HELP!! Going crazy looking at baby carriers!!!

[blessedby3]

I have been looking at different baby carriers. I will have a 3 1/2 month old when we go to Disney next Jan. I know I want some sort of baby carrier as well as having our stroller, but am very confused as to what type to get. I will be nursing so something that will make that easier would be helpful. I really dont want to spend a small fortune on one, because I dont know how much I will actually use it at home. The bijorn type carriers just look uncomfortable and not good for nursing. I dont like all the fabric hanging down on the ring type slings. Seems like it would get in the way and be aggravating. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[bumbershoot]

May I first say that it will all get MUCH more clear once you have your bunchkins in your arms. I found that was true for just about every purchase. I used to leave Babies R Us in tears, even though there was almost nothing there that was useful to us (carseat was pretty much it), b/c I just iddn't know what I would need for my un-yet-met kiddo. And then he was here and I could figure it out.

So...have you looked at peppermint.com? They have a variety of carriers.

When DS was itty, I used a Hotsling. It's hard to measure for it when you're pregnant, but I think you could do it now and be fairly accurate. Other "pouch" slings I liked were from mammasmilk.com. She has an adjustable pouch, and also one with an interesting shoulder pocket for dipes (either cloth or disposable).

I also really enjoyed the Moby wrap, and I enjoyed finding things to wrap in the same way (fun from mamatoto.org).

Later I found the mei tai that's in my avatar (we're at disneyland in the picture), but if I were suggesting another mei tai I would be sure to mention padded shoulder straps, b/c when DS started getting bigger those unpadded straps gave my "hickeys" on my shoulders and front of armpits (not pretty!).

And my last carrier was an Ergo, which I woudl HIGHLY recommend to anyone. They have an infant insert so you can wear it from the beginning. It's a bit more "mainstream" in appearance than the others I like, but it has a nice wide "seat" unlike the Bjorns (which is what makes the Bjorns not all that terrific for pelvic development in the baby), it can be adjusted in a million ways, and if I can still consider wearing my 3 year old, 38 inch tall, 33 pound kid in it...it's a GOOD carrier.


Have I confused you more? Probably.

You don't have to pick The One Forever right now. You can return or resell, or just start a collection like mine (I also have a Korean carrier, a podegi, that my MIL gave me, but I just don't have the podegi-love, at least not for the traditional, made in Korea, podegis).


I do want to mention to you...I personally was never able to nurse in the sling. Well, OK, I did twice, but the first time I had to be topless, and the second time he was over 1, in a facing-me front-carry on a long walk in the Moby, and anyone in a Hummer or tall truck could have gotten a NICE flash of milk-carrier, LOL. I finally gave up trying, b/c it just didn't work for me. It was the only nursing thing I wasn't able to do!

 

[Ariel8676]

Also check out Thebabywearer.com...you will find tons of info on any kind of carrier.
I started out with a Peanut Shell Microfleece pouch (goo-ga.com) when the baby was newborn..Alicia is awesome and so helpful..
When she got bigger i got another PS pouch that wasn't stretchy to hip carry.
My next buy was a Babyhawk Mei Tei (babyhawk.com), then got another and another..lol
I also have a Beco (ecobabies.com , there are also many other online companies that sell them as well)
I have a solarweave sachi (sachicarriers.com) for the pool and hot weather
And i just got a Solarweave Connecta from a really nice Momma in UK...

WOOH ok so you can see it can get addictive..lol
If you were looking for a pouch you can measure across your back, since you are still PG...

 

[design_mom]

I've never used mine with an infant, but the Ergo will last you a long time. I carried my 2-1/2 year old (then) daughter last year at WDW and didn't even take the stroller into the parks. Last night I carried her (now 3-1/2) around at a car show all evening. It's *so* much more convenient than the stroller... and comfortable too.

 

[PrincessasMommy]

Just had to add my 2 cents......I delivered my 4th daughter not even 2 weeks ago and I bought a new sling for her that I am in LOVE with!!!!

I have had a Snugli, Bjorn and wore my 3rd dd to WDW in a New Native puch sling but decided to listen to the reccomendations I got on the babywearer.com and go with a Mayawrap (bought off eBay).....it is a ring sling with a tail and I ADORE it because I can tighten her in there so I am totally handsfree and I use the "tail" as extra coverage when I nurse her.

In the past 3 days I have nursed her WALKING in the mall, sitting at the foodcourt, WALKING at Costco, and on the street/park all with my 2, 4 and 11 year old with me!!! It is the single best purchase I have ever made and I will buy one for every BF Mom I know as shower gifts from now on! I think you should look into it. It took me 2 days to really figure it out and 1 week to get comfortable enough to get her to "self serve" breast feed hands free - she is 12 days old today and a pro already at slinging and nursing. It also helps around the house so I can NAK (Nurse at Keyboard) easily. Can't wait to take it to WDW in October!!

That's my rant....can you tell I love it?

 

[blessedby3]

Thanks for the replies. Im off to check on some of the web sites you mentioned. Hoping my brain doesnt explode!!!

 

[Nanu57v]

We have an ERGO too, still use it with my 2 year old. I used a bjorn when she was an infant though, and a no-sew wrap I made using instructions on www.mamatoto.org

I never got the hang of nursing while in sling though...I always sat for that.

