Do I *need* a soft carrier?

[Raene]

If I buy a Sleepy Wrap and have a ring sling, do I really need an Ergo?

Thanks and sorry for so many posts!

[SageR]

I don't care for ring slings and pouches didn't work since my babies were huge and I am tiny. I could never manage a back carry with my wrap, plus other people use our carrier, so we've found our (easy to adjust and put on) Ergo essential. But of course that doesn't mean you need one...

Think about when you will wear the baby and if you will want to do a front or back carry. Can you do what you want with the carriers you already have? If not, an Ergo or Beco could be a nice addition.

[ChetMC]

Could Be Fine

My primary carrier was a ring sling with our first two kids. I had a homemade mei tai too, and sometimes i used a plain piece of cloth as a wrap, but I basically used a ring sling.

Start out with the wrap and sling. You may be fine. If they aren't working for some reason, or if they are fine in the beginning but you eventually want something else when your needs change, it'll be easier to choose a third carrier with some babywearing experience under your belt and some idea about your own preferences. You might want an ergo then, or you might want something else.

I have a Beco now, and I like it a lot, but I imagine that I'll go back to the sling with the new baby and the Beco will get used for DS.

[alegna]

Is the sleepy wrap stretchy? I would say you need something for a two shoulder carry when they're bigger- a non stretchy wrap or a Mei Tai or a SSC.

Personally I'm a MT fan.

-Angela

[Raene]

Originally Posted by alegna

Is the sleepy wrap stretchy? I would say you need something for a two shoulder carry when they're bigger- a non stretchy wrap or a Mei Tai or a SSC.

Personally I'm a MT fan.

-Angela

yes, it's stretchy.

[baturay]

The two you have will work great for a while before you need another baby carrier. You will be able to use the SW for comfy front carries and then ring sling for tummy to tummy and hip carries. Later, when your little one is heavier you may need another two shoulder carrier, but honestly, I'd wait to get something else. Babies are very particular about what they like and don't like and so are mommies. I'd use what you have and then later when you need something else, you will know more what you like and don't like and what your baby likes and then you'll know exactly what type of carrier to get next.

[Quirky]

I certainly don't think you need one now! You've got a ways until your baby comes, and I think the sleepy wrap and ring sling will be great until your baby gets bigger and heavier. IMO most babies (and mamas) will outgrow stretchy wraps; at some point the springiness that makes them so easy to use and so comfy becomes more of a liability than an asset!

A ring sling is always a good carrier to hold onto. I always like to have one one-shoulder carrier and one two-shoulder carrier as the basis of a sling wardrobe, because they serve different functions.

I would wait and see at the 4-6 month mark how you're doing and whether you're thinking you need a more supportive two-shoulder carrier, whether that's a mei tai, soft structured carrier, or woven wrap.

[Raene]

The only problem with this now is that DH has back problems and is convinced ring slings are "bad". He also thinks a wrap is too complicated, even though I've read that Sleep Wraps are very easy. (Too bad he feels this way b/c we're having trouble finding a soft carrier that works on his large frame).

[pixiepunk]

i agree for the most part on the wait and see. but if you want your DH to babywear and he's not going to with what you've got, i think your best bet is to pick up a Kozy with XL straps for him. you can use that from birth (unlike the SSC which IMO is not a very good newborn carrier) and will be a much supportive two-shouldered option when the sleepy wrap is no longer useful. depending on the size of your baby, you might be perfectly happy with the Kozy until your child is too big to be worn. my kiddos are pretty huge, so around 9 months-1 year i feel the need for more support when i'm wearing them for long periods of time, and that's when i switch mostly to SSC's.

[alegna]

And see, I find the kozy MUCH more supportive for big kids than a ssc.

-Angela

[maymorales]

what about a mei tai for him? or is he just not into the tie's of the straps?
is he tall or wide? or both?
Ergo's are good. So are Patapums.
Do you have a boutique near you where you can go and try out the ssc's?
Some dads like the Butterfly because it's very similar to the functions of a backpack. They now have the gender neutral colors too.

[Raene]

Originally Posted by maymorales

what about a mei tai for him? or is he just not into the tie's of the straps?
is he tall or wide? or both?
Ergo's are good. So are Patapums.
Do you have a boutique near you where you can go and try out the ssc's?
Some dads like the Butterfly because it's very similar to the functions of a backpack. They now have the gender neutral colors too.

Yeah, he just doesn't want any ties...thinks it sounds too complicated. The Ergo we have won't fit him, even with an extender. He's not tall, just very wide. I've heard Patapums are great for wide folks, but I haven't been able to find any good deals on the baby ones, only the toddler type.
We do have a boutique here, but unfortunately they only carry Ergos and Becos. I don't think either is going to work on DH. It's not just the waist that isn't long enough on the Ergo...it's also the belly area...there wouldn't be room for a baby after it's hooked on.

[baturay]

Ah, well if DH wants a carrier for his own, then yes another one is a good idea. But, it sounds like the regular buckle carriers don't fit him. How about getting a custom made mei tai for him that has buckle waist and tie on shoulder straps? I've not tried these myself, but this mama makes them and does custom work.

http://www.my-blessed-baby.com/

[maymorales]

i wanted to suggest a mei tai because you can get a structured belt for the from catbird baby that will work on any mei tai. Dads tend to like the structured feel of SSC's. But the beauty of this option is that you don't have to worry about the fit between you and him. Just be sure to get a XL straps.

on the other hand, have you tried Beco with waist extender? It can fit people who are quite wide.