I am getting a Maya Wrap second hand in a few weeks and I am realy excited about it. I am also getting the instruction DVD. I have a Trekker for long walks and such but I realy want something to easily carry Sam on my hip and put her in for short shopping trips and walks from the carry to somewhere that is just too long to carry her sling free. I think the Maya wrap will be perfect for this.

For those of you who have/had a maya wrap, any suggestions? Words of warning? Advice? How did it work for you with a bigger baby/ toddler? Anything else you think I should bear in mind?

TIA

MM

I am a big fan of the MW and have used it with a newborn through my son's current 32 months. There is a little bit of skill involved, but if you work with it you will love it. Here is a great instructional page:
http://www.friendlyvillage.com/lotsofslings/sling/tips.html

I used my Maya Wrap for my oldest until my pregnant belly was in the way too much. We both loved it! And I love the versiatility of it. I did take some getting used to, but once we got the hang of it I was using it every day. I have been using it for my newborn and it has once again been a godsend.

My dd is now 14 months and I still use my MW. It's just so damn versatile. I actually use a HipHammock for carrying dd on my hip - I find it more supportive and I loved it in winter cause the fleece liner is warm. But I use my MW for everything else - my fave use at the moment is napping. When I'm out, the only place I can get dd to nap is in the MW - kinda the newborn position with her feet sticking out the ring side. And the tail is just wonderful to drape over my shoulder and cover her head with so it's dark. She will not sleep in her stroller, the car, anywhere else when we're out.

dh won't use it, complains he can't do it. It did take a bit of practice at the start. I still can only use it on one shoulder. I get all mixed up when trying to put it on the other shoulder but then I can't follow an aerobics class either so that's probably just me.

I find the online video really useful. I have a VCR tape but can never be bothered trying to find the place I want on the tape. Easier to use the internet.

My DS is 19 months old and we still use our Maya Wrap all the time - hip and back carry. It does take some practice to get the hang of it.

I used a MW for six months with my dd, and I didn't like it that much. The fabric is fussy and it was always slipping. When I got everything in the right place (about one time out of every ten) it felt great, very comfortable. It's really important to have the rings up near your collarbone, the fabric spread across your back, and the slack taken out of the inner rail so the shoulder cap distributes the weight properly. Keep the fabric evenly gathered in the rings so it doesn't slip. Mine would get bunched very easily. Watch the video...it's very helpful. I must have watched it ten times. :D

-Kate