Babywearing

Cyndel - posted on 08/30/2011

I love my woven wrap! It is comfortable, much more breathable then my knit wrap, and can go from birth to 35-40lbs without much trouble. and it is much safer then then knit with older children.

Laura - posted on 04/03/2011

Well, mine are 6 1/2 & 7 1/2 now. I naively followed others' advice not to 'spoil' my DS by holding him alot. Stupid, I know, I was green. W/ my DD, I had read an article on parents who hadn't worn their other 4 boys, & had a girl, & she wanted to be held all the time, so, they wore her. She was happy, they were happy, & it finally clicked. Not saying it' just girls, this just happened to be the article. I wore my DD literally most of her 1st year until she didn't want me to anymore. She was happy, I was happy, & it was easy! I could do cooking & cleaning while wearing my DD. =) Highly, highly recommend baby wearing. =)

Claire - posted on 01/27/2011

I loved a ring sling in soft t-shirt material when my boy was little (Close Baby Carrier), then pouch with joey-style sitting in front of me around 5-6mths old and now Ergo front or back from 1yr old!

Lisa - posted on 11/07/2010

Mod Mum Baby Sling is my favorite! I loved the cradle carry when my son was young, but the hip carry is a life saver! So comfy and small enough to carry with me all the time!

Mel - posted on 11/03/2010

I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE my Ring Sling! Its a perfect carrier to hold my baby on my hip while I shop or just a short walk around town! My baby loves to be held on my hip without a carrier, so being hands free with a baby on my hip is even better!!!

My second favorite is my Mei Tai. I love carrying my baby on my back for long walks and he loves the piggy back rides! The only warning I have about these are watch out for some Etsy and Ebay MT's, some sellers like to save money and sell them cheaper than others by not making them as durable. I've seen some where the straps have popped off by just a quick tug!

My third favorite is a woven wrap! No stretch, which means that it can hold anything from a teeeny tiny preemie all the way up to a toddler and beyond!

I don't like Moby's and other stretchy wraps because they do stretch, causing the baby to sag over time. Plus Moby supports a facing out position in their instructions. Any carrier that promotes a baby to hang by their crotch is bad in my book *coughBJORNcough*

I'm in no way an expert in carriers, but I feel that I've learned a lot about babywearing over the past year
Here is a great blog I've read that goes into great depth on the different types of carriers
http://betterbabywearing.blogspot.com/20...

Kathy - posted on 10/17/2010

slinglings.com I got one when my daughter was a few weeks old and she is now 23 months and we've worn it almost everyday. I LOVE IT! actually love it is an understatement :) Highly recommend it.

Geralyn - posted on 10/03/2010

I love the ergo, too. I am not crazy about the infant insert, but I understand the reason for it. It is bulky and makes positioning a bit challenging.

Nikki - posted on 10/02/2010

I have been searching for a baby carrier, we don't have a great deal to choose from at my local baby shop, but after reading the recommendations from this page I bought an ergo today, OMG so much better than any other carrier or wrap I have tried, I love it already! So comfortable and easy to use! I have less pressure on my body with an 11kg baby on my front than I did when she was 5kg with the baby bjorn! AMAZING!

M - posted on 09/03/2010

Can anyone give me a recommendation on a type or wrap or carrier that I can use for my 14 month old, who is 22-23lbs. We've outgrown the one we have now.

Thanks!

Kelley - posted on 07/31/2010

I used a homemade moby like wrap with my daughter until she was around 5 months then we stated using our Ergo a lot more as it puts more of her weight on my hips rather than my shoulders. the only downside to the ergo is that I can't carry her facing out, other than that we love it.

Ally - posted on 07/28/2010

Beco Butterfly from the time my baby was born. I am 5'2 and found that most other carriers were hard for me to manage. Strained my back, pulled me off balance, straps didn't adjust to my frame properly.

Spend the money on the Beco and we had many a day where going in it was the only thing that calmed my girl! I did a lot of walking with her in it, since it got her through the "witching hours" each night.

It was so easy to use, I brought it everywhere with me. It was one of the ways I could get baby to nap no matter where we went.

