Baby Carriers/Sling Advice Needed

[VeroBeachGirl]

Hi,
I'm looking for recommendations on a baby carrier or sling. Don't really know what to look for so any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have a few questions..
1. What age is too young to put in a carrier/sling?
2. Do they provide head/neck support?
3. What brand do you suggest?
4. What age/weight can you use them up to?

Thanks!

 

[TJA]

Hi, there was just a great thread on here a week or so ago about baby carriers. I'll hunt around and see if I can find the link. In the meantime, to answer a few questions, we have twins and took them to WDW when they were in the baby stages. We used baby bjorn until around 20 pounds, didn't use any carrier during newborn stages. our twins were 7 months old for the first WDW trip and we used the carriers, not sure what weights they were, maybe 12 pounds. The bjorns have a flap for the head, yes. After our twins hit around 20#, we switched to an Ergo carrier. That one goes up to I believe 35# or maybe higher, not sure. It is the same style as a bjorn only it holds more weight. I highly recommend using some sort of carrier for WDW, especially for standing in ride lines and going on actual rides. I always felt my babies were safest while attached to us. Let me look for that link for you where lots of people gave advice on carriers.

 

[TJA]

I can't find the thread I'm looking for, maybe it was on another board, but here is one I did find:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1588689&referrerid=&highlight=baby+carrier

 

[Disneychix]

1) As soon as my son fit into the carrier we put him in it while in the house so I could get some cleaning done. He was about 8lbs before he fit in it. He loved it and instantly fell asleep as he was snuggled up close to me.
2) Mine didn't really have "support" he faced in (toward my body) until he could hold his head up then we faced him outwards.
3) I would suggest the BabyBjorn but if you don't feel like spending a ton the Jeep model works good too (but not over 16lbs)
4) We used ours till he was about 18lbs then he just got too heavy to be strapped to me. DH never really wore the carrier.

 

[Ariel8676]

HI..first of all Congrats, you must be getting so excited!!!
OK as for a GOOD carrier i suggest checking out http://www.thebabywearer.com/ there you will find a TON of info on any kind of carrier. Just a word of caution though..babywearing can get VERY addicting..lol
For a newborn i suggest a pouch or a ring sling, an example of each would be a Peanut Shell pouch http://www.goo-ga.com// my dd was in her microfleece pouch the day after she was born. And a ring sling .. http://www.sleepingbaby.net/ again these are just some examples.
I never personally used a wrap,but people swear by them (you can get a lot of info at thebabywearer on wraps)
Then there are Mei Teis and Soft structured carriers (Mei Tei body but with buckles instead of ties). My favorite MT is http://www.babyhawk.com/ these are great and so comfy..you can use them for a front carry (babe facing in!!) or back carry when baby is a bit bigger (nice to get things done)
As for SSC's a favorite of many is the Beco http://www.becobabycarrier.com/ aslo great for front and back carries..
There is also a FSOT (for sale or trade) forum on TBW.com where you can get great carriers (gently used) for AWESOME prices!!Good Luck, if you have any questions, please feel free to PM me!!!!!

**Oh and alot of these carriers can be used comfortably until around 40 pounds!!!! I still carry my 30 pound 2 yo on my back most of the time when we are out...and my 5 yo thinks its fun to get piggy back rides too...lol

 

[mandymommy4]

Baby Bjorn carriers are so worth the extra money, I had an inexpensive snugli and I hurt so bad to carry a newborn. Bjorns will support tiny babies... up to a decent size baby (depending on your tolerence) I think for a trip to WDW in the winter I would use the original or active model. For a trip during the warmer months I would use the new Air Baby bjorn. It get's really hot and a bay can overheat in them, plus they can make the parent super hot too. If you are only goning to use it for a trip to WDW I would suggest buying a used one off Ebay or from a kids consignment shop.

Hope this helps!

 

[TBGOES2DISNEY]

I had the Snugli and I couldn't even carry around a newborn in it b/c it killed my shoulders and back. My DH carried our babies around in it for day trips when they were still pretty much too young to really want to be in a stroller and he did okay. I think it was a little snug on their legs though.

