Babywearing and wraps « Back to Group Discussions

[moriahmoonstar]

Hi mamas,

Are any of you planning on baby wearing?  I'm wondering if some of you with kids already have baby worn exclusively and not needed a stroller? I learn most things from my best friend who as a 2yo and they have a Moby, Ergo, and stroller, After 6 months they didn't do much wearing so I just figured that was the norm. And after discovering The Baby Wearer.com my mind has been totally blown. Someone gave me a baby bjorn that I now will not be using. I know that the moby or boba/sleepy wrap seems best for newborns but after that there's a lot of talk about woven wraps. Have any of you used wovens? I'm really falling in love with this baby wearing all the time for a few years idea and wondering if any of you mamas in this group are also.

I recently got a beco butterfly and am lusting after a wrap conversion mei tai and really want a short and long woven but still can't decide which to start with and am looking for reasonably priced ones which are difficult to come by.

I'd love to hear from other baby wearing May mamas :)

[Quinalla]

For DD, I had a used silk sling which I loved for her for a long time, a used Bjorn which I know a lot of folks don't like, but I found it to be fine. I did have a moby, but never used it. She wouldn't tolerate wearing for very long so I needed something that was quick on and in-and-out which both the sling and Bjorn worked well for. I'm getting a K'tan this time which is sort of half way between a sling and a wrap and I think I'll like that. It also works for twins us to ~10lbs each even though they can't actually recommend carrying two babies at once anymore per USA law. I did look at woven wraps last time, if DD had tolerated wearing better I probably would have gotten one, but they are generally pretty pricey.

I only had a cheap umbrella stroller for her and we used and still occasionally use it. I can't imagine getting a huge stroller with her, but the umbrella was and is so useful and for how cheap it is, it was well worth it. Now with twins, I am going to get a stroller I can snap two carseats into and then will allow two babies/toddler to ride in as I know I'll get a lot of use out of it, but I also fully expect to do a lot of wear one, have one in the cart, kind of outings too.

So I'm not a diehard babywearer I guess, but I do love my sling especially and I'm looking forward to trying the K'tan!

[pastormama]

Second pretty much everything Quinalla said.  My DD didn't like being worn much until about six months (she wanted no substitute for the arms!).  We had a Baby Kelty structured carrier and a Moby wrap.  The Kelty was all wrong for her anatomy - it put all her weight on her crotch.  We never use it.  The Moby was great until she got heavier.  I got an Ergo when she was about 15 months, and it has been amazing.  She LOVES riding on my back.  We have a nice big jogging stroller, which has subsequently sat out in the backyard and gotten moldy and awful.  I wouldn't buy it again.  We also have an umbrella stroller that I keep in the trunk of my car for occasions when we might need it.  But between walking and the Ergo, we hardly use a stroller.  

[BabySmurf]

I had to change things up a few times with my DS as well.  I have the K'tan and love it, although it can be difficult to size.  I used it a few times when DS was an infant, and it was awesome...but once I lost a bit of baby weight, it was a little too big, and DS stopped liking it.  I did use the Bjorn for a little while, but won't this time because of the hip dangling thing...although it did allow me to pack up our apartment when we moved when DS was 3 months old.  I like the idea of wraps, but I am super intimidated by all of the wrapping...that's why I loved the Ktan - it was pretty straight forward and easy to use.  Once we moved, DS fell out of favor with the carriers for a little while, and then we went back to it at about 6 months old.  At that point it was a life saver...we were back with the Ktan, since DS had grown so big that the sizing thing was balanced out (he filled out where I didn't).  I used the Ktan for all of our outings - walks, but especially shopping.  He did NOT like the stroller.  Once DS was about 18 months old, he became much more interested in the stroller, and we would take walks into town to the playground, and he loved being able to watch the cars go by...but if we were going for a hike, he was in the Boba (we got the Boba (a SSC) once DS turned 9 months or so because he was just getting too heavy and going through a nap funk, so I wold throw him on my back and do chores while he slept).  At 2, he would rather walk or push his own carriage. 

