New Born & Sling

[lauriebeth]

I need to pick out a sling.

I would really like something adjustable and EASY to figure out.

Im thinking Hotsling is out (b/c its not adjustable) but Maya looks hard?? Also, doesn't baby want to be more in a cradle position rather than verticle at the newborn stage? Maya doesnt look like its made for newborns...

Help!

[chase_mommy]

I don't have a Maya... thats a ring sling, right? If so, I do have a homemade sling. It works great for newborns! I loved mine. I am still sad that my DD is to heavy for me to wear her in it all the time. Anywho... I never had her in the cradle hold in it unless she was nursing. When she was a newborn I would carry her in a tummy to tummy hold with her legs froggied. It worked great for us and wasn't that hard to learn to use, I was my first carrier.

[lauriebeth]

oops, thought the maya was a wrap (i guess i was thinking about a moby wrap).

i have a padded ring sling i used from 6-12 mos, but never really got the hang of it (dd always was slipping out)

i tried it on today and it looks confusing.. .i wonder if a simple ring sling is best for a newborn? something like the maya?

[cotopaxi]

I think pouches like Hotsling are the easiest, but you do have to make sure to get the exact right size - too big or too small and it won't be safe or comfy.

There is a learning curve to ring slings, but they are quite comfortable and versatile, apparently, once you get the hang of them (I never really tried so I can't say, but that's what I hear... I also do hear that unpadded are the best).

Some babies like to be cradled and some like to be upright. Pouches are good for cradled but not good for upright until they are a little bigger and can hold themselves up better. Ring slings are a little more versatile.

We ended up using a pouch and a Moby early on, and then a mei tai. It all depends on your tolerance for long straps and your baby's preference on position.

[syd'smom]

Sleeping baby productions ring sling. Great price and very well made by a super sweet mama! I have *ahem* several SBPs (made from wraps bought on tbw fsot), but she also has lots of great options on her website. You can do cradle or tummy to tummy hold with a newborn, and I love my RSs for hip carries with my 2.5yo when we're out and about (great for all the ups and downs of toddlers!)

[nerdymom]

ring sling!! they are really wonderful. I have a Maya, but if I was going to buy one (the maya was a gift) I'd definitely buy from Jan Andrea (sleepingbaby.net). She is a WAHM legend, and her carriers are really beautiful. If you can, find a babywearing group in your area. They will help you master the ring sling. They are pretty easy, and I was doing well on my own, but after months of carrying my DS in the maya I went to a bw group. And they were able to show me a few things that made wearing him SO MUCH more comfortable.

[Quirky]

For a two-shouldered carrier, my fave for a newborn is a mei tai. It holds your baby in an upright, tummy to tummy position, which I find most babies like or prefer -- my own three never liked a cradle position.

I also liked the ergonomics of a two-shouldered carrier and the ease of being able to nurse on either side without having to reposition baby.

In many ways I actually think a mei tai has a lower learning curve than a pouch or a ring sling.

Plus, I think a mei tai is more hands-free than a one-shouldered carrier, and you have the option of doing back carries, too. The newborn high back carry with my dd was a lifesaver when I had to chase after my toddler ds! But even front carries are way more hands-free than one-shoulder carriers in terms of baby being securely in there and in terms of freedom of movement of both arms IME.

[Raene]

Speaking of Mei Tais, I've heard that Kozy carriers are just great with newborns. They have amazing reviews and are mama made, which is important to me. I just ordered one, but our baby won't arrive for another 3 months, so I can't tell you until then how i like it.

[baturay]

I find the Maya Wrap to be comfy with newborns (and toddlers too). Here I am wearing one with my 3rd.

And wraps are really nice with newborns too. I love love love my wraps and use them almost exclusively. You can do cradle or upright too. Not all babies actually like being cradled. My 2nd hated it, but my 1st and 3rd are ok either cradle or upright.