researching carriers

rbtrumpet · June 2013

Hi all, I hope this is the right board for this question.

I've been researching carriers for a while, but haven't been able to find something that I want. I don't even know if it exists. (and the search feature on the bump is crap, sorry).

I'm looking for something that will face in-and-out (kind of like the Baby Bjorn - I would only do outwards when they're older), but I've heard the Bjorn can put a lot of pressure on the crotch area.

Is there a recommended carrier among this board that will face in and out? I really want to buy as few carriers as possible, so something that can infant-carry inwards would be MUCH preferred. I don't mind spending a little more if it's a product that meets all my needs.

adoruhbul · June 2013

I've been looking as well for a carrier and while I haven't personally tried it, the Beco Gemini should do all those things for you. They don't recommend front carry in any carrier for long periods of time because of the hip issues but for short periods of time the Gemini should do the trick. Also doesnt need an infant insert as the seat can be adjusted to a smaller size so they can do feet out instead of froggy legs which I've heard is much better.

rbtrumpet · June 2013

adoruhbul:
I've been looking as well for a carrier and while I haven't personally tried it, the Beco Gemini should do all those things for you. They don't recommend front carry in any carrier for long periods of time because of the hip issues but for short periods of time the Gemini should do the trick. Also doesnt need an infant insert as the seat can be adjusted to a smaller size so they can do feet out instead of froggy legs which I've heard is much better.

Thanks! I hadn't come across that one, and it looks really nice :-D

Yeah - for longer carry, I would probably use the Evenflo hiking carrier that someone gave me (after 6 months, of course - which only faces in, but high back-carry, so they can still see a bit). I'm more looking for an "out-with-friends", "at church", etc type thing where baby might want to face out once they're old enough.

cpmich · June 2013

Kids get overstimulated if they face forward too long. That is generally why most carriers face in. A hip carry which can be done in most structured carriers, like an ergo, gives the little one an opportunity to look out, but still bury face in parents chest when needed. The Bjorn is a problem because the seat isn't wide enough, so the kids weight is on their crotch instead of a nice wide seat like and ergo or Kinderpack.

The Gemini is a good choice if you really want to face forward, but your child will be happier watching you. They like to watch your face as you smile and talk....

cpmich · June 2013

You can also do a nice ring sling and face forward. Great for new little ones.

ncbelle · June 2013

My siggy link has lots of carrier info. If you are dead set on outward facing (I have a post on my blog which explains why this isn't great), the Gemini or Pikkolo are two options. I also think you'll find that a frame pack is less than ideal for anything but long haul hiking where you need to carry gear. A quality buckle carrier (or for that matter a woven wrap or mei tai) is a much more practical option for back carries.

rbtrumpet · June 2013

cpmich:
Kids get overstimulated if they face forward too long. That is generally why most carriers face in. A hip carry which can be done in most structured carriers, like an ergo, gives the little one an opportunity to look out, but still bury face in parents chest when needed. The Bjorn is a problem because the seat isn't wide enough, so the kids weight is on their crotch instead of a nice wide seat like and ergo or Kinderpack. The Gemini is a good choice if you really want to face forward, but your child will be happier watching you. They like to watch your face as you smile and talk....

I didn't realize the ergo did a hip carry (I didn't realize any carriers did a hip carry before posting here....guess I suck at researching :-p). Maybe I'll just go with that, then.

I figured one a kid was 6/7 months they would enjoy out-facing (most babies I've held around that age always seem to want to look around). I would never put a newborn out-facing, but kind of like the option. Then again, I'm obviously a newbie at this - haha.

tokenhoser · June 2013

By 6 or 7 months, most babies weigh too much for you to wear them comfortably facing out. Back carries or hip carries are way more comfy. A carrier should mimic how you would carry a baby with your arms.

