Mothering › Forums › Archives › Pregnancy Archives › April 2006 › Baby carriers - what's in your stash?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Baby carriers - what's in your stash?  

post #1 of 48
Thread Starter 
I just got a nice MamaKangaroo stretchy wrap for Luke (loved mine with Abby!). I also have a FH MT, a ring sling, a few pouches, a knot sling, and an Ellaroo. I'd really like to get a more boyish ring sling (mine is white with really pretty flowers and pink grosgrain ribbon trim - if anybody has one they want to trade) and am looking at a ABK Go Go Baby Tote Mei Tai with the matching little diaper bag. I'd love to get another woven wrap too (I would soooo love an Iris Didy). I like my Ellaroo, but I sure loved my Didy (sold it in a moment of stupidity - had a Katja).

What are your baby carrier plans?
post #2 of 48
I have a mama made ring sling, Kangaroo corner fleece pouch, Hotslings pouch and hopefully getting a Moby wrap for christmas

I also plan on buying a Kozy Mei Tai as soon as I can decide on a fabric

I'd love to try a Didy or ER wrap too - which ER do you have, I LOVE the LaRae

DS rarely wants to be slung anymore so I am really looking forward to babywearing again
post #3 of 48
I haven't worn any babies yet. I am planning on making my own slings. I am going for a ring sling(like the mayawrap), a pouch sling, and also the traditional WestAfrican sling (aka grab a cloth or two and tie the baby to ur back - mil is gonna teach me ). I am not sure how yall Mommas can afford so many slings!! If yall have any patterns or directions for some slings pls share or point me to the right direction. Thanks!
post #4 of 48

Feed the addiction....

I've got two MTs, a Freehand (which I prefer) and an old-style Sachi (which dh prefers so I could never get rid of it ).

I have a MayaWrap sling, currently on loan to a friend. It's too long, but workable. Also have a SoulbabyNYC, a very functional (read: plain plain plain) white solarveil, and a navy silk Zolo that I will be very excited to use with a NB--by the time I got it (a bday present from dh) dd was 10 months.

As far as pouches, I have a bunch of Hotslings, a fleece one that fits and a couple that are little big and very big (but this was my first pouch for dd, so how can I sell it???), respectively. I also have a custom size black velvet (an amazing ebay buy) and a MamaKangaroo mesh that is too small .

My wish list is: a Peanut Shell pouch (but cannot decide between jersey, cotton stretch, and microfleece ) and a Zolo midnight blossoms solarveil. And, if pushed, another FH. Dh will probably balk, but he was the one who said (when I was originally freaking out over the +hpt), "You'll be fine! You already use a sling!"

I never learned how to wrap....which is probably a good thing for my wallet. I've seen them all in person and the Storches are so plush.

I can't wear dd for very long anymore (even on my back) without feeling totally exhausted and ligament pain. Makes me sad... I feel like choosing who to wear post-partum will be very hard for me. I guess at the start I can wear the nb inside and dd out and about. Or whoever is needier....
post #5 of 48
Coming out of storage will be the incomparable BabyTrekker (still ticking after 4 babies - two of mine, two of other peoples - and 9 years!). Loooooovvveeedd that thing with #1 & #2.

I also ordered a MamaKangaroo Mesh pouch for summer, the shower and swimming plus I think I may be getting a CuddlyWrap for Christmas. Yahoo!
post #6 of 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by Muslimah
If yall have any patterns or directions for some slings pls share or point me to the right direction. Thanks!
try www.mamatoto.org and the do-it-yourself forums on www.thebabywearer.com

HTH
post #7 of 48
I'm planning on ordering a Kozy Mei Tai as soon as I can decide on fabric. The woman there was fantastic in replying immediately to some questions I had. I've been very impressed
post #8 of 48
Thread Starter 
I'm a strangeling. I must be the only person on earth who didn't like her Kozy. I loved the fabric - it was soooo pretty. But Abby likes to be up and have her arms out, so the longer body didn't work for us. I much prefer the shorter Freehand and Sachi body styles. My kids are stumpy.

Check out thebabywearer.com's FSOT board. You can get some good deals. I never pay retail for a sling.

I have the Maija Ellaroo. It is really pretty, but not over the top bright.
post #9 of 48
I have a Bjorne, a sling, a generic front carrier (that has Pooh Bear), and a Podegi (that we picked up while living in Korea). I really want an Ergo though. So, I'm saving. LOL
post #10 of 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by pfamilygal
I must be the only person on earth who didn't like her Kozy. I loved the fabric - it was soooo pretty. But Abby likes to be up and have her arms out, so the longer body didn't work for us. I much prefer the shorter Freehand and Sachi body styles. My kids are stumpy.

