BTDT: babywearing (attn Drea!)

Luthy

Having read a lot about babywearing, DH and I are very interested in trying it out for our little girl. Ideally we'd love to wear her enough that we hardly need to use a stroller. There's so much great information out there (like the link that was (or may still be)) in Drea's siggy!) but there are so many different kinds, I'm having a hard time figuring out what I should get.There are all these websites that have guides but I just can't seem to figure it all out.

I first thought the ring slings looked great, but I have a semi-bad back and something that distributes over two shoulders would really be better.

A wrap seems like the right answer but stretchy or non? And will it be a huge pain to wrap up for a quick run somewhere, or will we get used to it? Are there special wraps that are better for dudes, so DH can wear her comfortably as well?

Should we just be getting multiple kinds? Don't want to waste money but maybe options really are best?

And are we going to be best off going for a name brand or is this something we can get by a small business/handcrafter? I've seen some gorgeous ones on Etsy, and some of them I've been able to find reviews of on thebabywearer.com that are positive... I love supporting smaller businesses when I can, but I don't want to if it's going to be unsafe. I was for example looking at the slings and stretchy wraps from here:https://www.etsy.com/shop/SnuggyBaby

I feel like I keep getting fixated on one thing that totally overwhelms me, haha. A few weeks ago it was pack n plays, now it's baby carriers.

GUIDE ME, OH WISE ONES.

ariaforte8

I want to know more about baby wearing, but I don't know what to buy for my size. I'm around a size 26, and I'm not convinced things are out there for me to pull it off... Especially without spending an arm and a leg. Suggestions welcomed.

sheacox

i'm a FTM mom but this has been asked before and i'm always curious too... i think Drea said a woven wrap would be good idea... it's light (summer babies) and good for new borns! i am looking into a woven wrap for the beginning and then i have the ergo for later on....

sheacox

SouthSideDrea:

I personally prefer woven wraps and my husband perfers SSC's (Soft Structured Carriers) like the Ergo or his Kinderpack. This link in my siggy is to a friends blog and has a ton of good info.

I never found stretchy wraps (like the moby) comfortable but a lot of peropl love them. And you may enjoy a RS with a small baby, bad back or no, newborns are tiny.

Etsy is fine but make sure that anyone you buy from is aware of and incompliance with the new regulations that are being rolled out this month. I can also help you with shopping options too once you know what you want, but I highly reccommend looking at used carriers. They are cheaper (unless they are Limited Collectors items, and that really is a thing I'm not being sarcastic) and will already be broken in when they get to you. I'm a big fan of the babyweraring swap on facebook and the FSOT page on TheBabywearer.com

oh my gosh i must have typed this right as you were! sorry to speak for you

skio

I'm definitely no expert because DD wasn't a big fan of being worn and I gave up on it. But I, too, am determined to make it work for this baby [I think by necessity, I'll need my hands free a lot more often with a toddler around!] and have been questioning Drea about wraps and doing a lot of research. So here's my non expert advice. :]

Stretchy wraps may be okay for the very early days, but aren't supportive enough past 12 or 15lbs. I have a Moby that I'll keep but don't plan to use it much.

Woven wraps or non stretchy wraps are a better bet for supportive wrapping, but I can tell it'll have a big learning curve. It'll take time to learn how to get baby safely in all the different carries, but again, I'm determined! I haven't tried any of these, but a Didymos, Girasol, Natibaby, BBslen, or Dolcino all may be a good way to go for a start.

I also have an ergo and I loved it for DD. I think it's a good idea to have a soft structured carrier like an Ergo for ease of use, and I think guys tend to like them better.

Here's a good site with info on different kinds of wovens and brands that I found myself checking often. GL!
https://www.becomingmamas.com/babywearing/wraps/

kanga1622Wed220857

I used a wrap with DS and loved it. It was not a stretchy wrap, it was a BBB from Gypsy Mama and came with a video showing lots of different ways to wear baby. I have a bad lower back and it was great to have that distribution across both shoulders and around the midsection.

 

It can be a bit of a pain to put a wrap on when you are out and about but I made it work. Sometimes I put it on at home under my coat and just popped DS in when we made it to the store.

 

We still used a stroller for longer walks or trips to the zoo/mall where we might want a break from holding him or if he fell asleep. 

hjk5000

Our favorite carrier was the Ergo (soft structured). If you're interested doing a wrap I would go for a woven one over the stretchy kind. I personally liked the Moby (stretchy wrap) but it just wasn't a practical carrier for us for very long.

RileighsMom1224

What is the difference between a woven wrap and one like the moby?   With my daughter i started out with just a sling type and she quickly outgrew it.  I bought a moby and like it once i figured out how to use it.

iggles09

as a FTM I do not have any real advice but I am registering for the ergo (mainly for DH and when baby is bigger) as well as the baby k'tan.

kread8

iggles09:

as a FTM I do not have any real advice but I am registering for the ergo (mainly for DH and when baby is bigger) as well as the baby k'tan.

