Possibly dumb question about mai tais and other tying carriers

[Blanca78]

Hi,

I'm having my first in April and am trying to figure out all the carrier options. At first I was sure I wanted a structure carrier, but I was just looking at the Kozy site and think they look cool.

Anyway, here's my question: with carriers that you tie on, especially since I would think you'd need to tie them pretty firmly, doesn't the weight of the baby make the knots tighten? I'm thinking it must be a pain to untie them, especially with cotton/canvas carriers like the Kozy.

TIA!

[illumini]

I've never had a hard time untying them. While you do double knot the straps you don't have to go through any extreme measures to make sure they are tight. HTH! 

[JamieCatheryn]

I tie mine in a tight shoelace type knot where I can pull the ends and undo the loop part. Holds fine and releases when I need it to. Sometimes I just lift the kid out first before undoing things though, makes it easier.

[Blanca78]

Originally Posted by JamieCatheryn 

I tie mine in a tight shoelace type knot where I can pull the ends and undo the loop part. Holds fine and releases when I need it to.

Duh, why didn't I think of that?

[stellamia]

I'm new to the wrap world but I've been doing a lot of reading up on it and I know that Storchenweige wraps are "popable" which means you can easily get the baby in and out while the wrap stays on the wearer. I have a Moby and it IS a pain to have to untie it and loosen everything to get DD in and out. I'm looking forward to a woven wrap!

Just to add my two cents on structured carriers, I L O V E mine! I have the Beco Gemini and it is fantabulous! I initially thought I would just get one carrier and that would be it, but I now realize that different carriers meet different needs and it's great to have more than one. $$ permitting, I think you could get a lot of use out of both a wrap and a soft structured carrier.

[Blanca78]

Thanks! The Beco Gemini is probably now at the top of my list--I was reading reviews of it elsewhere and thought it looked great. Wraps are best for newborns/younger babies, right?

There's a place near my house that offers carrier rental so you can try out different models. I might check it out. But you confirmed my hunch that it would probably be a pain to tie/untie. I will definitely check out the Storchenweige--I haven't heard of that brand.

Originally Posted by stellamia 

I'm new to the wrap world but I've been doing a lot of reading up on it and I know that Storchenweige wraps are "popable" which means you can easily get the baby in and out while the wrap stays on the wearer. I have a Moby and it IS a pain to have to untie it and loosen everything to get DD in and out. I'm looking forward to a woven wrap!

Just to add my two cents on structured carriers, I L O V E mine! I have the Beco Gemini and it is fantabulous! I initially thought I would just get one carrier and that would be it, but I now realize that different carriers meet different needs and it's great to have more than one. $$ permitting, I think you could get a lot of use out of both a wrap and a soft structured carrier.

[accountclosed2]

Stretchy wraps are best for newborn/lighter babies, but woven wraps work for any age. I know people who carry their 5 or 6 yos in woven wraps.

And wraps are some of the comfiest carriers for older kids - the bands that go over the shoulders are spreadable, so the weight is evenly distributed. (I made myself a mei tai with spreadable shoulder bands, and it is so much more comfortable than my Ergo!

[TiffanyToo]

I would suggest finding a local babywearing group and taking the time to see what they have you and touch, try and think about before investing.

Try thebabywearer.com for local groups and information on all sorts of carriers.

[Lauren710]

Originally Posted by AislinCarys 

Stretchy wraps are best for newborn/lighter babies, but woven wraps work for any age. I know people who carry their 5 or 6 yos in woven wraps.

And wraps are some of the comfiest carriers for older kids - the bands that go over the shoulders are spreadable, so the weight is evenly distributed. (I made myself a mei tai with spreadable shoulder bands, and it is so much more comfortable than my Ergo!

Yup I second this. I wear my two-year-old in woven wraps on a daily basis. I have a soft structured carrier also (Kanga XT) because I find it to be convenient for quick ups and downs on days when I don't feel like wrapping, or if my shoulders are sore and I need a wrap break.

I also second the PP's suggestion to find a local BWing group to see and try on carriers in person.. If you can swing both a buckle carrier or mei tai (which I really loved when A was under a year) and a woven wrap, that would be my recommendation.