Good luck! Anything that helps you hold baby close while you are still comfortable will be exactly what you need!

Diana - posted on 07/27/2010

Hi Geralyn...congrats on your upcoming delivery! How exciting. I have an Ergo baby and LOVE it. My son is 21 months old and I still use it with him. We are outdoors a lot and I can just put him on my back, he can fall asleep, and we can continue with what we were doing.

Geralyn - posted on 07/26/2010

I just bought my Ergo with the infant insert. I am so excited to use it!!!!! 2 more weeks (unless our bundle of joy decides to come early...)!

Rebecca - posted on 07/20/2010

I purchased a Moby wrap, and being only 5'2" and 100 lbs, I found that there was WAYYYYY too much fabric, and it always seems to be such a hassle. I read reviews everywhere and a lot of people seemed to like it, but maybe they had a bigger frame? I just wanted to warn anyone who is petite like myself, and considering getting a moby. Also now that the babe is 6 months, I find the fabric stretches too much, and she just wiggles too much to keep her in! I have since ordered a MeiTai off of e-bay and can't wait to try it!!

Christy - posted on 07/14/2010

I love the Ergo because a younger baby like Victoria's can snuggle in the front and a toddler can fall asleep on your back--they include a little cap for neck support (you'd have to see it to know what I'm talking about...) :)

Victoria - posted on 07/12/2010

I have just bought the Organic Ergo and it is fab ! My Four month old Daugher loves it and she instantly becomes very calm. She falls asleep in there each time I put it on. I have her in there for hours and I get on with house work. It really was worth the money !

Christy - posted on 07/10/2010

I agree that the Ergo is great...puts weight on your hips. Great for older babies/toddlers. :)

Victoria - posted on 06/29/2010

"broke into a cold sweat'' is exactly where I am at (lol), but I have a second hand carrier at the moment which I am REALLY unhappy with. It hurts my back and I am concerned it is not good for my Daughter (who is 4 months). I pretty much carry her all day and she loves it, so to be honest a new carrier would be a good investment. The only concern I have with the Ergo is - it doesn't have the option to have your bubba front facing. Do you lovely ladies think this is a problem ? Are your babies happy with facing you all of the time ?
Thanks so much, this is such a tool of help xx

Sheree - posted on 06/28/2010

Victoria - Ergo is worth every dollar, i broke into a cold sweat spending so much money but its brilliant for you both

Sheree - posted on 06/28/2010

i have alot of carriers but favourite is the ergo baby for comfort and ease. Huggabub is wonderful too but a little harder to put on. Luckily I know one other local mum who practises the nuturing art of baby wearing. the rest of the community can't help but comment on the fact my baby 'lives in there''....:)

Jenny - posted on 06/24/2010

Victoria- I think the ergo is definitely worth it! As I said in my post here, I LOVE it. If I had to pick one baby "thing" I couldn't do without it would be the ergo. Emma spends many hours every day in it and both she and I find it really comfy. I think the best thing to do is to go to a store that has a few different carriers you can try with your little one(s) to see which fits you best. There's all kinds of things to consider, like whether you want the weight distribution more on your hips (ergo) or waist (beco). Personally I found the ergo to be the most comfy. I'm tall and I like that the pressure was off my back and onto my hips. I can nurse in it (I even nursed Emma while mucking stalls!), wear it for long periods without any discomfort, and it's super easy to put on and off.

Victoria - posted on 06/24/2010

Am about to buy the Ergo. It's expensive, so can you lovely ladies convince me this is the one to buy ? Many thanks

Carmen - posted on 06/14/2010

hi geralyn,
i can highly recommend the 'ergo'! i have used it for about 1 year everyday...never used the pram as it is so comfy!! it supports your back and it has a little hoody that keeps baby's head in place when asleep.you can carry your child on the front, back and side...comes with a instructional dvd... it has been a great help and you can use it until your child is 5 years old!

Jenny - posted on 06/14/2010

I just want to say how much I'm LOVING the Ergo. I wear it for hours and find it so comfy and so convenient. I was finding the moby to be too warm and baby didn't like to be so tightly wrapped. She loves the ergo. If ever she needs to nap, but is having trouble settling, I just slip her into the Ergo and she snuggles in and falls asleep. I can't say enough great things about this carrier!

