She doesn't like it!

[Ninetales]

Elsa really doesn't seem to like the ring sling. No matter how mellow she is when I put her in it, it always makes her cry. I make sure to move and I've tried different positions but she just screams.

I have a moby but I can't figure it out. When I finally get it on me it's so tight I can't get the baby in. And I am NOT that fat. She's too little for the mei tai and I'm not buying anything else.

I could do so much more if she'd just let me wear her!

[The Amber Lily]

My daughter didn't like the slings I tried either, and it was pretty disappointing. I had hoped to babywear, but it became more of a hassle than a help. I carried her all the time anyway and I think she just preferred it to be in my arms rather than supported by fabric. Perhaps it scares your dd to not feel your body supporting her? Good luck.

[Theia]

No advice on the Moby cuz I never used one. I'd keep trying it though. Maybe search for some youtube videos on it.

But give your DD time. I think my DD needed to adjust to being worn rather than held. I think at your DD's age, I had not tried to wear DD yet. In a few months your DD might be more willing. My DD would fuss if I was standing still, but as long as I was walking, she was fine with being worn. Good luck.

[staceychev]

Originally Posted by Ninetales

She's too little for the mei tai

Why? I've been wearing my week-old in my Babyhawk, and she seems to like it better than the Maya Wrap.

[MittensKittens]

If the mei tai's body is too big, you can just roll up the bottom, where the waist strap is. I used mei tais from birth too, and they've always been my favorite carrier.

[RiverandJulie]

My Son does not like the ring sling either. But he LOVES the Moby. The newborn hug, the hug hold and the cradle hold. He sometimes likes the bjorn, but not always. (In case you are wondering, I did not buy every one, I got a lot of slings etc as gifts and hand me downs)
I know the moby seems weird and complicated and tight at first, but it has been a lifesaver for me. He has been in it since I brought him home at 4.5 lbs. He is now 10 lbs and still does great in it.
Do you know anyone who uses one? The best thing for me was to have someone who uses it regularly to walk me through it a few times.
When I first put my husband in it, he was freaked out, saying it was too tight on the baby, but now he is a convert-he loves it too.
You can also find a youtube video on wearing it, that may help. (She shows the hug hold, for the cradle hold you wear it a little less tight).
Talk to moms in your area, someone must wear one.....

[Ninetales]

I had heard that newborns can't ride forward facing in the mei tai, and she definitely doesn't like to face me. Am I wrong?

With the moby, it seems like it has to be flush to my body in order to tie it in the front, and there's nowhere to put the baby. I'll check out the videos, though, and see if that helps.

[Nicole730]

I've been using the moby type wrap with DD pretty much since day one. I only put her face out once, but mostly she cuddles up against me. If she is fussy after I put her in, I just walk around and bounce a bit until she settles down. Also, after a little bit of movement, it loosens up a bit so it's not so tight. I also start with her really high, so I can almost rest my chin on her head. Then as time goes on she settles down lower.

[sneakydee]

Ninetales - if the Moby is too tight tied at the front, you can skip the final wrap around your body and just tie it at the back - will that help?

[MamaKickyPants]

Yes - I never tied my Moby in the front, always in the back. I didn't even know you were supposed to tie in the front! It's a rare wrap that's long enough to do a FWCC and tie in front!

[Mom2M]

I always tie the Moby in the front too because if I wear it to the store the knot digs in my back in the car plus it's easier to tie it there. When I put it on, it is a little hard for me to get the front panel tight enough around my waist and I really have to pull the ends over my shoulders one at a time to tighten the front right around my waist. Then the cross pieces are a little looser and maybe that is where the extra length comes from to tie it in the front.
It is pretty snug but I stick her in and she does loosen it up and go down when I kind of bounce her.
I only do the front cross carry now that she is bigger and when I put her through the first side, I stretch it out as I put her in and then pull it around her, then I do the same thing with the second side and she just settles down into it.

When she was a newborn, I thought it was harder to get her into the cradle hold because it had to be so tight and I just used a hug hold and not really the newborn hug either, she didn't like that maybe because she was so big.

She really didn't like it too much in the beginning unless I walked her outside but as I put her in it more often she did and it feels so much more secure than the mei tai or maya wrap.

[Ninetales]

Yes, tying in the back made it work! I saw on the moby website that you can do that and it's been smooth sailing since. I haven't tried the cradle hold since I think she prefers to be upright but if we go out for a walk she zonks out on my chest within five minutes. Grocery shopping is a breeze too, since I don't have to mess with the stroller or an extra cart.

[soapmama]

Practice, practice, practice. And get outside. That helps a ton. Or nurse-and-sling. There is some great advice from readers on my blog this week (www.lusaorganics.typepad.com). The moby take practice but once you get it it just clicks. So comfortable, quick, and easy for all involved. Hang in there. I've been there....

[Tattooed Hand]

I didn't figure out the Moby either until I saw some youtube videos. DD has also never liked the ring sling. I packed it away in a storage closet hoping she'll like the hip carry when she's older. She loves the Moby though.

[texmati]

Yeah for the moby working for you!

[lapis]

I agree w/ the other moms and also just wanted to add that it takes a bit of time/practice to figure out any kind of carrier, especially your first one. but you will totally get in a groove and then the moby straps wont seem so long and you'll know exactly how tight to wrap it...

Also just thought I'd share that while nannying for many different babies and using a moby, ring sling or beco (old style) with most of them, I found that different babies really do have different preferences. Also, some babies are easier to hold in certain carriers than others, and some fit well and are happy in all of them. I've also met babies who really liked being in a stroller: they usually like being held at home or while just hanging out but didn't really like the feeling of a carrier or something. And each time I use a carrier w/ a new baby, there is often an entire walk or two before I feel like I know how to get them and the carrier adjusted to feel good to both of us.

Anyhow, have fun learning.