 

[ehrn]

i have an ergo too, i will be bringing it again in Sept for my 2.5yo. i got it just before he turned 2 and wish i had gotten it much earlier. i have used many different carriers. i love wraps for young babies but they aren't too practical for wdw. my other fave is a hybrid sling--the body of a pouch but adjustable like a sling. google wisewoman slings. it has a closed tail so not a lot of extra fabric. also very light and compact, perfect for shoving in a diaper bag or stroller. start wearing the baby as soon as he/she comes, you really want to feel comfortable w/it.
good luck and happy babywearing!!!!!

 

[Colinsmom]

When DS was small, I always reached for either my Kangaroo Korner pouch (www.kangarookorner.com) or my Zolo ring sling (www.zolowear.com - you can tuck in the tail if you don't like it hanging down, or use it as a sun cover over baby's head). I could nurse in the Zolo, but not the KKAFP. I preferred adjustable pouches to non-adjustable pouches like Peanut Shell or Hotsling as I never got a very good fit with the non-adjustables, and when they are too big, they HURT!

 

[emh1129]

I love my Kangaroo Korner adjustable fleece pouch.. It's so easy to use and there is no extra fabric hanging anywhere. Very easy to use and so comfortable. I've nursed a lot in the fleece pouch but I wasn't able to do that until my dd was sitting up on her own and she was sort of sitting while she nursed, if that makes any sense.
Have fun picking out a sling! There are so many great ones out there.

 

[Girly_Qs]

Just thought I'd toss out another retailer that carries *lots* of types - www.attachedtobaby.com (plus, they have a fab return policy).

For that young, we used our Moby wrap almost exclusively. But, if you're intimidated by tying, it's probably not for you (it's a long swath of fabric!). Super comfy though, and just the right 'bounce' for newborns. If I had to do it again, I'd seriously consider a Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Stretch though - pricier, but they have a longer useful life since they only have width-wise stretch (not length-wise which becomes a problem as they get bigger/heavier). They're also wider, so they're safe to do back carries. And prettier, because I'm just that vain! LOL!

Beyond that - I'm a fan of it all. Mei Tai's (I loved my Kozy Carrier, lots of raves about BabyHawk). Soft Structured Carrier's (we're partial to the Beco Baby Carrier, but lots of folks like the Ergo). Ring Slings (I like the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded - NOT the original, but the lightly padded). Wraps (right now I'm all about the Gypsy Mama Wool). Pouches . . . well, I like them but sizing can be tricky (if they fit right, they're great, if not . . . not so much!) - as such I'd recommend the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch for a newborn (and a changing post-partum body!).

I STRONGLY second the recommendation to check out www.thebabywearer.com - they're an amazing bunch of women (and a Daddy or two too!)!

 

[Girly_Qs]

Oh! I almost forgot!

You might want to see if there's a NINO (Nine In, Nine Out) group near you - that way you can 'test drive' all sorts of slings and get advice/assistance!

 

[emh1129]

Good idea about checking out a NINO group! We don't have one in this area, but I've heard wonderful things about them!

 

[Honeymooner04]

I used a hotsling with my daughter and I really liked it. I just saw at Target the other day that they are carrying hotslings in the baby section so you might want to take a look at one in person before you try buying it. Have a great trip!

 

[northriver]

I used a Bjorn carrier and it worked well for us. From the time DD was born she hated to be swadled and could kick her way out of blankets. She never like a regular sling, way too confining for her! So just remember that every baby is different, and you don't really know until you try them.

Also, whatever you decide to buy, you can do the research first and then look for one to buy on ebay - usually you can find them as much as half price.

 

[graysonva]

I like my Patapum Baby Carrier. I personally think the ergo is a bit out of date and has a funny pocket, which is inaccessible when using the carrier.

 

[disney_family_1247]

I really love my Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. It's a ring sling, but without that huge amount of extra fabric. I've used it with two babies now, and it is super versatile. You can nurse in it, you can carry the baby in the front vertically or horizontally, you can carry and older baby on your hip, and you can also carry them on your back. It is easy to use too. I think I paid a little over $40. I also have a hotsling, but I like the OTSBH better. You can find them at lots of places online.

We don't go to WDW without the sling; that would be a true nightmare!

 

[design_mom]

I like my Patapum Baby Carrier. I personally think the ergo is a bit out of date and has a funny pocket, which is inaccessible when using the carrier.

Wow. I'd never heard about the patapum, but it does look very similar to the Ergo. I disagree with you on usefulness of the Ergo's pocket though. The pocket is accessible in a front-carry (but you're right, it's hard to get to in a back carry.) But, it's just the right size for a bib, a diaper, a few wipes and a disposable changing mat -- so if we're just running into the mall, etc. I could just take the Ergo and leave the diaper bag in the car.

 

[blessedby3]

Thanks so much for the information. You all are a wealth of it!! I am still checking into all the sites and trying to read up on all the different kinds of slings and pouches. Does anyone know about sizing much? I am short and heavy (like 5'2" and 180) and DH is tall and of normal weight (6'2" and 200). If I am looking to buy one that would fit both of us will this work? Thanks again.

 

[Colinsmom]

Thanks so much for the information. You all are a wealth of it!! I am still checking into all the sites and trying to read up on all the different kinds of slings and pouches. Does anyone know about sizing much? I am short and heavy (like 5'2" and 180) and DH is tall and of normal weight (6'2" and 200). If I am looking to buy one that would fit both of us will this work? Thanks again.

You definitely couldn't share a non-adjustable pouch, and probably not an adjustable pouch. I am 5'4" and 150lbs, and DH is 6'4" and 220lbs, and we easily share a Mei Tai (www.kozykarrier.com), though. You could possibly share a ring sling but the tail would be very long on you. Look at some of the sites for measuring directions since that matters as much as height and weight!