Why more than one carrier? - Page 2

[Curlyfry7]

And something else to consider is that a lot of those carriers that you consider "the same" (B'roo, KP, DC, Beco) all actually fit and feel differently. I have one of each (as well as several other carriers I have tried out and am either keeping for the next LO or plan to sell once FSOT picks up) I had the Beco 4th gen 1st-loved it. My ONLY problem with it is that I need petite straps, which it doesn't have, so it was always just a little too loose for total comfort. My B'roo I actually don't like-it's gorgeous but I don't like the way it fits me, so it will be moving on at some point. I love the straps on my DC best of all the straps of any carrier I've tried, plus I can get them petite. I can also get the carrier in a size smaller to carry my younger LO or in a bigger toddler size to hold my almost 4 y/o, or the younger as she grows. And the KP is just hand-down a total rock solid carrier great for carrying bigger kids-it even comes in a preschooler size. Plus it comes with petite straps.

I carry my kids a LOT. My DD would only sleep on me until she was 18 months old, so I wore her a lot for naps.Sometimes a carrier gets dirty (spit up/poop) and I need another one before the other is dry. And honestly, this is my "hobby" right now. I have the money to spend and this is what I choose to spend it on. And, compared to other hobbies I could choose, this one actually benefits my kids too-double win!! And when we're done wearing, I'll sell most of my carriers, keep 1-2 "legacy" carriers to carry grandkids in, and move to something else.

And, Rhi, you're welcome!!

[busymama77]

I totally get what everyone's saying and some have mentioned that it's a 'hobby'? Just seems like an expensive hobby to me. Sure, if I had an extra $130 sitting around that I didn't have to use for something else for my kids, then I would be all over a custom DC or KP in tea time tomato print, but it's just not in cards nor will it be any time soon. And by the time it may be, DS will probably be too heavy to carry!

While some of them may fit different, the buckle SSC's look a lot alike to me. Wish that there was some place that you could try them all on before buying them instead of going through trial and error. KWIM?

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

I didn't get it at first either but now I have a pretty good size carrier stash - yes, they all have different uses and yes, I have spent more than I should on a few of them. The most important thing to me is that I get to carry my baby (now toddler) in a way that's comfortable for both of us. All of our carriers are used and loved!

And you know, some people buy shoes (I have 3 pairs - sandals, sneakers, casual), some people buy purses (I just carry an inexpensive diaper bag all the time), some collect baseball cards (which is what my DH calls my carriers ), I buy carriers. At least for now. I'm sure my interests will change as my child grows and the carriers you see on FSOT going for big bucks have pretty amazing resale value IMO - sometimes you lose some, sometimes you make some.

Speaking of buying things - have you seen some of the diaper stashes on diaper swappers? We're a prefold and plain old cover family for the most part so I'm amazed when I see people with 30+ goodmamas and whatnot. To each their own though

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

I definitely think there is a huge difference between having a bunch of different kinds, and having different versions of the same kind. But then some of what one person might consider the "same kind" another person might call different (for instance, different lengths of wrap). Also, I don't think there is anything wrong with either, just different.

I own three carriers: Pikkolo, connecta solarweave, and an Ergo. The Ergo was bought before DD was born. Turns out that DH and I both dislike it, so we'll be selling it soon. The Connecta is a great water carrier, and super super lightweight for summer, so we'll be keeping that The Pikkolo was the first carrier we loved, and it still gets used frequently. But, we'll be selling it at some point after my sister has her baby and I see if she wants to buy it.

We're selling it because we want something with a structured waist (likely either a Beco Gemini or 4th gen).

But, I also have a lot of carriers on indefinite loan. A moby, a hotsling (which we're actually going to try to trade/sell, my friend bought it for me to use, but we sized me while pregnant, and I lost all the weight quickly, so I need a size two instead of a three), a solarveil RS (which got used a lot when dd was tiny, but now the connecta would work just as well), and a mei tei that lives in my car.

I've also borrowed carriers short-term before to try out. Olives & Applesauce, Beco Butterfly, Beco 4th gen, another pouch, and a woven wrap- probably some I'm not thinking of.

I like being able to find out exactly what works well. So, I'm thankful that I have friends with babywearing addictions (and if you read this thread, THANK YOU FRIENDS FOR HAVING BABY WEARING ADDICTIONS!)

