OT - Babywearing/slings - Advice?

[britfish]

loved my maya wrap, so simple and easy and comfy. I even have pics. of DH wearing it (although he'd never admit it). DD used it up until 3yo it was great shopping at that age when I needed two hands free. She was skiny miny so I got a long amount of use out of it. DD loved naping in it!
We travelled alot when DD was little and people always asked me about my sling because it was so simple as they were messing w/ buckles and straps, etc.. We also tried a front pack from LL Bean and it was a back killer.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

LOVE the Ergo. It's amazing. I tried the Bjorne and it stunk, it was uncomfortable to wear and actually hurt. Wraps just seemed way too complicated.

http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/carrier/

Here are a couple of pics of me wearing DD at DL in the Ergo. She was 1 at the time and weight around 20lbs. I wore her for extended periods of time very comfortably.

 

[rparmfamily]

Please excuse my messy house and hair, I had a new baby LOL!

and it might look tight on her legs, but the material is a very soft snuggly jersey knit.

Here she is in a Moby. See how she's against my chest, but she's not curled up or anything. Her legs are down (you can froggy them up though), she's in the same position as if I was holding her to me.

I used a Moby when she was tiny and Ergo once she hit about 4 months. I second babywearer.com

 

[mommyoffive]

I used a sleepy wrap just like the moby wrap, only cheaper. I really loved it!

 

[blana]

I had a ring sling and a hot sling. For NIP, the ring sling was easier. More fabric to use to cover up with, etc. For general everyday use, the hot sling was great!

 

[Disney Khi]

Don't mean the hijack the thread, but I'm wondering about slings/carriers with a newborn. I'm leaning towards a structured soft carrier (like the Ergo or BabyHawk) so that DH will use it as well, but I'm wondering how well they work for newborns. What about ringslings? Isn't the baby pretty "covered up" when it can't support it's head and is nestled in the sling? I'm worried about the suffocation risk after the Infantino recalls this week.

We used our Baby Hawk when DD was a newborn and it worked just fine. She was only 6 lbs 7 oz at birth, so it's not like she was huge or anything. We didn't get our sling until she was 8 weeks old but we used it a lot after that. She never liked being in a cradle hold, though, so she was always in it upright. (We also always put her upright in the Moby from the day she was born. She just didn't like to be lying down.) She was lying down when she nursed in the sling, but I always kept an arm under her for support and made sure her nose wasn't covered. My DH wears her in all three of our carriers and always seems comfortable in them. I hope you find one that works for your DH.

 

[GaPaige]

I loved mei teis for my babies when they were tiny and Ergo (or Ergo-type) as they got older. A big plus for the Ergo is that my dh felt it was masculine enough that he had no problem wearing it (he also loved his custom made mei tei of his favorite sports team ). The kids loved being on dh's back b/c he is very tall and they could see so much more at that level. At first I was intimidated by getting them in/out of the Ergo by myself, but after some practice with a "spotter", I became a pro.

 

[adventure_woman]

Wow - thanks everyone for all your advice! Now to try to figure out which one is best!!

 

[tommya60]

I used a ring sling when DD was an infant--otherwise I couldn't push my mom's wheelchair if I had them both with me (my mom couldn't really hold the baby). DD loved it! DH wore it on occassion, it was easy to adjust. It really made things a lot easier on everyone.

 

[Ariel8676]

I'd also like to recommend http://thebabywearer.com/
My favorite ring sling are from http://www.sleepingbaby.net/index.php very comfy shoulder,prices are great and Jan is awesome to work with.
Favorite Mei Tei is http://babyhawk.com/
SSC (soft structured carrier) http://hyenacart.com/blookangaroo/index.php?c=20 She has a Kanga j for smaller babies and a Kanga X for biger..it is so comfy

 

[mommycrawford]

I used the NOJO, and my daughter nursed 'til 3.9 years. I also took a "sling class" that gave tips like taking up slack with strong rubber bands, and the various positions to place baby in.

Baby wearing is great, and makes it easy to continue with routine tasks, but I recommend having more than one type (like a bjorn too) so that you don't cramp up/ over use only a couple of muscles. Try to borrow some before you commit so you can see what you like!

Best of luck

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My advice is to research teh correct way to carry a baby in a sling.

Babywearing has gone on for centuries.

What happened with that recall is very unfortunate--but just by design alone, I have always been leary of that sling. The baby died due to the mother not realizing that the baby could not be in a certain position.

The ones I have purchased did indicate to make sure that the babies head was properly supported so that their breathing would not be compromised.

I have a moby wrap, mei tai (their instructions tell you to NOT use them until they are 4 months old...at least the version I have), and a hot sling (pouch).

Just figure out what you think may work for you and PLEASE know the proper way to use it with your baby.

The recall and deaths that caused the recall were unfortunate--but IMHO it was a company looking to cash in on the craze with a one-size fits all pouch. The devices I have, are either sized for me and the baby--or they are put on and sized to teh baby (like the Moby Wrap).


Advice on the Moby--there is a learning curve. IT took me a good week of practice with teh baby before I was comfortable. So if it doesn't seem right--just keep practice and watch the DVD to know how to put it on. It truly was my son's favorite.

 

[Eeyore's Wife]

For inexpensive baby wearing I suggest a double ring sling which can be worn by most adults in the family. So, mom, dad, aunt, uncle, grammy, or big brother can wear the baby.

I love my Maya Wrap double ring sling with padded shoulder. I purchased mine, and all baby gifts, from their clearance section for a better price. It comes with an instructional dvd to clearly show you how to wear an infant, baby, toddler or pre-schooler.

It is comfortable, folds small, washes easily, and has a zippered pouch in the tail which allows the tail to be used as a nursing cover up when you nurse "on the go."