Babywearing and wraps - Page 2 « Back to Group Discussions

[Loogiejane]

Originally Posted by BabySmurf 

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!

Oh, no, I meant moreso for walking around my neighborhood, doing food shopping, being out on foot (not on the subway) for a long time, going for a 3 mile walk around the park by me, doing a big shop at the farmers market that I walk to, CSA pick up, etc etc. I can see on a daily basis when I'm the train how annoying strollers are in the subway system. Thanks for the feedback on that though.

[Loogiejane]

Thanks Lynann!

[GabiCristian]

We're also urban and don't have a car, and I'm not even really considering getting a stroller. They're unwieldly on busses and the sidewalks here (Romania) are...not always wheeled-vehicle friendly. I can't imagine needing a wheelchair here, I have no idea how I'd get around.

I've always liked the idea of a wrap, and I'm planning on doing woven rather than stretchy just because I'll be able to use it longer. I would love to get one of the beautiful German-style wovens, but I'm having a hard time justifying to myself spending that much money on a length of fabric. So I'll probably end up buying a length of gauze, cutting it in half, and hemming the cut edges. That way I'll have two wraps--one to wear and one to wash. They'll look the same, but a girl can't have everything, right?

I'd love a mei tei for when baby is bigger, but I don't have a sewing machine where we're living now and making it by hand sounds like way too much work for me. We're planning on a trip to the states (fingers crossed!) after the baby is born, so maybe I'll use my mom's sewing machine and make myself one then. 

[BeagleMommy]

Well, with DC1, I used a Moby for the first few months and loved it. Then it got hot.

SO, I got a Maya Wrap Ring Sling. I did not love the way the shoulder was made. So, I ordered a ring sling from Sleeping Baby Productions, which I loved and constantly got complimented on.

Then, I made a made a mei tai. I loved it. Very quick and comfy.

Then I made a gauze wrap. Not overly comfortable, but cooler than a Moby.

Next, I bought a woven wrap- super comfy and beautiful!

So, of course, next I got a soft structured carrier. Very nice.

Then an Ergo from BabySteals- not so nice for me. I know many people love them, but I really don't find them comfortable.

I have an inexpensive pouch which I also did not care for.

I didn't own a stroller until DC1 was almost 3. We live in a rural area and a stroller (even a jogging stroller like I have) is virtually useless. I have used it two or three times when we went to the city to a mall.

I don't plan to buy anything except maybe a new wrap, which I know I don't need, but since I don't need anything else baby related except a car seat, I might.

[moriahmoonstar]

Originally Posted by BeagleMommy 

Well, with DC1, I used a Moby for the first few months and loved it. Then it got hot.
SO, I got a Maya Wrap Ring Sling. I did not love the way the shoulder was made. So, I ordered a ring sling from Sleeping Baby Productions, which I loved and constantly got complimented on.
Then, I made a made a mei tai. I loved it. Very quick and comfy.
Then I made a gauze wrap. Not overly comfortable, but cooler than a Moby.
Next, I bought a woven wrap- super comfy and beautiful!
So, of course, next I got a soft structured carrier. Very nice.
Then an Ergo from BabySteals- not so nice for me. I know many people love them, but I really don't find them comfortable.
I have an inexpensive pouch which I also did not care for.
I didn't own a stroller until DC1 was almost 3. We live in a rural area and a stroller (even a jogging stroller like I have) is virtually useless. I have used it two or three times when we went to the city to a mall.
I don't plan to buy anything except maybe a new wrap, which I know I don't need, but since I don't need anything else baby related except a car seat, I might.

I'm just curious, and falling in love with wovens from a far, which was your first woven and what size? And if you end up getting another woven which ones do you have your eye on and what size?

I've noticed on other baby wearing forums people have these huge 'stashes' of wraps, stacks of various brands, fabrics, colors, sizes, weaves and all priced from $100-300and more sometimes. So there are huge numbers of moms out there with thousands invested in there wrap collection...how does that happen? Do they win the lottery? I'm definitely jealous of those stacks and really want to make friends with someone like that so I can try them all out. But has anyone else noticed that and thought it was wild? Although I have also noticed people seem to seel them for what they paid so their not losing money which i guess could be a justification.

I would like one or two wraps and am just stuck on which sizes and styles.

[BeagleMommy]

Well, I have a Didymos Eva in a size 6. I found her used on TBW for a steal. My mom bought me a Hoppediz Curacao in 4.6 (which is the same length) when a babywearing shop was going out of business. I have used my Hopp more than the Didy because it feels much tougher although it is harder to tie.

I don't know how anyone has the money to have 50+ wraps bought new. I know many people have a lot more disposable income than we do, but a lot of people have even less. I can assure you, I have never spent more than $20 on a stroller. For me, it is well worth spending more money on a carrier versus a stroller because I know I will use a carrier often and a stroller rarely. That's just me.