But, if it came down to it, here are the ones that I would want to own: A pouch or RS and a good SSC with a structured waist. Really, I'd even be okay with just one good SSC. They're what we use almost all the time- but I do like having something cheaper and fast in my car. The rest are just gravy

Originally Posted by Curlyfry7

And something else to consider is that a lot of those carriers that you consider "the same" (B'roo, KP, DC, Beco) all actually fit and feel differently. I have one of each (as well as several other carriers I have tried out and am either keeping for the next LO or plan to sell once FSOT picks up) I had the Beco 4th gen 1st-loved it. My ONLY problem with it is that I need petite straps, which it doesn't have, so it was always just a little too loose for total comfort. My B'roo I actually don't like-it's gorgeous but I don't like the way it fits me, so it will be moving on at some point. I love the straps on my DC best of all the straps of any carrier I've tried, plus I can get them petite. I can also get the carrier in a size smaller to carry my younger LO or in a bigger toddler size to hold my almost 4 y/o, or the younger as she grows. And the KP is just hand-down a total rock solid carrier great for carrying bigger kids-it even comes in a preschooler size. Plus it comes with petite straps.

I carry my kids a LOT. My DD would only sleep on me until she was 18 months old, so I wore her a lot for naps.Sometimes a carrier gets dirty (spit up/poop) and I need another one before the other is dry. And honestly, this is my "hobby" right now. I have the money to spend and this is what I choose to spend it on. And, compared to other hobbies I could choose, this one actually benefits my kids too-double win!! And when we're done wearing, I'll sell most of my carriers, keep 1-2 "legacy" carriers to carry grandkids in, and move to something else.

And, Rhi, you're welcome!!

This whole thread is cracking me up! Feels like it is directed at us, doesn't it my friends?

Originally Posted by busymama77

I totally get what everyone's saying and some have mentioned that it's a 'hobby'? Just seems like an expensive hobby to me. Sure, if I had an extra $130 sitting around that I didn't have to use for something else for my kids, then I would be all over a custom DC or KP in tea time tomato print, but it's just not in cards nor will it be any time soon. And by the time it may be, DS will probably be too heavy to carry!

While some of them may fit different, the buckle SSC's look a lot alike to me. Wish that there was some place that you could try them all on before buying them instead of going through trial and error. KWIM?

Well, she did say that it is a "hobby" that she is able to spend money on. So just because you wouldn't spend money on it doesn't mean it isn't valid. Lots of people have expensive hobbies. Some people jump out of airplanes as a hobby. I wouldn't do it. I'd much rather spend that kind of money on new carriers. Also, there are carriers that can hold PRESCHOOLERS. I can carry my 4yo in a couple of mine, no problem. So I wouldn't worry about not being able to carry your DS.

And FWIW, $130 would not get you a custom DC or KP. Especially not in tea time tomato which is VHTF.

[Curlyfry7]

Originally Posted by busymama77

Just seems like an expensive hobby to me.

Ah, but it is MY choice how I spend my money, just like it is for anyone's hobby. I wouldn't consider getting a new car after just paying off my current one, esp.if it was only 5 years old, but that's not my choice to make. I choose to keep my cars for a LONG time...our "new" one is 10 years old (bought used), and the other is 14 (also was used) My DH's previous car just died at a ripe old age of 20 years old and 252,000 miles.

Originally Posted by busymama77

Sure, if I had an extra $130 sitting around that I didn't have to use for something else for my kids,

Never fear, my kids are most definitely NOT going without. This makes it sound like you are implying that I would let my kids go without in order to buy a carrier?? I also believe that it is good for kids to see that moms and dads also can get new stuff too, that it is NOT "all about the kids" when there is extra money.

It WOULD be nice if more of these carriers were someplace where people could try them on before buying; however, sometimes things feel ok at first, but then after wearing them for a bit of time, you realize they don't feel right after all.

[Carhootel]

Originally Posted by busymama77

While some of them may fit different, the buckle SSC's look a lot alike to me. Wish that there was some place that you could try them all on before buying them instead of going through trial and error. KWIM?

Trust me, they are most definitely NOT all alike! A lot of times people call my carrier (wether they are wraps, or SSCs) a bjorn, or an ergo. Just yesterday a lady said she loved my ergo (which was a bright purple kanga XT, totally doesn't bother me btw, I just thanked her and moved one)

There are lots of sites that offer rental programs for the well known carriers like O&A, Beco, Ergo, Angelpack, etc.. Try granolababies.com and sweet-pickles - I think they both have rental programs so you can figure out what works for you. When you do find out it's pretty easy to find an inexpensive one on TBW, often if you put up an ISO someone will help you find something at a price you can afford.

