Need sling/wrap recs

[TakeMe2Disney]

DS is 1 month old and hates our front carrier. He cries every time he's held up and down for more than a couple minutes. I'm desperate for a sling or wrap that will allow me to be hands free so I can function and take care of our 2 year old. We're also going to Disney in May and I would like something that we can still use when we're there. Any recommendations?

 

[KPetty725]

I haven't found a good one that works for my daughter either. I can tell you that we tried a carrier when she was 5 months old and it was miserable in the parks. She and I were both sweating before we got off the monorail and we ended up having to ditch it and buy a cheap infant stroller at Wal-Mart. I just figured I'd warn you!!

 

[lathamary]

My only recommendation is to make sure it's made out of cotton. I had a fleece one (see my avatar), and I was lucky that the temps were in the low 70s when we were there. Fleece doesn't breathe at all. If you have a cotton one, you should be fine.

 

[ckdsnynt]

I have no solutions but wanted to let you know I am watching this thread with interest. When we go in Dec. with our entire extended family (32-35 of us!) I will have my great niece or nephew who will be only three months old. Several of us Aunties have promised to help out with new baby so we are watching to see what is new in the line of carriers since we had our babies!
Please post some pics of the ones that work and the ones that don't when you can. We have tall Aunties and short Aunties, some fluffy Aunties and some rather thin Aunties. We have all the choices of Aunties/Grandmas covered!
Bless you for bringing your little ones when they are so little!

 

[lathamary]

I can't recall the brand name of the one I had; I borrowed it from a friend. I have a adjustable ring style sling as well, but I don't care for it. I loved this fleece one that I borrowed from my friend, except for the fact that it is fleece! It is just a pouch, and it has a bunch of snaps that hold it together at the shoulder.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

I swear by my Maya Wrap. It is a double ring sling and usable from birth until about 3 years old. It allows me to be hands free, get work done, and enjoy these early years.

It was perfect for our two trips to Disney with her so far. She went at eight months and again at a year. Both times we used it for those situations when we could not use the stroller, such as in the Land Pavillion, restaurants, lines, and on the bus. It was perfect.

I got mine in the clearance section. It was in perfect condition and came with an instructional DVD to ensure I got the most use out of the sling. I like that the double rings allow me to fully adjust the sling as my baby grows.

Maya sells other wraps, but I did not like them as well, they were a bit too complicated for my taste, and too warm for us as we live in a HOT part of the country.

http://www.mayawrap.com/listItems.asp?displayType=Across&Cat=OUTLET&CatDesc=Outlet&Search=Link



Have a great trip!

 

[crysplefty]

I've heard good things about the Maya and Moby wraps. I don't own a wrap or sling yet, but I plan on buying one this weekend. DH and I have DS4 and DD2 and we are having another boy. He is due April 1st, but the other two came 16 days early on their own, so my doctor says there is a very good chance he will be a couple weeks early too. Anyway, DS is old enough to play t-ball this year. Practices start the end of March and games begin the end of April. I am definitely purchasing a wrap so that I can attend his games and maybe a couple practices without having to worry about people wanting to touch the baby. So I am interested in what wraps other people recommend too.

 

[viviensmama]

I love my sleepywrap (basically the same as a moby) and our peanut shell sling. The peanut shell is nice and breathable, my daughter absolutely loves it. The only thing about the peanut shell is it is not adjustable, so if you want Dad to be able to wear it as well you will need to buy two so you each have the proper size. Slings and wraps are the only way I get anything done around my house. Just keep looking until you find the right one for your babe!

 

[Ava]

The Moby wrap saved us when DD was a newborn. She liked to be kind of upright in it, but there are different holds you can do. It's also breathable cotton, so it's not too bad in summer. It does get hot, but it's bearable.
I didn't like the slings that go over one shoulder - we had a Peanut Shell, but got rid of it fairly quickly. Even when DD was under 10 lbs, my shoulder would start to hurt after wearing her for a little while.

Once DD was around 5 months old, we started using the Ergo carrier, which we plan to use until she outgrows it.

 

[Monkeyfeet]

I can't recall the brand name of the one I had; I borrowed it from a friend. I have a adjustable ring style sling as well, but I don't care for it. I loved this fleece one that I borrowed from my friend, except for the fact that it is fleece! It is just a pouch, and it has a bunch of snaps that hold it together at the shoulder.

That is the Kangaroo Korner fleece pouch. Very comfy. The cotton one is not comfortable I have been told.

 

[Monkeyfeet]

DS is 1 month old and hates our front carrier. He cries every time he's held up and down for more than a couple minutes. I'm desperate for a sling or wrap that will allow me to be hands free so I can function and take care of our 2 year old. We're also going to Disney in May and I would like something that we can still use when we're there. Any recommendations?

Doing this from my phone, so trying not to type too much but please ask if I do not make myself clear. If you are going to get a wrap, I would suggest a woven one. The stretchy ones need to be tied over and over when the baby gets heavier. There are some good ring slings and you can get them in solarveil which is light weight and breaths. It can get too be painful though because it puts the weight just on one shoulder. I love my Ergo a lot. Another one that I love is my Mei Tai. Both go on both shoulders and can be used on the front and back. I have also found that a good, comfortable sling can not usually be found in a store like Target or Babies R US and instead you must get them online. thebabywearer.com is very helpful

 

[bumbershoot]

If you're using one that has a very small area supporting her pelvis (like most sold at baby stores), I would highly recommend switching to the Ergo. Right now she would probably be most comfy with the newborn insert, so she's not really *sitting*.

