STM-baby carriers

MommyG-brant · January 2014

I have been doing some research on carriers. I have the old front to back carrier with clips and stuff but the slings and wraps look so much more comfortable. I am leaning towards the baby ktan. Any one use or have one they loved?

b-ruth · January 2014

I loved my moby wrap for when baby is small. But it can get warm in the summer. This time I bought a Sakura bloom ring sling. My son was not a fan of the structured carriers... I also had a Beco Soleil that he didn't like. Never used the ktan though.

haziedaze · January 2014

I was a huge ringsling fan. Bought another one for this baby already. It wasn't as great for walks/hikes as it was for around the house and errands, so I also just bought a babyhawk for longer wearing. I hate buckles.

haziedaze · January 2014

@b-ruth the SB slings are the best! They are definitely pricey but I hated my Maya sling I had first, so much more bulky. Just bought a double layer linen for this one, I had a luxurious double layer silk that was a gift with DS.

laurel22 · January 2014

I loved my wrap carrier for around the house because it was super-comfy, but for me, they weren't substantial enough for long walks and running errands. I liked the more substantial carriers (Ergo type) for anything that involved walking more than a block. I'm glad I had one of each.

JNova78 · January 2014

I bought a Boba wrap for when she's teeny tiny around the house (also getting a Boba 4G). I've read the directions and watched YouTube videos. Am I an idiot or does wrapping get easier with practice? I'm afraid to put Baby in it because I'm not sure I'm wrapped correctly!

chucko326 · January 2014

FTM, but I bought a Baby K'Tan at the recommendation of a friend (two time mom). After receiving it at my shower, I put my 4 month old nephew in it and carried him around....it was relatively easy to get him in (probably gets easier with practice), and he seemed to like it (he is generally somewhat fussy, but he snuggled into my chest and got quiet). I just carried him around the house a little, but I hope to use the k'tan to carry LO at restaurants, the grocery store, etc for at least the first few months.

stphanie · January 2014

Both my kids lived in the moby. They loved it. I nursed in it while in public. I wore it everywhere instead of using a stroller. And we used it from newborn stage until about a year. However, I have friends who didn't care for it, so I guess it depends on the person.

PurpleSnapDragons · January 2014

Here's the research I've done on carriers lately. I owned a bjorn, snugli, and kinderpack with my first. Kinderpack ROCKS. I bought a ktan breeze, action baby carrier and lenny lamb woven wrap for my second. My friends with k'tans love them for newborns:

For soft structured carriers

DON'T like the bjorn or snugli. They are very uncomfortable for parents once baby reaches 15 lbs. The babies legs hang all awkwardly. You can get them super cheap used ($10)

The ergo is supposed to be very good probably for the first year. Then baby starts to get too tall and it won't be as comfortable for you. Another option is the lillebaby which can do front, back, hip, and forward facing out if you choose. You can find it on deal sites for around $70 often. I've heard the ergo insert can get very hot and it's a lot of extra $$. Some people roll a receiving blanket and put it under baby instead. Boba and Beco are good too.

The action baby carrier is a great (cheap ish) alternative. You can get it for $70-80 new and there's a baby and toddler version. Decent padding. People like it fine.

BEST: Tula or Kinderpack (I have this one). These are AMAZING! Very padded and adjustable. Easy to switch between myself and DH. Great for front or back carrier. Kp can do hip but I haven't tried. Kinderpack has an infant size so you can start around 8lbs. with no extra insert.

Wraps:
Good starter stretchy wrap is moby or ktan. Ktan requires so actual wraping so it's very easy to learn. Ring slings are also great for newborns. Any stretchy wrap you can't back carrier or go past 15lbs or so

Woven wraps: Good cheap ones include LennyLamb and Little Frog. They should be in the $60-100 range. Then it just gets more expensive from there. Wovens will work from newborn to toddler.

LEIGHLOVE09 · January 2014

I have a Sakura bloom ring sling and a ktan. Loved both for newborns. I also still used my ring sling with my DD when she was 15 months! I would put her on my hip in it while we were shopping or apple picking etc. she wasn't a huge fan of the stroller at that age (and still isn't) so the ring sling worked for us! I personally haven't touched the ktan since she was a little baby. I probably could have done without and just used the ringsling.

SimplyRSVP · January 2014

FTM, but a local boutique store offers personal consulting visits for babywearing. Hubs and I both got to go and try them all out. Hubs prefers the Boba 4g and I'm getting either a dolcini or chimparoo woven wrap.

Linnea503 · January 2014

I have an Ergo that I liked with my first, but I just ordered a Maya wrap to use with this one too. I think the Maya will be better for the itty bitty days, quicker to get baby in and out, and not as hot for baby. The Ergo with insert gets really hot.

arichlife · January 2014

FTM here but have a little experience...
I got a Solly Baby wrap for the beginning when she is smaller. It's like the Moby but breathes better. I've heard a lot of complaints about overheating in the Moby and that the Solly Baby Wrap is a lot better. I want to get a Bjorn or an Ergo for when she is older/bigger. I used a sling style one with the baby at work (I'm a nanny) and even at like 5 or 6 months I felt he was too big and it was really uncomfortable to have the weight so much on one shoulder as opposed to evenly distributed and I could never wear him long before it was painful. though the kind I used did not have a ring so it was not adjustable and maybe that was part of the problem.

edit: here is a review of a few styles of carriers
https://goodnightmush.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/baby-carrier-reviews/

Beckypooh09 · January 2014

I used a Moby with my first two but I live in FL and it was always hot. I used a beco butterfly II with DS2 and loved it. I've heard a lot of good things about the k'tan and might get that for the first 6 months or so. I'm also hoping to get a ring sling and plan to try out a friends soon.

AmberLiz99 · January 2014

I loved the moby for the first few months, and the ergo lasted from there untill he was two.

strawberrytree · January 2014

We used a Beco Gemini with DS almost every day of his first year and loved it. I think I am going to get a linen Sakura Bloom sling for this baby. I expect he will pretty much live in it for the first few months of his life and I wanted one that was very breathable.