Check out thebabywearer.com's FSOT board. You can get some good deals. I never pay retail for a sling.
Amen to that! I tend to shop sales from the slingmakers (sometimes it's only $5 off, but it makes me feel better ); I've gotten a few things FSOT too. The Zolo was full price (dh's idea!); I got a special order XS. Will be stalking the site for sales on the Midnight Blossom though....

I haven't experienced a Kozy myself, but I love my Freehand so much I couldn't imagine waiting so long (I think someone on TBW said 6 months now???) for a MT when I could get one that's in stock in a week. Even Kaire's special orders ship in 4-6 weeks. Lisa (at Sachi) also ships very quickly.
post #11 of 48
Quote:
Originally Posted by PheobNFam
I have a Bjorne, a sling, a generic front carrier (that has Pooh Bear), and a Podegi (that we picked up while living in Korea). I really want an Ergo though. So, I'm saving. LOL

This is just about the Bjorn carrier, not the others you mentioned, though I'm not sure what the generic one is, but would assume it's a dangly one too.

I hate to do this to you but the Bjorns can actually be harmful to baby. They force baby to dangle with all her weight on her spinal column base, and it's not good for her back and can cause problems later. It also can place too much pressure on little boys' scrotum area. Stick with one of your others that lets baby's legs be wider apart and not dangling, so they're in a more natural position (think of how baby looks riding-on-your-hip: that's actually much better posture for them than dangling).

Anyway it's just a thought. I was getting ready to buy a dangly carrier 'til I started reading articles on children and back problems. Now I'm sold on the Asian Style Carriers, because they place less stress on your back than some slings. But that's just me. Good luck.

-------------------

Quote:
I haven't experienced a Kozy myself, but I love my Freehand so much I couldn't imagine waiting so long (I think someone on TBW said 6 months now???)
The Kozy site says a SHORT wait and when I last spoke to her it sounded like a few weeks, max. Not 6 months. Not sure where on TBW.com you heard that but you might want to speak to the lady at Kozy to make sure. I know it's not 6 months.
post #12 of 48
Well, I own nothing.

I have registered/requested a Moby, Maya, New Native and just asked for a Kozy.

I guess it all depends on what people get me.
post #13 of 48
I have an Ergo that I've loved with DS. He loved riding on my back or DH's back. I haven't used it since I got pg though.
I also have a New Native and a Pea-in-a-Pod pouch. I'm excited about using them with a newborn. I had a NoJo ring sling when ds was wee, and I didn't like the padding, etc. Never felt like I had him tight enough. I thing the PiP will be great for that.

I think I'm going to want some kind of solarveil for next summer. I don't want ds to miss out on beach time, but I'd like to keep things cool and shady for the baby.
post #14 of 48
I just bought a New Native at a garage sale for $5!
Plus I have an Ergo and Ultimate Baby Wrap (I think that is what it is called). Oh and a Kelty Kids backpack I wish I could get rid of because it has been sitting in my living room for over a year without being touched.
post #15 of 48
I've got a Hotsling knockoff (my mom and I made it out of an old, soft medium blue bedsheet) and will probably buy some solarveil fabric and have my mom make me another pouch sling out of that. Nothing too fancy, especially because I fell in love with my homemade sling once I was able to start using it (and probably could if ds didn't kick my belly when he's riding in it and it didn't put so much pressure on my pelvis).

Lanna
post #16 of 48
I've got a Baby Bundler and an Over the Shoulder sling.
post #17 of 48
Most of my slings were sent to me as gifts or were swaps... I don't think that I've bought any of them, certainly not full retail.

I have:

A denim-style Maya Wrap, size M. It's not super pretty, but it is the most convinient thing *ever*. I used it all the time with BooBah even though I would probably be better off with a large (I found the tail to be a bit short when it came to adjustments, and it was impossible for Mike to wear at all). I'd be willing to part with it for something just as utilitarian but with a longer tail.

A denim-style Over-the-Shoulder Baby Holder, size L. Fits me well, but I would prefer a bit more adjustability; I'm not a big fan of the padding, but BeanBean and BooBah both loved it so it saw a lot of use, often in conjunction with the Maya (Bean in the OTSBH, Boo in the Maya). This one I'd also be willing to trade, again for something very useful but perhaps easier to adjust (unconstructed).

A Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch, size L. Very comfy and warm! BooBah rode around in this constantly her first winter. I found it to be an absolute necessity, and even though I prefer ring slings to pouches (I'm all about adjustability) in general, I don't think that the fleece would make a great ring sling, and I loved having the extra warmth. Wearing BooBah in it was like wearing an extra sweater with a hot water bottle inside... seriously cozy!

