Suggestions?

[Noel_P]

Hello! I am due with #2 in January and would really like some ideas for what wrap, sling, or carrier would be my best bet. I had the Baby Bjorn with DD almost six years ago - have to say I absolutely hated it... Too complex (just too much work to put it on, take it off, get baby in & out, etc.), but mostly too HOT. I live in the Phoenix, AZ area and even in the spring I couldn't wear that thing around due to the heat. I doubt there is anything that will be wearable outside in the dead of summer (110+ degrees), but something that would get me through winter & spring would be awesome. I'm also a bigger girl so the Bjorn just wasn't comfy either. I'm leaning toward a ring style sling, just because in pictures they look very adjustable and simple to use. The Moby wrap looks like something I'd end up tied in knots in, LOL! I wish there was a place that I could go and try them out before buying. I'm not a huge AP person, mostly looking to free up my hands a bit and be able to nurse in the sling. Any insight from more experienced baby wearers? TIA!

[milkmamamerina]

a solarveil ringsling would be perfect for the heat it's extremely lightweight and blocks 70-70% of the suns rays although it is really shear, you can also use it in the water. I wasn't a fan of ringslings until I found one that was made right! The fit is in the details the height and direction of the seaming on the shoulder is crucial.
I'm about to get a ringsling from SwankyBabyGear.com and I'm soo excited for it to arrive. I tried my friend's on and I can't believe the difference in the fit compared to my old ringsling, that i THOUGHT was really good.

edit:
I was trying to search for a place in Phoenix where you might be able to try some slings on and get a hands on tutorial, and it dawn on me! La Leche league! contact your local chapter and ask if you can take a look at some.
they may even have a lending library that includes some slings!

[thtr4me]

My favorite carrier for hot days is a thin woven wrap, but in your situation, I would also suggest a light weight mei tai. They are fairly easy to learn, and have the advantage of spreading weight over both shoulders. Ring slings are also a good choice, although since I have a back injury, I can only do one shouldered carries for a brief period. Two mei tais that might work well for you are Freehand and Ball Baby (BBO). Both are fairly lightweight, so should not be too hot for you in Arizona. I would recommend extra long straps as well, to give you more versatility in how you tie. For ring slings, I would check out Jan Andrea's site sleepingbaby.net. She has a very comfortable shoulder style, and a wide variety of slings for all budgets. Linen and solarveil are both great fabric choices there. I would lean towards linen, as the solarveil seems like it might be a bit scratchy for a newborn.

[baturay]

There's also a Phoenix babywearing group here:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/azbabywearers_phx/