I used a hotsling (before they went all mainstream and sold at stores) but it was never fitted right so was only marginally comfy. I got into mammasmilk slings just before DS decided that slings weren't his thing anymore, LOL.

I had a mei tai and that was great; the body was several layers of mesh, so it was my Disneyland baby carrier. Alas, the straps were UNpadded, which caused awful hickey-type marks on the front of my shoulder/armpit area...definitely go for padded shoulder straps!

I liked my MobyWrap, but not for Disney. My festival wrap was just a big length of cotton batik fabric that I tied like the Moby.


The most important thing for babywearing at the beginning? Get yourself entirely dressed, down to shoes, etc. Have baby ready. Everyone is fed, has used the bathroom or has fresh diapers, etc. Put sling on, baby in, and get OUTSIDE! Nothing drives a baby crazier than just standing around in their sling/carrier especially when everyone is still getting used to it.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Go to www.thebabywearer.com and read reviews there...plus you can buy gently used ones there on the forums so you don't spend a fortune finding the kids your little ones like.

 

[El&Asmom]

There are SOO many great carriers out there these days. Don't limit yourself to ones sold in department stores or BRU. Also, there will be many out there that say they used one carrier once, their dc hated it and babywearing doesn't work. You have to figure out what works for you and your dc. Some babies prefer to be upright, some in the cradle position, some facing out in an appropriate position, others on your back.
For a young baby, I recommend a ring sling or a pouch if you find one that fits you well. The ring sling is my favorite since it is adjustable and you can fine tune the fit. Pouches are great, and I used them probably even more than my ring sling, but I'm lucky to know the exact size that fits me. Although that changed as I lost weight PP.
A mei tai is great at the parks since it divides baby's weight evenly for the longer walks. I love the Babyhawk MT until my babies are about 9-10 months old.
For older babies I agree that Ergos are great. They work well as a back carrier where many babies want to be when they get older. They are also dh friendly. It is not great for a baby younger than about 4m that does not sit up well or has little head control. A mei tai is a much better choice for that age.

I would check out thebabywearer.com. You will find an infinite amount of information and can ask specific questions about carriers. They also have a great for sale or trade forum so you can try out carriers without paying full price. If it doesn't work for you, you can sell it again for pretty close to what you paid for it. I actually have about a dozen carriers that I need to list since dd3 is getting past the babywearing stage only using a ring sling and the Ergo occasionally.

Good luck. I have worn two babies for several trips to the world. Last April, dd was 5mo and almost never sat in the stroller. I used a Connecta solarweave buckle tai which is a cross between a structured carrier with buckles, and a mei tai. It worked out great. We also used a ring sling when I wanted to pop her in and out or let her face a bit more forward on my hip. I can't imagine bringing an infant to WDW without a sling.

 

[Jdougherty]

I've used a baby Brojn , a native sling, and a custom sling.

I much perfer my custom sling, it's ajustable and well padded. My husband can wear the samesling as can my much taller and slimmer adopted DSister. My BF makes the most beatiful ones, they have adjustable clips and straps, padding for baby and mom, and a draw string to adjust to baby's growing size. DS(4months) has traveled in the one she made me from the time he was 1 month old (flying shopping you name it). I have my nice suede one and a warmer one (we live in colorado) but she can make just about anything.

PM me for more information

 

[soonerfan2008]

I love a great pouch sling when they are tiny, but my go-to carrier is the Beco Butterfly II. The infant insert is genius, and the carrier distributes the weight nicely, especially as they grow. I wore my 9 month old all over Disneyland last year with it.

 

[Jamoky]

I LOVE my 'hotsling'. It's easy to use AND I can roll it or fold it up to put in a purse or keep in the stroller. I used it when my baby boy was very little (4-6 weeks old) and still use it now (he's ten months and now weighs 23+ lbs). The sling is adjustable (you and your husband can use it), comes in hip/modern designs and solid colours, and a variety of materials. Best of all there are three ways to carry your child based on their size and the sling is not bulky. I think the website is www.hotslings.com.

No matter what brand you choose I definitely recommend a sling. We used to have the other carriers for my older children but the sling I have now is the most convenient one I have ever had and my DS LOVES it!

 

[Mom2kmta]

I had a peanut shell, Hotsling, Moby, Mei Tie and a baby bjorn. Hands down the hotsling was my favorite! I second checking out the baby wearer for info and reviews.

 

[momto2js]

I have used my Baby Katan from the day my son came home from the hospital and he is now 11 months. I love that you don't need a college education to figure it out and that you can use the same thing for so many holds. He is 6 months in the picture.

 

[McDuck]

I have used my Baby Katan from the day my son came home from the hospital and he is now 11 months. I love that you don't need a college education to figure it out and that you can use the same thing for so many holds. He is 6 months in the picture.

Another for the Baby K'tan. I tried a pouch (caused a slight heat prickle rash on her tummy from the Velcro safety thing) and a Baby Bjorn (just seemed tight and uncomfortable and I couldn't get the height tab to stay where I put it) and the Baby K'tan is what has worked best for DD and me.

The only caveat is that unlike a wrap, they are sized, so you have to be sure you get the right size.