[rhiOrion]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

Trust me, they are most definitely NOT all alike! A lot of times people call my carrier (wether they are wraps, or SSCs) a bjorn, or an ergo. Just yesterday a lady said she loved my ergo (which was a bright purple kanga XT, totally doesn't bother me btw, I just thanked her and moved one)

There are lots of sites that offer rental programs for the well known carriers like O&A, Beco, Ergo, Angelpack, etc.. Try granolababies.com and sweet-pickles - I think they both have rental programs so you can figure out what works for you. When you do find out it's pretty easy to find an inexpensive one on TBW, often if you put up an ISO someone will help you find something at a price you can afford.

I think paxbaby has a rental program, too.

Originally Posted by Biscuits & Gravy

This whole thread is cracking me up! Feels like it is directed at us, doesn't it my friends?

Haha, I think you forgot to quote April, too. I think that it's possible that the triangle of North Carolina has a problem. I mom keeps telling me I need an intervention. I'm like, "uhh, you have no idea. you need to meet my friends!"

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by rhiOrion

I think paxbaby has a rental program, too.



Haha, I think you forgot to quote April, too. I think that it's possible that the triangle of North Carolina has a problem. I mom keeps telling me I need an intervention. I'm like, "uhh, you have no idea. you need to meet my friends!"

LOL! Some enabling folks around here email their friends with awesome deals on carriers FSOT with the hope that those friends will let them try one out on loan.

[Biscuits & Gravy]

Originally Posted by Carhootel

Trust me, they are most definitely NOT all alike! A lot of times people call my carrier (wether they are wraps, or SSCs) a bjorn, or an ergo. Just yesterday a lady said she loved my ergo (which was a bright purple kanga XT, totally doesn't bother me btw, I just thanked her and moved one)

There are lots of sites that offer rental programs for the well known carriers like O&A, Beco, Ergo, Angelpack, etc.. Try granolababies.com and sweet-pickles - I think they both have rental programs so you can figure out what works for you. When you do find out it's pretty easy to find an inexpensive one on TBW, often if you put up an ISO someone will help you find something at a price you can afford.

My carriers get called ergos daily. Just this morning a woman at storytime commented on my carrier (the DC) and said she'd never seen an ergo in a print like that before. I talk to more mamas about babywearing now that I have non-ergos in my stash, which I think is awesome. I think when they see that babywearing can be cute, fun and fashionable it makes them want to try it out even more. IMO there is nothing wrong with that. I'd be thrilled if I could inspire more mamas to wear their babies. So there ya go, one more bonus to having multiple types of carriers!

[lalemma]

I thought the OP was perfectly polite, and certainly nobody in this thread has been eye-rolly about people who have a couple of carriers or claimed that they are depriving their children.

Really, you guys. Come on.

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by Curlyfry7

Ah, but it is MY choice how I spend my money, just like it is for anyone's hobby. I wouldn't consider getting a new car after just paying off my current one, esp.if it was only 5 years old, but that's not my choice to make. I choose to keep my cars for a LONG time...our "new" one is 10 years old (bought used), and the other is 14 (also was used) My DH's previous car just died at a ripe old age of 20 years old and 252,000 miles.



Never fear, my kids are most definitely NOT going without. This makes it sound like you are implying that I would let my kids go without in order to buy a carrier?? I also believe that it is good for kids to see that moms and dads also can get new stuff too, that it is NOT "all about the kids" when there is extra money.

It WOULD be nice if more of these carriers were someplace where people could try them on before buying; however, sometimes things feel ok at first, but then after wearing them for a bit of time, you realize they don't feel right after all.

Um, no, I never implied that at all. Gosh. Never thought this would be such a hot topic. Didn't mean to press any buttons. It's your hobby. I get that. What I don't get is - not you, per se - but those that can spend $200 on a carrier or a wrap. But to each their own.

And to the person that mentioned something about carriers for preschoolers - sure, if you have one that is under 40lbs, sure - maybe. I have a pre-schooler myself and I couldn't imagine wearing him. He's nearly 50lbs! But again, to each their own.

Carhootel - thank you for the links to being able to rent them out. Might be worth looking in to if I find myself in need of another carrier for maybe DH or a backup for the one that I have now.

[paxye]

Originally Posted by busymama77

What I don't get is - not you, per se - but those that can spend $200 on a carrier or a wrap. But to each their own.

Well.. sometimes it is about quality... the only carrier that worked with ds#3 was a very sturdy woven wrap that cost about 200$... He was a big baby at 42 lbs at 12 months and I was not going to miss out on all of the benefits of babywearing just because of his size.