This is the exact combo I'm going with for now.  I didn't trust myself being able to wrap the moby correctly and I read a lot of good things about the k'tan.

I actually was able to buy an ergo on gilt for only $65 - it seems like those carriers go on sale all the time.  I have seen them on babysteals several times in the last few months.

Luthy

So I'm thinking maybe a woven type wrap (like the Gypsy Mama breeze?) to start with for me and an Ergo/soft structured carrier for DH. I really do think that it sounds like the woven wraps would be best for me, with the versatility and the possibility for 2-shoulder support for my poor back. I'm just not sure I can convince DH to wear a wrap, so having something like the Ergo would be great for him. Maybe it could be a quick backup for me too? I think the wrap will be something I'll have to get well before the baby comes so I can start practicing wraps!

superace27

I got a Moby when DD was about a month old.  I wish I would have had it sooner!  Once I got the hang of wrapping it, I loved it!  If we were going out to the store I would wrap at the house so the wrap wasn't touching the ground or gross floor.  It would be too hot to wear for a long time outside in the summer though.

We then got an Ergo when DD was older, maybe 6 months.  Also really loved that.  If we were having anything other than a summer baby, I'd try the infant insert, but no way am I doing that with a June baby!

I had a Baby K'Tan that I bought before DD was born, but it was too small so I gave it away.

Depending on how much I end up wearing this one, I may look into a woven wrap. 

WhitWed

For DD we had a Baby Bjorn and it adjusted to where both DH and I could wear her.  It was great for when we didn't want a stroller out and about.  It was also great for when I wanted to vacuum or do some cleaning when I was home with her on maternity leave.  The weight distributed well and didn't have any strain on my back or stomach after a c-section.  The only con I've heard is that the way the Bjorn is made, it's not a good choice for a boy.  I've heard it can strain their sensitive areas.  So for this reason, we got an Ergo for DS when he is born and we gave the Bjorn to family!  I've tried it on and it feels just fine.  I can't recommend it yet as I haven't gotten to try it with DS yet.

ckettenb

I would start with a moby (when lo is tiny) and an Ergo or Beco Gemini (for when LO gets bigger).  They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased easily (new or used)

Once you decide that babywearing is definitely for you (and your kid) then move on to fancy woven wraps.  There's a great big expensive rabbit hole of gorgeous woven wraps of various lengths that you can get sucked into if your not careful.  Start out slowly. Baby steps. 

emolm

I'm so anti Bjorn regardless of gender bc there is zero hip support.

We have a nice one layer cotton ring sling from zolowear, a performance Ergo, and a Natibaby woven wrap. I'm over the ring sling for B bc he's just too heavy but it was great until about twenty pounds. I love the Ergo and so does my husband and the wrap is great for back carries and is IMO more supportive than the Ergo.

I used to have Moby but got rid of it bc it's too hot and not very supportive after about twelve pounds. It also needed frequent adjustment when worn for more than thirty minutes bc it just keeps stretching.

To the PP who wants something to fit with her body size, google Jan Andrea and Sleeping Baby Productions.

Luthy

ckettenb:

I would start with a moby (when lo is tiny) and an Ergo or Beco Gemini (for when LO gets bigger).  They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased easily (new or used)

Once you decide that babywearing is definitely for you (and your kid) then move on to fancy woven wraps.  There's a great big expensive rabbit hole of gorgeous woven wraps of various lengths that you can get sucked into if your not careful.  Start out slowly. Baby steps. 

It's like you know me... 

Luthy

ckettenb:

I would start with a moby (when lo is tiny) and an Ergo or Beco Gemini (for when LO gets bigger).  They are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased easily (new or used)

Once you decide that babywearing is definitely for you (and your kid) then move on to fancy woven wraps.  There's a great big expensive rabbit hole of gorgeous woven wraps of various lengths that you can get sucked into if your not careful.  Start out slowly. Baby steps. 

It's like you know me... 

skio

Luthy:

ckettenb:

There's a great big expensive rabbit hole of gorgeous woven wraps of various lengths that you can get sucked into if your not careful.Start out slowly. Baby steps.

It's like you know me...

This is not what happened with me...at all...

:::blushes:::

I have bought three woven wraps. Because they're pretty. I promised H I'm done, though. Whoops.

spolan

It's really personal preference. I tried a ton of different ones: ringsling, wrap, baby bjorn I know, bad and ergo. In the end, I preferred my wrap because it's so custom and fits so well to you and baby. It's DD's favorite, too, but now I can't get it wrapped around with my bump, so we use the ergo. Like the ergo, too. Faster, less hassle, but less customized to your build. Again, it's all personal.
I did prefer the woven wrap to the jersey because having to constantly adjust the jersey drove me mad. Just be sure you have enough fabric on your wrap, if you go that route. A lot of people opt for the shorter one and don't like it because it isn't as versatile.

hst

I love the ergo! I used a ring sling st first, then the ergo. I only used money once, I hated all that fabric, there is no way to use it without dragging it all over the ground while you try to wrap it. I used the Ergo for a good 2 years with DD.