Baby carriers/wraps/slings....

[HeidiLC01]

Anyone have suggestions for their favorites ? There are so many selections out there i have no idea what to get. The Maya wrap looks nice but looks so involved to get it on and off.....I used the over the shoulder baby holder with my last two (10 yrs ago ) but mainly just b/c it was the only one i could find ( besides some cheap knock offs that weren't comfy ) I didn't have a problem with it but there are so many more options now.....I have yet to find a store that carries them so i can try before i buy


Heidi

[tracymom1]

#1. Ergo
#2. Ergo
#3. Moby wrap

I like the Moby for the early months because it is easy to nurse in and the babe can be totally protected from well-meaning but germ-laden hands of strangers out and about. It is one big long continuous piece of fabric that looks kind of intimidating, but once you figure it out it truly is very simple. I just don't like wearing it to the park or somewhere that it will drag on the floor if I need to take it off and put it back on. I do, though, because of the reasons stated above.

The Ergo is wonderful and it is super easy to get on and off. It is expensive, but worth every single penny. I cannot imagine loving a baby carrier more than I love the Ergo.

[Tumble Bumbles]

For baby's newborn stage I'm using a moby-style wrap, I'm actually making my own, super easy. It's stretchy jersey cotton that holds baby secure and very close, almost completely covered -- it makes them feel like they're still in the womb and also keeps looky-lous to a minimum unless you decide to allow interaction. When babe gets bigger one would switch to a less stretchy woven wrap to accommodate a heavier babe/toddler without sag and losing stability. It does look involved to get on and off but once you do it a few times, it's easy peasy. Here is a very common way to wrap any moby-style wrap or woven wrap. It's basically a very long piece of fabric which is why I'm making my own lol http://www.mobywrap.com/instructionpages.aspx?Topic=instructionsfolded

For the heavier 4-6 months and up, I really dig the Mei Tai. They are good for newborns too (I've heard) but my only experience has been with babies older than about 6 months. I've also worn bigger babes/toddlers. You can do the back carry too. I liked the Mei Tai because I felt REALLY secure wearing it, like I could totally bend all the way to the ground without baby moving an inch.

I'm not a fan of ring slings at all, I had one with my first and it just was not working until she was old enough for the hip carry. Then, it was just okay. A lot of it is up to opinion and personal taste. A good idea is to borrow any baby-wearing friends' wraps and their kids when you're together  (if they're comfortable with it obviously) and try wraps out that way. Then, you can see how different wraps/carriers work with different ages. That's what I did anyway lol

I have no experience with the Ergo but it does look super user-friendly.

I was going to hyperlink to how to make your own wrap and the Mei Tai but it won't let me so here are the links:

http://meitaibaby.com/gallery.html

http://wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=121

Hope that helps!

[elisheva]

Newborn stage: moby-style wrap and ring sling. I often would put the moby on good and tight in the morning and leave it on even if baby wasn't in it (a rarity). I also love my ring sling for the newborn phase - I tuck babe's knees up and strap him/her tight to my chest just under my chin - not quite as secure as the moby, but convenient and cozy.

After 15 lbs: Ergo and ring sling. My boys were so big so early that I couldn't quite go directly to the Ergo when they were 15 lbs - they were too big for the Ergo to cover them with their legs tucked up and they weren't developmentally ready for their legs to froggy out enough across my tummy - so I <gasp> used a Baby Bjorn for 3-4 weeks until they were ready. No such problem with my daughter - she stayed in the moby much longer because she is so petite. Sold the Bjorn. :)

[calynde]

We LOVE our Moby for the beginning. Then we switch off between the Moby and our Babyhawk mai tei....which I couldn't live without! Later for the back carry, i use the Beco Butterfly, but that was never quite as comfy for me...still good, though.

I am getting a ring sling this time, too, as we will be travelling with the baby and i want something easy to breastfeed in.

[BarefootScientist]

Here's my experience with baby carriers, for what it's worth...

I made my own wrap before the baby was born and wrapped him up in that very often in the early weeks. It was great for having him close by when he was sleeping, but as he got older it was too much of a pain I thought and I couldn't figure out how to breastfeed in it. When I started wanting to do back carries, I had to search for an easier carrier because it was way too hard to do a back carry with my wrap.

