having trouble finding our wrap/sling..

[ithappened]

I could use some help finding the right wrap or sling for us.

I am about 5'9, my husband is 6'2 and we are both on the thin athletic side.

Our DS is long as well and at 5 weeks is about 13 lbs.

He loves the Moby wrap and is generally very happy in it, I also made a maya sling but can't for the life of me make it work or make it comfortable for any of us for more then a few minutes. My shoulder always starts to hurt pretty quickly no matter what position we put him in, the rings also hit my bones and hurt

The problem with the moby is we really need/have to have a sling which is easy off and on (e.g. i hate to pre-wrap and re-wrap), but can work for hiking, errands and wearing him in the house as well. Id also like something that takes the weight off my shoulders and puts it more on my hips.. as he gets heavier faster the moby is also starting to feel uncomfortable esp on long walks or hikes..

Any suggestions on another baby method to try? Bonus points if I can make/sew it myself.

[Beauchamp]

well, this isn't a home-sew project, but we love our Ergo Sport now (once DD was big enough for it.) DH uses it all the time! It is the BEST for weight on the hips, I think.

Prior to that, we used a Pikkolo. It also keeps the weight on both shoulders and hips. The Pikkolo has a waist support belt you can buy separately, but get a Pikkolo with black straps, because the support belt only comes in black as far as I know...we bought one with brown straps and it will look weird, I think, with a black belt.) The neatest thing about the Pikkolo is the two-way adjust--- you can adjust the baby UP/higher on your chest by pulling one way and IN/tighter to your body by pulling the other way. This is one thing the Ergo doesn't have. Plus it's GREAT for tiny babes.

(I am 5'9" also, thin/size 4/6, and DH is 6'. We also own an original-Maya SBP redo ring sling, and two Comfy Joey reversible pouches. The ring sling magic still escapes me, but the pouches are great for on-the-go. Oh, and we have a Moby, but haven't touched it for months...DD just got too big/too heavy...she's 95% height, 85% weight, and the Moby sagged/pulled/stretched way too much for me.)

[mntnmom]

I know a podeagi isn't quite quick on and off, but puts all the weight on your waist. Any on the soft structured carriers (like the Pikkolo)would be worth looking at. They are quite adjustable and put most of the weight on your hips. Some even have padded waist belts.

[lifeguard]

We love our ergo. Dh & I are similar heights to you two (put fluffier) but have no problem going back & forth between the two of us. I can comfortably carry ds in the ergo for long stretches (he's over 28lbs now) & have even gone hiking with it (the past 2 days in fact).

We also loved our ring sling, but I found I really had to make sure the fabric was spread out over my shoulder cap to make it comfy.

[BaBaBa]

Ergo. Hands down.

...and congratulations!

[lindsayjean]

If you're not into wrapping (I looooove wrapping) I'd suggest something like an Ergo.

[ithappened]

I do love the look of the wrap but the moby at least I have trouble with when hiking esp, it is a little too stretchy and DS tends to start to sink lower and lower after 30-40 mins of hiking..

The other problem I have with it during the winter is that I want to wear it outside to indoor often and frequently but I have to take it off to take off my layers then rewrap again once layers are off and then wrap to leave.... I suppose in the summer it won't be a problem but in the winter its a real bummer for me.

The ring sling is great for short in and out grocery shopping and such but I really want an all-in-one which will work for 1-2 years..

Is there any DIY ergo sewing patterns out there?

[caedmyn]

Search for Chelsea & Shira's SSC pattern for a DIY Ergo-type carrier...I think www.sleepingbaby.net has a link to it somewhere as well. You might try an Olives and Applesauce carrier or a Dream Carrier instead of an Ergo if you do decide to buy a pre-made one...IMO they're both more streamlined, comfortable, and better for a long time (Ergo has a short body so can be outgrown earlier especially if your baby ends up being a leaner). Though I haven't tried the Ergo sport so I don't know how that one compares.

[snow girl]

go wrap soft carrier

I use a soft carrier like an Ergo, but this Mei-Favorite has no buckles, it has long arms that you wrap around the baby. So much easier to use than buckles.

[clovergirl]

if you are hoping to have the weight transferred to your hips, i'll second the recommendation for a soft structured type carrier. the problem is, a lot of the SSCs are designed to work best with older infants (say 6mo and up). there are a few though, like the olives&applesauce carrier mentioned above, that you can get with an internal harness so that it will be easier to position your little one in the carrier for the time being.

if you'd like to by able to DIY, a mei tai would be a good option as well. you just way want to make the body a bit narrower for the time being so that your little one can have his legs out (if that's what he prefers).

[NickisDiapers]

A mei-tei with wrap-style straps (like the Babies-Beyond-Borders) sounds like it might be a good fit for you. Search for "wrap conversion" or "wrap straps" when you start looking.

[gretchikin]

what about a short wrap? i got crinkle cotton gauze and made my own. http://www.slingsilove.com/using-a-w...ap/info_7.html shows great carries and the non-stretchy is more supportive. i read recently something comparing carriers and where the weight was distributed (hips/shoulders..) if i find it again i'll repost..

eta: i'm 5'9" too and athletic-ish..bit squishier with my 2 month old, but, ya know... it'll come off with T-Tapp like last time, provided I DO T-Tapp, that is