Product Spotlight: Babywearing

elle-0409

What carriers have you used and liked, or hated, or been ambivalent about? Why? Do you prefer wraps? Slings? Soft structured? Hard structured? Different carriers for different tasks? Where do you go to get more info? What materials are suitable for your environment, and what brands use them? Do you have other relevant info I’m forgetting?

FTMs: when you look at baby carriers, what’s confusing? Ask away!

alinic916

I got a boba wrap as a baby shower gift. It was great when DD1 was a tiny baby, but outgrew it quickly. 
We had an Infantino Sash Mai Tai carrier after that, which was great (and cheap)! No complaints.

My favorite is our Lillebaby Complete All Seasons. We didn't get it until she was a little older, so didn't get a lot of use out of it.  Looking forward to using it a lot more this time around!  It's a little bigger than the other two, but very comfortable. We wanted one you could wear on front or back. And Etsy sells all kinds of strap and bib covers for them. I bought it used on our local swip swap FB for like $50 and it was practically brand new so if you can't afford a brand new carrier, getting gently used is a great option.

We never had a Tula, but they're absolutely adorable and most people rave about them, but they're considerably more expensive than other options.

ETA: We only used the wrap or carrier occassionally with DD1. Didn't feel the need unless one of us was taking her to the store by ourself or on vacation. With baby #2 I plan on using it A LOT more!! Going to need those hands free a lot more!

cmbt2

So, with DS1, I loved having ring slings. I did wrap conversions off Etsy. Once he hit 15/16 months, I switched over to a Tula structured carrier. 

With DS2, I hated anything that wasn’t a structured carrier. Nothing else felt sturdy enough to wear a tiny baby and chase a toddler. I got a Tula free to grow for him that we still occasionally use 

both DH and I had our own carriers/ he uses ergo, I use Tula. Not everyone will fit in one or the other properly

kindbytealikat

With DS I used a Moby Wrap in the beginning and loved it, I'll be using it again. I know some people can continue with the wraps when they get bigger but I felt I wanted something more structured when he grew. This was back during the big TULA phase, so I bought a TULA. I HATED IT. I found it difficult to put on when I was alone and it was just to long for my short torso. The odd fit caused me to have a lot of back pain too. It did work well for DH though, so he'll probably use it this time around since I never sold it. I am planning to try and Lilliebaby this time around.

Cass005

I didn't so this with DD1 so I am super excited to try it! Any suggestions are welcomed

stephanie123456

I bought a K'Tan when DS was little and I liked wearing him very close, though sometimes the wrap felt weird to me. I didn't use it a whole lot but I plan to try again with this LO.

I did however get an Ergo on super-clearance and LOVED it (I didn't get the infant insert so I only started using it when he was big enough). I wore that thing everywhere and DS enjoyed being held and being able to see. Though I wish I could get the new 360 since my original does not face baby out while being wore on the parent's front side. I just can't justify spending more. I will be buying the infant insert this time around.

greenbean-2

We have an ergo 360. It felt a little awkward to use until we were done with the infant insert and DD was a bit sturdier. But we all love it now. DD still asks to be carried in it sometimes (at 21 months, 27 lbs). She’s too heavy for me to do it now, but DH still does. So, we’ve certainly gotten our money’s worth. 

mrsinterweb

We absolutely love the Lillebaby complete. It is really easy to use and adjust. MH and I both wore it a lot. 

I didn’t care for the K’tan as much as I hoped to. The window of use was small before baby was too big for it, and also he was too small for it at first so it was just kind of disappointing that we couldn’t use it as much as I’d wanted too. I’m thinking of trying a different cloth carrier this time around. So following for suggestions on that.

grapeskittles4lyfe

We had the ergo structured carrier with DD1 and I used it SO MUCH. Like she would fall asleep in it even well past 18 months. It comes with an infant insert and good videos online for back and side carry (side carry was not my favorite). We also had a ring sling but neither kid really enjoyed it much so I passed it on to another family.
When DD1 turned 2 the ergo seemed to small for comfortable wearing (on the grownup's side - DD1 never complained) so I bought the toddler carrier from Tula. It's also great. 

I don't plan on attempting a ring sling (again) with this one, but I gotta admit the idea of a soft/stetchy carrier to wear around the house does tempt me. I'm going to check our local babywearing library for options.

nachellebeck13

I tried a ring sling with DS but had no idea what I was doing. 

Later got an Ergo and that was great. We also upgraded to a toddler Tula when DS got bigger and he loved riding in his "Backpack".

