Babywearing

failuretofly

There was a discussion about wraps somewhere within the other threads and I can't seem to find it anywhere! 

But I know that babywearing is it's own beast when it comes to preferences and styles so I figured why not start it's own thread!

With DS we had a K'Tan and a Ergo 360.

I LOVE the Ergo, but its pretty bulky and I dont like that the velcro is SO loud when you're taking baby out of it if they are asleep. Also, in the summer we both got SO hot and sweaty in it, I ended up taking him out of it half the time, which kind of defeats the purpose. I know there's a 'sport' version that's got mesh that I'm interested in, but they're so expenseive!

The K'Tan I could never get right, DS always seemed to be too slumped and I didn't like the way he breathed, but if I tied it tighter, then I couldn't breath! 

I am thinking of getting a simple wrap this time around, so I am interested in hearing others preferences! I have a feeling #2 will live in whatever type of carrier I settle on for the first few months!

jlemons-2

I am dying for a Tula Free to grow. They don't go on sale though so dang. I was gifted with a Baby Biorn with my first even though I really didn't want it. I hate it. Hate it. 

cait5413

We have the Lillebaby complete and have really liked it. I'm paranoid about the wrap types. I know friends who have happily used ring slings, and they seem really convenient, but if you don't know what you are doing, you can put baby at risk. So, I'm kind of scared to use them. I have considered getting a lalabu tank (or something similar): https://www.lalabu.com/soothe-shirt/  I don't know that I would spend the money myself, but it seems like a good Christmas list item!

elcd458

I want a Tula so bad because I think they are the cutest of all the carriers, but I'm finding most folks recommending the Lilliebaby (sp?) to us.  My husband is probably the most naturally sweaty person on the face of the earth and is demanding something with mesh.  I want to try a Moby wrap too but question my ability to use it.  

One of the birth centers nearby has a babywearing exercise class and I want to go soooo bad! It sounds awesome/hilarious. 

failuretofly

I don't get why everyone is so excited about the Tula carriers? They don't look exceptionally special to me lol. Is it just the print? I guess I'm more of a solid/neutral type of person so I'm not drawn to the prints. 

I was scared of wraps before DS too, but after trying the KTan I now see having a proper wrap that you can manipulate fully would be so much better. Plus, after watching a few videos on how to wrap, it doesn't seem as complex as you might think!

MJDsquared

I'm so overwhelmed by this. DH wants a carrier and I do too. He keeps mentioning a Baby Bjorn and I'm like...literally no one on the message boards even mentions those. I don't think people even use them anymore. (And now I've heard my first negative review, thanks @jlemons-2!) He's being cheap and they sell it for a low price on the website of the national company he works for and gets a discount. I'm like, "Yeah...how about we register for one that has good reviews and may be a little pricier."

Anyway, we went to BRU yesterday just to look at stuff and they only had like three carriers on display and one was a wrap-type which we don't want. No idea how we'll figure this out!

kyrwyn

We went and tried on all the carriers at a buy buy baby, and chose a lillebaby (sp?) because it seemed to fit both me and DH and we specifically liked the lower back support. I am also thinking about getting a ring sling to try, maybe an XL Maya wrap since I'm plus sized. 

Tennis11785

I have a Tula Free to Grow sitting in a box upstairs right now.  I went to a baby show about a month ago and bought the ticket that came with the carrier for like $30 off retail price.  I figured if I hated the carrier, I could always sell it and break even.  At the show I tried on a couple different carriers, including the Baby Bjorn, and I think I liked the Tula the best.  It just seemed to be the most comfortable.  

I was also debating the K'tan, although good to know @kvacmak that you felt like it didn't hold the baby well.  

rainbowdashh

I have way too many wraps. And a ring sling. I want a Tula or some other soft structured carrier but not until baby is like 3-4 months old. There is nothing like wrapping a squishy newborn 

failuretofly

@MJDsquared I agree it is so overwhelming. Personally I chose the ergo 360 over the others because it offer solid evidence that it was ergonomic for baby facing out. But to be honest I preferred wearing him facing in because it was easier on my body. I've also heard terrible things about the Bjorn 

@jlemons-2 it is very possible that I had the wrong size, but I bought mine based on their sizing suggestions 

acgonzalez22

I loved my Moby wrap with DS then I used my Lillebaby once he was 5 months or so. YouTube videos really helped me with the Moby because it can be overwhelming at first. 

NME44

I am totally in love with wrapping and still occasionally wrap my 2 year old and 3 and a half year old, although not much. I started with ring slings and found I don't actually like them all that much but I know many mommas who do.  