I made a pouch sling in the style of KarmaBaby when babe was maybe 2 weeks old, and I loved that too. It was much easier for putting him in and out quickly. My baby was quite small, so I was able to do the one-shoulder thing for a long time, it was really comfortable.

At 4 months, when I wanted to do the back carries, my search led me to a Kozy mei tai, and this remains my favorite carrier. I don't have experience using it was newborns but from 4 months until 18 months or older, my son basically lived in there, LOL. Can't recommend that one enough. Wore him on both the back and front, all the time, out and about, in the house, long walks, etc. It was great.

For this kidlet, I still have my pouch and mei tai, and I also have a ring sling, which I will have to figure out because I haven't used one before. I think I will make another wrap with cheap stretchy fabric for the early weeks too, since I gave the other one away.

[OrangeMoon]

I'm a wrap girl through and through. And I like ringslings from time to time for quick up and downs. Both are just so cozy and huggy, what I want especially with a newborn. I've never gotten the hug/cuddle feeling with buckle carriers, although I know a lot of people love them. It's something about the open sides I think.

[amaayeh]

I love my wraps and that is always, always what I grab.  The only time I have used my mei tai is after they have turned about 18 months.  But then again, my girls have been petite and are only about 20-22 lbs at that point.

I loved my Moby wrap for the first five/six months.  Then I loved my Didymos.  I mean, I really, really loved it.  I can't wait to use it again.  I got it in the shorter length so that I wouldn't have as long tails as the other sizes.  The fabric became so soft after washing a few times.  I loaned by Moby out and never got it back so I'm not sure if I will purchase another or just use my favorite Didy this time. 

Ring slings always hurt my shoulders and I just didn't feel as comfortable in them.  I think they are great for a quick dash into the store, though. 

[cuddlemama0507]

I purchased a Maya wrap with my first, but could never really figure out how to use it.  I did make a pouch type sling and used that a ton when DS was little, little.  I ordered one of the Seven Slings for this new little one because the design is a lot like the one I had made before.

Once he was a little bigger, I switched to the Ergo carrier.  I absolutely adore that thing!  In fact, I just got mine back in the mail this past weekend.  I had loaned it to a friend a couple of years ago and knew that I couldn't exist without it.  Seeing that in the box was like seeing a long, lost friend.  I immediately put it on and walked around the house in excitement. 

[Snowflake777]

Anyone have any experience with the Ergo newborn insert? Any good?

I loved the Ergo with DD1, but she was 14 months old when we got it!

[tracymom1]

I have the Ergo newborn insert and used it with DD. Works well, but I tend to have very tiny babies (she was just under 6# at full-term birth) so she got kind of swallowed by it. That's why I used the Moby so much at the beginning.

[Bald_Bull's_Mama]

I do babywearing education locally. This is one of my favorite topics!

I hate the Ergo Heart to Heart insert. I like the idea, but hate actually using it. It's bulky. It's hot. There's no way I'd put my baby in it in the summer. I haven't used the old style one. Honestly, I don't love an Ergo in general. I strongly prefer a buckle carrier that criss crosses in the back as opposed to the rucksack straps and chest belt of the Ergo.

For newborns, I love a stretchy wrap, but not so much in hot weather. I love a ring sling for newborns as well. A side note: be careful making ring slings or buying WAHM made ones, that they are made with the proper ring. It needs to be an actual sling ring, not something from the craft store. Great info on making your own, also a great source for affordable ring slings. http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/ 

For me, I'll be using a lot of woven wraps. I have a Wrapsody/Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Stretch gauze wrap is super cool for summer. I have some other wovens and mei tais that will get some use this summer as well as 2 ring slings, one for water. I used that one constantly to shower with DS. I have an Olives and Applesauce soft structured carrier, but that will wait until baby is probably a year, as it's the toddler size.

[littleteapot]

BABYHAAAAAAAAAAWK!!

I cannot say enough about Babyhawks. I love love love love them. I have owned or tried out something like 27 carriers since my first was born because I have such special needs due to a disability and spinal fusion that causes chronic pain... Babyhawk was by and large the BEST carrier I've ever had. Hands down! I love it. We own two: a custom Babyhawk and a fairied Toddlerhawk. I LOVE THEM!

