Baby wearing suggestions

erincjackson · July 2015

I did a quick search and didn't see any threads on this. If there is one please point me in that direction.

I've been looking at wraps for this baby. Its #4 and our youngest will be 2 1/2 when baby gets here. So in lieu of a double stroller, I've been leaning towards baby wearing.

Looking for suggestions of what worked and what didn't. I am leaning towards a ring sling for newborn/infant and a Tula when baby gets bigger. Thoughts/suggestions from other baby wearing mommas are greatly appreciated!

steph_pegasus · July 2015

We used a ring sling for me and soft carrier for DH, plan to do so again.
You should check to see if there are any babywearing international chapters near you - you can see a lot of different types of carriers and try them out.

thereisalight · July 2015

I started out ring sling and then transitioned to an ergo with my first. I loved it and plan on doing it this time as well!

KaraEpp16 · July 2015

erincjackson said:

I did a quick search and didn't see any threads on this. If there is one please point me in that direction.

You are awesome.

jeanbug12 · July 2015

I used the Ergo with both mine, with the newborn insert until they were big enough. I love the ergo! But both my babies were big (9lbs4oz and 8lbs5oz), I am not sure I would have loved it as much for newborns if they had been smaller.

alice2Bcheshire · July 2015

I started from Day 1 with the Moby wrap, and then moved to a Maya wrap (ring sling) at about 3-4 months. When my babies got too heavy for one-shouldered carrying at around 5 months, I switched to the Boba/Ergo (I have both, and prefer the Boba).

Paige6410 · July 2015

I loved the Moby wrap when DS2 was an infant. I'll be looking for something the same, but with better fabric, like jersey knit, or some other, cooler material. I'm also considering trying a ring sling. I would love an Ergo, but read that they aren't very comfortable for shorter moms.
Baby wearing was one of the best decisions I made the second time around. I could clean, grocery shop, play with DS1, ect. He always slept in it, then when he got to be about 4 months, he loved checking out the view of the world. Made breastfeeding easier on the go as well.

arose3eb · July 2015

I went on YouTube and watched some videos on the baby bjorn vs the ergobaby. My takeaway was that with the ergobaby, it's more expensive but it has extra ways you can wear and adjust the baby, and it's possible to BF while LO is in there, which is something baby bjorn couldn't do. Admittedly, I didn't research on the wraps because I don't understand them and they don't "seem" secure to me, but that is my own ignorance that I'm looking forward to shedding as I read more input from some of you!

daninikicoli · July 2015

Paige6410 said:
I loved the Moby wrap when DS2 was an infant. I'll be looking for something the same, but with better fabric, like jersey knit, or some other, cooler material. I'm also considering trying a ring sling. I would love an Ergo, but read that they aren't very comfortable for shorter moms.
Baby wearing was one of the best decisions I made the second time around. I could clean, grocery shop, play with DS1, ect. He always slept in it, then when he got to be about 4 months, he loved checking out the view of the world. Made breastfeeding easier on the go as well.

I also loved the Moby, but the fabric is too thick for me as well. Have you checked out the Solly wrap? It's light, thinner material. That's what we are doing this time, I'm so excited to get it.

I love the wraps. We also have an Ergo, that's what my husband prefers, but I am considering different carriers for when baby is bigger.

For anyone interested in wraps, I would check out https://sollybaby.com

Paige6410 · July 2015

The wrap was definitely intimidating at first. I watched a few videos on YouTube and practiced at home a few times before venturing out. I'd always put it on at home (for short trips, like Target or grocery shopping) then just slip the him in once we got there.
The security feeling, I totally get. I did not understand how a piece of fabric would support a baby, but it really was secure once I figured it out.

Monilee1017 · July 2015

That is what I did with my two boys, I just used an Infantino carrier. I'm looking for a better one this time around. It got the job done but there were so many straps dangling off my body.

JandJ62914 · July 2015

I just need to say that for some reason I read the title of this as "Baby Wearing Sunglasses" so I was really confused about why all the responses were about wraps and slings lol.

I'm going to following this thread for suggestions though! DH and I just started discussing all of this.

katie145190 · July 2015

I bought a Cuddle Bug wrap on Zulily, but I'm unsure how to get the baby in it without help...

ChrissyD1203 · July 2015

I'm leaning towards ergo based on my internet research. I thought Tula looked great too. From someone with zero actual experience baby wearing sounds great!

steph_pegasus · July 2015

katie145190 said:
I bought a Cuddle Bug wrap on Zulily, but I'm unsure how to get the baby in it without help...

Check on the brand website or youtube for instruction videos!

sck601 · July 2015

I have a Moby wrap and a Ergo Galaxy with newborn insert.

missperky · July 2015

I wrapped a lot in the beginning. I really liked it for NIP. Now that DD is walking we have usually do the ring sling. We mainly use our Onya for hiking. I'm contemplating get a Lenny lamb wrap conversion SSC for tandem wearing.