As for soft structured carriers, I don't actually find tulas very comfortable bc of the foam straps and waist band. I much prefer the Lenny lamb wrap conversion SSC, and found it really easy to use, since you can cross the straps in the back. 

And just for fun, this is my wrap collection 

rainbowdashh

@NME44 I loved my Lenny lamb with my second daughter! She was kind of scrawny and it fit her and I much better than a Tula.

also your stash! Amazing!

Amber_Waves

I have a chronic shoulder injury & will probably not make a habit of wearing the baby. My husband, on the other hand, specifically mentioned wanting a carrier, so we'll probably register for what works for him at the store.

ChelK3

@cait5413 I'd love something like that tank, but i don't like how it doesn't offer any head or neck support for the baby. It's not a hands free option because you'd have to be supporting there head the whole time

ilikestars089

I loved my boba wrap for when my DS was really small and the Ergo 360 for when he got a little bigger. He's almost 2 and I still wear him on my back with the 360! The boba is like the moby and is a little confusing at first but I watched a YouTube video to help the first few times. I used to put it on before going out (like to the store) and then could just pull him out of the car seat and nestle him in - much better than trying to put the 20ft long wrap on in the parking lot

Disclaimer: I haven't tried any other ways of babywearing because I loved these so much and didn't feel a need to get any other wraps/slings/carriers, so I can't compare.  

ameliabedelia-2

@NME44, where do you get all your wraps? They are beautiful! 

teshatolley

With DS I used a ring sling and have loved it. He's 1 now and I still love using it. I can't wait for wrapping up a brand new baby again. 

NME44

@ameliabedelia-2, there's a whole online world of babywearing, mostly on Facebook. Most of my wraps are either from Oscha, a Scottish company, but you can just order them online, or from Robbins Nest Weaving. Oscha is a machine woven company and Robbins Nest is Handwoven. 

Here is oscha's web site just to give you an idea of pricing. It's a mid-range company, meaning you can get cheaper but you can also get much more expensive. I usually recommend a less expensive brand if you're just trying out woven wraps for the first time (Lenny lamb is a favorite of mine.)  There are also swaps for secondhand wraps on Facebook, but those can be pretty intimidating to start out. the Oscha site is  https://www.oschaslings.com/en/ 

But I recommend 5mr.com when you are beginning. 

And thank you!

sjis

I used both a Sakura Bloom ring sling and an ergo, both great! I ended up using my ring sling more since I could squish it up in a bag and for it's ease of use. The first few times using the ring sling took a bit of practice but once I got it down, it was like second nature. The single linen is great for warm weather, double linen great for cold. Though I think now the company offers a variety of different and more luxe fabrics. DD loved it!

The new Sakura bloom Onbuhimo carrier is on my wishlist.

The ergo was good for the support, but it's bulky and it gets warm. The insert is great when I used DD as a wee infant.

I also used the Boba but like @ilikestars089 said, it's hard to wrestle the long wrap when on the go. 

ameliabedelia-2

@NME44, oh my gosh, when you said "more expensive "....I didn't realize people pay $400+ on a freaking wrap! Mind blown. So what differentiates one of these Oscha wraps from something like boba or moby? Are they just more stylish with different fabric choices?

I couldn't help but laugh at the washing instructions for their silk wraps. DD threw up about 50 times a day....that's a whole lotta hand washing and line drying

kaylawing

@ameliabedelia-2 my understanding is the moby and boba are stretchy material and the other more expensive wraps are a woven material that doesn't stretch so you can use them safely as baby grows. But I may be wrong about that. 

I started with a ring along with dd and hated it. I got a ktan after that and used that a lot in the early days. Then I switched over to the Ergo original. I was on a baby wearing group on Facebook and it somehow convinced me that I needed a Lillebaby so I got one, but I actually like the ergo better. I thought I would like Lillebaby for facing out but dd didn't like facing out and it hurt back back. 

I really want to try a wrap and I'm impressed with your stash @NME44 . I just don't know how confident I would feel wrapping and they are just so expensive. I know that baby wearing is going to be my saving grace with two kids so close together, so I'm hoping to find a better carrying solution. 

leighalou91

Oh man, I'm obsessed with my baby carriers  I have 2 Tulas (1 is mesh for the summer time), a Lenny Lamb, a Didymos wrap, and my Moby wrap. DH and I find Tula the most comfortable. I sold my Ergo when I found Tula. So much more comfy!