I tried the baby wrap that they sell at Babies R Us (after hearing about it on the DIS). It was comfortable, but until you're a pro at it, it takes too long to get on, and it loosens if you move the baby around at all. I just didn't feel secure having my dd in it. My DH tried it out, but I don't think he was too keen on wearing it in public. Plus, if you have to put it on outside (I never did), the straps would drag on the ground if you're not tall unless you had someone helping you. I returned it.

I am now trying out the Jeep one because $100 for a carrier is just too much for me. The Jeep is $40. So far I really like it. It has lots of safety features and is a breeze to adjust and get the baby in and out of. I haven't used it enough to know how it would feel for an entire day yet. I can't really tell yet how comfortable my baby is in it. I'm going to try it out more before our next trip, but I think we'll probably keep it.

 

[soontobewed07]

I use a slingling we used it from day one it is great the only thing I would do different is get the padded sling. Now that my LO is older it hurts the bottom of his legs. I liked that the maker of these slings is personally invested and will answer any question you have. Also you can see demonstrations on their site of how to carry a baby etc.... PM me if you have any questions. CONGRATS on your bundle of joy!!!!!!

 

[GoinToDisney]

I say go to thebabywearer.com and research there. Most of the really good ones are found online. I had the bjorn and ditched it for an Ergo baby carrier, which I loved. I am going to get a hotsling for my next baby and maybe a Moby wrap. The wrap at BRU isn't great from what I remember reading. I have a friend with the Moby, and there is a learning curve, but that is why I am getting the hotsling too.

 

[Minniemouse07]

I've used a Maya Ring Sling, Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch, Moby Wrap, Babyhawk Mei Tai and a Beco w/ my two kids.

My favorites so far are my pouch (ds was in it since day 1) and the Mei Tai. I haven't used the Beco much yet but I'm taking it with us to WDW this week. Ds is 2yo and I'm expecting that the Beco will be easier to deal with than the mei tai.

I never bothered w/ a snugli or bjorn...most carriers that are sold in national retail stores (such as BRU) don't tend to be as comfortable or user friendly as ones you can find online. I highly recommend checking out the babywearer website and finding a carrier there.

Good Luck!

 

[irene_dsc]

Definitely recommend going to thebabywearer.com for serious sling shopping. But, my $.02 - first of all, you should be aware that the Ultimate Baby Wrap that BRU sells isn't a true wrap - it is a sort of hybrid thing, and I haven't heard very flattering reviews of it. If you want to try wrapping a newborn without spending a lot, you can easily make your own stretchy wrap. (The DIY forum at TBW has info on making your own, picking fabric, etc.) I've never wrapped a newborn, but would love to if I ever had another baby. A MobyWrap is a good pre-made basic stretchy wrap.

I believe the Bjorn has a lower limit, so some newborns are too small to use it immediately. I never used one - all the straps were too confusing to me and dh when we tried one at BRU! Personally, I found an unpadded ring sling the most versatile with a newborn, tho it does have a learning curve. But, the open tail is great as a sunshade, for nursing discreetly, and you can adjust it for lots of different positions or over or under coats, etc. I have an old unpadded MayaWrap, but there are a ton more options now. The newer lightly padded MayaWraps get rave reviews, as well as the ones from sleepingbaby.net.

Mei tei's can be used with very young babies, but it seems like most people tend to use them with older babies. I have a Kozy that I love, but I haven't tried any of the other brands to compare them.

 

[tanyaandallie]

My ds was a preemie and came home at 4 lbs 15 ounces. I started carrying him in my ring sling, tummy to tummy, the day he came home. Depending on the type of carrier, you can wear your baby from day 1. Baby carriers like the baby bjorn have weight limits and are not safe until baby hits a certain weight.

I agree with Shannon on her recs for a newborn. My personal favorite is a ring sling. There is a learning curve with a ring sling but once you get the hang of it, they are wonderful!! Very versatile and can be used for a long time!! I liked my pouch but prefered the adjustability of the ring sling.

Once my baby got a bit bigger (around 4 mos) I got my first mei tai and loved it. It's a great carrier. Around 10 mos I got my first ssc (a patapum). LOVED it. I wouldn't recommend it for a newborn but it's awesome for an older infant/toddler.