This time around, I may buy another ktan in a smaller size, I also found a cupon for a seven slings infant sling so i got that for free, i scored a used mei tie for cheap, and we still have the boba and the larger size k'tan...i think i may try making my own wrap though - it seems easy enough to buy the fabric, and this time I will experiment with it before LO gets too wiggly.  Around here there is a Babywearing Yahoo group that meets once per month and I went with DS to try out a few different carriers (they let you rent them for a month for a refundable deposit) and you can usually buy some used carriers for pretty cheap too...I love the "try it before you buy it" thing because you never know what your baby will like! i would look for something like this in your area. 

All in all we did use the stroller when DS was around one and a half, when he was too interested in what was going on around him to be held so close to me in the carrier, but too little to walk on his own...and usually just for leisure. 

[CoBabyMaker]

I used a fitted sling when DD1 was little and then made a mai tei when she was around 4 months old.  I love mai teis!  The sling was nice when she was older for quick trips but I did find it messed with my shoulders a bit but I tend to carry a lot of tension in my shoulders.  Before DD2 was born I made a mai tei with a buckle waist and I love that one best!  It's fast to put on, easily adjustable, not too bulky and easy to nurse in.  I love that it works on the front or back.  I tried a woven wrap but could never get the hang of it.  I felt like it was never tied properly and my babies were slipping.  I think DD2 would have really liked a moby when she was little but I just didn't have the money for one. 

The Ergo seems to be really popular but I am a bit turned off my it's bulkiness.  I am intrigued by the becos but since I am happy with my Buckle Tei I will probably stick with that.  

Like Quinalla, I am not a die hard wearer but I do use it some around the house and mostly when I am out.  We only have a cheap umbrella stroller that we use around a year or so.

[Quinalla]

And yeah, if you can buy something used in good shape or rent/borrow something to try, definitely do that! A lot of things are so expensive that it is definitely nice to be able to try before you buy or get it cheaper in case it doesn't work out. I really want to try a Mai tei too, so if one or both twins like being carried, I may try one this time around. They look like a nice compromise between easy of use but not too structured From what I've read of wraps though, if you get the hang of them, they can be so awesome, but for me I just never had a chance to!

[Lynann]

I have big babies and I love a wrap carrier for about the first 4-5 months. I wear them pretty much all the time at that point.

I also have an Ergo, which is great once they get a little bigger and heavier. I wore DS1 in the Ergo until just a few weeks before DS2 was born. DS2 doesn't care to be as restricted as DS1 did, and hasn't really liked being worn much since he was about 10 months or so. He'd rather be with his big brother than attached to me. So I also have a double stroller. It gets more use these days since DS2 would rather sit beside his brother in the stroller. I think DS1 would still be in the Ergo if DS2 hadn't come along though.

I plan to baby wear for at least the first year this time too, using the wrap (homemade & easy peasy) for about 4-5 months and then switching to the Ergo.

I'd love to get a Boba 3G, but can't really justify it as there is nothing wrong with me Ergo.

[hannybanany]

With kid1 i used a ring sling exclusively until she was 35+lbs. With my two youngest I preferred a pouch sling. Then my Boba and mei tei. I still carry my 20 month old in all of the above. I almost never use a stroller until baby is 6 mos old, even then baby is still worn the majority of the time.

Lol, lyn, I have a Boba and want an ergo!

I would love to learn how to wrap, but need to find one to borrow because they are SO expensive and I'd hate to buy one and hate it.

[TwilightJoy]

This is #1 for me, but I'm planning on:

1 Moby
1 Ring Sling
1 Pouch Sling
1 Ergo

As for a stroller, we've registered for a "travel system" that our carseat fits into. Not sure what we need, but I can't imagine not having a stroller for walks and things.

