Baby carriers/slings

[toesmom]

about the bjorn active... the best way to prevent back pain is by tightening the back support as much as you can.

I carried my little guy in it till he was close to 28 lbs and I managed for a few hours at a time as needed. I always tightened the back support as much as I could and didnt' notice any discomfort on my back at all.

hope that helps.

 

[kokotg]

I have too many slings, but I use my Kangaroo Korner adjustable fleece pouch and my Ergo almost exclusively with my 12 month old. KKAFP for quick in and outs, Ergo if he's going to be in it longer. But slings are so individual...every baby/mama is different! FWIW, my baby is 26 pounds, and I've never had back troubles with the Ergo.

 

[SnowBound]

I know you were asking about a front carrier, but you may want to look at this option also. We have this exact same one that ABBF rents, and we love it. It is very comfortable.

http://www.abbf.com/equipment.php?item=backpack

 

[maedelken]

Hey thanks everyone. My friend brought a didymos and a mei tai over for me to try. I tried the Mei tai first and loved it. I put him on my hip it was nice. Then I tried on the didymos let me say I loved it more. He felt so secure. I tried the side wrap, front wrap, I even put him on my back. The wraps were pretty easy. It is so comfortable. With the extra fabric it looks like I can nurse with both of them. Does anyone know which one would be better for extended wear. I wish I could buy both for my trip.

 

[bellarella]

Hey thanks everyone. My friend brought a didymos and a mei tai over for me to try. I tried the Mei tai first and loved it. I put him on my hip it was nice. Then I tried on the didymos let me say I loved it more. He felt so secure. I tried the side wrap, front wrap, I even put him on my back. The wraps were pretty easy. It is so comfortable. With the extra fabric it looks like I can nurse with both of them. Does anyone know which one would be better for extended wear. I wish I could buy both for my trip.

Well a well wrapped wrap is generally more supportive for extended wear. But a Mei Tai is more forgiving, KWIM? I found that wraps just weren't practical for me -- too much fabric, too many places to adjust to get it "just right". If this is your only child you may have more patience for it, but for me, I have two older ones too, so I need to be able to go fast, and I'm very picky about how a wrap feels. So for me a Mei Tai is the choice for me.

One trick that makes a Mei Tai even more comfortable and supportive is to do a "twist" when you are tying it. You need to have enough length in your straps to do this, but if you do it is great! Just as comfortable as a wrap for me. When you are bringing the ties around the fabric panel, instead of bringing them down around your child's bottom and tying it off or crossing to tie on the other side, bring the ties to the middle of the panel and twist the ties twice. Then bring them down and bring one under each leg of your child and tie on the opposite side (ie, if your DC is in the front, do your final tie in the back, if your DC is on your back do your final tie in the front). If you find you don't have enough length to do this in a front carry, you might find you have enough when you do a back carry (because the "backpack" straps used with a back carry take up less of the length than the "cross" does for a front carry).

Oh, I also find doing a back carry easier with a Mei Tai. I use the "hip scoot" method, which I can't do with a wrap.

Either way, I'm sure you'll be much happier than with your bjorn

 

[katerkat]

I took a Moby wrap and a Mei Tai to WDW last week and the Mei Tai was definitely easier. Mine has a higher, wider panel to trap him, whereas if he wiggles enough, he can dismantle the Moby. (And he fights naps, so I need to trap him if I expect him to sleep.) Also, I can get him in a Mei Tai, front or back, myself - I've never attempted a back carry with the Moby. (Although he's older so can "help" me get him into the back carry.)

At home, I prefer the Moby for carrying him when he's clingy and I need to get chores done, but at WDW, the Mei Tai was definitely better.

Can you sew at all? I made my own Mei Tai and Moby. The Moby is definitely easier to make (and similar to the Didymos), but I'm a basic sewer and still managed to make a Mei Tai.

 

[MariDisney]

my ds is over 3 now and still nurses (I can type that in and not be embrarassed because no one knows me here)

OT, but don't worry about being embarrrassed. I think it's awesome

My favorite sling was teh Nojo, and I had plenty of fancier ones, but the shoulder padding really worked for me.

 

[NotSoNewMommy]

Here is another vote for the Ergo carrier. My DS is about 26 lbs and I can pretty comfortably carry him on either the front or back. There is also minimal adjustment when switching between me and DH carrying him. I used it when he was smaller as well and it is very easy to nurse with while walking around.

 

[Oceana]

ergo is hands down the best back carrier for a head supporting child

Find a local baby carrier group and try carriers

 

[dr&momto2boys]

We've tried several different kinds and found many hard to use, especially if you don't have any help getting the child in and out of it. Also many were so darn bulky to carry that I wouldn't bring it along unless I was sure I would use it. Finally I got one by Maya Wrap. I'm not sure what it's called--it's not the traditional maya wrap. It is a single adjustable loop--no ends hanging or rings. The baby is very secure and your hands can be free. It folds very compactly so I always keep one in the diaper bag in case I end up wanting it somewhere. I've used the same carrier with a newborn and a two year old. Both like it. Currently the youngest is 6 months old and we use it all the time still. Try it!

 

[AngieWin]

I love our Ergo!! For any extended period of time I use the Ergo with my 17 month old (25 lbs). I teach a bell choir and I usually wear him on my back for 2 hours. I can also wear my 3 year old (31 lbs) in the Ergo as well.

For shorter periods of time, I use a ring-sling. When we go to WDW in July I will have our double stroller (priceless for naps for us), but will use the Ergo or ring-sling in the lines.

 

[maedelken]

I just bought a maya sling. I hope it works okay. I tried some of the wraps and liked them. They just seemed to difficult to do in the crowded parks. I may buy an ergo when I get back. I am one of those people who always second guess themselves. I hope the one I bought works and isn't a complete waste of money. Thanks everyone. Yeah we leave thursday night.

 

[MommyBryn]

I agree with many others...a mei tai. If you sew at all, they're very easy to make- and the wider you make the straps, the more comfortable they are for longer wear.

 

[Gillian]

Any suggestions on getting one as a gift? My friend is expecting her 4th in the spring, and I'd guess she'll need as many free hands as she can get! She's average height, slim, with narrow shoulders. She will be nursing, I assume.

 

[jenjersnap]

I can't recommend an ergo enough. Best investment ever and we own 7 other assorted carriers.