Nicole - posted on 06/14/2010

this just in: Target now carries the Moby!

April - posted on 05/04/2010

my neighbor did it for me in exchange for babysitting her kids. it was my payment...she even took my measurements to make sure everything would fit. she actually has a business online where she makes cloth diapers and baby swaddling blankets too.

Anne - posted on 05/03/2010

Did you do the design or find someone who does that for you? I'd love to be able to do that but when a carrier/sling doesn't work I'm not very good at putting my finger on the problem. Apart from the need for speed with my impatient LO.

April - posted on 05/03/2010

i have a homemade sling. i tried so hard to find the right sling/wrap and in the end I had to have something especially designed for me and my baby (he's 16 months! i am so excited to finally have a sling that's right for us!)

Minnie - posted on 05/01/2010

I always recommend the Ergo. It is great for heavier babies as well, all the way through toddlerhood. Adelaide is just under 20 lb and I can wear her all day long without a problem. And it's greatest feature is that it takes me all of 20 seconds to get her in. I swing her up on my back, bring the straps up over my shoulders, and then clip in the front. Adjustment to the strap tightness simply involves a quick tug to each strap end. Presto!

Anne - posted on 04/26/2010

Thanks Shonda. I had a look. I'm in the UK and there are even fewer here. It costs more to travel to the shop than to buy the wrap. So I'm going to plump for one anyway. I'll probably be able to open my own shop soon with all the ones my baby hates! lol

Shonda - posted on 04/25/2010

AnneMarie, I went to www.mayawrap.com to locate the nearest location to me. They are far and few, but worth it. check it out.

Anne - posted on 04/25/2010

Thanks Shonda, yes that's just like my LO. Maya is sounding most suitable. Unfortunately I have yet to see a shop that sells a baby carrier here! Having to order over the internet unseen. There are only a couple of baby shops around here and they only do prams.

Shonda - posted on 04/24/2010

AnneMarie, that is exactly why I got the Maya Wrap! My son is a busy body. He likes to observe. He likes to see things. He wants to be "involved". This wrap seems to have solved many of my issues I was having with him. And it is comfortable. My LO is 9 months and nearly 20 lbs and very long. It is easier to take him out than my other hip carrier and I feel it has more spinal support. He seems to actually like it. Go to a store and try it out. Let me know what you think...

Anne - posted on 04/24/2010

I'd like some advice. Baby carriers have never been that successful for my baby and I but as she is getting heavier it's becoming a strain to just carry her in my arms for long periods of time. She is 13 months old and 20lbs. She is very active though and although she wants to be carried for large portions of the day she never settles for long and so I have to keep picking her up and putting her down and picking up again over and over, dozens of times. The carriers that take preparation time, even doing more than one clip are hopeless because she gets fed up before I've even got the thing clipped up. I think this would rule out Mei Tais. She likes freedom to move around, reach for things, turn to look at things and the one I have that makes you choose between setting it up inward or outward annoys her. She wants to switch positions all the time. Even though she is older I'm concerned about the spine safety aspect of some carriers and so I'd like to be sure the one I get will be safe. I bought a hippy-chick, hip seat but she hates it. She seems to think it's like a big tumour growing out of mummy and demands it be removed and hidden. I always end up too hot struggling with her so I'd like it to be lightweight and not heavily padded. Do you think a Maya wrap would be best or is there something more suitable? Thanks for your advice.

Shonda - posted on 04/22/2010

I just purchased a Maya Wrap and LOVE it! Anyone else have one?

Amy - posted on 04/06/2010

I have a new favorite carrier! It's the Lillebaby Everywhere carrier. It's so comfortable and easy to use. Lightweight and folds small enough to store in my diaper bag! My little guy enjoys it as well.

Natalie - posted on 03/21/2010

The Ergo is the best one I've tried. I bought or borrowed at lest 5 different slings and carriers and the Ergo was by far my favorite. It distributes my daughters weight in a way that feels very easy to carry her, plus she loves it! It seems everyone I meet that has an Ergo loves it so much that we joke about all the free advertising we give the company.