@kvacmak - for me, Tulas have been by far the most comfortable! They do have some solid prints too. I had an ergo until my daughter was about 6 months old and liked it okay. But couldn't believe how much more comfy my Tula was when I got it!

@NME44 Your stash is drool-worthy! I'm so envious! I only have one woven wrap (Didymos). I haven't really used it with my daughter because I bought it when she was about 18 months and she hasn't been patient enough to let me learn wrapping with her. She is too squirmy. So we have stuck with SSC's. I have a Lenny but have had a hard time getting a good fit with it (I can't seem to get the waist band sinched enough). I'm obsessed with the pattern though so I can't get myself to sell it! I reach for my Tulas the most. 

mdcd44127

This has been--by far--the most helpful discussion for me thusfar. I know I want to baby-carry but I've had no clue where to begin, and there seem to be at least 1,000 different types of carriers all claiming to be the best. Thank you so much for all your input, ladies!

NME44

ameliabedelia-2 said:

@NME44, oh my gosh, when you said "more expensive "....I didn't realize people pay $400+ on a freaking wrap! Mind blown. So what differentiates one of these Oscha wraps from something like boba or moby? Are they just more stylish with different fabric choices?

I couldn't help but laugh at the washing instructions for their silk wraps. DD threw up about 50 times a day....that's a whole lotta hand washing and line drying

Yeah, I won't tell you how much my most expensive wrap is 

The woven wraps aren't stretchy, and therefore can be safely used to backwrap babies and toddlers. They're also more supportive as the baby gets bigger. I will say that I find wovens so much easier than mobys because a: they're shorter...even at 4.6 m, it's significantly shorter than a moby, and b: because they don't stretch, it's easier to get a secure wrap job.

background: I didn't wear my son bc I started with a mobys and found it unwieldy, and the ergo was just too hot for Texas. Then I HAD to find an option  that worked for my daughter, since my son was not quite 18 months old when she was born. Now I wrap because I enjoy it. There's a hobby to the different fibers and lengths and wrapping techniques. 

HOWEVER, you really only need one (or two for when one gets dirty) wraps to be successful. And again, please visit 5mr.com. Wraps are much less expensive there. And you can find amazing deals on the secondhand market these days.

@kaylawing, 5mr.com you can find wraps for less than $100! Like I said, you only need one. Oh! And they might have a 4th of July sale. Not sure.

as for silk: it's my FAVE! My babies weren't much of spitters, and really, you wear so far beyond the spit-up phase anyway. 

NME44

And just for an example of secondhand swap prices, the purple and white wrap with the arrows I got for $65.

theres actually a swap on Facebook called babywearing on a budget. All carriers on that site are listed at $100 or below. 

Before buying a wrap, I would recommend looking into your local babywearing group or doing some of your own research to see what size you would need. Most people do well starting out with a 6 or 7 (4.6 - 5.2 m).

Tennis11785

djd0404 - I've heard (but haven't tried) that it's great to go to a babywearing support group, even if it's before you have the baby.  The women are generally really excited to share babywearing and will let you try different wraps so you can see what is comfortable for you.  That way you can test a bit before spending all the money on a wrap that you might not feel comfortable in.  

Has anyone done this?  Is it true or totally made up?

stella_700

Seconding the usefulness of this discussion. With twins both my husband and I plan to carry our babies during outings. At what age/size would previous carrying Moms recommend carrying. I'm a bit concerned that they will be too small to carry till they are a month/6 weeks?

Megn43

I love all things babywearing! I still wear my 20 month old regularly. I have a couple wraps, a mei dai, and a few ssc's (a tula and Lenny lamb). I plan to get a ring sling to use for this baby for the first few months. I love wrapping but prefer something easier when out and about and babe won't fit my ssc till probably 4 months at the earliest. I learned about all the different types of carriers at my local BWI (babywearing international) meetings. They had a huge lending library of carriers and educators to help you learn how to use them. I recommend checking to see if you have a chapter nearby if you're intimidated (like I was) by the endless options there are. Here's a link to see if you have a local chapter. https://babywearinginternational.org/chapters/

flowerpower5838

If you guys want to try babywearing but don't want to spend all of the monies, check out the group Baby Wearing on a Budget on Facebook. It's a break-off of the big Babywearing swap and nothing is over $100. I got a RS there that was great to start with and certainly friendly on the budget. Most wraps/RSs/SSCs hold their value fairly well so if you take good care of it you can generally recoup your funds (if you're not buying new, that is). Which is great when you're not sure if you'll like something or not! 