 

[two-foxes]

We used our bjorn active since our little guy was about 2-3 weeks old. It supports him very nicely and is very comfortable. Now, he's 17 lbs, almost 6 months old and I prefer the babyhawk mei tei now. When he was smaller, his little legs just didn't seem to fit right in there without cutting off circulation, but it is great now. DH still prefers the bjorn though. We also have a hotsling (not my favorite since he's gotten bigger) and a snugli (put simply, a piece of junk that we use after feeding him as he's a puker!)

 

[sbroglie]

I second the ring sling for newborns...they are very verstile for wearing newborns in different positions. My DD had reflux, so she liked being worn tummy-to-tummy.

I would only invest in a baby carrier that can be comfortably worn up to 35 lbs.

For most people all they know if the Baby Bjorn (BB) which in comparsion to other carriers is not a very good carrier. You can't wear a newborn, only good for up to 22 lbs (or so) and it is really uncomfortable for you once the baby is 15+lbs. My DD was 26lbs at a year old and not walking yet. What would I have done if I had only used a BB...she would have outgrown it before she was even walking!!!! Crazy!!!!!

There are soooooooooo many better carriers on the market than BB. You just have to know where to look for them since they aren't carried at the big box stores.

I use the Hotsling pouch for quick trips to the store with my toddler. I love my Ergo carrier for longer wearing (like Disney and parks). My DD is 32 lbs at 21 months and it is still super comfortable to wear her when I'm using the right carrier for the time.

I personally love my Ergo carrier, ring sling, Hotsling, and Mei Tai.

Go to thebabywearer dot com and you will find tons of great info about babywearing!!!!! You will be addicted, so good luck!!!!!

 

[MiniGirl]

I had a snugli for dd#1, and didn't care for it that much. I liked wearing her, but felt the padding in the snugli really limited the ways I could use, and I also fely I could never get it tight enough. My dd#2, I bought a Maya Wrap (ring sling), and I really enjoyed it. It did take some practice, but it was so easy once I got the hang of it. I loved the long tail on it, too. I remember my youngest nursing while we were walking through the mall, while I was volunteering in my oldest's preschool class, in restuarants, etc. It was just so easy. I also think my girls didn't get sick much as babies because I wore them. In strollers and other carriers, newborns are quite exposed and people think nothing of reaching in and moving the blanket or whatever, so they can see how cute the baby is. However, when I was wearing my babies, nobody was going to reach in and adjust anything because it would be a violation of my personal space and people just naturally respect an adults perssonal space more than a baby's. Ohhh..... and I started wearing them right from the beginning. Yes they are scrunched up, but they were used to being scrunched up in he womb and they had no complaints. Both would fall asleep within minutes of putting them in the sling.

 

[mommylicious]

My favorite MT is http://www.babyhawk.com/ these are great and so comfy..you can use them for a front carry (babe facing in!!) or back carry when baby is a bit bigger (nice to get things done)

I second the BabyHawk MT! I used one for my DS at WDW when he was 3.5 months and it was great! We had the stroller too but I had him in the carrier quite a bit. The only negative (for me) to the MT is that my DH absolutely will not use one. He says a carrier that ties is intended only for women or gay men. I even made sure to get one that had a Dad friendly fabric on the reverse but he still won't wear it.

DS is now 13 months and weighs 27 lbs. I can still carry him with the MT just fine. I got a Patapum soft structured carrier for our trip this month b/c I wanted to be sure DH would use it too so we could share baby carrying responsibilities. My back does fine with DS in the MT or the Patapum but I want to be able to ride stuff with the 2 big kids too so we need to be able to trade him off and he's quite heavy just to carry around w/o a carrier now. He doesn't fight to get down and walk around when he's in a carrier either.

I have tried slings with all 3 babies and I just can not get the hang of it. I've had a lactation consultant and a babywearing group leader try to show me how but still couldn't get it so that baby and I were both comfy. I had a Bjorn for my oldest but once he got over 18 lbs or so it killed my back. I tried the Bjorn on DS #2 but he was a very chubby baby and the bjorn would cut off circulation to his legs so they'd be purple and he'd be crying. A Mei Tai carrier solved that b/c they sit in it rather than dangle in it.