Baby carriers

ball.and.chain · March 2014

In which ball.and.chain continues to pump the brains of her LGBT mommy friends for pregnancy, parenting and registry suggestions.

OK SO. Someone is giving me a free Baby Bjorn they are no longer using and I already have a free mei tai from my SIL. I have read mixed reviews of the Baby Bjorn (yes, I know it's a crotch dangler) but since it's free, I figured I'd take it, give it a shot, and see what I think. It seems like people like mei tais but my niece managed to catapult herself out of one and land on her head on the floor (she was fine), so it makes my wife slightly nervous. (She did this while she was being put in, not while she was already in, so it's more that she got away from her mom than that the mei tai failed in any way).

It seems like a lot of people like the Moby, and it seems so cozy and not bulky. But it also seems confusing. And I'm wondering how many baby carriers someone really needs?

Baby wearers and any other moms (or non-moms who know a lot about this), what say you? What are your favorites?

ATXmommas · March 2014

We have the pikkolo (similar to the ergo) and both he and I love it. We tried out the moby, but it didn't work for us. To me, it was a bit bulky and he just didn't cozy on in there. So, we returned it. I might have kept trying with it, but I knew he already loved the pikkolo so didn't think I needed to force it. And, like you said - how many baby carriers do you need? That said, I have friends who looove theirs (I think including mwagner and HBM).

I've heard Bjorns aren't good for boys, but haven't actually used one.

Also, there is probably a baby wearing group in your area. They loan out different carriers and you can see what you prefer. We have one in Austin, but I didn't know about it until after I bought my carrier.

Oh, and I know a bunch of folks who love their ergos.

healz413 · March 2014

herbabymama said:
ETA: WARNING my wife K wrote that while I was bfing. but i mostly agree.

First clue--if "ninja mommies" was an HBM term, we'd have surely heard it on here before!

ball.and.chain · March 2014

Super helpful HBM and ATX!

I've looked at some comparison charts and between the charts and your comments, I think if I were just picking on my own I would probably go with a Pikkolo or Boba, but they look fairly similar so I don't think I could go wrong with either. One of the websites I read said that the Pikkolo is basically like a mei tai with buckles (the mei tai ties on). I would prefer something with buckles, but since the mei tai otherwise seems similar -- and since I already have one and the Boba and Pikkolo are not inexpensive -- I think I will just stick with the mei tai and then upgrade to a Boba or Pikkolo if I find tying it a PIA.

According to Lucie's List, the benefit of the Bjorn is that it is super quick/easy to get off and on. I don't know that I would buy one on my own, but I can see ease of use being an easy sell with my wife (who is sort of skeptical about baby-wearing and would probably not have the patience for a Moby). The crotch-dangling part doesn't thrill me -- and yes, I can see this being worse for boys -- but I'll see what the pedi says; as long as it isn't going to cause discomfort or damage when used occasionally, I will give it a shot.

@Herbabymama, since you (or K!) said you liked both the Moby and the Boba when C was young, I'm interested in knowing in what situations you would choose the Moby over the Boba. Is it better for newborns? Is there more skin-to-skin contact? I'm considering registering for a Moby, and it's not that expensive, but since I THINK I can use the mei tai for a newborn, I'm wondering if it's even worth bothering with the Moby.

Two notes: one, this guy's due in July, so if something is particularly hot to wear, it's going to get a thumbs DOWN. And two, we live in the suburbs and drive a lot...so I think a lot of my carrier use is going to be at home, doing things around the house.

mwagner25 · March 2014

We use the Moby. It still is a go to for Oliver when he is fussy and wants to be close or is overwhelmed when we are out and just wants to be held tight and "hide" from all the stimulation. He is 15 lbs now and we still use it, just changed the hold. We also recently started using a ring sling for around the house, he didn't like it previously but now that he is bigger it gives our backs a bit of a break using it around the house.

