Why is Ergo/Moby/Maya SO big on MDC? - Page 2

[lilylove]

Let's keep this thread to understanding different view points and avoid judgements. Babywearing serves a different purpose for different people. Criticizing others view points (on either side) is not helpful and can even fall under part of the UA

Do not post in a disrespectful, defamatory, adversarial, baiting, harassing, offensive, insultingly sarcastic or otherwise improper manner, toward a member or other individual, including casting of suspicion upon a person, invasion of privacy, humiliation, demeaning criticism, name-calling, personal attack, or in any way which violates the law.

Thank You

[UmmIbrahim]

I think sofar this thread has been quite interesting and noone has said anything rude or anything...

[lilylove]

If there are concerns or questions about this or anything else fell free to pm

[Googy]

I did not mean to be offensive in any way in my post. I was just trying to answer UmmIbrahim's question openly and honestly. And I never took anything out of my post, either, by the way--the only editing done was for a typo.

As I said previously, I think its AWESOME to have an array of carriers. What a great opportunity to try different things out and see what's best for you! I really wasn't trying to criticize anyone. I was just trying to say that some don't have that option, and when finds are limited it really is safest to buy something you can either try on at a brick-and-mortar store or something that is very extensively reviewed online. Its just too risky for someone in my position to buy something different just to have something different, when there is so little info available about it in comparison. Yes, you can resell, but you never get ALL of your money back, you know?

[Arwyn]

The brick and mortar question is part of why I don't have a SSC. There are just too many options, and unlike the less structured mei tais and wraps, there's a much smaller comfortable fit range. And I don't have the money to buy and try and return/resell if it doesn't work, even if I did have the money to buy one.

I still dream of having one of every major type, though. Le sigh!

[Quindin]

Originally Posted by lilylove

Let's keep this thread to understanding different view points and avoid judgements. Babywearing serves a different purpose for different people. Criticizing others view points (on either side) is not helpful and can even fall under part of the UA

Thank You

Of course! Totally agee!!
I was not criticizing any side
As I said in my post, whatever people find that works for them is wonderful! I had a Bjorn with my first two, and for the little while I was able to use it, I was happy as a clam. I wish I knew there were more options, because then I would have been able to wear my babies for more than 2 mos...
I was explaining that I personally like, for myself, to have more than one. FOR ME, it is useful and important to have more tha

Originally Posted by Googy

I did not mean to be offensive in any way in my post. I was just trying to answer UmmIbrahim's question openly and honestly. And I never took anything out of my post, either, by the way--the only editing done was for a typo.

Well, the sentence I quoted was straight from your original post... (I should have used the QUOTE option, I now realize...) But it does not matter anymore. It is all good.

I am bowing out of this thread. There are some awesome points here though!!
The main thing is that more mamas find out about BW - whichever carrier they choose to get or make!!

[Googy]

Originally Posted by Quindin

Well, the sentence I quoted was straight from your original post... (I should have used the QUOTE option, I now realize...) But it does not matter anymore. It is all good.

I know, the sentence in question is still in my post, it was never removed. I was confused as to why you thought it was.

I'm sorry you are bowing out of this. I think its really interesting to hear different people's opinions and experiences in discovering babywearing, and hearing what works best for them. Where I live I hardly ever see anyone wearing their babies in anything but a Bjorn/Snugli, so its great to have a chance to dialogue on this topic with women from alll over!

I never said or meant to imply that people were "showing off" by having a lot of carriers. Again, as I said before, I think its awesome if you can have a wide assortment and be able to try them all out for yourself, and even more awesome if you are able to share your experiences with other mamas, like UmmIbrahim does in her blog. All I was trying to say is that the purchase of a Moby/Maya/Ergo is not necessarily an attempt to be closed-minded or mainstream, but rather an attempt to make a wise decision in the face of financial restriction.

[finn'smama]

Originally Posted by Googy

...the purchase of a Moby/Maya/Ergo is not necessarily an attempt to be closed-minded or mainstream, but rather an attempt to make a wise decision in the face of financial restriction.

Ita, but it could also be that one of those just works the best. I have an Ergo because it's comfy. I bought it after I tried many carriers, not all of which were "mainstream". I don't feel the need to get something more obscure, because, well, I like my Ergo.
A

[pixiepunk]

Arwyn - do you sew at all? I made myself a fab SSC that I actually love more than any of the other SSC's i've tried because i made it with all the exact features i wanted. there are directions on the yahoo group for sewing baby carriers (can't remember what it's called now) that are for a pseudo-ergo, and i manipulated those to my liking. i used an old yoga mat for the waist padding and shoulders (wrapped in fleece for the shoulders) and spend probably $15 on fabric and another $10 on buckles and webbing. you aren't going to find a SSC for that price, that's for sure!

sorry that's a bit OT... but i have found that sewing up my own is a great alternative to spending loads of money trying out different kinds. the investment of $$ is so much less (well, unless you go berzerk on fabric!), i enjoy the sewing so it doesn't feel like work, and i can tweak the design as needed - so if i don't like the angle of the shoulders, i just change them. if i want more padding or less, or a longer body or a shorter body or whatever, i just make it that way. it's given me the opportunity to have a lot more variety of carriers to choose from on an extremely tight budget

another option (that i know isn't available to everyone) is to go to a babywearing group meeting. there are tons of different types of carriers, often a lending library, so you can try before you buy. gives you the opportunity to sample a lot of different styles to see what works for you before you buy. like a brick and mortar store, with way more choices and no pressure

