've never tried this mei tai but I have heard others say they like it a lot for front carriers. It has wide unpadded straps that may not be as comfortable in back carries.

Some other popular brands of mei tais are kozy, babyhawk, freehand. They have padded shoulder straps.

And for wraps, well there are tons of brands of wraps (so many I find it dizzying at times )

[maymorales]

for newborn stage, I favor Moby wraps.
it's a great price for the comfort and versatility.
but once your baby gets a bit heavier, closer to the 1yo mark, you might find the wrap lacking in support.

[baturay]

Originally Posted by Serenyd

what do you think of this mei tai? http://foxdenlane.com/store/mei-tai-...c-4_12_40.html

Ball Baby Mei Tais are and are super comfy.

Personally, I'm loving using wraps with my newborn. I can do all the things you've listed and since I'm used to them, I can snap one on in seconds.

[pixiepunk]

i think that if you don't want to get frustrated with a learning curve a mei tai is going to be your best bet. i think a Kozy is best for newborns because the body of the carrier is wide so there aren't gaps at the sides. wraps can be fiddly, and while they are wonderful once you get the hang of them, they can be frustrating to learn at first. didn't notice when your baby is due, but if it's summer i think a mei tai is going to be a cooler option too - not as much fabric on you *or* on the baby.

i also agree with the pp that said that the kind of ring sling you had is notoriously not a great one - difficult to get snug enough to really be at all hands-free. so you might want to try an unpadded one. though they are definitely not as hands-free as any two-shouldered carrier.

my first two kiddos are 26 months apart, so i know how important it is to have baby secure and your hands free! and my go-to carrier at that time was a mei tai. i like wraps also with newborns, but tend to like MT's in general, and definitely find them quicker to put on and easier to learn to use.

[baturay]

I took a picture for friends today of me wearing my newborn. Here he is in a wrap, nursing and I'm completely hands free in this picture. He's going to be one week this coming Sunday.

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/w...finginwrap.jpg

And here's a back carry, which with 3 kids under 4 yrs old will come in really handy! Granted, I'm already experienced in wrapping, but I didn't start out like this. It's a learning curve, but once you practice and learn how to use wraps, it's so wonderful!

http://i714.photobucket.com/albums/w...rryinlouis.jpg

Next to wraps, I'd go for a mei tai. I find it easy to nurse in it too, though for me it's easier to position baby exactly as I need him to be in a wrap.

[slinginhipmama]

baturay..what beautiful pictures OT, my ds3 had hair like yours at birth, its now just about all gone (he's 4 months)! I love that hair!!!

[ani'smommy]

moby moby moby moby moby!!!

[Dandelionkid]

i liked my maya wrap for the beginning stages. feels very secure (as long as it is rethreaded every so often) and love the long tail for breastfeeding. also nurse on walks easily.

[Quirky]

I vote for a two-shoulder carrier. I think an upright, tummy to tummy position in a two-shoulder carrier gives you the best security and the best ability to be hands-free. I also really like nursing in a two-shouldered carrier because you can easily nurse on either breast without having to reposition baby or carrier from one side to the other (although you may have to lower baby down to breast level and then scoot baby back up when finished nursing).

My faves are either mei tais (particularly tall-bodied MTs) or if you are interested in buckles, a Pikkolo, which is a hybrid between a soft structured carrier and a mei tai.

[dogmom327]

I plan to use my Moby wrap (same situation--new baby and toddler to chase).

[BabyMae09]

Thanks SO much for starting this thread, OP!

[joshs_girl]

Oh definitely a Moby - there is a learning curve, but it's so worth taking a few extra minutes to learn to use it.

My almost 6 month old is in it constantly and has been since birth and I've carried my three and two year old niece and nephew in it as well.

[mommabear207]

another vote for Moby!

[JuniperMama]

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