We also def. see the use of a carrier for an older child too... when you are out for a long day and a child can no longer walk it is way easier to use a carrier then to hold that child in your arms...

[Latte Mama]

It is an expensive hobby, especially if there was no resale value in carriers. But used carriers have a really great resale value so even if one spends $150 on a wrap, one can usually recoup at least 80-90% of that back.

[northcountrymamma]

I have always thought about the fact that we don't use a stroller...a stroller costs what $500 (or a nice-ish one seems to anyways). I consider that as long as I stay under that I'm doing ok...

someone earlier in the thread indicated a good use for each different type, but frankly most of ours are wraps...that's what works for me. I have a RS and ergo...but wraps are amazing and I'm not ashamed to have more than one (I have 5). I also agree that the resale on them is fabulous and I know I'll get my money back when I am done with them. I can't imagine a stroller that I'd get my money back on.

I think wraps are like an accessory. They keep me from buying scarves and bags too...which I have just about enough of

[Riu]

I have three, a sling, a MT, and a simple piece of cloth wrap. I definitely use them each for different purposes.

The sling was great when I had a tiny newborn, and now I use it for a quick easy in and out carrier for short trips. I can't wear him in it for very long because he's too heavy now and I feel unbalanced.

I only know one carry in my wrap right now, but it is the only carrier I can nurse in. I loosen the knot and lower the whole thing. I am short with a small torso, and the front cross carry in a wrap is the only way I've found so far to nurse and babywear my 18 lb 9 month old at the same time.

The MT is my multifunctional workhorse. I can't manage a back carry with my wrap yet, but I can get him on my back in the MT. This carrier is my favorite for general use, but I can't nurse him in it because he is up way too high.

I don't see the need to have any more than I already have, and haven't spent that much on them. The sling was second-hand, I got it for $30 and it had never even been taken out of the package. The MT is what I spent the most on, and it is a Babyhawk, so I think it was in the $90 range, a little expensive for cheap me, but I use it all the time. The wrap is fabric I found on clearance for $2 a yard and hemmed up.

[Carhootel]

Originally Posted by busymama77

Um, no, I never implied that at all. Gosh. Never thought this would be such a hot topic. Didn't mean to press any buttons. It's your hobby. I get that. What I don't get is - not you, per se - but those that can spend $200 on a carrier or a wrap. But to each their own.

And to the person that mentioned something about carriers for preschoolers - sure, if you have one that is under 40lbs, sure - maybe. I have a pre-schooler myself and I couldn't imagine wearing him. He's nearly 50lbs! But again, to each their own.

Carhootel - thank you for the links to being able to rent them out. Might be worth looking in to if I find myself in need of another carrier for maybe DH or a backup for the one that I have now.

I don't think is a 'hot topic' per se but you keep saying you 'don't get it' - I think people are just trying to help you see it from their point of view and tell you why having a variety of carriers is important to them (as they are to myself) which I assume is why you started this thread - you wanted to understand. Also, as you might see on TBW (since this comes up pretty frequently there) - when someone questions how someone else spends their money on carriers and says they wouldn't do that because they needed something more important (like things for their kids) then it's easy to see how it can feel (and look) like criticism. Even if it wasn't intended that way, which I am sure it wasn't!

You're welcome for the links to the rental programs, I hear really good things about these programs and I don't know what I would have done without my local babywearing group for letting me try out carriers - if you have one near you they often have lending libraries so you don't have to pay fees and stuff. Oh and you can totally carry a 40-50lb kid in a carrier! Check out kinderpacks weight limit, and check out this babyhawk 'oh snap!' that carries a 9 year old regularly - many of the expensive carriers are of very high quality and like I mentioned before and so did another poster - carriers have amazing resale value. I think of all the carriers that I've bought/sold/traded I have recouped 90% of what I have spent. I don't have any other hobbies like that!

[MsVyky]

Originally Posted by Latte Mama

It is an expensive hobby, especially if there was no resale value in carriers. But used carriers have a really great resale value so even if one spends $150 on a wrap, one can usually recoup at least 80-90% of that back.

Exactly. In fact, Of all the wraps I've bought and sold, I haven't lost a single penny in resale value. Shipping costs, yes, but I consider that to be my "rental fee"

I have 6 wraps (with 2 otw), and they all do different things and have different purposes. I use all of them, and I consider it very much to be my "collection". DH collects records, and I collect wraps. LOL

[Mulvah]

Edited by Mulvah - 10/16/11 at 4:13pm

[jimblejamble]

My favourite is the Moby wrap. My husband doesn't know how to wrap it so he uses the Ergo.