I need a sling/wrap for dd to use at WDW

[studentmom]

Hope someone can help. Dd is 7.5 months now, but will 9.5 months when we go to Disney. She seems to like her Bjorn, but its starting to hurt my back. I'm petite (5'2"), and dd is starting to get heavy after carrying her in my arms for a short while. I was thinking of a Moby wrap, but I'm not sure. What do you all think. I'm kinda on a budget, but I really want something that's going to work. Thanks

 

[GoofItUp]

I'm in the same boat! My DS will be 10 months when we go, and he's HEAVY. I'm 5'0" and looking for a sling, too. I've read about the Solarveil fabric which sounds very nice for Sept at WDW. It's suppose to be cooler and offers sun protection. Now I've just got to figure out what kind of Solarveil sling/pouch/carrier I want! Hopefully someone can give both of us some advice. I wish there was somewhere to try out some different brands/styles before you purchase, but I don't know of anything around here.

 

[Princess-in-Training]

I'm a pouch-wearer and just got a solarveil one for our august trip! i would advise you to try different kinds of carriers, though, since different types work better for different moms and different babies. in fact, the owner of the pouch company that i get my pouches from (comfy joey -- not solarveil, tho) doesn't use a pouch with her baby as her baby doesn't like it -- she prefers an MT.

 

[PrincessGracie]

My DS is 15 months and I still put him in my HOT SLING.
I love it. He is a little guy though...just about 20 lbs...
He seems to like being in it...and it's hands free and doesn't hurt my back one bit!!

I got mine at Right Start...you have to try one on first...there are different sizes....I think it was around $45...

You can also check them out online
www.hotslings.com

 

[Colinsmom]

The moby is really stretchy and better for older kids. For ring slings on a budget, I like www.sleepingbaby.net - Rev. Jan usually has some solarveil slings for a reasonable price, and her slings are comfy. Otherwise, I'd suggest a mei tai of some sort (there are tons of moms who make them out there)!

 

[loveysbydesign]

For ring slings on a budget, I like www.sleepingbaby.net - Rev. Jan usually has some solarveil slings for a reasonable price, and her slings are comfy.

I 2nd that! I just bought a light green solarveil sling from her for my newest arrival and it works great. The only thing I don't like is that the solarveil material is a little on the rough side!

 

[Ariel8676]

I just posted a few links on the AP thread...
If you are looking for a solarveil or solarweave carrier http://www.sachicarriers.com/catalog.php?category=14 has some Mei tei's
Solarweave pouches http://www.chicslings.com/catalog.php?category=6
http://babyhawk.com/ My favorite, especially for back carries (makes life easier

This is just so you can see what they look like and sizing, check out http://thebabywearer.com/ in the forums there is a FSOT (for sale or trade) where you can get gently used carriers from other members for normally pretty good prices.

 

[cymomtx]

My girlfriend had monkey bum and loved it: www.monkeybums.com They are no longer in business but maybe you can find them on ebay.

 

[stacy6552]

Try this first.....adjust the straps on your Bjorn. Sit the baby higher. You should be able to wear it comfortably for much longer. (We took our 20 mos old and use the Bjorn there.) Most people who say it hurts theri back are wearing it too low. And if it hurts your back anyway, and sling or some other form of carrier will probably be just as uncomfortbable. So before spending any more money, try adjusting your bjorn first.

 

[goofy4themouse]

Last year for 21 month old, I made my own sling. It only takes 5 yards of fabric and you can get 2-3 out of the 5 yards. I still use it and dd is 30 months old. She calls it her wrap and strap. Go to www.mamatoto.org. It is a great sight for baby and toddler wearing. They have videos as well, which was very helpful to me.

 

[abookworm]

The nice thing about 2 shoulder carriers is that it will distribute the weight better and be more comfortable for longer periods of time-like hours walking around! The 2 mei tais mentioned above-babyhawk and sachi carriers- are 2 very good suggestions-they are well made, comfy and look great!

I like the solarveil for hot weather but it's not as comfy for long carries-like more than an hour IMO. I like solarveil better for pouches or ring slings which are better for shorter carries that you'll be taking the baby in/out often. You can wear a pouch or sling for long periods of time, don't get me wrong, it's just that it can start to pull on your shoulder after an hour or so if you have a big baby.