[PhilsBabyMama]

Hi there! We had a stroller, but it was a cheapo one because I knew I wouldn't use it very often. I did lots of baby wearing, both in and out of the house. It was so much easier than lugging a stroller around, especially when my son wanted to be held most of the time anyway. (And frankly, I wanted to hold him!) I had a borrowed woven Didymos and LOVED it! I will be buying one this time around since my cousin, who lent it to me, has since sold many of her wraps. Here is a photo of me wearing Maddox. It took a few times for me to get the wrapping down, but once I got used to doing it, I could do it in my sleep. Woven wraps are great for little babies and toddlers, too.



I also have a Baby Hawk mei tai. I liked it because it was easy enough to put on that my husband would wear our kiddo. Here is a photo of my husband wearing Maddox on a hike when he was almost 3 years old.


Edited by PhilsBabyMama - 12/19/12 at 6:55am

[Quinalla]

Thanks for the cute pictures I think I'm definitely going to have to get a mei tai this time around, they just seem so nice and being able to back carry would be great with bigger kids!

Here is one of DD in the sling at about 3.5 months, I always kinda hesitate to post pictures cause I'm sure I'm doing it wrong and people will make fun of me, but that's kinda silly She only liked to be in carriers facing out, she mostly liked to be held that way too and she still hates missing anything! Sorry it's a bit blurry.

[PhilsBabyMama]

What a cutie! I have a ring sling, too, but never could get it to feel comfortable. It was a Maya Wrap ring sling. I think maybe it's just me, though, because my trapezius has always given me trouble. Having the weight more spread out is easier for me. My cousin's babies all seem to live in ring slings for the first year or so!

[moriahmoonstar]

SO sweet to see babywearing photos here! I love seeing real life shots of happy babywearing.

PhilsBabyMama-I'm really excited about getting the cute daddy wearing shots of my dh!

I went to a La Leche League Meeting today and the leader did a little babywearing demo after. I went with my friend and her 8 month old and got to practice wearing him, I love the feeling of the woven and I'm also glad to have some time to practice because following was easy but trying to remember the wrap on my own wasn't as easy.

And........I came home with a gorgeous Vatanai wrap, which I had read is good for beginners. Its two gorgeous shades of blue with labyrinths on it and I LOVE it. It's a size 6.

[Quinalla]

Originally Posted by PhilsBabyMama 

What a cutie! I have a ring sling, too, but never could get it to feel comfortable. It was a Maya Wrap ring sling. I think maybe it's just me, though, because my trapezius has always given me trouble. Having the weight more spread out is easier for me. My cousin's babies all seem to live in ring slings for the first year or so!

Yeah, I found the ones that distribute weight more comfortable too, but this was so much better than carrying DD in one arm and trying to whatever with the other, she was and still is so limp when you carry her, doesn't hold on at all! /At least this way the weight was on my shoulder/back She was sitting froggy style (legs crossed) in the sling if people are wondering.

[PhilsBabyMama]

Nice, Moriahmoonstar! If you have any trouble remembering the wrap techniques, or want to learn new ones, I found youtube very helpful with lots of step by step instructions.

[Quinalla]

So for Mei Tais, do you like the more padded ones or unpadded? I'm thinking about getting one as I am going to probably have some paypal $$ to spend soon, what do you all think?

[BeagleMommy]

I know this probably won't be helpful, but I made mine padded and liked it fine, but tried a friend's Maya Tai which has wide wrap-style unpadded straps and I loved it!

[jr'smom]

Can someone recommend a good pouch sling? 

I LOVED my Maya Wrap pouch slings (not exactly the style they are known for, but they were awesome!)  As far as I know, they don't make them anymore.  I still have one that is functional but quite worn.  I'd like another good pouch sling. 

[Quinalla]

Originally Posted by BeagleMommy 

I know this probably won't be helpful, but I made mine padded and liked it fine, but tried a friend's Maya Tai which has wide wrap-style unpadded straps and I loved it!

Well, it is helpful, means you liked both. I was thinking of a flat one with wide straps would be nice and compact but still comfy.

Originally Posted by jr'smom 

Can someone recommend a good pouch sling? 
I LOVED my Maya Wrap pouch slings (not exactly the style they are known for, but they were awesome!)  As far as I know, they don't make them anymore.  I still have one that is functional but quite worn.  I'd like another good pouch sling. 

Never tried one of those, maybe you can find a LN used one?

[alaskanmomma]

I use ring slings for the NB days, after 2 kids and a baby I babysat from 3 weeks old, I could never get the hang of wraps. After 15 lb. I switch to the Boba, and can still carry my 40 lb. almost 3 year old in it comfortably(and I have a horrible back!)