Jen - posted on 03/19/2010

I have a peanut shell sling that was great when he was a newborn, but not so great now. I can still do the hip carry with him and it's fine for quick trips in and out of the store, but it pulls a lot on the neck and one shoulder. I haven't used it in about 2mths because my neck and right shoulder were bothering me a lot.
I now have a Becco Butterfly II carrier and I absolutely love it!! I just got it a little over a month ago (my son is now 16.5mths) and I wish I would've gotten it before he was born. You can wear your baby/toddler 2 ways; on your front or on your back like a back pack, but both ways the child is facing in toward you so that it does not cause spinal problems like the Baby Bjorn and other carriers have been causing. It gives mom/ dad great support so it doesn't cause back, neck, or shoulder pain and you can use it with newborns weighing 7lbs up to toddlers weighing 45lbs. Both my husband and I can use it because it's very easily adjusted. He's almost 6ft and I'm barely 5'2" so it's nice that either one of us can use it.
We were just at the park a few days ago and after we played on the play ground for a little while I wanted to get a quick loop in ( 2mi around the entire park) before we left. We both loved it, he got to snuggle mommy and I got to get a nice little 2mi walk in.

Amy - posted on 03/18/2010

My favorite is my Mei Tai Catbird Baby. My Moby was great when my little guy was smaller. He's 24 pounds now. While it still works and he enjoys it, the stretchy material makes it not a favorite anymore. I've had several sling type carriers as well. My favorite was the Slingling. Again that was better when he was a smaller baby. Now that he's older the Mei Tai is great for wearing him on my back.

Noreen - posted on 01/14/2010

I have 3 different carriers. A sling, moby wrap, and the Ergo! I have also tried the mei tei that a friend of mine let me borrow w/my 2nd baby. My favorite?? The Ergo by far!!!! It doesn't pull on my neck like the sling and mei tei does, I don't have to worry about it getting dirty when I pull out the 5.5 yards of fabric to wrap around my body in public and then rewrap it if I take her out, and my Ergo is just so easy and comfy!! I wish I would have gotten this when I had my other childlren!!! Defintly the best baby investment so far! :O)

Nicole - posted on 01/13/2010

I have two wraps the moby and the beco! I loved the moby up until my son reached about 20 pounds then it felt like he was pulling down the fabric. I got my beco and LOVE LOVE LOVE it! It's so comfy, so easy and feels so safe! Worth every penny.

Bradi - posted on 01/11/2010

I use two different types of carriers, I have a Moby wrap and a Hugamonkey sling. The Moby wrap is more comfortable but there is so much fabric and I am on the heavy side and am always readjusting my wrap so that nothing bulges out from under the fabric and its not that easy to put on or take off so I use it mostly at home and I use my sling when we are out of the house because it is so much easier to put on and take off and alot easier to use.

Heather - posted on 01/09/2010

We used a peanutshell sling when Ridley was really tiny. At 3 months I changed to the Moby Wrap (love) and now starting at 6 months we began using the Ergo Babycarrier. I highly recommend the Moby and the Ergo for their versatility. The Ergo may be a little easier to use if you do a lot of taking off and putting back on while you're out. I also love that they sell a weather cover that is rain and wind resistant. The Moby was great while we used it, but it started stretching as Ridley got bigger (he's 23 lbs at 9 months).

Julia - posted on 01/08/2010

I have two wraps, a long one and a short one. My son has been living in there since he's born. Once you have learned how to wrap them it is the easiest thing on earth. I love them because you can adjust them to the size of the babyand wrap them in so many different ways. My son is 14 months old now and still loves our walks in the sling, still naps in there and for me it is super comfortable since the tying method (cross carry mainly) spreads his weight on my whole back and shoulders. He weighs about 23 lbs now.
I have a Hoppediz and a Storchenwiege. Both highly recommended.
Here the links to their web sites, if you'd like to find out more:

http://www.hoppediz.de/en/home/
http://www.storchenwiege.com/

Here another link, Didymos wraps are quite expensive but they have a really nice web site with tons of info.
http://www.didymos.de/english/index.php

Bodine - posted on 01/06/2010

Mei Tai, Mei Tai, Mei Tai ... I tried most of the different wraps but for me by far the best is the mei tai. For safety reasons, it ensures that the babies weight is supported by the legs and does not strain the spine. It has a piece of fabric to support the head when wearing tummy to tummy or can just be folded down. The baby is not crunched up like in the pouch slings which seem also very stuffy and closed in.