I would NOT suggest a moby wrap for an older baby because the material is like a thick t-shirt and is stretchy. Overtime, it will start to stretch a bit and the baby will sag and you'll have to readjust it. All that material wrapped around you in Aug will make you sweat like crazy too!

If you can pick only 1 with your budget I would look at the links above for the babyhawk or sachi. They can be used until your child is a toddler and they can be worn on the front or back or even a hip carry.

 

[StampMom]

For ring slings on a budget, I like www.sleepingbaby.net - Rev. Jan usually has some solarveil slings for a reasonable price, and her slings are comfy. Otherwise, I'd suggest a mei tai of some sort (there are tons of moms who make them out there)!

If you sew, an even more budget-conscious way to go would be to make your own sling using the instructions from Rev. Jan's sleepingbaby.net site. I am a TOTAL novice sewer (and a sling addict), and made a lovely silk dupioni ring sling using Jan's instructions. (I also highly recommend buying the rings from www.slingrings.com.)

As someone else has already mentioned, www.thebabywearer.com is a great resource for reviews, pictures, comparisons, etc., and you can often get great deals on previously worn slings on the buy/sell/trade board.

 

[KelsiesMommy]

I'd go with either an Ergo or a mei tai like Babyhawk.

 

[studentmom]

Thank you all, very much. I will take a look at all of them. I don't know much about a Mei Tai, but that looks kinda cool. I should have known better about a wrap possible being too hot for us. I tried getting a NoJo sling four years ago for me to use with ds, and it hung so low, it was horrible! Since than I have been a little leary. It's good to know they come in different sizes now.

 

[Oceana]

rent an ergo baby carrier

 

[studentmom]

Are the Mei Tai's similar to the Bjorn when you use them in the front position? Just wondering. I know the Bjorn left little red marks around her thighs, but she isn't that chunky (my other two kids were very much so).

 

[julz_e]

I thrid the ergo carrier. The lady in the store sold it to me by putting my 6 year old on my back in it... it was awesome. It felt like my infant was in there. I bought it, and love it! we use it for everything! MIL and my mom use it when the watch him as well! He loves it, DH even wears it, i got the extened belt for him. I plan on using it in epcot alot since you can't take strollers in! and he loves loves loves to fall asleep in it. they also have attachements for it like a backpack/diaper bag.


I have also had a lucky baby sling and a hotsling, ok, but not really my cup of tea. My target started selling the hotslings, just in case there is one by you, you can try one on for size.

 

[Ariel8676]

Are the Mei Tai's similar to the Bjorn when you use them in the front position? Just wondering. I know the Bjorn left little red marks around her thighs, but she isn't that chunky (my other two kids were very much so).

Well not really..the Mei Tei is designed to have the baby face in towards you in a front carry and it creates more of a seat as opposed to kind of dangling from a Bjorn. (the materiel goes from the knees all the way around)
I love being able to put the kids on my back in the Mei Tei and do what i need to do..cleaning,dishes, cooking, whatever...
As for the recommendation of an Ergo, i have never had one, but have heard many good things about them.. http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/carrier/
Or you can look into a Beco..similar to an Ergo, but prettier..lol
http://ecobabies.com/catalog.php?category=36

 

[ldhr2005]

we loved our baby bjorn,but my 9 month old is 32" and 23 lbs, so as you can imagine it just was not working for us anymore. i too started researching for another alternative, and almost purchased a hot sling but then i started reading the reviews on the "new and improved" playtex hip hammock. based upon what i read, i bought one the other day and i have to say i love it. this version does not pull on your neck, and was very comfortable for both she and i...and i would say she was in it for about 2 hours or so. i also like the fact that the weight limit goes up to 35 lbs, and it was a not so expensive option as i am sure i will not be using it as much as the bjorn because walking is not that far away...good luck!

 

[kjbrown]

I found directions on www.thebabywearer.com to make my own hotsling-type of sling. It was great for my son when he was a newborn, and now that he is 12-months old (tomorrow!). I also tried my 3 1/2 year old in it just for the heck of it and it was great! The pros in my opinion are the lightweight-ness of the sling itself, the ease of putting it on, and the compactness of it when not in use. Plus the lightweight in terms of temperature.

The con is that your baby/toddler isn't completely secure like in a baby bjorn. But then, I couldn't imagine my son being happy in anything that completely secured him.