Intro and question from a lurker

hvtang · November 2012

Hi ladies! I have been reading a lot of the posts here and they are super helpful and informative! I am hoping some of you can guide me/offer advice. I am going to be a FTM in April. I'm planning on doing a lot of baby-wearing, and had a few questions:

1) How imperative is it for me to have an infant stroller/stroller with infant carseat insert, if my plan is to babywear most of the time? I'm thinking that for walks/grocery store runs, etc I would just wear the baby. Obviously I will get a stroller for later on, but for the first few months, would it really be necessary? I'm just having trouble envisioning a scenario in those first 3 months when I would really need an infant-friendly stroller set-up. Feel free to tell me I'm crazy. Stick out tongue

2) Do most of you have multiple carriers, or just one go-to? I'm looking at the Ergo, but having heard mixed reviews about the infant insert, wondering if I should go with the ring sling or something along those lines for when LO is still very small?

Any input is greatly appreciated!

aglenn · November 2012

My answer to both questions is essentially the same; it depends on the kid. DD hated strollers and I barely used one until she was a toddler, but DS actually kind of enjoys riding in the stroller and looking around. I have quite a few carriers (insert eye roll from DH here), but my two kids were very different in what they liked/would tolerate. My overall favorites are the Moby for the newborn stage, a mei tai (like Babyhawk) and/or Ergo, and I just got a ring sling so I can quickly pop DS in it on my hip.

There is no harm in waiting until later to see what works for you and your baby. Maybe buy or register for the Ergo and whatever stroller you think you'll use when baby is bigger, and decide later if you need something else. Craigslist has been great for me to find good used carriers.

Jenny952 · November 2012

I agree with pp above that it kind of depends on what your kid likes. I think it also depends on the weather where you live. I'm in Minnesota so it was pretty impossible to baby wear DD last winter. I was worried about her getting really cold so I left her in her car seat/travel system a lot. Then it was so blazing hot this summer that I couldn't possibly stand to wear her outside.

I loved having the moby when she was very young and I wore her around the house a lot. She loved that. DH just recently got a backpack carrier that he uses a lot with her, and she really likes that too.

nesenotes · November 2012

I used my carseat insert a lot. Mostly because she would fall asleep in the car and I didnt want to wake her up by putting her in the moby. It was an easier transition for getting things done with the least amount of crying. If she was awake, she hated the carseat and did much better worn.

ncbelle · November 2012

I also don't think there's one right answer but...

1. I've only ever used a stroller for running and a few times when I went to the zoo with both kids by myself. To me this is a wait and see what your needs are before you drop a lot of money on something. If my kids were sleeping in the car seat, they went right back to sleep once they got into a carrier. I'd also caution again using a car seat outside of a car for long periods particularly when baby is sleeping - the position is not a good one for a baby's airway, particularly a newborn (there's peer reviewed research on this - also consider that babies must pass a car seat test before being released from the NICU as it lowers their O2 levels to be in that position.) If I were going to use a stroller regularly with a newborn, I'd want one that reclined fully vs. using one that used the car seat.

2. I have..um...a few...carriers But that is by no means necessary - one will do! If you plan to baby wear a lot, I can make a good case for having two (one to use while one is in the wash). I also think it's nice to have say a ring sling and another carrier since ring slings are so handy for quick carries and relatively inexpensive (or can be at least). My siggy links have tons of info on what I think works well for newborns.

mrsmonak · November 2012

nesenotes:
I used my carseat insert a lot. Mostly because she would fall asleep in the car and I didnt want to wake her up by putting her in the moby. It was an easier transition for getting things done with the least amount of crying. If she was awake, she hated the carseat and did much better worn.

This. I was thankful that I did not have to wake up my son sometimes, and it was so helpful to be able to snap him into the stroller instead of lugging around a car seat. But you definitely don't NEED it. It was just a nice option.

mrsmonak · November 2012

Oh, and your second question. I really liked the Moby for when my son was really small, but got my Boba 3g when he was 5 months and was kind of wild for the Moby. I love my Boba so much. However, I will still use the Moby in the beginning for the next one. It's just so much cozier for a newborn. I chose the Boba over the Moby mainly because it has a higher back, and that was important for my super tall boy who liked to lean backward all the time.

hvtang · November 2012

You ladies are awesome! You have given me lots to think about! I keep forgetting that "wait and see" is an option - I am so anxious to be ready that I want everything ahead of time. Thank you for all of this wonderful advice!

Blackrose1918 · November 2012

I think it really depends on you and your lo. I have yet to use my stroller and ds is 2 months old. I really only intend to use it for things like the zoo, mall, or amusement park.
As far as a single or multiple carrier, my preference is multiple. Ds has days where he loves the ring sling but yells if I put him in the mei tai, and other days when he'll only nap in the mei tai. My next investment is going to be a woven wrap, and would rather have that over the mei tai at this stage. Whatever you choose, gl.

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