[YummyYarnAddict]

I find this interesting because I always thought of it as regional. In my neighborhood in Chicago, the more mainstream moms/families used Snuglis or Baby Bjorns while the more "crunchy" moms/families use Girasol, Didymos, or Storchenwiege baby carry scarves. We also don't use the phrase "babywearing" and say "baby carrying". The phrase "babywearing" sounds so ODD to me because children aren't clothing or accessories. Most have some type of ring sling for convenience. I tried the OTSBH and it wasn't for me so I gave two away and I had a couple of Maya wraps which I also gave away as the short Girasols work fine for my purposes.

I do own about 7 baby carry scarves and most of them are Girasol, one was made for me by a friend which was the first I owned, and I have a Didy and a Storchenwiege. I've seen Ergos and other carriers while traveling and visiting friends in other cities, but, again, I always thought they were regional. Go figure...

[maymorales]

Babywearing / baby carrying is definitely regional. Totally agree.

I think the fact that the FSOT on TWB and the trading post here are so active show that most mamas want more than one carrier. And now that the choices are becoming more and more varied, who can resist the temptation of adding to an already great collection of carriers?

Imo, it's just a matter of time that more moms will get into the less mainstream carriers. I remember the Ergo was a major crunchy mama gear five years ago (which is just about the time Ergo started).

As for why the 3 major name brands are so popular is probably due to the fact that there are so many options out there, it can be mind boggling. : I mean, there are SSC's popping up by the day. The calyx and the up and coming AMCII, for instance. Both are awesome products. And then, of course, there's the much anticipated Butterfly Beco. But unless you stalk the ABC/SSC threads all the time, you might not know about them.

Hope I'm coherent. Need coffee...

[Arwyn]

I sew enough to do a gathered shoulder ring sling. Doing a mei tai or SSC just seems beyond me.

Actuallly, I was just coming back here to point out that it's not about "brands" - people also need to be aware that for less than the cost of a Moby (already the cheapest of the wraps), one can make a Fauxby, even if you can't sew! And gathered shoulder ring slings are within the reach of anyone who can do a straight line. Same with podaegis. Mei tais (although beyond my comfort zone ) and pouches are still pretty easy. Even SSCs are doable.

But even people on a budget don't necessarily want to have to make something. For all the reasons listed in this thread (and more), most people will still use the big name carriers, whatever those are at the time. The important thing in my opinion is to support babywearing no matter how and with what, and to let people know there are options (smaller names, different types, easy DIY instructions) so that they can choose what works best for them. But that's still often going to be a big name, easily available, relatively cheap carrier, and that's ok.

[delphiniumpansy]

I think it all varies by region more than just in terminology. I live in the pacific northwest and many mamas, myself included, love the ergos and other SSCs like that because we can wear them around town as well as for light hikes. Also, they are sold in brick and mortar stores so we can try them on and see what works. The more I wear my Ergo, the more I get comments to the point that the owner of the store where I bought it gave me business cards to pass out. It is fun to read about all the other carriers but they are expensive and you don't know, if you buy one over the internet, if they are going to work for you. I got a Mei Tai as a baby gift and love it but I would not have bought that for myself without trying them first. The store in town sells all sorts of carriers but she does not have as many as you all discuss. I love the Becos but I would not buy one without trying it on. Luckily, she has them so I can see them in person.

Wraps are beyond me. I have one and think they are pretty but I could not justify their expense. I think a lot of mamas feel the same which is why Ergos and such are so nice. They can be used by dh and mama and for years.

Soft wraps seem too hot to me but I can see why some would love them for newborns. Personally, I love my hotsling. They are also sold all over town, so I guess I am lucky to be able to have so many local choices.

If you go to babywearer.com, the most commonly discussed carriers there are also the most commonly discussed carriers here. They are just popular because they are available more places. Like fuzzi bunz or bum genius dipes; they are more common because they are more available. They are the gateway products into a whole world.

[HoneymoonBaby]

nak

I think part of it is accessibility, just like with clothdiapers ... the bigger brands have plenty of stock, are easy to find, easy to order with no waiting lists or complicated options, etc. I use Fuzzi Bunz diapers for that reason, and I have a Hotsling and a Moby Wrap for that reason, too. I don't have time or energy to spend stalking what I want -- I just want to log on, enter my credit card # and have my sling a few days later.

[Hazelnut]

I think it's also b/c they're good, easy-to-use, comfortable carriers. :

I used to read all the time here about babyhawk, kozy, peanut shell and hotslings as well. I think that's still a decent range of options. I think some brands have just been around longer or the companies are bigger, so they are known more.

[cheerma]

Hmmmm . . . good question.

I live in the town where Moby company is based, so they are all over town. It was the first wrap I tried and I loved it so much that I stuck with it. I've tried others and I'm sure I'll use another brand as DD grows, but for now I'm hooked on my Moby.