A Baby Bjorn-- Hasn't been used in ages; MIL bought my first sling (a Kissasling) when BeanBean was 12 months old, and I had put the Bjorn away long before that. I keep meaning to sell it, but I haven't gotten around to it yet... I guess it will happen at the Yard Sale that I'm actually going to hold this spring. I think I'll be very happy to get $2 for it.

A really excellent sling who's name I can't recall... I bought it from saritasmile here at MDC. It's a ring sling, soft sage green with lavendar trim and a moon and stars on the tail. So pretty! I absolutely love this sling, and I always get compliments on it when I go out. The tail length is a teensy bit long for me (I'm short ), but it's so easy to adjust and so pretty that I absolutely love wearing it; it's long enough for Mike to use comfortably (he's a big guy), so I wouldn't want it any shorter. If it was a teensy bit heavier/warmer, I'd use it all year round. This is my favorite sling, and I wouldn't part with it for anything except perhaps another just like it. I'll see if I can get some pictures of one of the kids wearing it, and if you like it you can PM saritasmile and ask her about them; the sling is super-sweet!

A BlueBird Baby sling, made by another WAHM here (Lizabird, perhaps?). Warm flannel, ring sling with padding. I love this sling dearly, too, but since I lost some weight it has been too big for me. It still fits Mike quite comfortably, though, so we're hanging on to it. This is the most comfortable sling that I have, as far as Mike is concerned.

The one thing that I'd really like is a Solarveil sling, ideally in Maya or Sarita's style. I'd like to have two of them, for showering/bathing and swimming, so that the one didn't get worn out from being used every day. I had a really difficult time before BooBah was big enough to sit by herself in the shower (90% of my showers are taken with both kids; at least, they were before BeanBean could be trusted for 20 minutes), and I desperately longed for something breatheable on our annual trip to the beach with the ILs. Actually, there were several times over the summer that BooBah was born and the following summer that I desperately wanted a lighter, more breatheable sling... Still, I think of it as a luxury; something I'd like to have, but it's not absolutely necessary, so it'll wait.
post #18 of 48
Hope to get a moby wrap. They look comfortable.
post #19 of 48
Well my goodness girls! You guys sure know your slings! LOL

I have one someone sent me, it's black and padded and has rings (so I'm guessing a ring sling???) and that's all I have! I used it from the moment we got home with DS until last summer and only because he was just getting too heavy for my back!! He LOVED the sling, I LOVED the sling, hence he lived in the thing for the first 3 years of his life. No one around here (well almost no one) uses slings so people used to think it was a "neat contraption"!!

I never thought about getting any other ones...might have to look into them though especially if I can get a cooler (as in temp. wise) for the summer! Send me some links please so I can take a look!!!
post #20 of 48
Muslimah,
More d-i-y links are at www.sleepingbaby.net (she also makes beautiful ring slings for great prices--some $20 or less).

thirdchild,
As far as a warm weather sling goes, I love solarveil because it's so thin and breatheable it's not at all like an "extra" layer of clothes. You can readily get it wet (in the pool or shower) and it dries very, very quickly. I've even worn mine in the ocean! It also has some sunblocking properties (although I am unclear if the fabric has to be doubled over the babe to achieve that effect), which is great for a baby too young for sunscreen. Some people (presumably some babies as well) find it scratchy, but I never did, and it is supposed to soften with repeated washings.

Many sling makers have solarveil products...it may be easier to find them as summer gets closer, though. Just so that you know, solarveil itself (it's a trademarked fabric) is quite expensive, so it can be harder to find these slings at a bargain price unless they are "seconds."

Several slingmakers also make things out of "mesh" (think athletic mesh), which is also soft and breatheable and dries quickly.

Here are a few links to start:

Slings: www.zolowear.com
www.sleepingbaby.net (great price for these, if available)
www.sachicarriers.com (Lisa makes solarveil mei tais and water mesh slings too)
www.kangarookorner.com (solarveil or water mesh; a bigger sale page than most, mostly fleece though)
www.taylormadeslings.com (solarveil and water mesh)


Pouches: www.hotslings.com
www.goo-ga.com (makers of the Peanut Shell pouch--the solarveil is in their cotton stretch section...not sure why)
www.mammasmilk.com
www.kangarookorner.com


There are more out there, I'm positive! Why is it that this is fun, but just the idea of shopping for a double stroller (not that we have plans to get one) makes me ill? I'd like to think it is partially that every single link above is the on-line home of a WAHM , so you can't go wrong in supporting them!
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: April 2006
This thread is locked  
Mothering › Forums › Archives › Pregnancy Archives › April 2006 › Baby carriers - what's in your stash?