Questions About Baby Wearing

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

I've been looking into slings and wraps and such. Wish I would've done this with DS, but better late than never.

For those mamas that have previously worn their babies, what is the difference between a moby wrap and boba wrap? And which would you recommend?

I also plan on purchasing a BabyHawk Mei Tai carrier as well. Any mamas out there who have used this and how did you like it?

I'm also thinking of a sling for those little new born days, when baby isn't as heavy. Are there any slings you would recommend? Should I not even bother with a sling? I'm thinking of purchasing one because I'm worried about learning to use these things with a wriggly, little new born and want something easy to use while learning to use the others. Maybe I'm just crazy?

Any other suggestions or tips would be welcome!

mbethmcgill · October 2013

I suggest going to some sort of boutique that will let you try carriers on. I went this past weekend and found I like something different than what I thought I would like.

ksulli · October 2013

I got just a Moby. It was great while dd would have it, but she wasn't always game.

joiedev · October 2013

I am always talking about my Sakura Bloom slings! It will work for newborns all the way to 35 lbs. I still carry my almost two year old in it and it's a breeze to get on and off. We've tried so many but the ones that have stuck with us are the slings and our Ergo.

CurlieWhirlie · October 2013

Moby is great for newborns because it's stretchy, but when they get a little bit heavier it's no good because it stretches out and becomes unsafe. But if you like the wrap-style carrier, you can get a woven wrap that is not stretchy, and those are great for kids even into their toddler years. There's a bit of a learning curve with wraps because you have to learn how to tie them, but they're so pretty and comfy and infinitely configurable, I'm excited to do it again with this new baby!

That being said, when you just want to snap the kid in a carrier and not have to deal with all that cloth, the Ergo or Boba or Beco are great options.

Not really a fan of the slings, because of all the ways they can go wrong. Some people find success with them, I personally never did and I have heard they can be dangerous for newborns because of the air flow issue. I would do some more research before committing to a sling.

myschlove · October 2013

I make my own moby wrap by purchasing 6 yards of jersey knit material from Hobby lobby, you'd get enough for two wraps because it's twice as wide as what you need and it cost half as much especially if you use the 40% off coupon! I loved it, especially when he was tiny.

I would also be careful of slings and newborns as PP mentioned.

Something I do know about wraps is the stretchy material is perfect for front wearing but if you want to carry your child on your back you have to use a non-stretchy wrap, or they can fall out!

YouTube has a lot of really good how to videos and even some reviews on wraps!

Leticiasmugala · October 2013

Another question to add to the discussion: would a Mobywrap and and a woven wrap be all I need to carry my child until they are two? From what I understand Moby's only work with little babies. So will a woven work after that until I don't want to carry them anymore? Hope that made sense

BabyBsMommy · October 2013

I just want to comment because I have these same questions!!

jgreig83 · October 2013

I am in no way an expert (only carried my niece around in a carrier once). But doing some research online I came across this one in a video. It had the Moby vs. the K-Tan wrap and I have to say I was impressed. It seems easier to put on, and because the loops are made for you already, you are only tying the bottom part on. I feel that this one would be really secure for a side hold and nursing a newborn.

https://www.babyktan.com/instructions.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ThAv6JeVmA

thomas930 · October 2013

I have a Moby but can't really say all the differences between it and the Boba. With my second I actually found that I really enjoyed using my ring slings from the very beginning when I was out of the house and I used the Moby at home. I have a Girasol wrap conversion ring sling, so its a woven wrap that has been converted into a ring sling, gives lots of support and I still use it with my 19 month old. I prefer having the baby in and upright (baby's) tummy to (my) chest position instead of a cradle position. I also have a Baby Hawk and love it for back carries.

You can learn a lot from youtube videos so I always recommend watching them too.

@Leticiasmugala You can actually use a woven with a newborn if you want to skip the stretchy wrap. Wraps are very versatile and if you want, can be all the baby wearing gear you need.

myschlove · October 2013

You can do a side carrying with a wrap! I would say if you had one of each you will be able to get to know which one you like better and that should take care of you!

Honestly, my two-year-old is almost 40 pounds and there's no way I would want to carry him around at this age!
wraps were wonderful when he was between two and four months, he loved walking around with me and seeing when I was doing :-) and just haven't snuggle time with mama

AcaAwkward · October 2013

I might be wrong, but aren't the Moby and the Mei Tai basically the same thing except the Mei Tai has sizes based on height? If I'm correct, you don't need both of those.

Personally, I liked the Moby when DD was tiny and then preferred a more structured carrier when she was about 4 months and was easily sitting assisted. We have a Beco Gemini and still use the backpack and hip carries at 20 mo (although DD really prefers being either in her stroller or on her own - has since she started walking at 14 mo).

I do like the idea of slings but never ended up purchasing one since a friend gave us her old Moby and that worked fine for us.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

I should be taking a nap, but I've been researching this instead.

Thankyou ladies for all your help! Keep the answers coming!

I've been really researching the k'tan and it definitely appeals to me.

