BabyTigger - I missed the post about your 5 year mark-congrats! Hope the shots went well today.
I still swaddle Scarlett at night, not because she needs to be as she will nap just fine without anything, but because she wakes up in the morning with frosty hands and toes if she isn't wrapped in a blanket. I tried the wearable blanket things, but because her hands are still exposed, she still had the frosty hand thing in the morning. And I keep the house pretty warm at night, at least the other 4 of us are fine-warm, so other than swaddling there isn't much else that I can do.
ArielRae - That is pretty much what 3 month olds do, eat, play a few minutes, sleep, repeat. Through in some pooping, drooling, and spitting up and call it a day.
The one thing I would change if I were you, I would drop the nighttime diaper changes. When your son wakes up at midnight, 3am, whatever, don't change his diaper. Unless of course he pooped and you have to, but if it is just pee, don't worry about it. I found diaper changing to be really disruptive overnight and while I did it with my 1st child for months, I learned with my 2nd that after the initial newborn phase, where they poop everytime you nurse them, that he was fine to stay in the diaper. That child started sleeping through the night way, way, way sooner than my first. Now, part of that is just their temperments (as he just loved his sleep), but I think not changing him every feeding helped him distinguish between night and day.
And I did the same with Scarlett and, like I said, she sleeps very well. And actually, in her case, she is very rarely wet overnight. I can only hope that helps when it comes time to potty train!
cmskok - I had a Bjorn with my 1st and LOVED it. She loved it, I loved it, and I had the Bjorn Active, with the lower back support, so I carried her in that without issue till she was 15-18 months. She was a skinny baby, about 21lbs at that age, but still, she was long but it was never a problem.
Then I had my son was wasn't such a huge fan of that position so I got a sling, which I liked a lot. It was a pouch sling and I liked that he could lay down and sleep in it, but then sit upright and not dangle on his crotch (though my daughter is now 6yo and suffered no ill-effects so I don't really buy into the hype about it being terrible for them). I also liked how I could use it as a hip carrier when he was older. Of course, now some slings are being recalled for newborn deaths, but if you use it properly that isn't a problem.
With my 3rd I have tried every carrier, including the Ergo. I do like that one, but it's a pain to strap on. I like how it has a little canopy to keep her shaded. But she won't stay in it too long cause it's basically just the one position that works.
The best thing, for her anyway as I didn't buy it till I had her, is the Moby Wrap. I love, love, love it! As a newborn she could sleep upright, cuddled up against my chest. She has reflux so this was the perfect position to keep her from choking/gagging too much, plus she loved being really snug in there. I can make it really tight so as a newborn she probably felt like she was back in the womb, or being swaddled. When she was awake I could use the cradle carry to let her see out a bit, but still be fairly upright. Now I can either use it in the same facing-mom, seated position like the Ergo, or facing-out, like a seat though, not dangling. All the weight is on her butt, with her legs criss-crossed, knees above hips. I hold her in that position a lot (without the wrap I mean) cause she likes to see out, so I like that the wrap can maintain the same position. You can also breastfeed in it, though I have only really done that in my house, but that's my own deal really, not an issue with the wrap.
I will add that it can be sort of a pain to get on the first couple of times, but once you get the hang of it, it is super easy and fast, and just so versatile. She's awake when I put her in so I generally put her facing out to start, then when she's sleepy I turn her around to face me or put her in a cradle position.
It can also be used as a back carrier, though I have never tried that. Same with the hip hold-you can do it, but I haven't tried it yet as Scarlett isn't old enough.
So anyway, that would be my carrier of choice after having tried nearly every one in existence!
I have an Ergo, a Beco (very similar to Ergo)and a Bjorn. The Beco and Ergo are WAY better than a Bjorn. They are much more comfortable for the wearer and the baby. The only soft sided carrier that is okay for front facing carries is the Pikkilo, I think, and only up to about 6 months. Forward faing is highly looked down upon by babywearing enthusiasts as it is not a natural position for the baby, plus they can only be comfortably worn that way for a pretty short time.Personally, I would have done it in Disney when she was younger, but there is no way I could now.
Since you are used to the Bjorn, I would suggest looking at the Beco as it's similar for getting them in and out of, ther Ergo has a different learning curve.
Since they cost about the same price I highly recommend trying to get an Ergo or Beco. If you can I would totally find one to borrow or find a local store where you can try one out. Otherwise look for a site that has a great return policy.
I agree!![]()
Thanks so much!!! I am such a bjorn fan, and so is my DH! I keep hearing that the ergo is so much more comfy. I have to look at the Moby! So many choices!!!
