Product Spotlight: Baby Carriers 3/14

jackie_dunny

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?:

Here is the schedule for the product spotlights to keep track of the topics and threads: (this is actually October’s but I’m not tech savvy enough to know how to make one for us. I tried lol so if anyone knows how to do this, let me know and I’ll add our own link!)
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sI-VJ1F71kVneOVUjKUs7hEChObe7H8_GufjE1XgzSg/edit?usp=sharing

Feel free to offer suggestions for other products or changes you think can be made. This is copied from O21 BMB so thanks to those going before us :-) 

mkp0903

My first was super colicky and cried pretty much non-stop for a period, so I did a lot of baby wearing. I used a boba wrap and a ring sling when he was little. I was never able to breastfeed with them though (I’m pretty small, both in height and chest size and I just couldn’t get it without almost popping him out.). Later I used an Ergo 360 carrier, which was honestly not my favorite, but it was the only one that fit both me and my husband well and it was easy to adjust between the 2 of us. The Tula fit me better, but my husband couldn’t get the straps comfortable. By time my high strung kiddo was crawling, he wanted no part of being worn, haha, so I never got into toddler carriers. Although we do have a Kelty backpack for hiking, which he likes ok. 

My biggest advice is to go to a store where they have them out or borrow a friends to try on before you get a big belly. 

jackie_dunny

• [Carrier(s)] you're interested in: Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1
• Link/picture: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FF518KK?colid=1PCI38V2RJG2M&coliid=I3MN3MSGP7VH8Y&ref=br_mb_ov_item_detail
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): £30.99 (~$43)
• Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?: has anyone used this before? If so, what were your thoughts? 

ETA: will I need a sling/smaller carrier for when they’re younger and a bigger carrier for when they’re older or will I be able to use one that adjusts as they grow? 

marbellie

jackie_dunny said:

• [Carrier(s)] you're interested in: Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1
• Link/picture: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01FF518KK?colid=1PCI38V2RJG2M&coliid=I3MN3MSGP7VH8Y&ref=br_mb_ov_item_detail
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): £30.99 (~$43)
• Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?: has anyone used this before? If so, what were your thoughts? 

ETA: will I need a sling/smaller carrier for when they’re younger and a bigger carrier for when they’re older or will I be able to use one that adjusts as they grow? 

@jackie_dunny we had this carrier and like it for the type that it is (structured with buckles). It's definitely not the best for when they're very little because their legs should be in an M position while being worn at first. Any sort of freeflow wraps are fine, ring slings are great and for a newborn structured carrier I would suggest the Boppy one: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075RDDL5W/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_0BYRDWASHKAECPDGD1RT?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Carriers are so great that I would get 1 in each category (clips, freeflow and ring). Especially if there will be 2 caregivers

doodleoodle

I’ve used:
 the Ergo (hated it)
the didymos (loved) it is a long, woven traditional wrap and if you’re not careful it can drag the ground while you’re in the process of wrapping your lo.
the k’tan (favorite) I’ve used it exclusively for my last 2 babies. You get the snugness of a traditional wrap, the supposed ease of a carrier (I think they’re super hard to put on but whatever lol), and you can wear your baby in it from birth til... idk actually 😂 my youngest is almost 13 months and I still wear her in it sometimes.

artsiefartsie

I planned on baby wearing with my son and he hated all of them.  I borrowed my sisters ergo (also hated it) and bought a ring sling that we used when he was a tiny, I liked the ring sling, it was pretty easy and comfy for me, but he hated it. He hated feeling "tied" down with anything,  even hated being swaddled from the get go, so we rarely ever used them.  

So basically try things out if you can before dropping a lot of money,  or get something that has a good resale value just in case your kid can't stand it. 

sliztee

I used the K'tan (I didn't like it, but my husband did) and Lillebaby (why are those things such a pain in the ass to put on?!) with Arlo. The K'tan never got tight enough at my shoulders where I felt comfortable it was supporting my son's giant newborn head. The Lillebaby was just more trouble than it was worth. Both hurt my back.