We had a fair amount of different carriers as hand me downs from my sister or that we got from showers. If we didn't have such a selection I probably would have waited and gone to our local cloth diaper store who let's you try all the different carriers in store with your baby and then make a decision. They even had baby wearing classes. Maybe you have something like this is your area? Each baby is so different that it may be hard to know which one will work for you guys.

ball.and.chain · March 2014

mwagner25 said:

If we didn't have such a selection I probably would have waited and gone to our local cloth diaper store who let's you try all the different carriers in store with your baby and then make a decision. They even had baby wearing classes. Maybe you have something like this is your area? Each baby is so different that it may be hard to know which one will work for you guys.

Yes, I should look into this. I'm in the Boston area so I'm sure there's something -- a store or a group as @ATXMommas mentioned. I do know there is a cloth diaper store (thanks to @stringy813 I think) so I will see if they have carriers as well.

Jazibel · March 2014

We have the ergo, Moby and baby Bjorn. I only used the Bjorn once (it was lent to us) out of curiosity - it is easy to put on and off - but Kaden never liked it.

We love the Ergo super easy to use as a front or back carrier. Kaden was happy in there. I only nursed in the ergo once on the go (I preferred to find a place I could sit down), but friends have told me it's easy.

We used the Moby when Kaden was little, he loved the skin to skin feeling and the fact that it's like being swaddled. I personally never liked wearing it out because manipulating all that material while trying not to let it drag on the ground, was just too difficult for grocery store runs, etc. You also mentioned not wanting to be hot and I found the Moby hot.

I think 1-3 carriers is good, having an extra is nice in case one is in the wash, and you & your wife might end up liking different carriers.

Thanks for starting the thread -I've appreciated reading all the feedback. I'm going to look into some of these other options.

Jazibel · March 2014

Jazibel said:
We have the ergo, Moby and baby Bjorn. I only used the Bjorn once (it was lent to us) out if curiosity - it is easy to put on and off - but

Whoops started this post a while back and didn't finish it - blush -

I'll update later ;-)

JGY · March 2014

Hi There, rarely on here on weekends as well.

We have a ring sling that gets limited use. But I had it made in school colors to use on gamedays where S works, so it serves its pupose.

We also have a Beco Gemini, which I see no one else has mentioned. I really do love it, and so does Gabe. They can face out or in on the front, or you can use it to carry them on your back, or your hip. It's pretty awesome. I feel VERY secure with him in it even now at 24 lbs. We started using it when he was just a few weeks old. It's not cheap, but it's very versitile and it's been way worth it for us.

But I will echo the sentiment that you never really know what's going to work best for you until you try things on. And even then it's hard to know until the baby is here and can express his/her preference.

Also, FWIW, Gabe was not a huge fan of the carrier to begin with. Then he really only wanted to face out. Now he LOVES facing in and loves being in it in general. Weird.

JGY · March 2014

Oh also ... one of the nice things about the Beco is that it adjusts really easily so people of all different sizes can easily use the same carrier without any fuss.

Manada · March 2014

Okay - we obviously don't have a baby yet, and Rocky came with their own case for now, so we're good....

but....

We have a mei tai in storage, which I've heard/read is great for the older than newborn, but still not too heavy periods.

And a friend of ours has some sort of contraption that works from newborn and up that she's handing down to us. I'm not sure what it is, but it's a soft-carrier that has long, padded straps that cris-cross in the back and then buckle around the waist --- and a little pouch part where you can froggie a newborn, or put their legs around you.    We have both worn that one with her kids and like it. My only complaint about that one was that it felt a bit awkward at times in terms of keeping the baby high enough with a newborn and her weight distributed on my hips. I remember adjusting a lot.

Otherwise I'm also going to put an ergo on our registry as well because I have heard great things about them and hope that we can use it while walking the baby on nature walks...

That said, I'm impressed by @herbabymama's (uh, HBM's baby mommy actually) description of ninja-mommy techniques and really feel we may need a little bit of ninja mommy in our lives.....   if one of those gets gifted to us we'll accept the challenge I think

trisholio · March 2014

Jazibel said the moby isn't super convenient for errands because it is so long, but I usually just put it on before going out and then just wear it. I might look ridiculous, but I don't care :-) I used it this summer while being outside and I was already hot and carrying a hot baby, but I didn't find the fabric hot. My wife on the other hand hates it and prefers a baby bjorn. She said it is more secure to her.

ball.and.chain · March 2014

All of this is so helpful! Thank you!

