Moby wrap?

[Undercover Hippie]

This was one of the big things I wanted for the baby and luckily a friend just loaned me one. I loved my slings last time but thought this would be nice for walking DS to school, since it would keep the weight more even on my shoulders and seems better for a newborn than an Ergo or mei tei.

Now, I remember that a sling was a little confusing at first. But whoa, this seems *very* difficult! There is so much fabric and even after a few tries I feel like the fabric keeps getting twisted or is loose/tight in the wrong places. Of course my big belly sticking out is complicating matters a little. But I'm just having a hard time imagining getting used to it, to a point where I would find it easy to use. I'm bummed out.

Is anyone else getting one for this baby, or have you used one before? Any words of advice or encouragement?

[melissakc]

Gosh, I really want one! My friends who have them do it so quickly and easily that I think it just takes practice...maybe a lot of practice! They look so snuggly! It does seem like a lot of effort unless the baby is going to be in there for a while (like not good for a short trip into a store, but good for a long walk). I'm being disciplined and not buying any more carriers! I have a sling and three pouches and a Bjorn, good grief!

[lisalulu]

I bought one with ds and never used it. I don't think I had it when he was a newborn though-I remember trying to put him in forward facing and he wasn't tolerating it. With this baby though, I am determined to at least give it some good tries again-I think it really does take practice. I know a couple people who have them and love them.

[chubbycheeks]

I had one for my last DS, and I could just not get the hang of it. I was comfy feeling, but it always got too loose for me to feel like baby was safe and it jut took me too darn long to get on. So I stuck the the Bjorn, pouch and Sutemi and was very happy. I think its a neat idea if you can figure it out, lol, I'm just not that talented!

[Dee-Groovy]

I have one and it's not nearly as complicated as it looks. I followed the picture instructions a few times when I first got it and now I can do it without the instructions (I think). Of course, actually getting the baby in there will be a challenge at first! It twists and is too wide in some sections for me too but I figure there's a learning curve & we'll get the hang of it. The belly makes it harder to do properly, I'm sure.

[Undercover Hippie]

I got a good reply on my local AP board, thought I would share because it was very helpful/encouraging to me:

I used a moby exclusively for the first 16 months or so. First, I wouldn't overly judge how it'll fit if you're trying to wrap when pregnant. Wrapping after the baby came seemed totally different. Second, when I wrap - I make it very tight. I don't purposely leave any excess fabric for baby, because baby can still fit very snugly and comfortably inside, due to the give of the fabric, even when the wrap is stretched tightly over you.

I use the traditional front carry most of the time. I didn't wrap S as a newborn because of all the surgeries I was having and my abdomen was too sore. So, I don't have experience with the newborn hug hold, but they're all very similar. Plus she has always preferred to be carried while facing me in the front.

In the beginning, I would wear her with a loser wrap and it would really hurt my back. She wasn't snug enough, and the fabric was just too loose. It felt like she was just hanging off of me, and she didn't feel very secure either. I realize some people like looser fits, so just keep practicing. Maybe try a bag of rice or something with a little weight to it, as opposed to a baby doll.

ETA: also, before I even tie the knot, I spend a few moments adjusting so it's all as tight as can be. Especially the pouch area. Wrapping takes time, in my experience. I still do it in parking lots and wherever else, but it's never been the fast kind of 'throw-on-the-sling-and-go' type of thing. It takes a few minutes.

[*Lindsey*]

I have one and I LOVE it! Have you looked at their website for carrying instructions?

I'll imagine doing it with a preggo belly doesn't make it very easy...

[meisterfrau]

I have one, and I actually just tried it today for the first time. Like you, I was totally discouraged by how hard it seemed to be. I tried it about three times before I gave up. I hope it will be easier without my belly in the way too, because I really, really want to like it.

Does anyone know if it is supposed to be folded in half lengthwise when you start wrapping it, like it says with the logo across your navel? It doesn't say to do this, but it looks like it is folded that way in the picture.

[*Lindsey*]

Originally Posted by meisterfrau

Does anyone know if it is supposed to be folded in half lengthwise when you start wrapping it, like it says with the logo across your navel? It doesn't say to do this, but it looks like it is folded that way in the picture.

I usually fold mine in half length-wise or at least scrunch it up around my navel. It'd be way too much fabric otherwise!

[kgrfcharlton]

I have one & really liked it. Just go onto the website & follow the step by step instructions/pictures. Not as complicated.

[welldone]

I love the Moby for newborns. It *is* a lot of fabric, and I wouldn't even bother trying it with your belly still in the way--it will just confuse things! Honestly, practice will make perfect. And, newborns weigh so little that even if it's tied too loose, the baby will likely stay put right where you want it.

As with any wrap, you just have to keep at it. You get better at tying it every time you use it.

[cheeseRjedi]

I got one for this baby and I'm so excited to use it! I worked at an AP store for a while so I got tons of practice trying them on/fitting them for people. I can get it on and tied in about half a minute or so. I don't fold it in the middle but rather scrunch it up so I can stretch it out fully over the babe.