Join me in a hypothetical situation...

[nextcommercial]

Let's say you have $100 to spend on ONE carrier. You can spend it all, or buy a cheaper carrier.

Hypothetically, you don't own any yet. So, don't choose according to your current stash.

What would you buy? An Ergo, a nice wrap? A cool Babyhawk???

Anything.

What would be your final choice?

[cchrissyy]

All I need is one nice, quality mei tai. Something in fabric I love that can carry from birth on...

[mama2walden&luna]

:

[MollyandCleo]

A nice wrap! Like a nicely broken in Didymos Indio.

[425lisamarie]

Wrap for sure

[3for_me]

:

[ColoradoMama]

Rockin' Baby sling

[hottmama]

I'd go with a structured carrier-- I prefer my Yamo to the Ergo.
Or if you could split the $100 and buy 2 carriers, I'd get a summerweight (light cotton, mesh, or solarveil) pouch and a mei tai. That could be done under $100.

[LittleLlama]

If I could only own one NOW, I wouldn't go back on my Beco decision. 15mo ad 28 pounds needs somethng sturdy.

BUT, if we were talking little baby, I would have rather had a wrap than the ring slings I did have. I like the versatility of being able to face little babies out and nursing would have been ... well, possible!

[socalfelicity2]

Ergo- in fact, I wish I had only bought that instead of the 7 carriers I bought before I found it! For me, it is nirvana!

[taradt]

ergo for sure... I love the ease and quickness and these days it is pretty much all I use.

[Daisie125]

Depends on the age of the baby.

If it was pre-baby or a newborn, I would buy a wrap. If I had a 6+ month old, I would get an ergo.

[yarngoddess]

I would try to by a wrap and a ring sling if possible to find quality for that amount of money. I have a ring sling and they are great in some situations, and others I would want a wrap. Another thing about a ring sling is that they are great as an acessory- cart cover, high chair cover, blanket, prop up in the carseat, and coushin when sleeping and placed in the shoping cart.

[pixiepunk]

if i could absolutely only buy one, then i would definitely get a large-bodied MT in a fabric i loved - maybe a custom, probably a Kozy.

if i could spend that $100 in any way i wanted and couldn't sew, i'd probably try to find a a gently used larger bodied MT and a good ring sling.

but since i can sew, i'd try and find a used structured carrier (ergo or the like) and then use the money i had left over to make myself a MT *and* a ring sling

[mom2noah]

I would get a Mei Tai or Beco.

[Patrice#1]

If there is a sling lending library where you live, that would be an excellent step, because then you can go and view/try on lots of different styles. Lots of momma's at LLL meetings and NINO meetings use baby carriers, so if you attend them you can probably see different ones.

[beckyand3littlemonsters]

I'd buy this

[Kajira]

hmmm have you been peeking in my windows I was in this very same position.
I broke down and got a rev. babyhawk.

[ds2003]

I'd be torn between a BabyHawk MT and an embroidered Freehand MT. The headrest of the BabyHawk may edge it to victory.

I just ordered a pumpkin BabyHawk last weekend. I'm now thinking of a light colored one. Maybe a caramel Babyhawk but am liking the Freehand. I just wish it had a head rest.

[alexisyael]

I would buy a BBO or other wrap strap Mei Tai. (Maya Tie, for example). I have a DIY maya tie that is AWESOME and a BBO on the way. (My stash is now down to those two, a mei hip and the moby, which is probably going to a friend as a loaner until we have another newborn...)

But for a wee baby, I am partial to a Moby wrap. But then, I've never used a wrap strapped mei tai with an infant....