CageyMack · March 2014

Dude. The Ergo is where it's at. I had the Moby wrap and baby always hated it, save for about 5 times when we was as big as a nut. Mostly I just would stuff his little wee self into the Ergo with his legs folded, utero-style, and a cloth AIO diaper under his butt. I wore him like that a lot because I could not imagine putting him in that foldy taco shell for little babies while we lived in Hawaii.

I use the Ergo ALL THE TIME. Like, seriously. We walk in it, shop in it, do the dishes in it, you name it. I'm kind of freaky good at grabbing the dude under the armpits and winging him onto my back. I watched a YouTube video of a lady putting her baby on her back with the Ergo and I was all, "THAT'S my style!"

We hike with him on my back, too. I've used the side carry a couple times, and the front carry pretty often, too. I love our Ergo.

trisholio · March 2014

All of this talk about carriers and I realized I hadn't used the Moby since baby K has come to live with us. I have used it the last few days, yesterday she was screamed and it calmed her down and today I was out running errands. She is 6 months old and weighs 20lbs, she is CHUNKY! So we might need to look into a different carrier because the fabric seemed to stretch pretty quickly and I had to readjust a few more times then usual. But it did the trick! It was nice to wear the baby and put the toddler in the stroller for awhile, so I didn't have to worry about her running around everywhere.

JoySeattle · March 2014

I skimmed responses so sorry if I'm too redundant.

We're total babywearers. I teach basics of babywearing in my newborn care classes. I'm a member of my local BWI chapter (see if you have a group locally, they are a great resource for education and often have a lending library, but You Tube videos are another good option). I am biased.

Here goes:

For the newborn period I love a stretchy wrap (Moby, K'tan, etc), a woven wrap, a ring sling, and/or a mei-tai that has a narrow base. Always use a spotter and/or get them in over a bed or soft surface until you feel really confident.

If you use the Bjorn it generally becomes uncomfortable for the wearer around 15lbs. If you want to use it until then but are concerned about baby's comfort, try this: https://www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/12/narrow-based-carrier-scarf-hack.html

With my summer baby and postpartum hormones I couldn't handle the stretchy wraps. I could actually do woven better. They are similar but a woven will last longer than 20 lbs safely. They are more spendy but hold their value. You can usually get a Moby for sale on CL or consignment stores.

I love a good ring sling. I started with a cotton (French Twill) one from Sleeping Baby Productions. That costs about $40. (I have since gotten a wrap conversion WCRS out of a linen woven wrap and I can use it with my 20+ lbs huge 6 month old without and issue.) Ring slings, like wrapping, have a learning curve but they are great. I love that I could get a newborn in and out without setting him down. There's also nothing hard so you can sit down with them on without being uncomfortable. They're easy to take baby in and out. They're easy to nurse in. Used properly they should be snuggley and comfortable for you and baby.

If you have a wider based mei-tai, you can use a rubber band or scrunchie to make it slightly smaller but still have knee to knee coverage. Don't tie it at baby's back, tie it under their bum or behind you.

Beyond the newborn stage I like a buckle carrier/soft-structured carrier (SSC). We have a Tula (well, two

which are similar to an Ergo with a few differences. You can get a newborn insert, but we just used other options until he was old/big enough to not need one. This is now our go-to carrier for longer wearing.

Our stash is: 5 stretchy wraps (mainly Mobys, I teach with these), 1 K'tan, 3 cotton ring slings (I'm going to sell a couple), 1 linen WCRS (my fave), 1 BabyHawk mei tai, 1 size 6 woven wrap, 2 standard Tulas. I'd like to get a size 3 or 4 woven wrap and I'm sure we'll get a larger SSC at some point. We babywear every day, but mainly reach for the Tula or the RS.

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