should I keep the snugli?

[MEcatlady17]

I am pregnant with our first baby, due in January. (Yes I know it seems so far away to me too, but humor me ). I was given a snugli, actually a few of them, by a cousin when she moved. I gave all but one away, keeping the one in the nicest condition. I do not plan to use this style of carrier. When I was a nanny the family I worked for had a bjorn, which I found difficult to use alone and very uncomfortable for me. My question is, should I keep the Snugli for DH to possibly use? A babywearing friend of mine suggested my husband may like it better than learning a wrap or sling. Also, I would probably have to purchase (or learn to use that old sewing machine in the basement and make) him his own, as he is 6'6" and I am 4'11"...I doubt we'd use the same size of fabric.

Thanks, and also if you have any tips on what to buy before baby comes and what carriers I should wait to purchase that would be great too! I have some experience with different styles of carriers and I think I would like to purchase a stretchy wrap like a Moby or one of the wrapsody wraps and a ring sling to start with.

[Hobie]

I love moby style wraps for newborns! Strechy wraps are really easy to make too. All you need is about 5yds (or less, since you are 4'11") of cotton interlock (100% cotton, NO lycra, like a heavy T-shirt). Cut the fabric down the middle lengthways, and you have 2 wraps! No sewing is necessary, since the knit doesn't frey. You could buy a longer length of fabric, to accmodate for your DH, and just cut your's shorter.

Can your DH wear the snugli? Or is he too tall for it? Some baby's don't like it, because their legs dangle down, as opposed to being tucked up, like in the womb.

[SunShineSally]

I had a very nice padded snuglie I used with Ds but I only used it for a few months maybe 2 at the most 3 months. I only used it because I needed a carrier in a pinch I would not go out of my way for one as there are so many others that are better for the babies and for the mommies.

[BarefootScientist]

I say, since you already have it, keep the Snugli until you have the baby if possible so that your DH can try it out. You can always give it away if it turns out it doesn't work. I had a Snugli for DS, given to me by my mom, and I did use it a few times but I definitely liked my other carriers better.

I cannot recommend a mei tai enough. I got mine when DS was maybe 4 mo so I don't know about using it with a newborn but from the time we got it until he was about 18 mo or so we used it ALL the time.

I also liked my homemade pouch sling from about 1ish-9 months or so, and a stretchy wrap as a PP mentioned, for the first few months. I have never tried a ring sling. I'm going to for my next (hypothetical) baby though!

HTH. Yay for babywearing! : LOL Mine won't be worn hardly ever anymore and I miss it.

[camera_mama]

Originally Posted by BarefootScientist

I say, since you already have it, keep the Snugli until you have the baby if possible so that your DH can try it out. You can always give it away if it turns out it doesn't work.

:

[pixiepunk]

i would get rid of it, personally. the position that carrier puts baby in, dangling by the crotch, is not a good position for baby's spine or hips. pouches are ridiculously easy to make and you can custom fit it for your DH and pick fabric he will like. i also agree with the suggestion of a mei tai, depending on his build, if he's just tall but lanky you could definitely both use the same mei tai. if he's big-ish too, then XL straps would be better for him, but you can also use it and just wrap the straps an extra time, or tuck them into your pockets or tie in a bow.

[lifeguard]

I made my own stretchy wrap & ring sling. I'd keep it around for now & get rid of it once baby is here & you've determined whether or not dh likes it.

[MEcatlady17]

Thanks for the replies!

I had DH try on the snuggli and it does look really high and weird on him with his height. He is not very big, more just really tall. (Medium or large tall or even extra tall clothes). I am very short, but not skinny (size 8 pre preggo). Other than just trying on a bunch of styles I am not sure how to find a carrier that will fit us both. I think I may give the snuggli away since the fit isn't great and I am not a big fan of this style of carrier for an extended amount of time for a baby.

[tankgirl73]

My DH is also 6'6" (well, 6'5-1/2" lol)

His favourite carrier is a pouch. He has two of his own. I'm 5'11" so it's not as big of a size difference, but we weren't able to use the same pouches. I had 2 pouches of my own -- though I don't use them anymore, he still uses his regularly. (DD is 2.5yo now)

I also have 2 mei tais. He uses those as well -- not as often as the pouches, but he found them handy for winter-wearing since it positioned her properly to use with the Kindercoat. Mei tais are truly great for multi-person wearing. They really are one size fits all, shorter and thinner people will just have more strap hanging down (Which can of course be tied/tucked away if it's in the way)

Wraps are also multi-sized, you might find that you can both use a shorter one, say, where you would use the full length of it for a front cross-carry and he would use it for a rucksack (which uses less length) or other 'shorter' hold. Of you might get a longer one, and you would just have longer 'tails' -- again, which can be tucked out of the way.

Ring slings are also multi-sized. The only difference will be in the length of the tail. Many people prefer to have as little tail as possible, others actually prefer having a long tail all the way to their knees. They like the extra fabric because it's elegant, sometimes... but also because it's practical as a blanket that can be wrapped around baby, a cover for nursing, etc etc. So you and DH could use the same ring sling and you'd have a longer tail.

It's really only pouches that HAVE to be fitted. Any other style, you should be able to both use.

[greeny]

I'd save it till you have the baby and see what happens.

My dd ONLY liked our Theodore Bean (like a Snugli) carrier. She HATED the sling. So since that was what she liked, that's what we used. A lot.

This time around we have the Snugli-style, two slings, an Ergo, and I'm looking into the Moby Wrap. So we'll have lots of choices. =)

[Carrruth]

I wouldn't hold on to it. I found Snuggli to be very uncomfortable for me and my LO!

Originally Posted by MEcatlady17

Other than just trying on a bunch of styles I am not sure how to find a carrier that will fit us both.

I agree with a lot of the other people who have recommended mei tais or even a buckle carrier. Lots of dads like those because they are super simple. Plus, most are really one size fits all. Buckle carriers have adjustable straps and a mei tai will just have more or less strap left over depending on the size of the wearer. You should both be able to comfortably wear either one of those.

Do you have any stores near you or baby wearing groups where you could both try some on? Otherwise, some on-line stores allow you to return carriers that don't fit properly.

[MEcatlady17]

Originally Posted by Zerberts

Do you have any stores near you or baby wearing groups where you could both try some on? Otherwise, some on-line stores allow you to return carriers that don't fit properly.

We live about an hour from the nearest baby boutique that sells things like cloth diapers and carriers. I have only been there once but I don't remember seeing mei teis there. We also go to Boston every few months. We used to live there and I actually worked at a place that sold many kinds of carriers, so we could always check some out on our next trip down there.


When you say buckle carrier, do you mean like an ergo?

[baturay]

If you happen to go to Boston soon, check out their awesome babywearing group: http://www.bostonbabywearers.com/home

Yes, a buckle carrier is one like an Ergo. It's the same concept of a mei tai, but instead, you buckle it on instead of tying. Other examples of buckle carriers are Beco, Pikkolo, AnglePack, and Calyx.