Baby-wearing? Choosing a wrap, sling, or carrier?

PutMeintheZoo · March 2015

With DD, I want to really try baby-wearing, but I'm so stumped on whether a wrap (like a Boba or Moby), sling, or carrier (like an Ergo Baby) is best. (I didn't baby-wear at all with my DS.)

Anyone have any recommendations or experiences with baby-wearing and what item worked / will work best for you? I really like the idea of a wrap - they look nice and soft, but I'm almost worried I won't be able to get myself into it! :-P

lola2bee · March 2015

Do you live in a big city? There are local baby wearing groups that will let you try them on and teach you how to tie them safely.

Also I watch the YouTube videos on how to tie them. Hope that helps!!

amandalynne3470 · March 2015

I have been looking into getting a Maya sling for mine. It looks so easy to use and I have read great things about it. I have also youtubed it and there are videos to show you how to breastfeed more discreetly using the sling. I can't wait to try it out.

nolababybaby · March 2015

I love the K'Tan. It's like a hybrid sling/carrier - soft like a sling but easier to get on and off without a bunch of extra fabric.

saric83 · March 2015

I'm going to start off with a K'Tan and see how that goes. I'm only 5'1" and have a short waist, so I did a lot of research on which ones would fit my body the best. I tried a lot of friends' carriers on, and the K'Tan was my favorite.

OlgaN15 · March 2015

I asked a friend of mine about baby-wearing, and she gave me some great info about different carriers/wraps. Here is some of her advice and information about baby-wearing:

1 - Stretchy Wrap. Moby is a popular brand of stretchy wrap and sometimes people will refer to all stretchy wraps as mobys. A stretchy wrap is a length of cloth that is similar to t-shirt material. You put it on and then put baby in. It is only good for front carries and only up to about 15lbs. Some people can use them longer than 15lbs, but I found that by that stage it would get "saggy" to fast. It is great for skin to skin time with a newborn and because you tie it on and then put the baby in, you can leave it on and take the baby in and out as needed.

2 - Ring Sling. These are the carriers that have a set of metal rings at one end and are usually worn over one shoulder with the baby in a "pouch" of sorts in the front. You can use a ring sling (RS) from birth through toddler hood. I find my RS the best for quick ups and downs - if I know I'm going to be taking him in and out of the carrier a lot, the RS is my go-to. I do not like the RS for long carries as it doesn't distribute the weight as evenly as other carriers. The RS was one of the first carriers that I learned to breast feed in. If you are choosing a RS, choose one without extra padding - the ones with extra padding have been shown to be dangerous and some have actually been recalled. Simple is better. Many people also choose to make their own RS because it is relatively simple. I like to bring my RS along if I don't know if I will need a carrier or not because it doesn't take up much room at all.

3 - Mei tai. This is a cross between a soft structured carrier (SSC) and a wrap. Basically a Mei tai (MT) is rectangular-ish piece of cloth with 4 straps on it - 2 at the waist and 2 at the shoulder. You tie it on at the waist, put baby in, and then tie the shoulder straps off after criss-crossing them. I used my MT a lot once DS outgrew the stretchy, though it can be used right from birth. The MT was the first carrier that I used for back carries, which can be done as soon as the baby has excellent head control. It's pretty quick to put on and off. I still use it a lot for back carries when I'm in a hurry or DS is not cooperating with the wrap.

4 - Soft Structured Carrier. These are carriers like the Ergo, Beco, Boba, Tula, Manduca, Kinderpack, Baby Bjorn, Snuggli, etc. (Please do not get a baby Bjorn or Snuggli - they are not good choices ergonomically and tend to be uncomfortable). They have more structure to them than a MT and are usually put on with buckles or clips rather than being tied on. I don't have a SSC because I couldn't find one that fit me right. SSC can be used from birth (front carries only) through toddlerhood, depending on the carrier.

5 - Wrap. The wrap is the most versatile of all carriers (in my opinion), yet perhaps the hardest to master. In essence it is a long length of sturdy cloth that is used to tie the baby on in a variety of ways. Wraps come in different lengths and are made of different fabrics. A size 7 wrap is the biggest and a size 1 is the smallest. Most people start with one somewhere between 4 - 6. In general, the longer the wrap the more options you have for carries, but sometimes the length gets in the way. Wraps can be used from birth onwards for both front and back carries.

When you are choosing a baby carrier you want something that will be comfortable for both you and baby and safe.

Also, another friend wrote a blog post on her experience with baby-wearing, if you want to check that out: https://thisismycreativity.wordpress.com/2014/10/28/babywearing/

sb184 · March 2015

Moby and ergo, get both.

TBsquared · March 2015

i used the moby and ergo and was happy with that. alot of people cant figure out the moby or find it difficult though. My friend has a sling and if they werent so darn expensive Id get one, they look very simple and comfy

2undertwo2bee · March 2015

I have a k tan for when I first bring baby home and the weeks after. I am also getting a tula. They are a little more expensive than others but they had their value for resale and can be used for quite a while for you get your wear from them.

PutMeintheZoo · March 2015

Thanks so much! These are all so helpful... Looks like that K'Tan one is really popular?

Mari621 · March 2015

I have a K'tan and not a fan. I'm very petite and didn't fit me well with my son. I got a woven wrap for this one so I can run after my son without the bulk of my Beco carrier. Once the baby is bigger I'll probably transition him to the soft structure carrier. If you're petite I recommend the Beco Gemini. The nice thing about the Gemini is that you don't need an insert and I believe 4 carry positions. I carried my son to he was about a yr old. Then he wad just too big for me. Now at 2 he's almost to my hip and a third of my weight pre pregnancy

CateOfChicago · March 2015

I bought a few and dd hated them all, but she has always hated things touching her. You would think a stethoscope is a knife with the fuss she puts up. I'm hoping this guy is different. I'll probably buy a few again and try them out with him. Back to the store if he is the same.

djhudson9107 · March 2015

I say moby then ring sling. The moby style (boba is cheaper) was invaluable to me with my second and once shecwas too big we used the maya wrap. Baby wearing the second was almost necessary to have both hands free!

shinderlea · March 2015

I have the Ergo wrap. Have heard many good things about it from friends. Hope it was a good choice!

sunnyday016 · March 2015

sb184 said:
Moby and ergo, get both.

Both are a necessity for me. I love the moby wrap for the first few months and the Ergo for after that. You can make your own Moby really easily (and cheaply!) by buying a long piece of the fabric from your local fabric store. It's literally just a long piece.

AlwaysKnitting · March 2015

I'm getting a K'Tan and a Lillebaby, which is very similar to the Ergo but has a few things I like better, as per the recommendation of Lucies List. If you get a K'Tan, keep in mind that they have sizes, so you may want to try them on in person. My local Buy Buy Baby had them all out for people to try on.

buckeyesmuckeye · March 2015

Just a PSA: Ergobaby has a 10% coupon out right now N1AECU3. I just ordered mine with an infant insert and with free shipping and no tax, it was cheaper through their website than it was on Amazon!

sassyg25 · March 2015

I've spoken to several other women whom I've witnessed baby carrying. The best way to go is, Moby wrap for ages 0-6 months (and hardly ever take them out 0-3), and then Ergo for after 6 months but a Tula if you can afford it.

SmrBrd2012 · March 2015

I received a hand me down Ergo which I used a bit with my nephew. I really liked it except that there is no option to wear the baby facing forward as they get older. It also doesn't have an infant insert. I've been thinking about getting a wrap too since they're less pricey and I hear they're better for discretely BFing.