Also,@myschlove, I really might make my own "moby wrap" since I'm crafty like that. Just to try it out and see before deciding to purchase a moby or not. I also just remembered, I have an acquaintance who has a moby wrap, so I'm going to go FB her and ask if I can test it out.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

Thanks @jgrieg83 for that youtube video. That definitely helped to see the differences like that. Has anybody used the k'tan for a newborn?

And can anyone tell me more about ring slings?

sandylou · October 2013

I couldn't do the money. All that fabric ended up on the dirty floor or ground while I awkwardly tried to tie it right enough...too much for me to handle. I absolutely adore my ergo. Couldn't live without it and great on my back! I also have a ring sling that I love. Careful though bc they are not all created equal! Sleepingbabyproductions.net is high quality and well made. Also in high demand so make sure you order early if you are interested.

thomas930 · October 2013

@AcaAwkward They are different here is a Mei Tia. Its more like a soft structured carrier that you can tie rather than buckle, also lasts longer than a Moby.

picture from Google Image.

thomas930 · October 2013

@maydaygirl590 What would you like to know about ring slings?

AcaAwkward · October 2013

@thomas930 Ah ha! Thanks for the clarification! I was thinking of the K'Tan!

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

I'm not sure @thomas930. Lol. The more I research the more confused I get. It's like trying to learn how to cloth diaper all over again. *Sigh*. I wish I hadn't waited so long to decide to baby wear.

Anyway, the ring slings look easy, but how comfortable are they, just wearing them on one shoulder? And what brand? Maya ring slings show up quite a bit. What brand do you have? At least I have it narrowed down to three choices.

A ring sling

A baby k'tan

And definitely a mei tai for later

And I still might make my own "moby wrap" just for fun and to try out. I'm not quite 5'3 so all that fabric looks intimidating.

myschlove · October 2013

I'm not a big girl and I read you only need 5 yards but 5 yards was too short definitely get six and don't be overwhelmed by it after three or four tries with the video I was able to do it on my own easily… It's just like tying your shoes

I just saw that moby is making a new wrap that's more like a carrier!
The important thing is that their legs were able to bend up like a frog and the wrap is able to go wide on your shoulders and around your waist for support!

thomas930 · October 2013

maydaygirl590 said:

I'm not sure @thomas930. Lol. The more I research the more confused I get. It's like trying to learn how to cloth diaper all over again. *Sigh*. I wish I hadn't waited so long to decide to baby wear.

Anyway, the ring slings look easy, but how comfortable are they, just wearing them on one shoulder? And what brand? Maya ring slings show up quite a bit. What brand do you have? At least I have it narrowed down to three choices.

A ring sling
A baby k'tan
And definitely a mei tai for later

And I still might make my own "moby wrap" just for fun and to try out. I'm not quite 5'3 so all that fabric looks intimidating.

I'm 5'2" and the Moby fabric isn't that bad once you get the hang of it.

As for ring slings, I still wear my 22lbs 19 month old in it and as long as you have the shoulder fabric spread out over your shoulder and not bunched anywhere and the rings in the correct position, then it will distribute the weight correctly. Ring slings are great for short shopping trips or when you need to take baby in and out a lot.

I have a wrap conversion ring sling from Paxbaby. It was a Girasol woven wrap that was converted into a ring sling so it is very supportive, I can't compare them to other brands because it's the only one I've used. I always used the "tummy to tummy" carry with a newborn, like this

(picture is from good images and this is the same ring sling I have either). As baby grows we move into a hip carry.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

That's great about the ring sling. Thanks @ColleenSwerb and @thomas930. I like the idea of being able to use it now with DS while waiting for little one to arrive, since DS still likes to be carried quite a bit.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

This may sounds really silly, but what's a woven wrap?

bacorrea · October 2013

I have a wrap question I hope no one is offended by. Do any of you who have baby wear find that your child has trouble soothing themselves? I know that if children aren't taught to be left alone and soothe themselves life can become a nightmare. When I was in high school my youth pastors wife had that problem. She never ever ever put her kid down and he would scream if she did.

I am interested in getting a wrap for plane trips and different things but I don't want to wear the baby all the time. My friend wears her baby literally all the time and her baby is 5 months and still not sleeping through the night. I don't know it that is related.

thomas930 · October 2013

maydaygirl590 said:

This may sounds really silly, but what's a woven wrap?

A woven wrap that is made out of a non stretchy material. It can be used for all ages and has more support since it doesn't stretch like the jersey knit fabric. They can be on the more expensive side...say $100+, because of quality of material used. They are also very soft and sometimes I wish I had a blanket made out of the material my ring sling is made from

This link goes to a great post explaining different types of wraps

https://www.becomingmamas.com/babywearing/wraps/

thomas930 · October 2013

bacorrea said:

I have a wrap question I hope no one is offended by. Do any of you who have baby wear find that your child has trouble soothing themselves? I know that if children aren't taught to be left alone and soothe themselves life can become a nightmare. When I was in high school my youth pastors wife had that problem. She never ever ever put her kid down and he would scream if she did. I am interested in getting a wrap for plane trips and different things but I don't want to wear the baby all the time. My friend wears her baby literally all the time and her baby is 5 months and still not sleeping through the night. I don't know it that is related.

