Favorite Type of Carrier - Page 2

[mirlee]

I had a Snugglie (like a Baby Bjorn) and a friend loaned me a sling. Sam only liked the Snugglie for a bit and the sling was okay most of the time. The one I used had a padded shoulder and sides. If were to have another child, I would defintely try on a bunch of slings to see which fit me best.

We now use a Tough Traveler frame pack for Sam. He is 3 1/2 and likes that he can see everything. I love the Tough Traveler. Very well made and they have two sizes , so if you are under 5'6" there is one that fits well.

[blessed2bamommie]

doesn't sound u can get much wear out of the NN. After the nb stage u need to change?

[lunabellamama]

Wannabemommie,
You can use the NN past the newborn stage. It is just that the pouch is not adjustable, so it may not suit a baby at every age. I plan to use my NN more again when my DD is older and wants to sit on my hip. I think she is too loose when I try to face her out. I am having to keep one hand on her at all times. She only likes the cradle hold when she is sleepy and wants to nurse. Maybe other mamas don't have this problem... I can only speak from my experience. It is still my favorite sling.

[blessed2bamommie]

thanks lunabellamama! I see we're from the same state!

seems like asheville and chapel hill are the crunchy cities here! maybe I should check out chapel hill, I might be able to find some local stuff!

[remynyc]

I voted "no padding" before I saw that you listed "knot tying". I just got a didymos today and am IN LOVE!!!!!!! I know, it's awfully expensive, but boy oh boy, is it great. I've been using the maya wrap since ds was a couple of weeks old (he's now 5 months), and it's also been great, but I am now a total didymos convert.

[mcimom]

ERGO - ERGO - ERGO - ERGO - ERGO

because it is cross-functional and comfortable in every position - front carry, back carry, hip carry. the only thing it can't do is sling and w/her just turning 7 mos, i don't slinging much anymore anyway.

[velveeta]

We love our New Native Baby Carrier for our newborn. I also have a maya wrap, and I found that it didn't support DS's head very well. The NN is just so very cozy, and DS *loves* it.

Jean

[Cindi]

you didn't mention the open tail option. I prefer padding on both shoulder and rails, but will take a maya wrap over otsbh anyday because of the open tail...which is the key factor for me. My sling has both an open tail and the padding.

(I have a huge collection and teach classes in sling wearing, so feel free to pm with questions about different kinds.)

[blessed2bamommie]

can you post any more q & a's here, cindi and melissa? I'd be interested in hearing...there are so many choice : which is a *good* thing;but, like dipes---*decisions*! :

I at *least* have decided I might be a no rings girl and leaning towards a pouch.....not having tried....just by looking at them.

[MelissaEvans]

I use my MayaWrap a lot now, and get a lot of attention because of it too. I love the pocket! Too nifty! I have a little blurb I typed up and keep in there to had out to moms/moms to be.

Slings are great! Your baby can ride in one from the day s/he is born to when s/he is 35-50lbs depending on the sling. You can wear your baby in many different positions and can even discretely nurse while the baby is in the sling. Wearing your baby is a great way to spend time with your little one and allows him/her to see what is going on. It gives you an extra pair of hands so you can get stuff done too! It is highly recommended by advocates of Attachment Parenting (a style that promotes meeting the needs of your baby to help him/her become a strong, caring adult) such as Dr. William Sears.

The differences I have found in slings are based on these features:
* Padding: Some have padding on the shoulder and railing; others on one or the other; even others have none. Padding may (or may not!) be more comfortable for the wearer. It also adds bulk, makes it hotter, and can be more difficult to get the sling as snug as you like.
* Ring: Some have a nylon ring (harder to loosen which is good for not slipping, but more difficult getting the baby out), others have metal.
* Tail: Some are sewn together (no flapping in the wind), others are loose (great for covering while nursing; also allows for a more specific fit since you can tighten the top/bottom/middle of the sling independent of the rest of it).

You can find NoJo slings (padding on the railing and shoulder, nylon ring, sewn tail) at Johnsons for Children. I have not seen another type available in stores, I have had to purchase mine online.