This time around, I know I'm gonna need my hands free with a 3-year old, so I plan to try the Moby and Solly this time around with the hope that the stretchy fabric makes me feel more secure.

tmk2021

I love my lillebaby and still use it. Not as often as I used to because my son is walking now but I loved the versatility it gave me. I was able to use it starting at the newborn stage and it’s still going strong. 

mayoduck

I wanted to baby wear SO BADLY, but my son ran hot and he would start overheating after only a few minutes of being in a carrier. I had a lightweight fabric ring sling, and my son would be dressed in only a short-sleeve bodysuit, and it was the middle of winter...so...my biggest advice is just keep an open mind that not every baby can tolerate baby wearing.
When my son was an older baby and had better temperature regulation, we started using the Lillebaby complete airflow 6-in-1 when we were out and about sometimes and both DH and I really liked that one.

Starynightsky24

Favorite [baby carrier]: Happy Baby 
Carrier (original) It’s THE BEST! 
Link/picture: https://happybabycarriers.com/
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): they run about $165
What you like about it: it’s a linen and it folds up small enough to fit in your diaper bag easily. It’s easy to put on it, since it’s lightweight maybe doesn’t get hot, it does not require an infant insert, but mostly it’s just so comfy. I still put my three year old in it, no problem. 
What you don't like about it, if anything: they’re always sold out 😫
Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope. This is my fourth baby and so I have tried them all.
Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I think a soft woven wrap or ring sling is generally easier for newborns, happy baby after that!  Edit bc I tried to fix the formatting 

jenniferjoy37

• Favorite [baby carrier]: TULA, hands down... 
• Link/picture: https://babytula.com/collections/signature/products/girasol-rose-violetta-weft-tula-signature-baby-carrier?variant=32085694447714
• Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): anywhere from $70-600+ depending on if it’s a limited edition weaver. 
• What you like about it: it’s the most comfortable thing ever. I’ve done back and front carry and tandem carry, and it’s the best. I’ve breastfed in these carriers too. 
• What you don't like about it, if anything: sometimes the price is a little outrageous but I go with the canvas or just a woven fabric. 
• Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?: nope, I’m a Tula mama for life. And the blankets are the best thing ever. 
• Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I’m not really a fan of the wraps or ring slings. I tried them and all the extra fabric was confusing as hell for me. 

sthlm_21

I got a babybjörn 3D mesh secondhand for a long haul flight. Both me and my baby loved it. I did not plan to use it more than the flight travel but it was such a convenient tool for shopping and eating and general socializing without breaking my arm. My kid is almost 2 and I still put her in that now and then. Hoping the new baby would like it too

jennpearl007

Lillebaby All Seasons 6 Position Baby Carrier

Link/picture: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KC4VPNU/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fabc_4059QQSZJ6W5PY5K3E3J

Cost: $99.99

What you like about it: I tried a sling wrap and a smaller carrier but neither felt very secure. Probably user error with the wrap if I'm being honest. The smaller carrier really hurt my back. I tried on other carriers with better back support and chose the Lillebaby. It was very comfortable for me and seemed comfortable for my son as well. My son was very clingy until he could walk so I wore him nearly all day for a year. It was also fairly easy to adjust so my husband could also wear him.

What you don't like about it, if anything: I never felt comfortable with trying to strap my son onto my back with the carrier. It always seemed to need 2 people to do it super safely.

mack262006

With the Happy Baby carrier, can it be used with infants? Carriers inevitably weigh you down after a while, I used the ergo baby with my 3rd, it’s was ok, but not the best support for me. I’m looking for better support so I can hold the baby for longer if I’m doing other things and they are fussy, or for a trip to the park, etc. a walk.

Starynightsky24

@mack262006 yes. The minimum weight is 7lbs. I had an ergo with my first and this one is wayyy better. Even just for the fact this one you put on apron style, up high. So there’s no huge belt at the waist… And you can sit down and pee while wearing! Lol. It’s the small things... 🤣

krash_

*lurking from S21* 

@Starynightsky24 yessss HBCs are the best! I am kind of obsessed! The drops are like my Olympics and I get such a rush trying to score a carrier. I have bought and sold quite a few over the last 2 years. I'm excited to finally have an excuse to buy more (not like I really needed one). 

mack262006

So is the weight on your shoulders? Or it distributes differently? It sounds awesome, probs going to upgrade to one!

Starynightsky24

@mack262006 yes. The shoulder pads are much wider and it distributes the weight differently… I think it’s much more comfortable.