My other favourites for new babies are my fleece pouch (which was made by an MDC mama here to fit me) and my Hotsling. The thing about unadjustable pouch style slings is that they MUST be fitted to your proportions exactly, or else you will not feel very nice wearing them. I learned that embarrassingly late into the babywearing game, and I can't tell you how much of a difference a well-fitted pouch makes.

Also, as an example... I just took this comparison shot a month or two ago with my 4 year old son. This is me wearing him in our size 1 Hotsling at 2 days old (nursing hands-free) and at 4 years old while pregnant. My sizing hasn't changed in that time, and the theory is that if that stays consistent you should be able to wear your pouch with your baby as they grow even though it feels tight.

Well, it's true. :)

[HeidiLC01]

Thank you ladies, you've all given me something to think about.....and some sense of direction

[crittersmum]

We used a wrap when DD was a newborn and then moved to the Ergocarrier. The Ergo puts all the weight on your hips, so I could carry DD even when she was almost 40 lbs and it is so easy to put on! Snap, snap, and you're done!

[MaryElizabeth]

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59369332/ready-to-ship-super-lightweight 

Has anyone tried this or something like it??? I have been so torn about what to buy and this seems like its a moby/wrap style and a mei tai combined. Ive been torn between a moby (i think its going to be too hot! ),  a gypsy mama bali breeeze stretch, or a babyhawk. Im going to be outside a lot and then specifically for a vacation, walking around all day at Disney in Sept., so not only is comfort key but the temperature..... I cant be sweating to death and baby getting heat stroke haha. ALso...it would be really nice to be able to breastfeed in the sling too. ---> something I could never do with DD...

Any suggestions?

[Mamatoabunch]

I have always love my Maya Wrap ring sling and am also a ring sling mama, but mine are a little dated feeling. Off to look at www.mayawrap.com 

[dabblersupreme]

i have a loveyduds wrap, and it is basically a decorated moby. i am looking forwward to using it with a smaller child (i only got it when my son was 6 months old or older), and am hoping i can breastfeed in it, but it is pretty hot, as there's a lot of fabric involved. plus it's brown :) mine is the cotton version, not the bamboo, but i think you should look for a wrap or a sling made of solarveil (sp?) if you are worried about the summer heat.

 

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/59369332/ready-to-ship-super-lightweight 

Has anyone tried this or something like it??? I have been so torn about what to buy and this seems like its a moby/wrap style and a mei tai combined. Ive been torn between a moby (i think its going to be too hot! ),  a gypsy mama bali breeeze stretch, or a babyhawk. Im going to be outside a lot and then specifically for a vacation, walking around all day at Disney in Sept., so not only is comfort key but the temperature..... I cant be sweating to death and baby getting heat stroke haha. ALso...it would be really nice to be able to breastfeed in the sling too. ---> something I could never do with DD...

Any suggestions?

[MaryElizabeth]

I was hoping that the bamboo version would be cooler , since that is what it was advertised as being. Im so torn, because I dont really want to be buying a million slings, but I may have too! So far, I hear the Bali Breeze is the coolest wrap you can get...
 

Originally Posted by dabblersupreme 

i have a loveyduds wrap, and it is basically a decorated moby. i am looking forwward to using it with a smaller child (i only got it when my son was 6 months old or older), and am hoping i can breastfeed in it, but it is pretty hot, as there's a lot of fabric involved. plus it's brown :) mine is the cotton version, not the bamboo, but i think you should look for a wrap or a sling made of solarveil (sp?) if you are worried about the summer heat.

 

 

[dabblersupreme]

i was tossing around the notion of buying some solarveil fabric and fashioning a wrap (it may not be beuatiful, but it will be functional - the moby-like wraps are one long piece of fabric, pretty much). but, i just stumbled acrosss this http://www.mothering.com/community/forum/thread/917648/solarveil-fabric very old news, aparently, but it's been discontinued.  i may go for a breezy open weave fabric and try that.
 

Originally Posted by MaryElizabeth 

I was hoping that the bamboo version would be cooler , since that is what it was advertised as being. Im so torn, because I dont really want to be buying a million slings, but I may have too! So far, I hear the Bali Breeze is the coolest wrap you can get...