Baby Gear

[Leleluvsdis]

Hey Y'all!! I am currently 13 1/2 weeks pregnant, and DH and I are starting to look at baby "stuff". This is our first, and are hoping to do a lot from consignments stores, so looking early/often is a must. I def want a carrier, as we will be going to Florida when baby is about a month old, and for general errand running as well. Don't want baby to lay in a carseat all the time and get a flat head. I'm almost nailed down to an Ergo (cost is the only draw back at this point), but I also want a wrap as well. I was pretty much sold on a Moby, but then I found Solly wraps online. Does anyone have any experience with these? If so, what is your feedback? It looks like they are primarily sold on the west coast, but can be ordered online.

 

[kiramay]

I loved my Ergo and a sling I picked up at Target. Used them a ton! Get a good carseat new, not from consignment. All you really need is a carseat, diapers, some clothes, a place for baby to sleep, and a way to feed baby (breast or bottle). IMHO, everything else is bonus. My favorite extra was the Aden and Anis swaddling blankets. They're lightweight and large.

 

[nadira36]

I had an ergo - and didn't mind it too much. I have an onya baby now and prefer that. I am slim Dh is broader than I am - the onya adjusts between us quickly and easily. Also I find the onya is one of the few carriers that actually adjusts to fit my small frame vs others where I feel like I need to lean forward at all times - if you're not very slim, then the Ergo would be just fine.

I've had a moby, cuddly wrap, thick and thin woven wraps, as well as other soft structured carriers (SSC).

For a first time baby - if you're not planning any more babies, go with the least expensive option. If you think you'll have more, invest in something better.

For a first baby - a wrap for the first 3-6 months would be all you need - unless you find a SSC that you like and fits your budget, you could wait to get it until baby is big enough for your back.

For a wrap for a new born either wrap you suggested would be nice. I suspect the Solly is similar in size/thickness to my cuddly wrap - which leaves me saying go with the moby - unless you live somewhere very hot. The moby, IMO, offers better support for you and baby. Yes, it is nice to just stuff a wrap in your diaper bag, but even the moby fits in my diaper bag quite easy.

Though I may suggest going with a gauze woven wrap instead - the cost will be slightly higher, but the thin material would be great for a new baby, but can also provide support for a back carry in the future - or a heavier baby whether front or back. B/c it's gauze, it will still be thin and small enough to easily fit in a diaper bag. Also great for hot weather b/c it's very breathable.

I like wrapsody breeze personally. For more info about different wrap holds check out wrapyourbaby (dot) com

And check out your local FSOT groups, you could probably find what you're looking for at a discount.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

I loved my Ergo and a sling I picked up at Target. Used them a ton! Get a good carseat new, not from consignment. All you really need is a carseat, diapers, some clothes, a place for baby to sleep, and a way to feed baby (breast or bottle). IMHO, everything else is bonus. My favorite extra was the Aden and Anis swaddling blankets. They're lightweight and large.

Thanks!! We have decided on the Britax B-Safe, and it will be new. DH is a firefighter and doesn't trust one from a consignment shop will be in good condition to reuse.
Did you use the infant insert with your Ergo?

 

[Crl1817]

I could not get my ergo to work until dd was about six months old. And she was a big baby with good head control. I LOVED my pikkolo and my freehand Mei tei. I never liked the wrap. There is a very helpful baby wearers forum. There is also a forum run by the authors of the baby bargains book with a lot of good information.

 

[Lolsmum]

I have two kids, 20 months apart. My first HATED every kind of carrier, and I tried quite a few. He found a hip carry with a ring sling mildly acceptable when he was big enough for that, but absolutely rejected most other options until he was a toddler, by which point I was pregnant and not so into carrying him if I could help it.

My second loved them all. With her, I found a ring sling to be best when she was tiny as she could easily nurse and no one noticed and it just seemed to be comfortable for her. We then moved up to the Ergo and a mei tai type. I preferred that one, while DH preferred the Ergo. I even had a Patapum toddler, which is a larger carrier, because she loved them so much and it made things easier when I was out with the pair of them. I did use the Ergo infant insert every so often when she was tiny, but the ring sling was preferable for both of us at that size.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I loved my BabyHawke Mei Tei wrap and Boba structured carrier. Boba and Ergo are very similar in fit, I tried both and just found the Boba slightly more comfortable.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Swings, bouncy seats and exersaucers are good to get from a consignment shop.

 

[RachaelA]

I think Ergos are really awkward (and HOT!!!!!!!!!) with newborns because you need to use the insert. I don't use SSCs (soft structured carriers) until my kids are big enough for them without the insert.