I've already got a ring sling (practiced on DS when it was within weight limits) and I'm looking for an onbuhimo for DH since he's got a larger waist than I do (Tula is too small for DH).

I'll probably also buy another Tula when DD gets bigger. 

junebabyh

+1 for the Ergo. Loved it with infant insert and when baby was older. DS2 fell asleep in it often until he was over a year old. It has great back support!

+1 for the Baby K'Tan. It's the only wrap I have ever been able to use and get right. Also had a Moby and didn't like it at all. Tried a different off-band one too which was also a no-go. I will stress the Baby K'Tan is really only for wearing around the house. I definitely needed more support whenever I was out and about and wanted to wear baby.

Ring sling is awesome, but only worked for me when DS2 was very teeny. Once he got even a little big he hated it. So I think it's best for small babies (maybe?).

cmbt2

@junebabyh definitely kid dependent on what they like! DS1 was in a RS until close to a year

longhairdntcare

I really liked the ring sling with DD was little. I found it super easy to use and comfortable. I even was able to nurse her in it while walking around stores/the zoo lol 

once she got bigger, we switched to the Tula (and still occasionally use it now). I like the Tula. It always felt comfortable and secure. 

andrawrmeda2

With DS I had a moby my SIL passed on to me. I didn't use it much mainly cause I could figure out how to wrap the darn thing for the longest time 😂 when I did use it, it was supportive for little bodies but hot and heavy for me! With DD I had an even Flo and an infantino I had bought both used. I loved the even Flo(I let SIL borrow for Halloween the year her daughter was born and she never gave it back then sold it on me🤬) it was lightweight but supportive for baby and for mom's back. I want one for just around the house though. I love Lillebaby!!! I don't even care the cost, I am buying a Complete All Seasons one! It's so supportive for back, wearable front and back and they're lightweight. I borrowed one from a friend and loved it! I want one for this baby so I can strap my older two in my side by side double and wear the baby when out and about on my own. I have back problems from DDs epidural and I think that one will be nice to my back 😂 plus Target has a cute navy blue feathered print one I've had my eye for a while!

galentine

Thank you @elle-0409 for staying on top of these product spotlights, and a huge thank you to all the been there, done that moms who share their experiences in these threads. These have all been so helpful to me!

elle-0409

@galentine Of course! I’m studying these threads like it’s my major in college. 
Also, if anyone has any suggestions for the Product Spotlight Series, I can post a thread for topics we want covered. Or we could list them in Board Organization. 

cmbt2

elle-0409 said:

@galentine Of course! I’m studying these threads like it’s my major in college. 
Also, if anyone has any suggestions for the Product Spotlight Series, I can post a thread for topics we want covered. Or we could list them in Board Organization. 

Baby proofing
swings
strollers
cribs
toys/entertaining devices

cmbt2

cmbt2 said:

elle-0409 said:

@galentine Of course! I’m studying these threads like it’s my major in college. 
Also, if anyone has any suggestions for the Product Spotlight Series, I can post a thread for topics we want covered. Or we could list them in Board Organization. 

Baby proofing
swings
strollers
cribs
toys/entertaining devices

Quoting myself to say sound machines as well 😂 there’s so many out there

mrsinterweb

Maybe also

Feeding products 
High chairs
Bathing/Hygiene products

junebabyh

This could fall under bathing and hygiene products, but how about Things For Your Medicine Cabinet. I always found myself googling and discovering products I wish I had in the middle of the night when DS1 would wake up crying and we didn't know why. Was much more prepared with all the things for DS2.

nnaelilak

Ring slings are my jam! I still wear DS (2.5)occasionally, we didn't even seriously start slinging until he was 8mo old. I love Wildbird for the colors and price. Poppet is soooo soft and has much easier to manage doubles, plus Jacquie donates to a different charity every month as usually voted in by her VIP group. LoveHeld is another favorite, Maranda hand sews each sling herself and does so with absolute love! She also donates a sling for every 10 purchased to caretakers who otherwise can't afford one.

I also love Tula and Happy Baby Carriers! HBC are compact and easily fit into your diaper bag. I find Tula more comfortable and prefer them for longer outings. 

At 2.5 my favorite carrier is our Sakura Bloom Onbuhimo. It's a backpack style carrier with no waistband, so it takes some shoulder strength build up, but it's so compact and it's my son's favorite!

I'm fairly obsessed with babywearing and my stash is absolutely out of control 🙈🤣