Product Spotlight: Baby Carriers( w/o 11/27)

SmashJam

Hey all! Searched and hadn't seen this done yet, so I thought I would start it today! I just stole June's format and started at the beginning based on their spreadsheet (which is linked to at the bottom). The spreadsheet lists the order of the products and links to the thread for future use.  A good idea and I think and I can switch out that thread and link our own if people want! Back to your regularly scheduled thread in 3...2...1...

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... baby carriers! Ring slings, wraps, you name it.

Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed.  

For S+TMs:

• Favorite [baby carrier]:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• What you like about it:
• What you don't like about it, if anything:
• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]:

For FTMs:

• [Carrier(s)] you're interested in:
• Link/picture:
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
• Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:

ETA: This is our schedule for reference, and past links here. Created based on June 2018 spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nhSR3UAwJx8UitC9b2hRx57c4hHkK6BU679FjqXMeHQ/edit?usp=sharing

THis is June's if you want to look at past threads for reference: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1gjNtxy2Kd2JceTYYR5wkwVcpTbU-khgazhjcZnfI1y4/edit?usp=sharing

message me if you want me to add categories! 

SmashJam

• Favorite [baby carrier]: Ergo 360
• 
  
• Link/picture: https://www.target.com/p/ergobaby-360-all-carry-positions-ergonomic-baby-carrier-gray
• 
  
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $160, plus $25 for infant insert.
• 
  
• What you like about it: It is comfortable to carry my 35lb 2.5 year old in if I have to. He's been 30lbs or close for several months so while I don't carry him often anymore, if I had to this would make it easier.
• What you don't like about it, if anything: nothing!
• 
  
• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I also have a boba wrap and an infantino, one was a gift and one was a purchase in hopes that I wouldn't have to spend $160 on a carrier (infantino). Both worked fine until DS was over 15 #, then I had a problem...for the infantino it was fine just painful on the shoulders, but with the Boba I couldn't wrap it tight enough once he was over 15# and he sagged. Could be just my inexpertise, though. Also, DS was born 9lbs 5 oz, so it didn't take long for him to reach over 15#. That being said, the infantino was $15 at walmart and the boba wrap was $40, so if you didn't want to spend $185 total on the 360 then these are good stand ins until you save for something else! 
• 
  
• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: A life-saver. If your child gets used to it and will tolerate it, its the ability to hold them close while using your hands for other things (cleaning, eating, standing with your hands hanging down at your side instead of holding up a baby, lol. Admittedly, I only used this around the house, on walks, at festivals or parties, and less going inside the store (I just took the whole carseat while he was still in the infant seat).

comealongponds

• Favorite [baby carrier]: Tula Free-to-Grow (personal preference for wrap conversion)

• Link/picture: https://babytula.com/collections/free-to-grow-baby-carriers

• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $160- (canvas/twill) - $600+ (wrap conversion)

• What you like about it: Works from birth (7lb+) with no insert needed, super comfortable. 

• What you don't like about it, if anything: I wish the wrap conversions were easier to score, they're limited release (I'm looking at you DBG Baby Spellbound)

• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: No. I also have a classic Ergo which is fine but not my favourite and a ring sling I never got the hang of last time. And a standard Tula...I have a problem lol

• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I'm anticipating getting a lot of use out of mine this time around since I'm going to be chasing two toddlers!

devilcat139

Sorry to break the format already but as a FTM having twins I have a question for you all-is there any way/configuration to get both babies wrapped on me somehow (and a device that will do that)? Or do my husband and I just have to each wear one at once if we want hands to be free? Any thoughts would be great! 

comealongponds

@devilcat139 there are options! This is the WeeGo, which I found very uncomfortable, even with my small preemies but a lot of twin moms like it. I didn't use it for long and I think it's usually outgrown by the time babies are about 15lb each, comfort wise. 


Now that they're big enough to back carry in an SSC, I wear them in two Tulas or Tula & Ergo (Ergo is red in this pic, Tula us blue with flowers. 


There are twin specific SSCs, the TwinGo and the TwinTrexx but I don't have experience with those. I've also seen twin moms use long wraps to tandem wrap or two ring slings. 

blair_krank

Favorite: baby k’tan

Baby K'tan Original Baby Carrier, Black, Small https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000UYFULU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_uBahAbCZAX3ZC

Price: $40

What I like: Wears like a wrap without the learning curve. It’s sized to you, so no adjusting or tightening needed. I wore DD comfortable until she could sit up in the shopping cart reliably. 

