Another babywearing ques

[jasbellehontas]

I have read so many threads on baby wearing and I am still confused. I'll detail my specifics and maybe someone can help me. I hope...please.
I am petite. 5'0" and weigh bt 107 and 115 (still losing from having baby so 113 last i weighed). My son is 3 weeks old. He will be 6 weeks when we go to Disney. He is 10 lbs and gaining quicky (he was born 7 lbs). He has reflux so after feedings needs to be held upright for quite a while. So based on my reading I was thinking-mei tei. But then I read that mei tei might be best for slightly older baby with more head control.
So I was looking at peanut shell but is that just to hold them in cradle position?? I'd like to be able to do both- upright chest to chest and then later sleep position. So what is best for that with a 3 or 6 week old? Also- what size would I be? Tried peanut shell in the store in the size that fit my measurements and it seemed snug- like there was no room to put the baby in there. please help. I'm so clueless and I'd like to start babyy wearing immediately bc holding him all the time bc of his reflux is really keeping me from chores.
Thanks so much

 

[bumbershoot]

If you get a mei tai like a babyhawk, they have a padded top part that can keep baby's head OK.

But you can't do cradle hold with a mei tai; however, my baby slept better while upright (and especially if your little one has reflux this might be good) and just letting baby fall asleep like that was easier than a special position change when sleep was coming.

I'd suggest thebabywearer and mothering dot com's forums for really in depth help.

And http://www.mamatoto.org/ is an excellent place to start, too! Very visual.

 

[jasbellehontas]

Thanks for your advice. Looks like I am more the Moby Maya Wrap type but it seems like so much material. I think I'll prob wind up with a few carriers in the long run! lol Would I be outrageous if I got a Wrap, a Mei Tei and a Hotsling? My DH would prob chop up my credit card! lol. Saves me from buying a double stroller though, right!? I think I'll start with the Wrap and see how that works.
Just a ques- when you said the padded head holds their head OK do you mean it as- just ok. or do you mean it as ok as in sufficient? sorry. I'm an overanalyzer. lol

 

[KristinU]

Can you sew? If so, you can make your own Mei Tai style carriers pretty easily. I made myself 3 when DS was small! - I did also have a couple of Hotslings, so no...I don't think you're crazy! Different carriers work for different times and ages, although I never got the hang of a ring sling and never tried a wrap for fear of all that fabric (which was something I didn't like about the ring sling - I felt like I was swimming in a sea of fabric with that tail). I am also petite - 5'1" and 119 lbs. Wait until your DS gets bigger and you're wearing him - I had so many comments on how he was almost half my size when I used to wear him. Actually, we still carry along a Mei Tai when we go hiking to do the backpack carry if his little legs give out - and he's 4.5 and 43 lbs.

Oh, and the site I used for making my own was: www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/index.html

Best of luck!

 

[ehrn]

For such a young baby I think a stretchy wrap is the way to go. It might be a little hot so just keep the baby in a onsie or just a diaper. It will keep baby in a good position w/the reflux. make sure you start out with the baby high and tight, the wrap will stretch a bit and he'll move into a good spot. I had a hug-a-bub. LOVED it. also have a fleece pouch, hybrid pouch, mesh sling, 2 mei teis and an ergo, it is an addiction, I just PRAY I can have another baby!!!!

 

[jasbellehontas]

thanks again. I wish I could sew. Unfortunately, it is a family talent that I did not inherit. I cant even hem.

 

[DahliaRW]

The moby is my favorite for when they are really little. It is a lot of material, but it's the easiest carrier to just leave on all day and pop baby in and out. Plus, you can have your LO upright or laying down and it's easy to nurse in. All pluses in my book! When my youngest was little I pretty much put the Moby on in the morning and took it off before bed at night and he was in and out of it all day.

And yes, you can buy multiple carriers. I have more than I think I'll even admit to my dh. Let's see, a Moby, Kozy (mei tai), Hideabug (mei tai), 2 ring slings, a homemade woven wrap, a hotsling, a mama's milk pouch, and an ergo. So if your dh gives you a hard time just tell him you're not as bad as me! LOL!

 

[GoofItUp]

I think everybody finds carriers they love and it's different for each person. I found that I LOVED my RS with DS#1 but never got the hang of the MT. I also tried several pouches that worked ok, but I didn't love them like my RS. Based on measurements alone, you and I could be twins (except that I'm 7 mo pregnant, so I have a few lbs on you right now). I found it easiest to just buy a few carriers on the low-cost end and try them out to see what I liked. Of course, then you'll be stuck trying to sell the ones that don't work like I'm doing right now! Try thebabywearer.com "For Sale of Trade" boards as you can pick up some less expensive carriers there at times just for "trying out" purposes.

 

[patchchild]

I'd lean towards a stretchy wrap or a mei tai. My babe hated to be held cradle as well, so he went really quickly to anything I could carry him upright in.

 

[tanyaandallie]

I used a ring sling with my ds when he was an infant. I held him tummy to tummy all the time. We never did a cradle hold as he did not like it at all. With a 6 week old baby, a ring sling would work great. A mei tai would work, but imo, at 6 weeks most baby's are still so tiny for a mei tai. I never used a wrap but I do think a wrap would work well.

IMO if baby has reflux, I would not get a pouch (peanut shell). A pouch is nice and compact a versatile but no the best for holding a small baby upright.

 

[jasbellehontas]

thank u for the advice. I bought a Moby wrap. love it. lots of fabric to figure out and work with. I tend to make it too tight and then have to loosen it all around but I know as I use it more I'll get the hang of it better. Baby n I both love it. thanks again.