What baby carrier / wrap are you using? « Back to Group Discussions

[MeredithA]

I have a moby & I like it but I am interested in getting a ring sling. I have never used a ring sling before & have been looking at the Sakura Bloom slings... They seem very pricey but get great reviews. Anyone have experience w/ these? What kind of sling do you prefer?

[forestmushroom]

I have an ella roo ring sling and do like it... but have just been using the Ergo with Ambrose. He is 10 lbs already, and has good head control, so it works! 

I am thinking of getting a becco or another SSC, since after 3 babies it is a little worn! But is is super comfortable....
 

[rozziemama]

I have an ergo with infant insert but it feels like too much fabric - too bulky. DH really likes to hold baby in it though. I tried again to use the Moby but it's just too much for me as well - such a long piece of fabric. I got overwhelmed. So, I just bought a baby K'Tan carrier which feels good so far - kind of like a cross between a sling and moby in the position I'm wearing him, but super quick and easy to use and I think has fairly decent back and shoulder support - certainly better than the sling as it goes on two shoulders. Kai falls asleep instantly when I put him in it. Of course I'm worried about his position - not his airway/face but his legs - he's so scrunched up - but he must like it?!
Kai is almost 11 pounds already and nearly 23 inches so he is a big two week old. The K'Tan seems good anyway. We shall see once I actually venture out of the house with it on!

[Masel]

I've been a big fan of a ring sling. I have home made ones from each older daughter. I've been thinking I need another option. My back just isn't as happy about the sling anymore. Must be getting old. Having my baby as vertical as possible is good for him.

I don't think a moby wrap would work for me for many of the same reasons rozzie mentioned.

[alittlesandy]

I tried out the Moby in the store and was overwhelmed by the amount of cloth! I am thinking about getting a woven wrap, such as a Didymous.

Right now I have a Maya ring sling which I love and an Ergo that I'll use when she's a little bigger. Here's a pic:

[forestmushroom]

yeah, I am comfortable with the ergo without the infant insert.... I just froggy his little legs.  Its super easy to pop him in and out, and nurse in the ergo....

I like the baby k-tan, too! I like the thinner/meshy one for the summer...
 

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by forestmushroom 

yeah, I am comfortable with the ergo without the infant insert.... I just froggy his little legs.  Its super easy to pop him in and out, and nurse in the ergo....
 

I do the same thing with the Ergo! Glad to know I'm not the only one!

[MeredithA]

Sandy thanks for posting a pic - super helpful! I have tried and I can't seem to get the hang of nursing in the Moby. My DH loves the look of the Ergo (he thinks it is a more manly carrier ~ plus they sell it at REI which is one of his favorite stores) but I think I would prefer a ring sling. I think. I'm not sure - that's why I asking you all!
:-)

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by MeredithA 

Sandy thanks for posting a pic - super helpful! I have tried and I can't seem to get the hang of nursing in the Moby. My DH loves the look of the Ergo (he thinks it is a more manly carrier ~ plus they sell it at REI which is one of his favorite stores) but I think I would prefer a ring sling. I think. I'm not sure - that's why I asking you all!
:-)

Meredith, I've never been able to figure out how to nurse in any carrier. I have to support my boob no matter what, so it doesn't really work for me as a "hands free" solution.

[forestmushroom]

The only thing I don't like about ring slings is that all the weight is on one shoulder and not two plus hips... but that is a preference thing...
 

[alittlesandy]

Originally Posted by forestmushroom 

The only thing I don't like about ring slings is that all the weight is on one shoulder and not two plus hips... but that is a preference thing...
 

This is why I really prefer the Ergo over the ring sling. I'm also thinking of trying a woven wrap. Does anyone have any experience with those?

[H Jane]

Thanks for the picture sandy- we have a maya ring sling but I can't seem to get her in it correctly, and she screams when I try.  The fabric is much thicker too (I bought it second hand so I didn't choose the fabric).  

Here is a picture of us with the Garisol woven wrap at 2 weeks pp:

She should be higher in it.  I wore it to a bbq last w/e and she was very happy in it, looking around, then fell asleep for an hour.  My issue is how hot it is, and it also takes a while to get it on.  I would like to get the ergo "air" for farmers markets and other hot summer outtings. 

[naturalnesting]

Originally Posted by alittlesandy 

I tried out the Moby in the store and was overwhelmed by the amount of cloth! I am thinking about getting a woven wrap, such as a Didymous.