I'd look into something like the the k'tan. Not as much wrapping as a Moby so its not as much of a learning curve. They also make a K'Tan Breeze which is 50% mesh so that's more breathable if you want something like that.

My kids lived in my sleepy wrap and ring sling as newborns through 4ish month. Around 4ish months, I was able to prop DD2 up with a blanket in my Tulas.

 

[Polishnavy]

I like my Ergo but it gets hot outside in the summer. I got the absolute most use out of my linen ring sling. Lightweight and folds down super tiny! I ordered mine from Sleeping Baby Productions. I'm just sad that I didn't find them before I was on my third baby.

 

[SweetMissy]

With my daughter, I used a hotsling...LOVED it! I tried it with my little one when he was a baby, and I didn't like it. I don't know if my size was different or something because it just didn't feel right. I bought a moby....liked it but way too much fabric! I ended up going with a beco gemini. I got mine from frogmama.com....she occasionally has discounts. Congrats and good luck!

 

[Lupeix]

With my first I got several baby carriers, all presents, moby, bjorn, ergo..... For the next one the only one I will use is the beco gimini, is one of the few that can carry all ages in all positions and it is a piece of cake to put on. The moby requires practice and it is lots of fabric, the ergo cannot carry facing forward and can get hot. The baby bjorn I had didn't have lower back support, which you will need past 9 months or so. Good luck!

 

[Crl1817]

I will second frogmama for a carrier. When I had a defective carrier after two months of use, she replaced it and handled the situation with excellent service.

 

[dalmatian7]

I love my britax products. I didn't have the infant carrier but we had a convertible carseat, two boosters (currently), and a b-agile stoller. I had an issue withe the b-agile a few weeks after I bought it, contacted britax and they replaced it. So mail your cards in and don't hesitate to contact them with questions.

I could never get the hang of the wraps, I wish I had found more resources on them then. I used a baby bjorn. At one point I was taking my daughter to work with me and I could put her in the bjorn, loosen it so her weight was on my lap, yet use both hands to type or do paperwork.

I agree with a previous poster that you need somewhere for them to sleep, diapers, a few items of clothes, and how you are feeding them. as for clothes there are a lot of cute items in the small sizes, but I found them to be so uncomfortable for them. we were bodysuits (old navy brand wear well), pants, and socks. I never did shoes until she was really walking.

Congrats!!!!!!

 

[star72232]

I'm just going to touch on babywearing, since I run the local BW group in my area.

For a newborn, a wrap (either stretchy or woven) or a ring sling is your best option. They give ideal positioning, which no SSC (like an Ergo) can do (even with the insert). Plus, the newborn insert for the Ergo is very warm. A stretchy wrap (Moby, Boba wrap, etc) is great for a newborn, but most people find it less supportive after 15 or 18lb. It can ONLY be used for front carries, never back carries. These are easily found used for around $20-25 used, so if you want one I highly recommend buying used. Woven wraps are not stretchy and can be used from newborn through toddlerhood. They are sized (from a size 2 - size 7 - the size is based on the length) - if you are tiny a size 5 is a standard "starter" size, if you are average sized a size 6 or if you are plus sized a size 7 is a good base size. That allows a ton of carrying options (front, back and hip carries can be done with a woven wrap). Woven wraps are probably the most versatile carrier, but take a bit longer to learn than something like an SSC. A few common brands are Didymos, Girasol, BBSlen, and Storchenweige (there are tons more though). They cost more than a stretchy wrap, but hold their value really well.

Ring slings (not pouch slings) are great for newborns and can be used right through toddlerhood (although, since they put all the weight on one shoulder, a bigger kids can get heavy quickly in one - they are great for up and down with a toddler though). They are a bit easier for most people to learn than a wrap. My favourite ring slings have a pleated shoulder (SewFunky or Sleeping Baby Productions are my favourites), but a lot of people also like a gathered shoulder (Sakura Bloom are gorgeous slings).

If you have any babywearing questions, there are lots of BW groups around. Another good resource is www.thebabywearer.com - they have FSOT forums and tons of info.

Good luck and congratulations. I have 4 kids - it's lots of work, but lots of fun too.

 

[Tropics]

I used a Boba wrap when DD was very young. It was easy to use because it had a bit of stretch but it didn't last long because she out grew it.

We've used a Beco Gemini since Dd was 6 months. I love how easy it is to use and how versatile it is. Even now at 2.5 DD wants to be carried in the carrier when she sees it.

