Babywearing newbie!

[Carsonsmama]

OKay so I am doing it! I said it with my first two babies and never did it but this time I AM doing the babywearing!!
I did try it with the other two...babyBjorn...turned me right off trying anything else because of the strain on my neck and shoulders. By the time I finished carrying them in it I was sick with a migraine! I should mention I usually have bigger babes...around the 9lb mark.

I did the research last time and got so confused that I bought nothing...I have started searching the carriers again and can feel the confusion coming on already!!

This is what I think I have learnt....we want a Moby Wrap for the first 15lbs...and then after that a Ergo, Mei Tei, or Beco?

Which one is less likely for shoulder/neck strain??

[lifeguard]

I have an ergo & LOVE it. DS is now 25lbs & I don't seem to get any strain issues unless I'm also trying to rake or sweep or something where I'm stooped like that for a long time.

I would also get a ring sling - much easier for quick in & out like when you are doing errands when they are small. I found the moby style bulky & awkward to get ds in & out of if I was just running into the bank for 5 minutes.

[Michigan Mama]

I've heard great things about the beco - and their infant insert comes with rather than sold separately, like the ergo. I've never tried either, though!

For my new LO (due 3 weeks now!!), I've got a Moby and a woven wrap, several pouch slings, and a friend is making me a ring sling. I have a homemade mei tai, too, that I'll try with this babe.

I think any of the ones you mentioned should work fine as far as strain, but it would be nice to be able to try them on if you have a store near you. If not, ask about return policies when you buy so you can return it if you don't feel comfortable when you try it on.

[Lauren710]

Personally, I'd get both a mei tai and some kind of buckle carrier. If you have a babywearing group local to you, that would be a great place to try on some different carriers and get a feel for what you like.

From what I've read about the Beco it seems to be pretty hit or miss - you either love it or hate it (this is with the newest one, the Butterfly II). I tried one on once and it seemed fine but I haven't worn one for extended periods of time. I've heard excellent things about the Beco 4th Gen., but you'd have to buy it used since it's no longer being made - you might find one on FSOT on TheBabyWearer. We have an Ergo that we bought and started using when DD was about 4 months old with excellent head control, we've had no problem with it. I didn't buy the infant insert, it seems like it's kind of a pain to use. SSCs with structured waists like the Ergo and Beco transfer a lot of the weight to your hips, anything in that category will be easy on your neck and shoulders. If you're interested in an SSC that you can use with a really young baby, look into the Pikkolo.

I have a mei tai that I love to pieces (Kindercarry ), it doesn't transfer the weight to your hips like an SSC does but the shoulder straps are really wide and lightly padded so it still feels like I'm hardly carrying anything when I'm wearing DD. I'm not particularly attached to my Ergo but I do like having a buckle carrier for quick trips to the store or going places when it's raining and I don't want straps dragging on the ground. I also find that back carries are more comfortable in an SSC, while front carries are more comfortable in my MT.

That got a little long, sorry.. HTH some!