Sling newbie - what to get? Help please!

[peilover010202]

I tried a pouch sling with ds2 and we both didn't like it. Now that I'm due with #3 soon, I really need to find something that will work.

I have a small home daycare and take care of several children throughout the day. So, I'm ideally looking for something that is:

1. hands-free that I can nurse in.
2. lightweight because of our super hot and humid summer
3. easy to learn to use
4. feels secure
5. doesn't "swallow" baby
6. maybe even adjustable (the pouch we tried was NOT)

I had considered a Hot Mama wrap, but I'm just not sure what the learning curve is for a wrap. Plus, are they hot in hot weather?

[AnnR33]

I think a mei tai would work best because there is less material so it's not as hot as a wrap. Even light weight wraps still cover your torso in the back and front and cling so they can get really warm.

A mei tai is hands free and since you can adjust how high/low you wear baby based on how tight you get the straps you can adjust it down a little to nurse in.

There are a lot of smaller bodied mei tais that won't "swallow baby up" as you said. I have a myblessedbaby.com mei tai that is a tapered body that I'm using this summer.

I used a mei tai for my last babe almost daily (when he wasn't in the pouch) and I found it quite comfortable in the summer at the beach.

[joshs_girl]

A mei tai is a really good option - you might want to look for a hybrid one though, one with a padded waist belt just to give you some extra support since it sounds like you'll be wearing it continuously!

I don't think you can beat a moby for a newborn though, especially for making them (and you) feel secure. There are different wrap brands that offer lighter weight fabrics as well.

[Quirky]

Much as I love Moby Wraps, it has to be said that they're warm! If you want to go the wrap route, Wrapsody (formerly known as Gypsymama) makes a great, lightweight hybrid wrap called the Bali Baby Stretch. It's very easy to learn to use and is very poppable.

A mei tai is a great idea, and I also love the Pikkolo for adjustability and support. It's a hybrid carrier that functions much like a mei tai but has buckles instead of straps to tie.