[cadybh]

I love the Moby for the very beginning, and then once they can control their head a bit more the Ergo is the best.  I still use the Ergo for DS (he's 3) if we go hiking or something (DH uses it now that I'm pregnant).  I personally only use the stroller once they get rather large (over 1.5-2 years?) and we're going on a walk around town, otherwise I find no use for strollers.  

We had a Bjorn on loan from a friend and it just killed my back, plus I don't think baby looks as comfortable with their feet and hips as in other positions allowed by other carriers.  The Ergo was and continues to be AMAZING for DH and my backs (we both have prior injuries and see chiros off and on).  I'd imagine any soft structured carrier with padding on the shoulders would be similar, but I can definitely personally recommend the Ergo quite highly.

[Lynann]

Originally Posted by hannybanany 

With kid1 i used a ring sling exclusively until she was 35+lbs. With my two youngest I preferred a pouch sling. Then my Boba and mei tei. I still carry my 20 month old in all of the above. I almost never use a stroller until baby is 6 mos old, even then baby is still worn the majority of the time.
Lol, lyn, I have a Boba and want an ergo!
I would love to learn how to wrap, but need to find one to borrow because they are SO expensive and I'd hate to buy one and hate it.

I made my own wrap, no sewing required. It's just 5 yards of fabric cut to 20-25inches thick. I have 2 both made from cotton jersey fabric, so they don't fray and don't need to be sewn. Then I found a PDF of instructions on how to use the wrap. I have thought about getting a cotton muslin woven wrap from a Etsy shop that is only $37, as it looks like it would be so much cooler in our hot Florida summers.

I have been playing around with the idea of making my own carrier specifically to fit as a back carrier around my enormous boobs. I love back carries, but as a 34J it is very unflattering and a little uncomfortable for my boobs, and squishing them makes me leak, so I haven't done a whole lot of back carrying with my boys. I think this may be my project for this pregnancy, as last time I made a stash of new born fitted diapers and wool soakers as my big pregnancy project.

I got my Ergo for half price last year on Baby Steals. They come up for sale on there a couple of times a year, so definitely worth keeping an eye out. My in-laws ended up paying for it for us as DS1's main 1st birthday present ( we got it a few months early since it was on sale.) Maybe you can talk someone into getting it for you when it goes on sale again.

[moriahmoonstar]

I finally found someone that doesn't live too far away who occasionally teaches a baby wearing class and is willing to let me borrow, I can at least practice with a fake baby or maybe borrow someones babe ;) There was a moment where we were considering a fancy stroller, we found a used bugaboo and I love the look of it but after more consideration it just seemed unnecessary. And after your comments I feel pretty confident we will be fine with baby wearing and a cheap umbrella stroller. I definitely can't afford a fancy stroller and a variety of carriers, they really are expensive.

It also sounds like it really depends on the lo, I really hope mine is as excited about baby wearing as I am.

I'm really jealous of cobaby and her mad crafty skills. I love that you make your own and that you even ventured into buckles, thats so impressive. Good work

[moriahmoonstar]

I posted that somehow before I saw the last few posts, Lynann is also super crafty, I love the idea of a big pregnancy project and need to find one. Right now it is somehow trying to declutter my house and make room for  baby stuff. I wish I was more confident on the sewing machine, I think I might give the project of wool soakers to my mother in law. Do you have a good pattern for those and diapers?

I also didn't think about the boob thing, at all. Now I'm wondering how that will play in? I'M A 38 F and growing...and praying they will stop growing. I hope I can find a way to do back carries.

I keep looking at the swap for buying wraps and am too nervous to spend so much and not know like hanny mentioned. My husband saw me looking at wraps and freaked out at the cost, hmm? He might need the baby here before he's willing to justify the $

A friend stopped by yesterday and gave me a gently used Organic Ergo and I'm excited to try that and compare it to the Beco. My collection is already growing since my sister found me a maya wrap on craigslist, I was given a sleepy wrap and ergo, and with the butterfly the only things I want are a mei tai and a to try woven wraps.

