Is it worth it to buy a wrap for an older babe?

[rzberrymom]

I'm trying to find the most comfy fit for my 12 month old (she's kind of heavy--22lbs.) The Ergo has been pretty good for us, but I still get back pain. I've also tried two types of Mei Tais (Freehand and Ellaroo), but they were less comfortable for me than the Ergo.

I've read that a wrap is the most comfortable of all the carriers, but I'm wondering if it's worth it to buy one for an older baby? Is it possible that it would be more comfortable than a MT or Ergo?

Unfortunately, babywearing isn't very popular where I live, so I haven't been able to give one a try.

Thanks

[kofduke]

I would think a wrap or MT would both be comfortable. If you were to get a wrap I'd lean towards one of the german woven ones (didymos or storch) -- perhaps where you are you'll be able to get one for cheaper than in the US

[swebster]

nak... with pudge in the wrap

before i invested in my ellaroo i cut up an old jersey sheet (dimensions approx. 11 ft by 3 ft) and practiced a few ties to wear around the house, to see if it would really work for me.

fyi...my little one is easily 22-25 lbs and I still find it very comfortable to wear her (on average 4-6 hrs a day), I usually have her in a homemade stretchy wrap.

[merpk]

Absolutely. Go for it.

Started with wraps when my DD#2 was 10mo or so, and it was totally fine. I carry my 3/almost4yo DS#2 also in one on my back and he loves it.

Had tried a meitai first but found it just uncomfortable, first, and second, kind of a one-trick-pony, IYKWIM. One position in the front, one position on the back, that's all you can do. And to nurse, there's only one way to do it, and it's very difficult (in my experience, anyway) to walk around or accomplish anything while the baby's nursing. Wraps are a totally different ballgame ... the number of positions and ties is really only limited by your imagination and your baby's patience with experimentation and nursing in them (with some practice and adjustment, granted) is pretty easy, and you can live your life while nursing, too.

[rzberrymom]

Thanks for the replies! I guess I always thought of a wrap as something for little babies but not something you'd buy for an older baby.

I really like the idea of cutting up a sheet and giving it a try before buying one.

[NataliaMama]

I would go for a wrap as well. You will want something woven and not knit though, since dd is heavier and a knit wrap would stretch and you would have to be tightening all the time. You might be able to just make one yourself. www.mamatoto.org has good instructions.

Sarah

[nightfall]

Originally Posted by swebster

fyi...my little one is easily 22-25 lbs and I still find it very comfortable to wear her (on average 4-6 hrs a day), I usually have her in a homemade stretchy wrap.

Do you usually wear her front, back or hip?

[Caryliz]

Yes yes yes! Go for the wrap! I think wraps are *especially* useful for older, heavier babes, as they distribute your child's weight well while keeping them snug up against you. Just make sure you go for a woven wrap, not a stretchy one, if you're wrapping an older child. This will be kinder on your back.

As a pp pointed out, there are numerous positions/wrap tricks so you can tailor your babywearing to your needs/physical comfort/kids' wiggliness. Ds loves being wrapped up with mommy, but even more than that, he also loves the wrap itself. When it's not being worn we play peek-a-boo with it, ds fiddles with the fringes (it's an Ellaroo) and sings to himself, we use it for a lap blanket in the car, we use it for an emergency changing pad, or for a "picnic" blanket if we're in a place where the floor is dirty but ds wants to get down and play or have a snack. Finally, I can wrap it around me like a big shawl or scarf and not feel silly walking around with it on when the babe isn't in it!

There *is* a learning curve, I won't kid you. You'll need to practice at home in front of the mirror (or, in my case, in front of the computer so I could refer to the directions! ), and it helps if your little one is calm and happy while you do this. (But don't worry, it won't take long before you can wrap 'em up quick, even when they're crabby! )

And I agree with the pp who suggested going for a German wrap like a Didymos or a Storch. Ellaroos are great, too -- they're thinner, which is great for hot weather, and for wrapping ds and still being able to fit him under my coat with me -- but for your climate, I'd go for one of the others. Try German eBay -- I've seen tons of great deals there for used wraps -- like 25 euros for a Didy -- except usually the seller doesn't want to ship outside the EU. (Perfect for you!)

Good luck!

[boricuaqueen327]

definitely get a wrap! my dd is almost 2 and i still wear her often, mostly in the wrap. It is MUCH more comfortable than our mei tai or a pouch/rs. she gets all tucked in there and falls asleep or watches whatever i'm doing and talks about it. i think it is totally worth it, i have had mine for a long time but only started really using it once dd was about 1. before then she was more comfortable in the ring sling or the pouch. I think there is a learning curve (i still havent been able to do a back wrap cross carry by myself) but once you learn how to do it, it is very fast and becomes like second nature.

[mamaMAMAma]

I agree with nataliemama, mamatoto.org has great info and videos for different tie instructions. I love my wrap with dd#2 (she's 23 months and 26lbs). I had her in a pouch when she was under 9 months. I tried the mei tai, but its just not as comfortable as the wrap. I put her on my back and she's happy as a clam.

[Plaid Leopard]

Another voice for a wrap. My son turned 2 in December and I still carry him - front, hip or back. I have an Ergo also but I really prefer the wrap, especially if I need to carry a backpack or if I know that ds is going to nap.

Ds has always been a heavy baby, and I have a bad back, but I have had no problems carrying him in the wrap, since it distributes the weight onto the hips.

A wrap also serves as a blanket, a tent, a hammock... I hung my wrap from a tree branch one time and my kids took turns swinging in it. Cool.

[rzberrymom]

Thanks everybody!!! And thanks to the poster who suggested German e-bay--I hadn't thought about that, and there are a ton of used Didymos. I'm getting so excited about a wrap now!

[ryleigh'smama]

I just posted this somewhere else too, but wanted to say...I have an ergo, I have a MT, and I have a ring sling...each is great in its own way, BUT they can never compare to how much I love my Moby wrap!! Dd just turned one on Feb 15th and is around 24lbs, and I can still carry her for hours in the Moby. Good Luck!