Snoopylovesbelle · July 2015

I did a moby wrap for the first 3 months or so and then switched to an ergo.
The wrap was the only thing the kept DD happy during the day until she likes the swing and kept is both warm since she was a December baby.

This time around I want to get the ergo 360 because DD loved looking forward and the old ergo doesn't let you do that.
They also have a new mid weight moby that could be worth looking into for those that didn't like the weight of the original moby.

Ju111310 · July 2015

I did a Moby wrap while at home. It's just too much fabric for me to tie on in a parking lot. And it's too hot in Louisiana most of the year for all that fabric.

I used a cheapo infantino carrier sometimes that was gifted to me, he liked front facing in it. But it was really a "crotch dangler" aka didn't have enough support through the legs, so only for short little trips.

Ring sling was my most used. Easy & quick to put baby in, easy to adjust. Great for newborn carry and great for side carry. When he hit about 18 lbs, he was just too heavy to wear in the ring sling for long periods.

Just recently bought an ergo, needed a more supportive structured carrier now that he's over 20 lbs. I wanted a Tula so badly, but they're pricey and hard to get ahold of (the pretty prints anyway) so I settled for the Ergo. I think I'll end up using the ergo most with the new baby, because it seems more secure than the ring sling while chasing an 18 month old. But we'll see!

ttgcole · July 2015

Moby for early on and I am really hoping for a Tula carrier. I want one so bad!

mkatefin303 · July 2015

Obsessed with my Ergo for older (3-4 months plus) babies. Could not recommend more.
DS didn't like the infant insert though, and I found it bulky and annoying so didn't use it until it wasn't necessary.

For newborns - And especially for anyone intimidated by the Moby wraps - I had one and just couldn't figure it out when on the go, etc - so I got a K'tan which I LOVED. It's advertised as a "wrap without the wrapping" bc it is pre-tied so you don't have to deal with one long piece of fabric but it's a similar material and is a soft, wrap-like carrier. Only downside is you have to order the right size so DH and I couldn't share - but he wasn't super into the kangaroo mama babywearing thing anyway so it all worked out. (Uses the Ergo as a backpack with DS though!)

mollyj931 · July 2015

#2 lived in the Becco Butterfly(similar to the Ergo). It has a newborn inserts so he started from a young age. I have a couple different ring slings also. I'm thinking I may try the Moby wrap for this one but I may also just go with the Becco. I love that it can be used with a newborn and I have a friend who's two-year-old still goes in it on her back.

Anyone try the Solly carrier? I just heard about them today. I guess they are getting good reviews.they are similar to the Moby

indibidule · July 2015

I was at a local baby wearing international meeting tonight and learned about belly wrapping. I'm so excited to try it when I get a little bigger. It is supposed to help support the weight of your belly better than a normal belly band. Once I get links to tutorials, I'll post them here for you ladies. You can belly wrap with a normal wrap or a ring sling.

holocene · July 2015

I prefer woven wraps for brand new babies. Around 2 months, I tend to transition to a ring sling, and my woven. And then around 6 months transition to 1/2 tula and 1/2 woven. (I'm neurotic, can you tell?)

I seriously cannot recommend a woven wrap enough. Girasol makes excellent wraps for beginners, as their rainbow patterns tend to make the rails different colours, which helps learn passes and strand by strand tightening. As for the carries, for newborns I love the front wrap cross carry. Youtube is an incredible resource for learning carries, there are several amazing babywearing Mama's on there, but I tend to watch babywearingfaith first.

kmo8986 · July 2015

I loved my moby for around the house. I didn't love having to tie it out in public, although I did start wrapping it at home and driving places wearing it, and putting baby in when we got there. I probably looked like a loon driving but it worked for us when DS was tiny. When. He got a little bigger I used the heck out of my ergo. The only reason I have stopped using it with him is that it bothers my bump!

TVL25 · July 2015

We are in the same boat! I baby wore with my 2 1/2 year old because we had a barely 1 year old when he was born. It was a life saver! I used a baby K'tan with him until about 2 months and then switched to our ergo sport. I found a video on youtube comparing the K'tan and the moby side by side with the different carry positions, and it was a no brainer to go with the K'tan! If you do choose it, order a size down as it does give a little (but not terribly IMO). If you go with an Ergo from the beginning, I wouldn't waste money on the infant insert. It's outgrown fast and you can save money by rolling receiving blankets on either side/under your LO. Also found that on youtube as I check for hands on reviews for most any baby gear I buy on there (strollers and such)

daninikicoli · July 2015

mollyj931 said:
#2 lived in the Becco Butterfly(similar to the Ergo). It has a newborn inserts so he started from a young age. I have a couple different ring slings also. I'm thinking I may try the Moby wrap for this one but I may also just go with the Becco. I love that it can be used with a newborn and I have a friend who's two-year-old still goes in it on her back.