And I just am crossing my fingers my babe wants to be wrapped.

[zjande]

Our family uses a (double) stroller once per year, every year- at the county fair. :) Otherwise, I just never find that I have need for a stroller. What works for me is this: I use a Moby Wrap for the first several weeks the baby is born. Then I switch over to my trusty Maya ring sling. I use that until the day the next baby comes about 2 years later. LOL

I lovelovelove my Maya ring sling. There is barely anything else I would find more important or convenient for raising my babies, besides maybe diapers. Or boobies.

We do also have an old fashioned, metal framed sort of back carrier that I find very useful sometimes, when I really need my arms free. Like when I was painting the house, or butchering rabbits.

[OtherMother]

I don't plan to get a stroller at all. I do plan to get a few more slings- right  now we have a Mei Tai, and a Moby. I used a Hotsling with DD when she was teensy and will likely get another pocket-type sling. I'm definitely investing in an Ergo (or finding one someone else is done with, hopefully.)

But yeah, I don't plan on using a stroller. Just more stuff I don't need. I'm feeling pretty minimalistic.

[Loogiejane]

I live in Brooklyn and we don't own a car so I anticipate most definitely using a stroller. I already know of a (very expensive, one I'd never buy for myself) stroller we're getting as a hand-me-down but we'll also have to get a car seat for when we rent a car to go out of town and I have to say, I really want a Bob. They ride like a dream. So expensive though so I'd prob wait till LLBean had a sale and free shipping to buy from them.

I've used the Ergo with my niece and nephews and always found it to be comfy except kind of pain to get on. I look forward to exploring the different wraps that are out there though I'm kind of tempted to visit the fabric store and get a glammy, gorgeous fabric that no one else has and whip up some kind of carrier. I don;t own a sewing machine. How would I go about this?

[Loogiejane]

Lynann, I'd love to hear more about how you made your wrap and the PDF you found. Will you PM me? Or post more deets on the thread?

[hannybanany]

I found a few tutorials for making wraps. I can do that! - I sewed dd2's entire diaper stash and a mei tei, I think a long piece of fabric is manageable ;-). Gonna have to watch a few YouTube videos to learn how to use it.

[Lynann]

I haven't transferred all the files from my old computer so the PDF is still on there. I'll see what I can dig up though.

This isn't the instructions I used, but it's the same idea. If you use a jersey knit fabric (t-shirt type fabric) then you don't have to sew the edges. I get cheap fabric online at fabric.com

You can download the PDF from Moby here.

[BabySmurf]

Originally Posted by Loogiejane 

I live in Brooklyn and we don't own a car so I anticipate most definitely using a stroller. I already know of a (very expensive, one I'd never buy for myself) stroller we're getting as a hand-me-down but we'll also have to get a car seat for when we rent a car to go out of town and I have to say, I really want a Bob. They ride like a dream. So expensive though so I'd prob wait till LLBean had a sale and free shipping to buy from them.

I've used the Ergo with my niece and nephews and always found it to be comfy except kind of pain to get on. I look forward to exploring the different wraps that are out there though I'm kind of tempted to visit the fabric store and get a glammy, gorgeous fabric that no one else has and whip up some kind of carrier. I don;t own a sewing machine. How would I go about this?

When DS ws born, we lived in the city, and I found a wrap MUCH more useful than a stroller - there were so many things to navigate with a stroller on the sidewalks alone, it was a PITA.  And then taking the T was a nightmare with a stroller because not only do you have to worry about finding accessible T stops, but squeezing the stroller onto the train would be difficult if you can't time your trips to avoid busy times...plus the height of the stroller puts the baby in a really vulnerable place compared with being snuggled up against you...kids I've seen on the T in strollers always look pretty stressed out...just some food for thought, I know some people will still prefer a stroller.  Well, that and DS never sat in the stroller for very long, so then I would have to worry about carrying DS at the same time as pushing the stroller...not fun!