The moby type slings are a mission with meters and meters of fabric which also has to be carried around with you and takes up almost a full washing load. The ergo, bjorn etc... can be difficult to put baby into.

The Mei tai is easy to put on, easily adjustable with no buckles etc... Possible to wear front (forward facing and tummy to tummy), side, back and for breastfeeding. Are suitable for newborns worn tummy to tummy and heavier toddlers on your back. For newborns it might be a good idea to have a mei tai with 2 slits in the side that you can pull the straps through which will completely prevent the baby slipping out the side when they are very little.

Mei tai's are cheap and easy to make so it is even possible to have a few with different colours and for smart and casual wear. They are also comfy in hot and cold weather. Moby (hug-a-bub etc...) made me very hot in summer.

I also attach teething rings and soft toys to the straps so i don't have to bend down to pick it up when baby drops it.

I have also used the Mei Tai as a way to safely hold baby on a chair for feeding etc... instead of a high chair which takes up space.

Minnie - posted on 01/05/2010

Quoting Breanne:

I like the sleepy wrap which is similar to the moby. What are parents using for older babies 12 mo +?

I used mei tais up until my daughter was 13 months old.  Then my mother impulse-bought me an Ergo and that's all I've been using now.

Breanne - posted on 01/04/2010

I like the sleepy wrap which is similar to the moby. What are parents using for older babies 12 mo +?

Debbi - posted on 01/02/2010

I have several baby carriers - love them all! I use a different one depending on what I'm doing/ where I'm going. Also, it's good to have different carriers so that you don't 'stress' your body the same way every day. My baby hates the car, so we mostly take the bus everywhere. Now I don't even bother with the stroller - wear baby on the front and diaper backpack!

I personally prefer the Soft Structured Carriers (SSC) but have a sling and a wrap, too.

The carriers I have are:
- Peanut shell pouch sling: was great for cradle hold with newborn; baby outgrew at 4 months; will maybe try to use it again for hip carry when baby is a toddler.

- Moby wrap: great in winter (extra warmth for you!), but baby starts to droop as she is getting heavier, so it's harder to wear for long periods. A bit of effort to arrange the wrap on you but becomes easier with practice. Great for baby in front facing out, and use at home (I find it bulky to carry when I'm out, and it's no fun trying to roll or braid it when out in public, since it inevitably gets on the dirty floor!)

- Beco Butterfly II: similar to the Snugli/ Bjorn but ergonomically better for mom and baby; I can wear baby for several hours at a time; it's great for learning back carry as baby is in an insert/ pouch so it's less scary when 'swinging' baby from front to back and vice versa; I'm also finding it very useful in winter, to wear ready under my winter coat, then just pop baby in when getting in and out the car. The most useful 'feature' is that you can pass baby to another person without taking baby out of the carrier - works great since hubby and I are basically the same dimensions, so no need to adjust straps and buckles.

- Pikkolo: my favourite carrier; I bought it instead of the Ergo because baby can face out in the front but I hardly do that anymore. Easy to put on and take off: great for when baby nurses to sleep - I can just lift her up to my chest then strap her on me without waking her. I have worn baby for an entire 8 hr day out, with no problems. It's lightweight and easy to adjust for comfort.

I'm hoping to get an Ergo next, but baby carriers aren't cheap, so we'll see if I can scrounge up the funds ;)

Minnie - posted on 12/30/2009

Love my Ergo. It takes all of five seconds to snap it on and cinch the straps up. Distributes weight wonderfully, easy to get my daughter in and out while its still on.

I've used mei tais since her birth, which are great, but the Ergo trumps those!

Nicole - posted on 12/29/2009

I am a hardcore moby user- I have used it every day since Phoebe's birth and she will be fifteen months on 1/04. She is nearly 28 lbs and we are still comfy.