 

[Leleluvsdis]

Thanks everyone for you thoughts!! I had wondered if it would be better to do a wrap until they get older and then do a backpack carrier. After reading this, and reviewing the amazing links you so kindly suggested, I think that will be the best route. My cousin it a PT and detest forward facing carry bc of the damage to hips, and possible lower spine, and the pressure it puts on the carriers shoulders and upper spine/neck. Has anyone done and ergo or boba air backpack style?

ETA: sorry, I had my carriers mixed up. It is actually an ergo, or boba air. The boba air requires 15lbs or more to use, but seems to be super lightweight.

 

[star72232]

Thanks everyone for you thoughts!! I had wondered if it would be better to do a wrap until they get older and then do a backpack carrier. After reading this, and reviewing the amazing links you so kindly suggested, I think that will be the best route. My cousin it a PT and detest forward facing carry bc of the damage to hips, and possible lower spine, and the pressure it puts on the carriers shoulders and upper spine/neck.

Has anyone done and ergo or beco backpack style?

I have used both for back carries. Neither is my favourite SSC, but there isn't anything wrong with them, they just don't fit my body as well as others. I really suggest trying as many SSC as you can before you buy one - they all fit differently, and finding the right one for you can take a few.

Just to give you some other ideas for great carriers (all buckle carriers) - Tula, Manduca, Kinderpack, Connecta, Babies in Space, Action Baby Carriers, Boba - all are great carriers.

 

[angelmom27]

I'm just going to touch on babywearing, since I run the local BW group in my area.

For a newborn, a wrap (either stretchy or woven) or a ring sling is your best option. They give ideal positioning, which no SSC (like an Ergo) can do (even with the insert). Plus, the newborn insert for the Ergo is very warm. A stretchy wrap (Moby, Boba wrap, etc) is great for a newborn, but most people find it less supportive after 15 or 18lb. It can ONLY be used for front carries, never back carries. These are easily found used for around $20-25 used, so if you want one I highly recommend buying used. Woven wraps are not stretchy and can be used from newborn through toddlerhood. They are sized (from a size 2 - size 7 - the size is based on the length) - if you are tiny a size 5 is a standard "starter" size, if you are average sized a size 6 or if you are plus sized a size 7 is a good base size. That allows a ton of carrying options (front, back and hip carries can be done with a woven wrap). Woven wraps are probably the most versatile carrier, but take a bit longer to learn than something like an SSC. A few common brands are Didymos, Girasol, BBSlen, and Storchenweige (there are tons more though). They cost more than a stretchy wrap, but hold their value really well.

Ring slings (not pouch slings) are great for newborns and can be used right through toddlerhood (although, since they put all the weight on one shoulder, a bigger kids can get heavy quickly in one - they are great for up and down with a toddler though). They are a bit easier for most people to learn than a wrap. My favourite ring slings have a pleated shoulder (SewFunky or Sleeping Baby Productions are my favourites), but a lot of people also like a gathered shoulder (Sakura Bloom are gorgeous slings).

If you have any babywearing questions, there are lots of BW groups around. Another good resource is www.thebabywearer.com - they have FSOT forums and tons of info.

Good luck and congratulations. I have 4 kids - it's lots of work, but lots of fun too.

Tgotally agree about the carriers. My 7 month old DD just reached the milestones for being able to use an ergo. We will be using it this weekend at Disney. When we went earlier i brought my bali stretch from wrapsody which is the only stretchy wrap that is safe for heavier babies and back wraps too. Its like a soft jersey shirt material. She is baby #8 and i dont know where i would be without my wraps and carriers. I also still carry my 3 yr old DD.

Now of days you really dont need much. A car seat, we still like to have a nice stroller, clothes and diapering items.

 

[nadira36]

Thanks everyone for you thoughts!! I had wondered if it would be better to do a wrap until they get older and then do a backpack carrier. After reading this, and reviewing the amazing links you so kindly suggested, I think that will be the best route. My cousin it a PT and detest forward facing carry bc of the damage to hips, and possible lower spine, and the pressure it puts on the carriers shoulders and upper spine/neck.

Has anyone done and ergo or beco backpack style?

I've used both. I REALLY don't like the beco - the fabric between mom/babe makes breastfeeding next to impossible while using the carrier - that's a big deal for me.

I am very slim - so like a carrier that can adjust to very small without needing to lean forward. I prefer the ONya baby for that reason. I also find the hood much easier to snap into place myself and it has better coverage for baby. Big things for me while at WDW.