Anyone try the Solly carrier? I just heard about them today. I guess they are getting good reviews.they are similar to the Moby

We are doing the Solly! I'm so excited to get it... I saw a girl at Disneyland with it a year ago. She let me check it out and I loved the material. I decided then, that would be a must for my next baby. I prefer wraps, but my husband loves our Ergo.

westphilly · July 2015

Are any STM tall or have tall partners? I like the ergo and the money wrap. But, my SO is 6'4" and isn't sure what will work for him.

mollyj931 · July 2015

Thanks @daninikicoli ! I'll have to look into it!

To others looking babywearing.com was super helpful. It shows various charts for what works best for front, back, side carrying, best for taller/shorter people, weight guidelines, etc.

steph_pegasus · July 2015

pittstown13 said:
Are any STM tall or have tall partners? I like the ergo and the money wrap. But, my SO is 6'4" and isn't sure what will work for him.

I think they make longer lengths of wraps and slings so you can adjust as needed for taller people.

RunnerMeg · July 2015

pittstown13 said:
Are any STM tall or have tall partners? I like the ergo and the money wrap. But, my SO is 6'4" and isn't sure what will work for him.

My DH is 6'3" and has no problem wearing our ergo and Tula. And I wear them too, I'm 5'4". I think shirt size/bust/weight is more important in wrap sizing than height. So even though your DH is tall, he may be able to wear the same wrap as you, depending on his weight.

DS was a big baby, just under 10 lbs, so I wore him in an ergo almost from day 1. He spent a bit of time in the Moby before the ergo. I know the ergo, and now we have a toddler Tula, which DS loves to go in (he's 26 months).

For this baby I really want to get a woven wrap to use during the first few months. Then I'll get out the ergo again.

erincjackson · July 2015

StephPegasus said:

pittstown13 said:
Are any STM tall or have tall partners? I like the ergo and the money wrap. But, my SO is 6'4" and isn't sure what will work for him.
I think they make longer lengths of wraps and slings so you can adjust as needed for taller people.

This is great! I'm 5'10 and hubby is 6'3 so anything that works best for taller people is great!

TVL25 · July 2015

@pittstown13 my husband is also 6'4" and he uses our* ergo just fine. He has worn our youngest on his front when he was an infant and our 3 year old on his back as a toddler and was comfortable either way. He would have never been able to fit our K'tan as it is sized though. When my oldest was little, we had a Chicco carrier (before all the fun hip dysplasia info) and he was not able to wear that one.

edited because I'm going on like 4 hours of sleep and crazy busy children all day!

Ebiejay · July 2015

I'm glad to see everyone's input on this, I'm a FTM and very keen on baby carrying.

I haven't tried anything out yet of course but I have been reading a lot on the subject, I've heard a lot of praise for the Moby wrap, though some people have said it's too hot for some conditions.

The LILLEbaby seems to have very high praise as well. Excellent reviews on Amazon, and highly recommended by Lucie's List (a very useful list of the top baby items, often subjective but still informative). Baby can be worn 6 different ways, goes from newborn to 45lbs without additional inserts, cool to wear, and supposedly very comfortable for moms and dads.

Had anybody here tried the LILLEbaby carrier? Thoughts?

nickicb7 · August 2015

Im reviving this thread, because Im interested in baby wearing now. I was wondering if any Canadian (Ontario epecially) mamas, have recommendations for slings brands available here.

Also do you need a different type from newborn to say 3 month olds? I had someone tell me the ring sling type is no good for newborns.

Krisdee123 · August 2015

I'm a FTM, but have done some research. Look at Solly Wrap website. They show how to use the same wrap but with different techniques for infant etc. lots of moms I know swear by Solly

holocene · August 2015

@nickicb7 - I'm Canadian. The babywearing world sucks you in fast! There are loads of different ring slings available. Sakura bloom is a well loved sling amongst the community and is available at a lot of Canadian retailers. (gorgeousbaby is the first that comes to mind). If you're interested, there are a ton of Canadian babywearing b/s/t groups on facebook that you can search for a wrap conversion ring sling. (That's where they take a woven wrap and turn it into a sling. They are generally the softest slings available/come in the prettiest woven patterns.)

holocene · August 2015

For anyone interested in the vast world of babywearing and have FB, you can join Babywearing 102. It has like 100k members, and can sometimes be a bit dramatic, but it's a good resource and a good place to start.

ainverso · August 2015

I used a Snugli when baby was little or a hava ring sling. Both were great for different purposes and times

nickicb7 · August 2015

holocene said:

For anyone interested in the vast world of babywearing and have FB, you can join Babywearing 102. It has like 100k members, and can sometimes be a bit dramatic, but it's a good resource and a good place to start.

I don't have facebook

But thank you for the information

holocene · August 2015

nickicb7 said:

holocene said:

For anyone interested in the vast world of babywearing and have FB, you can join Babywearing 102. It has like 100k members, and can sometimes be a bit dramatic, but it's a good resource and a good place to start.

I don't have facebook But thank you for the information

Let me dig up some great website resources for you then. I'll be back!
Oh, and ring slings are totally great for newborns. You just need to practice a lot so you're being a safe wearer. Youtube can teach you everything you need to know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BCdRfQAvQ

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