Some web sites that sell slings are:
* www.peppermint.com (large variety!)
* www.heart2heart.on.ca
* www.mayawrap.com
* www.kissaluvs.com
* www.naturalbabies.com (where I have purchased mine, great customer service here and inexpensive shipping!)

Other non-sling type carriers
* www.babytrekker.com
* www.packababy.com

I realize how biased I am. Can you guess what type of padding I like? =) And I love NaturalBabies even though they sell more diapers than slings, I thought I'd give 'em a plug. =) I should start making a commission! =) Or, I need to start sewing my own slings and selling them! DS is the greatest model. =)

[Peppamint]

Originally posted by MelissaEvans
II realize how biased I am. Can you guess what type of padding I like? =) And I love NaturalBabies even though they sell more diapers than slings, I thought I'd give 'em a plug. =) I should start making a commission! =) Or, I need to start sewing my own slings and selling them! DS is the greatest model. =)

Hey Melissa-

It's really late, so I'm not sure if I'm not thinking right or what. It's June 2003, right? So it's impossible for your ds to be born already if his b-date is 10-8-03, right?

LOL

[Mirzam]

I think your write up is a great idea! Good for you! I do think you should add Kangaroo Korner (http://www.kangarookorner.com) to your list of where to get slings. Tanya's adjustable fleece pouch, really is the best pouch style sling available and she also has lots of info and a good selection of slings including unpadded, slightly padded and heavily padded ring slings.

Deborah

[fluffernutter]

My favorite is the pouch. I have an "Urban Tot Tote" from http://www.fussybutt.com It's awsome, and the WAHM is great.

[blessed2bamommie]

I've been leaning towards the pouch. I'm not crazy about the rings, and the wraps scare me! I'm sure its just me....and I can't wrap my *hands* in kickboxing...:LOL

Tanya's adjustable fleece pouch, really is the best pouch style sling available

y, so Deborah! I've looked at NN and I didn't even *know* about Fussybutt!


This is a great thread! There are *so* many choices! : : :

[MelissaEvans]

Thanks Michelle! Um.. DS was born 10/08/02.

I'll add the Kangaroo Korner to my list. =) I've been eyeing those for a while now... =)

[sabine]

I love my packababy! the only part of my body that gets sore carrying my 18lb baby in my packababy is my stomach musles.... just because I haven't built them up from having her & they are flabby as heck!
I hardly ever use my sling anymore. I hate having the babe only on one shoulder like that. She always falls asleep just when that shoulder is starting to hurt.
packababy! yipppeee
I hear that they might be kind of hard to get because of so many orders ?

[girlzmommy00]

I'm a huge Kangaroo Korner fan. We have an adjustable fleece pouch and a custom made sling from KK (padded rails and shoulder). I sent her blue Hawaiian fabric for the sling.
I really love both and it's hard to say that one is better than the other, though I very much prefered the padded sling when Lily was a newborn.

[jogirl]

For winter and cooler months I absolutely love my kangaroo korner adjustable fleece pouch (they make a cotton one now too!). Love love love it.

I'm a big fan on my ring sling. Especially my TaylorMadeTreasures organic cotton mesh - very breathable, cups my shoulder, nice long tail.

Lately, I've fallen for my wrap sling - the Simply Attached Sling made by MotherofEden (maker of Fuzzibunz). Very versatile and Anna loves to eat her feet while she faces out in the front carry... a back carry can be done with it too... very very comfortable and not hot even though it's fleece.

Tammy

[bebe luna]

I loved my Kangaroo Korner Fleece Pouch!! It was THE best! Great for newborns through toddlers. So comfy and easy to get on and off.

I also liked the Walking Rock Farm sling and the Hip Baby (hip carrier)~ so well made and really comfy!

I never liked heavily padded slings or OTSBH styled slings.

[motherofpearls]

i voted for unpadded sling, b/c lately my fave is a mesh sling w/no padding at all. but when dd#2 was a newborn, she hated being entirely down in the pouch, & i used to prop her head up on the padded rail of my otsbh. so it really kinda depends on the age of the baby for me. i loved those otsbh slings (we have 2 tiedyed) for yrs...just got a plain totally unpadded mesh sling from someone at aw & thought i'd miss the shoulder pads, but i really don't! SO much cooler, too.