I can say that I've never had this problem. Babywearing is a life saver because my kids really like being held no matter what, but they also will have their independent time as well. When it comes to newborns, there is no "holding them too much". I'm perfectly ok with holding my babies when they need it...and some babies, no matter what are going to be high needs, so your friend could have seen the same problem even if she didn't babywear.

Babies sleeping through the night also has no connection to babywearing. A 5 month old not sleeping though the nigh is completely normal, my kids don't sleep though the night until around age 3 and that is their normal.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

I know I keep bugging you ladies...I'm sorry.

Just cam across an article from babygearlab,that said ring slings are not safe to use for newborns due to suffocation risks in newborns and hip dysplasia. Any thoughts on this?

bacorrea · October 2013

Thanks @colleenswerb and @thomas930

Oh and I know I will hold the baby a lot and I'm excited about it! My friend's baby takes naps and everything in the sling so that's more what I meant!

thomas930 · October 2013

maydaygirl590 said:

I know I keep bugging you ladies...I'm sorry.

Just cam across an article from babygearlab,that said ring slings are not safe to use for newborns due to suffocation risks in newborns and hip dysplasia. Any thoughts on this?

What reasons did they state for these claims?

Suffocation risks come into effect with when a baby is positioned wrong, like a cradle position can put the baby "chin to chest" and that will limit their breathing....but in all honesty if you aren't paying attention to your baby's head position in any carrier there can be a suffocation risk. I've actually never heard of the hip dysplasia risk, most of the time the newborn is put "froggy legged" when used in a ring sling which is how they were in the womb.

Linnea503 · October 2013

bacorrea

Babies particularly newborns have a very real need for close physical proximity to their parents or caregivers. The need is as real as hunger and thirst. You can't hold a newborn too much or spoil them with cuddles. It's still good to give them time to stretch their arms and legs and have supervised tummy time. They "learn" to soothe themselves by being soothed over time by caregivers--that's how the neural pathways of comfort are established. Some babies more than others will really protest being left alone... it's not "caused" by holding them, the parents are just responding to their baby's need. Long story short... don't worry that baby wearing will in any way spoil your baby--it's great for babies and can make mama's life much easier!

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

Thanks for the input. I thought it a bit ridiculous as well.

@thomas930 they stated it was the cpsc that issued warnings of suffocation risk, therefore causing them to state that all ring slings were dangerous. Also, they state that "experts" discourage it for newborns because these "experts" say it causes hip dysplasia. I think it's a bunch of phooey and agree that any carrier or certain baby gear for that matter needs to be used properly.

thomas930 · October 2013

maydaygirl590 said:

Thanks for the input. I thought it a bit ridiculous as well.

@thomas930 they stated it was the cpsc that issued warnings of suffocation risk, therefore causing them to state that all ring slings were dangerous. Also, they state that "experts" discourage it for newborns because these "experts" say it causes hip dysplasia. I think it's a bunch of phooey and agree that any carrier or certain baby gear for that matter needs to be used properly.

Gottcha, yeah sounds like a bunch of nonsense on the hip dysplaia. I understand the\at because of the reported cases of suffocation cpsc has to have that warning but it only happened because of misuse and unfortunately when things like that happen and people don't do their own research, it can paint a bad picture for something that really isn't bad at all when used properly.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

Has anyone heard of BB slings? Here's a link to a site that sells them. Just wondering what thoughts were on this? Also, here's some others I'm considering. Thoughts please?

https://www.heavenlyhold.com/bb-sling-lotus-blue.html

https://www.heavenlyhold.com/maya-wrap-berries.html

https://www.sleepingbaby.net/proddetail.php?prod=nlinen

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

@colleenswerb - Is yours the lightly padded one? And do you find it easy to adjust?

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

Out of curiosity what size maya sling do you wear? @colleenswerb

CurlieWhirlie · October 2013

LalaMama81 said:

CurlieWhirlie said:

Not really a fan of the slings, because of all the ways they can go wrong. Some people find success with them, I personally never did and I have heard they can be dangerous for newborns because of the air flow issue. I would do some more research before committing to a sling.

Like what? If you are using it correctly there aren't any issues. Any item of baby gear could be danergous if used improperly.

Of course! It's almost always operator error. I mean, the danger of drop-side cribs is putting it together improperly, leaving a gap.

I was thinking of this report that the CPSC came out with shortly after my son was born a few years ago.

thomas930 · October 2013

I can't comment on those brands but I'll share another link with you that breaks some different ones down.

https://www.becomingmamas.com/babywearing/ring-slings-pouches/

Here is a picture of my ring sling.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

I think this is my last question lol.

@colleenswerb did you use your maya sling for your ds when he was a newborn?

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

Thanks.

I think I'm going to buy a maya ring sling and then make my own moby wrap to test out before deciding to buy a moby wrap or buying a baby k'tan.

sunshineinmay09 · October 2013

Also wanted to say thanks to all you ladies for your input.

jgreig83 · October 2013

Thank you @maydaygirl590 It was eye opening for a lot of us.

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