Right now I have a Maya ring sling which I love and an Ergo that I'll use when she's a little bigger. Here's a pic:

This is exactly what we do and I love it with having to chase DS around :-)

[BubbleMa]

I have a pouch that I dislike.  It hurts my back and shoulder.  I also have a mei tai (sp?) that I love.  It's comfy and easy to put on and take off.  I also just got a Baby K'tan (used for $20!).  I haven't tried it yet though.  I need to watch a video to figure that one out! :)

[imavera]

I've been mainly using my ring slings (zolowear) since it's so freaking hot outside, but I like using the stretchy wrap when it's going to be a long time since I like having the weight distributed over both shoulders. If there's a woven wrap that's cooler, I'd love to hear about it! It's only going to get hotter- yuck. 

[KM84]

We have a moby, and like it a lot. It's a great way to calm DD when she's fussy. Unless she's completely inconsolable, sticking her in the moby and walking around for 5 minutes will put her out. It definitely takes practice though. When we're going out driving somewhere, my husband often puts the wrap on ahead of time and just wears it in the car (empty). That way he doesn't have to wrestle with the fabric when we get where we're going.

I prefer the ergo, it supports my back a little better, but doesn't give her that same swaddled feeling so it's really just for outings / hands free time, not a calming tool. We have the infant insert, which I like because it supports her head. She has just enough neck strength that she can hold her head up and look around if the infant insert is folded down around her neck. Once it gets hot I don't think she'll like it, but it's in the high 70s today and she seemed comfortable.

[cristeen]

So far we've only used the Moby, but it's early. I loved my RS w DS once he was sitting up, especially for in and out of the car, running errands, etc. but DS is far too heavy for it now, it kills my back.

I do have 2 woven wraps, which I love for back carries w DS, but haven't tried them w DD yet (my first time typing DD, it seems weird still). Not all wraps are the same thickness, and getting the right length is important.

For RS, for a basic everyday sling, brand doesnt make a huge diff. I'd hesitate to spend $100 on a RS when a $30 one will do the same job. The main diff between brands will be in the shoulder style. I dont care for the Maya shoulder, or a plain gathered shoulder, but a pleated shoulder works for me.

[Astraia]

I have one of these wraps: http://www.wrapsodybaby.com/shop/breeze.htm

Super light weight and breathable, and if I do a single-layer wrap (just tying the knot under Everett's bum) then neither of us overheat, even when it's really hot out. Downside: lots of fabric, and because it's not stretchy you can't pop baby in and out easily.

I have a woven Diddymos as well. It's the same length as the bali breeze, but becaues the fabric is thicker it feels like it's huge. Nice on cooler, breezy days but even though I'm now wrapping my third kid I have trouble getting it tied properly but it's much softer and cudldier than the bali breeze so if I know he's just going to fall asleep then I'll choose that one.

I also have a soft structured carrier. He hates it, no matter how i put it on. I'll wait until he's a bit older.

I STRONGLY prefer backcarries, even for tiny babies. It feels more natural with my center of gravity, but it's more work.

[Rowdie]

I started with ring slings (my mom made three for us, from heavy fabric to light), but I don't have the hang of them yet. We got a Moby and I learned how to bf in it, and that made it a done deal for me. I adore the Moby. I wear a tank top under it to keep from getting too hot.  

As summer progresses, I'll have to switch to one of the lighter RS. Erg, stupid learning curve.

[cookie_]

I'm using both my Moby and a linen ring sling. I love the Moby (and so does the baby), but we've had some too-warm days already where it was impractical to use. I've been using it around the house a lot though, especially in the evenings when poor Z has his worst times with the reflux/colic because it keeps him tummy to tummy with me and upright. I still can't manage to nurse in it though, although I haven't really tried too much. I did, however, finally master nursing in th ring sling, which has been a lifesaver during the day. I had a RS with DS1 that I never really liked (think it was a Maya) because it was so thick and bulky. Gave that one away and bought this lovely thin linen one second hand from someone on my neighborhood listserv for $20. Perfect for hot weather!

Husband uses Moby inside the house and the mei tai outside. I haven't used the MT yet with this baby, but probably will start to once husband is back to work and I'm going solo to the playground/park with both boys. I think I'll need to be more truly hands free than I am with the RS, and the MT will serve that purpose well.