What I don’t like: it’s sized to you, so if you and your SO don’t wear the same shirt size you won’t be able to share. Mine never liked wearing her, but when he did he used our ergo which I could never get comfortable in (I think because my torso is so short).

I might like to try a different SSC this time because I think the need to be hands free with this baby will be much more urgent than when I only had 1. 

acunamatada

• Favorite [baby carrier]: Standard Tula

• Link/picture: https://babytula.com/collections/ergonomic-baby-carriers 

• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $139

• What you like about it: it's comfortable, works for both me and DH, fit DS from 3mo+ 

• What you don't like about it, if anything: I wished it worked sooner, but I thought buying an extra insert would be a waste for the time I would use it

• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: now I'm seeing this Tula free to grow... Someone stop me. 

• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I wish I learned to wrap, but there were so many options I couldn't commit!

comealongponds

acunamatada said:
*snip*

• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: now I'm seeing this Tula free to grow... Someone stop me. 

• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I wish I learned to wrap, but there were so many options I couldn't commit!

Come to the dark side! The FTG is awesome. 

BrittG13

I second the Ergo and the newborn insert! It was very comfortable for me and there's nothing I didn't like about it.

i tried the baby k'tan and wanted to love it but my son HATED it. Cried bloody murder everytime I put him in. So I stopped. I still have it though so maybe this one will like it..

smm1118

For my DS I absolutely loved my moby wrap for the first few months (https://www.target.com/p/moby-174-wrap-classic-black/-/A-11003995?ref=tgt_adv_XS000000&AFID=google_pla_df&CPNG=PLA_Baby+Shopping&adgroup=SC_Baby&LID=700000001170770pgs&network=g&device=m&location=9005849&gclid=Cj0KCQiAjO_QBRC4ARIsAD2FsXOxXp0iATj1umcX9uhGxOFjSpH9yq99RNYyoXga56YKbM359D7mr_AaAuirEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)I could just put him in there and he would fall asleep and I could do anything I wanted.

Once he was bigger we used a standard Tula (https://babytula.com/products/alyssa-tula-baby-carrier?variant=45389296138) and a Lillebaby carrier (https://www.google.com/search?q=lillebaby&rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS692US692&oq=lille&aqs=chrome.1.69i57j0j5j0.3057j0j4&hl=en-US&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie=UTF-8#idx=0&pie=plaji-i). I much preferred the lillebaby because of the different ways you could carry the baby. My DS loves to be able to face outward so he could see everything. Plus the lillebaby has great back support. The Tula was super cute and comfy to wear, I just didn’t find it as practical. 

acunamatada

BrittG13 said:

*snip*
i tried the baby k'tan and wanted to love it but my son HATED it. Cried bloody murder everytime I put him in. So I stopped. I still have it though so maybe this one will like it..

I had the k'tan too- my son also hated that thing. With a passion. We tried it 3 times and it's in storage... somewhere. I hope I can get some use out of it this time around. 

cseley321

I had the Ktan also, but by the time I got it, she was almost too big to be in it, but it served its purpose (we were on vacation) and I plan to use it with this kid some, but I plan to buy either a Tula or Ergo. I am totally undecided on which one though anyone who has both, any pros and cons are definitely welcome!

devilcat139

@comealongponds thank you so much! Very helpful to see them in action too mostly just relived that there are solutions out there and I don’t have to resign myself to literally having both hands full 100% of the time. Appreciate you sharing your experience! 

acciocoffee

With DD I loved my Boba wrap, but it is difficult to tie it the right way, so I might buy or borrow a Ktan this time. We also had a BabyBjorn because it was the cheap option. It was ok, but hard on my back. It was much faster than the Boba wrap to get DD in and out. We also used it a lot more when she was old enough to face forward. 

paytonpedro

• Favorite [baby carrier]: boba wrap
• Link/picture: will attach. 
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): like $40
• What you like about it: super easy to use and super comfortable. I have back problems and this never bothered my back.  Also, great for bfing moms  
• What you don't like about it, if anything: nothing
• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope. I’ll use my boba with this baby too. 
• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: make sure to do your research, some don’t carry baby correctly and can be dangerous. 
• 
• Sorry about the dirty mirror!

