Need Baby Carrier Stash Review... Do I Need Anything for Newborn?

[JuniperMama]

Some people have trouble with run away cloth dipe buying, I seem to have issues searching for the "perfect" carrier.

Here is what I still own from DS:

Kozy Carrier

Basic Padded Ring Sling

Hotsling Pouch

My Karma Baby Pouch

Patapum Toddler Carrier

Blanketless Mei Tai

The Patapum and Blanketless Mei Tai don't really work until the baby is at least a year.

For this baby I did buy a Gypsy Mama Wrapsody. I had a Moby Wrap last time but found it was WAY too hot for me. Folks swear by this one so I'm excited to try it.

Like I said, I have a carrier addiction.

Anyway, I'm wondering what works best for the newborn phase. I am planning to rely mostly on the Gypsy Mama Wrapsody and the Ring Sling. Do the pouches (Hotsling and My Karma Baby) work well for newborns?

I was thinking that it would be nice to have something that I can pop on and off as well. DH definitely prefers the carriers with clips that don't take long to put on and don't require lots of adjustment. We were considering an Ergo Sport with an Infant Insert. DH tried it on today in a store and really liked it. Just not sure if its really worth it given what we do have...

So, mamas, what do you think? Is buying a structured carrier just stupid given what we have?

[Quirky]

I would try out your Kozy for a newborn -- I absolutely love it for newborns. If you're really motivated, check out the Kozy website for directions on the high back carry and practice with a doll as getting your newborn on your back and being hands-free is truly awesome.

As for buckle carriers, I don't recommend the Ergo Sport for a newborn -- just because of the way it's constructed, I don't think it works well. The Ergo Sport works great for babies who can straddle (6 months and up) but not well for little babies. The regular Ergo is a bit better but it's still not my favorite as I find the insert combo a bit bulky and it's not easy to nurse in. (Can work great for dads though and you do have other options for yourself).

If you do want a buckle carrier that works well for a newborn, I'd consider the Pikkolo, which is a buckle hybrid carrier. Unstructured like a mei tai, less bulky than an Ergo, and the toggle drawstring that allows babies to have legs out at an earlier age is a great feature.

[JuniperMama]

Thanks for the feedback. I should try the Kozy for the newborn. It just seems so big... Do you put a blanket in the bottom to boost them up a bit?

re: Pikkolo - I am not familiar with it at all. How is it a "hybrid"? It doesn't look like it has the same back support/weight distribution as the Ergo/Patapum. How is it on the back?

Thanks!

[Comtessa]

I have to show this thread to my DH, who thinks that my carrier addiction is way out of control. I keep insisting that seven is not too many baby-carrying systems, but he just shakes his head in exasperation and says, "couldn't we just get a stroller?"

[Quirky]

Originally Posted by JuniperMama

Thanks for the feedback. I should try the Kozy for the newborn. It just seems so big... Do you put a blanket in the bottom to boost them up a bit?

You shouldn't need to. If your baby is really little, you can just fold the bottom straps once before tying them on to shorten the carrier body. The trick is to make sure baby is nice and high and snug against you by bouncing/pulling the top straps once she's in there, so that her bottom is no lower than your waistline and she's securely upright. Tie the straps across the small of her back to hold her upright and in place. The Kozy website is a good place to start for instructions.

re: Pikkolo - I am not familiar with it at all. How is it a "hybrid"? It doesn't look like it has the same back support/weight distribution as the Ergo/Patapum. How is it on the back?

Thanks!

It's a hybrid between a mei tai and a buckle carrier -- you can cross the straps across your back like you do with a mei tai for a front carry or wear them backpack style on your back like a buckle carrier. You don't need the hip belt support for a little baby, and it's actually very nice not to have that bulk on your front in a front carry. It works as well as a MT for most people IME for front carries for weight distribution, and when you're ready to move to back carries and/or when your baby hits the 18-20 pound mark you can add on the babywearing support belt to get that weight transfer like you get with the Ergo/Patapum.