You'll probably find you end up with more than one carrier if it's the sort of thing you use a lot. I started with a mei tai and an Ergo - but I didn't use the Ergo until 4 months or so. Then I bought a ring sling at 6 months because the hip carry in the Ergo isn't great.

rbtrumpet · June 2013

tokenhoser:

By 6 or 7 months, most babies weigh too much for you to wear them comfortably facing out. Back carries or hip carries are way more comfy. A carrier should mimic how you would carry a baby with your arms.

You'll probably find you end up with more than one carrier if it's the sort of thing you use a lot. I started with a mei tai and an Ergo - but I didn't use the Ergo until 4 months or so. Then I bought a ring sling at 6 months because the hip carry in the Ergo isn't great.

is a ring sling and a moby wrap the same (or similar) thing?

As I mentioned, I have the hiking carrier (for older and longer trips) - I plan on buying a moby wrap (unless there is something better???) and a "normal" carrier - leaning towards the Ergo or the one listed in the first post (already forgot the name, sorry :-p) That should cover the majority of my needs, yes?

tokenhoser · June 2013

No a ring sling is like this:

While a Moby is a wrap (and only to be used to about 15 lb because it stretches):

People love or hate wraps... I kind of hated it. Too much fabric, too hard to manage on the go. Other people find it awesome.

twocents6708 · June 2013

I love my Mei tai and we got it after my little one outgrew the Moby. I wanted something with a little less fabric than the Moby for on the go. I can do a back carry, hip carry, and forward facing in it. No forward facing but i found that the back and hip carry works fine for my little girl. DD also loves it.

cpmich · June 2013

A sling and an ergo or other structured carrier is a nice way to get started. I personally would skip the Moby for the sling, but it is a personal preference. The Moby is really hot for summer. I liked doing a hip carry in the ergo. It takes some adjusting to get the straps right, but once you find it, it's great. Once your kid gets around 20 or 25 pounds, sometime after the 1.5 year mark, you will probably buy a toddler carrier.

Danni7535 · June 2013

rbtrumpet:
tokenhoser:

By 6 or 7 months, most babies weigh too much for you to wear them comfortably facing out. Back carries or hip carries are way more comfy. A carrier should mimic how you would carry a baby with your arms.
You'll probably find you end up with more than one carrier if it's the sort of thing you use a lot. I started with a mei tai and an Ergo but I didn't use the Ergo until 4 months or so. Then I bought a ring sling at 6 months because the hip carry in the Ergo isn't great.nbsp;

is a ring sling and a moby wrap the same or similar thing?nbsp;
As I mentioned, I have the hiking carrier for older and longer trips I plan on buying a moby wrap unless there is something better??? and a "normal" carrier leaning towards the Ergo or the one listed in the first post already forgot the name, sorry :pnbsp; That should cover the majority of my needs, yes?[/quo
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A ring sling is different than a wrap. A ring sling is quicker to get baby in and out. You should be able to Google both. Sleeping Baby Productions and Sakura Bloom both make quality ring slings. I like my Ring sling and use it for facing out for short periods here and there.

nosoup4u · June 2013

rbtrumpet:

I figured one a kid was 6/7 months they would enjoy out-facing (most babies I've held around that age always seem to want to look around). I would never put a newborn out-facing, but kind of like the option. Then again, I'm obviously a newbie at this - haha.

You can generally put them on your back at that age, and they can see a lot that way. I second whoever said you don't need a giant hiking backpack for them to be able to see around.

I used a wrap (like the Moby, but different fabric - it's now a Boba Wrap) with both of them until they were about 15-20 lbs. I then switched to an Ergo (and eventually a Beco Butterfly) with DS1. I ended up getting a Maya ring sling with DS2, but didn't use it a lot, as it hurt my back. I used the Beco Butterfly with both my kids until they were well past 1.5, and loved it. By far my favorite baby carrier. They both loved doing the back carry when they were bigger, too.

I think thebabywearer.com has some good links to help compare and learn about carriers:

https://www.thebabywearer.com/?page=choosinglinks

https://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=bwposchart

Do you know if there's a hippie baby store near you? There are also websites that will rent different types of carriers, though I don't know much about them. It's daunting, but worth it. Good luck!

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