Salsa Babies questions--what to use and how?

[NSmomtobe]

My son is 3 months old and 14 lbs. We recently started attending a Salsa Babies class, which is a dance class while babywearing (you can look up videos on youtube for a demonstration). Before the first class, I asked the instructor what kind of carrier I should bring, and she recommended the Moby wrap. Not wanting to spend $60 on a wrap, I brought my own stretchy wrap (just a long piece of fabric). I'm not even sure that I am using it right. I have him tummy to tummy on me with his legs sticking out of the wrap because he seemed so uncomfortable and sat too high for head support when I tried to keep them froggied in. Because it is just cheap fabric, it keeps rolling up on my shoulders, causing them to ache after a while, and I am unable to tuck my son's head into the side when he falls asleep because it just falls back out.

Anyway, every other mother in the class (including the instructor) uses either a Snugli or a Baby Bjorn, which I know are not recommended ergonomically for the moms or the babies, but I have to admit, they seem a lot more appropriate for the type of movement we are doing. Also, every other baby except for the 2 that happen to be younger than mine is forward facing. When I get questioned on it, I say that he is too young to forward face. That excuse seems to work because all the other babies are 6 months+ (except for the 2 under 8 weeks, which I feel are a little young to be in this class anyway). I was tempted to try him forward facing, and I was going to ask whether this would be safe in a stretchy-type wrap, but in a search here, I think I have determined that he is still too young for forward facing. But I am second-guessing whether I should use the Snugli I received as a shower gift and never took out of the box and I am wondering when I will be able to use the Ergo without an infant insert (I would be using the Ergo now, but the infant insert--especially the heart2heart insert is too bulky for that class).

So I guess two of my questions have been answered, but I will put them here anyway:
1. Should I use the Snugli for this class?
2. Should my son forward face (either in the Snugli or the wrap)?
3. Do I need to invest in a more expensive wrap?
4. When can we use the Ergo without an insert?

Thanks for your input.

[lalemma]

1. Should I use the Snugli for this class?
2. Should my son forward face (either in the Snugli or the wrap)?
3. Do I need to invest in a more expensive wrap?

1. Okay, I can see that a Snugli-type carrier, which kind of supports babies by their crotch and which doesn't really spread their weight evenly on the adult, is not very ergonomic or comfortable.

However. This class is an hour or less, right? And I assume it's really low-impact, not a lot of bouncing up and down, 'cause of the babies? I say you try it and see. Call me a skeptic, but I find it impossible to believe that one hour a week is going to cause terrible problems in either of you so long as you listen to your body and keep an eye on your baby's cues.

2. I definitely am a skeptic on this issue.

The "forward facing is terrible for both emotional and physical reasons" thing is repeated over and over in crunchy/AP circles. Because I'm a nerd, I have tried to find actual sources for this belief (that is - it's totally fine by me if that's your opinion, but if you state it as a known fact, I'm gonna look it up.)

It seems to derive exclusively from statements made by a German "human development specialist", Dr. Evelin/Eveline Kirkilionis in her book "A Baby Wants To Be Carried". (Seriously, if you google her name, it's an absolute echo chamber of people repeating the same line.)

She apparently believes that babies shouldn't face out because they can't look away from stimuli and because it forces their spine into an unnatural curve.

I am unsure of the validity of the second argument, but I flat-out don't buy the first one. Dr. Kirkilionis isn't a neurologist/etc, so it's fine that she believes that forward-facing is psychologically damaging, but that's basically just her opinion.

The second argument - I don't know. I find it questionable, too. If you were carrying your baby facing out 10 hours a day, maybe. But for 30 minutes here and there, if you're comfortable, and the baby is comfortable?

All of that said - the question I'd have about forward-facing your baby in a stretchy wrap for this class is: how is his head control? And do you think he's likely to fall asleep during the class? In that carry, it's a lot harder to convince your baby to let you tuck his head under the fabric, IME.

[pepper-gina]

3. Do I need to invest in a more expensive wrap?

I found my Moby on craigslist for $20 and I love it. I always see them on the craigslist where I live for fairly cheap.

[NSmomtobe]

Originally Posted by lalemma

All of that said - the question I'd have about forward-facing your baby in a stretchy wrap for this class is: how is his head control? And do you think he's likely to fall asleep during the class? In that carry, it's a lot harder to convince your baby to let you tuck his head under the fabric, IME.

He has excellent head control, but he does fall asleep during the class. The other babies that face their mothers also fall asleep, but the forward facing babes do not. Then again, maybe it's age-related.

[Tummy]

the Moby. Is it possible for you to buy your own fabric and wrap? You could choose exactly what you want! Do you know anyone local who sews? Perhaps a simple ad on CL looking for someone to sew a wrap for you?

I wish we had these classes in my area. I watched a video of the classes just the other day, I was in awe!

[MamaKickyPants]

Honestly? I wouldn't invest in a moby at this point unless you can get a good deal on one. Your babe could be too heavy for it within a month or two. I think a Mei Tai would be a good carrier for a class like that.

[BrittneyMarie]

Originally Posted by MamaKickyPants

Honestly? I wouldn't invest in a moby at this point unless you can get a good deal on one. Your babe could be too heavy for it within a month or two. I think a Mei Tai would be a good carrier for a class like that.