Oh and ETA: the baby bjorn isn't great on baby's hips and is commonly referred to as a leg-dangler so I'd avoid if you're planning on babywearing more frequently! 

failuretofly

@stella_700 you can definitely wear a newborn! I had my babe in the ergo within the first week or two with the newborn insert. Most wraps or ring slings have carries that support little squishes as well!

babypi

I absolutely love my Tula and so does my 18 month old. I also have a couple ring slings that are great for around the house but I have a hard time carrying her for long periods of time in them. That's more because I have a bad back and need her weight to be centered and symmetric, but I know women who use ring slings exclusively. I love my woven wrap but my DD has hated it from the beginning, she finds it too confining. 

I have a question for the ladies still wearing their toddlers while pregnant. Is there a SSC that you would recommend for back-carry that buckles or ties above the belly? The Tula doesn't work well for that, and I'm getting too big to front carry in the Tula. Thanks! 

cait5413

@elcd458 Lillebaby does have an all-seasons version, which is more breathable, but we have the regular one, so I can't vouch for it!

@ChelK3 I think it has an extendable flap you can pull up for head support when they're really small, but I haven't actually tried it myself

@stella700 with the Lillebaby, you can wear pretty much from birth (with twins you might want to check if they recommend starting at a certain weight, but DD was 7 lbs 9 oz when born and DH wore her right away). It's one of the reasons we got the Lillebaby--you could wear from birth all the way up to 40 lbs or so without needing a special insert or anything. 

TigerCakes

Does anyone have recommendations for which carries are best for someone with very large breasts? I'm a 38H pre pregnancy and I wasn't able to wear my son without it really hurting my back.  I have a moby and the ergo 360.  I couldn't get a hang of the moby and I couldn't wear the ergo for more than 20 minutes without being in pain.

NME44

babypi said:

I absolutely love my Tula and so does my 18 month old. I also have a couple ring slings that are great for around the house but I have a hard time carrying her for long periods of time in them. That's more because I have a bad back and need her weight to be centered and symmetric, but I know women who use ring slings exclusively. I love my woven wrap but my DD has hated it from the beginning, she finds it too confining. 

I have a question for the ladies still wearing their toddlers while pregnant. Is there a SSC that you would recommend for back-carry that buckles or ties above the belly? The Tula doesn't work well for that, and I'm getting too big to front carry in the Tula. Thanks! 

Have you tried an onbuhimo? 

failuretofly

@TigerCakes I can't relate to the boob issue, but I found my ergo gave me back pain too until I fiddled with all the adjustable straps until it worked for me. I had to adjust the back/chest clip down further and reposition the waistband 

lijuan09

I am interested in baby wearing, but like many others I feel overwhelmed with all the choices. I'm plus sized (usually size 18-20 tops, 22-24 bottoms), relatively small bust, and I carry a lot of weight in my upper abdomen. I'm a bit concerned about finding a wrap that fits my body shape. Is anyone here like me, and have you found something that works?

Jellybelly119

I absolutely loved my K'tan for when DS was teeny tiny. So easy to put on, and he fit great in there. I watched a bunch of videos to make sure he was positioned correctly and never had any concerns at all about his breathing. I mastered our ring sling next. I have a Maya and I actually like the padded shoulder, although I know some people hate that! The RS was my favorite around 6-9 months when I could put him in a hip carry and before he felt too heavy for it! 
I love our Tulas, and the mesh does seem to be cooler so I'd recommend that for warmer places! We also got DH an Ergo 360; it seemed to fit him better and we don't have to keep adjusting the settings to share. 
I actually want to get into wrapping, but I don't feel like I have the time to learn! I bought a Didy on a whim super cheap from our town BST, but it's wayyy longer than what I need so I may get it chopped soon and start playing with it! 

dkizz82

@jlemons-2 I hated my baby Bjorne too. Got rid of that sucker. 

jackiesmom324

I saw this a lot when I was in West Africa. Here are a few articles that get at the history of this:

https://www.slingbabies.co.nz/Site/History_2.ashx

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/theguardian/2004/jun/18/guardianweekly.guardianweekly12

NME44

@lijuan09, you specifically mentioned wrap. Is that something you're interested in? If so, it shouldn't be hard to find something that works well for you! I would guess you might want to start out with a size 7 (which, admittedly, can seem overwhelming as it is 5.2 m of fabric) to do the basic carry, front wrap cross carry. When you are comfortable with that, you can use a variety of sizes for many different ways of wrapping. It's a very versatile method of wearing.