What's the best carrier for serious babywearing? Ergo, Mei Tai, Maya...?

[Mamaluu]

Hi, I just realized that I don't have a good carrier to actually have baby with me all the time and be able to do stuff easily and comfortably. I have the Baby Bjorn and my 5 month old (23 lb, body looks 1/3 my size, bigger/longer than my whole upper body) is in the way of me trying to do anything, plus I can't bare the heavy weight for long. I've hear the Baby Bjorn really isn't a good one for serious baby wearing.

I got suggested Ergo, Maya, Mei Tai, etc. What do you recommend? I'd like to be able to wear him in all positions (hip/sideways, back, front), and I need to be able to do house chores, cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping, etc without him being in the way. I also need it comfortable enough that I can carry him for long and for walks. I want to be able to see his face, and for him to see mine. What do you think is best suited for me?

[LianneM]

The Ergo is the only one I can wear for hours and hours at a time. I wore my 2nd one in it for hours every day while I did chores, cooked dinner, grocery shopping, etc. I still use it several times a week with her (she's 18mo and 23lbs) and it's very comfortable.

[Bokonon]

I wear Peepers in the Mei Tai all the time, including 3 hours at the zoo the other day and while shopping and at home several times a week. I even nursed her in it while walking today, which was a first for us! I didn't even have to adjust her, just pulled down my shirt and she was at the perfect level to eat!

[MamaKickyPants]

Anything you mentioned is better than the Bjorn! But would stick to 2-shouldered carriers (not the Maya wrap, then, as it's a ring sling). You'll be fine with any of them. The Ergo or another Soft-structured carrier will do you for the longest, as the structured waist is great for bearing the weight of a heavier toddler on your hips. I'll say that any front carry is going to be in your way a bit when doing chores etc. I'd work on perfecting back-carries - It's a whole new world of babywearing freedom! Seriously, I'll be back carrying at a month with my next babe.

[MamaMelis]

My second child essentially spent her infancy/babyhood in the Babyhawk (mei tai). I love love loved it! I could nurse in it hands free and could wear her in front or on my back with ease. Huge fan. Also love mobys

HTH~!

[Materfamilias]

I vote mei tai for hands free and versatility.

[Mamaluu]

Does anyone has a comparison between Mei Tai and Ergo? I think I'm trying to decide between these two.

Is Ergo really "ergonomic"? Can you breastfeed in Ergo?

Does hip carrying hurt you? (cause poor posture, etc)

[MamaPhD]

Wow, big baby! I'm amazed you can use Baby Bjorn at all with 23 pounder! We switched to Ergo at around 17-18lbs. Should've done it way earlier for sure!

Ergo is just so much more ergonomical than Bjorn, there is no comparison. Baby kinda wraps around you, hard to explain, but you will feel the difference instantly. Also I felt I was in a more straight posture with shoulders pushed back with Ergo. We love it! I can carry DD (13 mo 22 lbs) for an hour or two easily. Haven't done very long carries.

(Baby Position) Baby's legs are spread out and wrap around your waist so their legs don't dangle as low as Bjorn. I'd say the head height of baby is about the same between Bjorn and Ergo.

(Front Carry) I really like this carry because it feels like you are hugging your baby except with no hands! Baby is still pretty much in your way, though. I usually do front carry when we are grocery shopping (so I can push a cart) or going for walks. Not so much for doing household chores.

(Hip Carry) This comes in handy as baby can see better, like when we went to the aquarium, I had DD in hip carry. Also DD doesn't have to spread her legs apart as much this way compared to front/back carry. BUT it is the least favorite position for me because the strap sits awkward and weight of the baby is mostly on that one shoulder strap. The other strap wraps around your torso, so it helps but not that much. I think it can be hands-free carry, though I prefer to have one hand on DD's bum. Can't really do much house work with this either

(Back Carry) This is super comfy for me and you can get a lot done. DD almost always falls asleep on my back and once the sleep hood is on (little tricky to reach back there but doable) you are good to go.

(Nursing) Yes you can! In a front carry, just lengthen the shoulder straps all the way down so baby hangs lower. Key is to not mess with the waist strap. Keep that tight.

I haven't used a mei tai so I can't give you a comparison, but here it is. We LOVE our Ergo!

[MamaKickyPants]

pretty much anything you can do with the ergo, you can do with a mei tai. Soft-structured carriers (this is the category the ergo falls into) are based on mei tais- essentially MTs with buckles and a padded waist. With a baby that big, I would go with an SSC, you're gonna need the padded waist! My little guy is 24 lbs and I appreciate the support of an SSC. We used MTs for the first year, but not anymore. There are other SSCs I like better than an Ergo, but they're not as easy to find, and you'll be fine with an Ergo - many, many people swear by them.