christycalifornia

@SmashJam I hated my Boba, it's not just you. I have very large breasts and could never get it to tie tightly enough, even when DD was a newborn. I gave mine to a friend. I did much better with wraps that didn't have much give to them, the woven wraps or sari wraps. I love wraps, so much less fiddly than carries, but DD did NOT. I had zero luck with her and carriers until she was big enough to face outward in the 360. When she was much bigger a ring wrap worked, because she liked being on my hip, but it was still few and far between. Hoping this kid lkes to be held closely, and I can use the wraps I bought last time. 

stillcozy

• Favorite [baby carrier]: Ergo baby carrier with infant insert
• Link/picture: see attached picture
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):  they run between 90-120 however I highly highly reccomend second hand sale like Just Between Friends, or facebook garage sale sites especially kid centered ones local to you and buy them gently used. I got both the carrior and infant insert for 60 dollars and it is pretty much brand new
• What you like about it: I was easy for both myself and my husband to use and easy to wesr.
• What you don't like about it, if anything: just takes some practice to figure out exactly how to have it fit.
• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I have a moby and used it very rarely with my first mainly because i struggled to tie it and with my PPA it just wasnt a good combination at the time however i plan to take advantage of it much more this time since that will help a ton with a toddler
• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I think  you have to find the one that works best for you. i believe you can try some on at target and I highly encourage people to try that! 

owl_momma

For S+TMs:

• Favorite [baby carrier]: Tula
• Link/picture :https://babytula.com/collections/most-popular
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $$
• What you like about it: I love having a SSC, I tried the Ergo and I'm on the tall side and I felt like it didn't really work for me. I got the Tula as a Christmas gift and I fell in love It was easy to use and super comfortable, they make breathable ones too and we got our toddler Tula with the mesh panel (Tula coast) for our Disney trip and it was amazing! (We also have a ring sling that I didn't love and a hiking carrier which is wonderful too!)
• What you don't like about it, if anything:
• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: I'm hoping to get the hang of a ring sling with this LO, I had one for my 2nd (Maya) but I didn't love it, I'm going to try a Sakura bloom this time around
• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: It's definitely trial and error, not every carrier is for everyone, if your local baby wearing community has meetings and lending libraries I definitely recommend checking it out before making a big purchase.

lavillard

Love this information! Thanks for your input. It's so overwhelming trying to narrow down options with no experience using them! Keep it coming ladies 

st3lla

I used three carriers with my first:

1) Moby wrap - great for the first few months, very comfortable, good for baby naps, but a bit challenging to wrap on the go (for example, I didn’t use it much when we were out and about because I inevitably let the tails drag on the ground when wrapping)

2) a lovely girasol ring sling. Definitely my prettiest carrier and super easy to get my little one in and out. But a bit uncomfortable after time as the weight is a bit uneven over one shoulder. I didn’t use it much after the first 4 months or so.

3) ergo 360 - super functional, can face in and out when on the front and can also do back carries. My go to carrier after babe was about 5 months old and loved looking around. 

I am planning to use all three again with #2, though might try to swap my ring sling with someone from our local baby wearing group to find something more comfortable. 

morethanamama

Resurrecting this thread because I have a question. Is there a way to try on carriers and really get a feel for them before the baby? I see so many that have great reviews but have no idea what would be best for me. In thinking of the ergobaby plus another one like the Moby or the baby Ktan wrap. But I see others that are good too, of course. Just wondering how some of you STMs made the decision the first time around:)

hillbillywife

kissableviv said:

Resurrecting this thread because I have a question. Is there a way to try on carriers and really get a feel for them before the baby? I see so many that have great reviews but have no idea what would be best for me. In thinking of the ergobaby plus another one like the Moby or the baby Ktan wrap. But I see others that are good too, of course. Just wondering how some of you STMs made the decision the first time around:)

You could see if there’s a babywearing international group near you! Our local one has a library (a TON!) of carriers and you can go to the meetings and try them on and feel them and stuff. If you become a member you can borrow from the library for a month. It’s a great way to figure out if it’ll work for you before you drop the cash on your own. 

I dont think it’s local just to Pennsylvania lol so hopefully there’s one on CA (if I remember right you’re in California?) 

SmashJam

@kissableviv +1 to babywearing international, that's what I was going to suggest! I bet some bigger babies r us/ buy buy babies have it too, but i could be wrong?

morethanamama

@SmashJam @hillbillywife you're the best thank you! Yes, I'm in California:)

comealongponds

@kissableviv ditto to the above answers for BWI, they usually have lending libraries! You could also check in a local moms group and see if anyone there has some you can try on!