baby carriers

amylianne · June 2016

So our baby carrier broke and we really need another one. We had a chicco and it was... Not great. I am short and have big boobs so it dumped baby forward. Also, it just didn't cradle them well when they are little.
Can anyone recommend theirs that they LOVE. I'm open to a front pack or back pack as long as it works from newborn to a year or so.
Thanks!!

doodleoodle · June 2016

I really love my woven wrap. Have you considered something like that? You can wear the baby in many different positions. We also have an Ergo and that's okay. It's better for summer weather, but I am not really comfortable using it out by myself because it's difficult to take off. I've heard really good things about the Lillebaby All Seasons, but have no personal experience.

ashleaf2018 · June 2016

I've heard so many good things about Sakura Bloom carriers, they are ring slings and come in lots of different fabrics. A little pricey, but that's what I'm planning on using.

amylianne · June 2016

I do have a woven wrap actually which I use fairly often, but I still feel like it's either way right or my babies start slipping down. I see people baby wearing and it looks comfy and convienet, but maybe I don't have the body for it...

doodleoodle · June 2016

You could go to a local baby wearing group to try on different carriers and get tips. I've seen women with all different body types successfully use the woven wrap. If the baby is sliding down then you may not be wearing the wrap tight enough. Definitely pull on the rails of the fabric instead of just the fabric itself, if that makes sense.

penelope4612 · June 2016

I'm curious how long it takes people to get set up in a woven wrap or ring sling. It seems time intensive compared to something like the Tula carriers that you just pop the baby into. I'd love to hear opinions on why one is preferred to another.

Also, OP there is a massive baby carrier thread in Oct 2016. It's actually too cumbersome for me to understand, really. But it's a good place to look if you sort of know what people are talking about.

doodleoodle · June 2016

It takes a little practice @penelope4612 but after a few uses with the woven wrap I've actually found it to be a lot easier to use than my Ergo. The baby just feels more secure in my wrap also. I feel like in the Ergo she could just plop out if I'm not super careful, but in the wrap she's snuggled up next to me.

dmontgo · June 2016

We're planning on using the Ergo 360 with the removable newborn insert. It's like $175 on Amazon, but out of the carriers I tried on, it was simple, comfy, and provided good back support. I originally liked the Katan but wrap carriers are a bit too much thinking for me lol.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

What age baby are you talking about? For a squish, a wrap, woven or stretchy like a moby is a great idea as is a ring sling. I was pretty efficient with my Moby after awhile, though it was only comfortable until he hit about 15 pounds. After that we switched to an Ergo and I loved it. Around a year I got a Tula that I also love. When I don't feel so nauseous anymore, I can't wait to wear my 2 year old again.

The carrier is totally dependent on the wearer. People love wraps because you can wrap a newborn and a preschooler with the same wrap and not need another carrier. Plus you can do front carries, back carriers, tandem carries for those of you having twins. Wrapping will also give you a customized hold and you can back carry higher so baby can see more over your shoulders. Ring slings are easy to put on and easy to nurse in. SSC like ergo and tula are easy to put on and can last a long time.

Try a baby wearing meeting and try on a few carriers to see what you like and what you're comfortable with doing. Wrapping takes awhile compared to just popping the baby in a buckled carrier- but most buckle carriers you can't use for awhile because of baby not being able to hold his head up and stuff.

jennbaylor12 · June 2016

Everyone has already made some really good points and had some awesome feedback. I was gifted both a Moby and a Sakura Bloom at my showers and gave both ago with DS. I really like the Sakura but as he got bigger I wasn't as comfortable using it and, as he was my only, didn't have to to be honest. This go-around I know that I will have absolutely no choice and so I am going to be looking at the videos more carefully to figure out the best wraps and carries. I can honestly say that they're very comfortable and I'm looking forward to getting more use out of it this go around

mamabirdoftwo · June 2016

I can't say enough good things about ring slings.. I make them and love them. I can still carry around my three year old comfortably although she prefers walking (obviously lol) so I usually don't unless we are just goofing around. My one year old loves it though. They are by far my favorite carrier.

ve304856 · June 2016

I also had a chicco carrier with my first and I hated it, it really hurt my back and I also have big boobs so I know what you are talking about. With my second I spent the money and got an Ergo and I love it!! I actually got a really good deal and only paid about $60 for it at Target.

ETA: once you get the hang of the ergo ot really isn't hard to put on and take off

slartybartfast · June 2016

I'd second the ergo 360 w infant insert for the first couple months. The wraps and slings just didn't work out for me. I always felt babys head or legs or something were kinked funny

mattanda2011 · June 2016

On baby #3 I feel like I have finally figured out what carriers I want

I am planning to use the K'tan for newborn stage, I love it and it is way easier to use than the moby. Then I have an Ergo that I love and will continue to use, but I am hoping to upgrade to the ergo 360. With my older kids I used the Ergo so often for sleeping that after about 6 months they would resist if it wasnt nap time because they thought I was trying to make them nap. I figure with the 360 I can help make it really clear if its nap time or not by letting them face out when its not nap time and only face in for sleeping.

Kristonita12 · June 2016

I really loved my Tula with DD, but I didn't get it until she was about 9 months old. When she was littler, I used a ring sling and a Moby. I will likely use a Tula with infant insert this time and perhaps a ring sling for easy nursing and quick trips.

Sharkey · June 2016

I have a Ktan, an ergo 360, and a hiking carrier. I've loved all three for their respective purposes.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

The ergo 360 is great from what I hear, but the specs for them to be able to outward face don't last very long. There's a lower weight requirement and I think they have to be able to sit up unassisted in order to face out. I could be wrong though, but the shortness of time they can face outward is why I never got one. I wore my son in a back carry at that point and he liked it just fine.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

@MamaBirdof2 How do you make them? I really want one, but not sure if I want to spend the money on one or not. I'd kill for one of the tula ones, but if I spend 150 bucks on another carrier I'm pretty sure I'd be disowned lol.

H4aPartyof5 · June 2016

I've had the following: Infant and Standard Kinderpack (SSC), Baby & Toddler Lenny Lamb (SSC), a ring sling, and a Dragonbu Buckle Onbu. I briefly tried the Lillebaby (borrowed), Infantino Sash (Mei Tai), and Standard Tula (I just tried it on).

I love(d) the Lenny's - they're wrap conversions (so have that soft/cuddly factor), really light weight, have a lot of adjustment points (similar to a Kinderpack). The Kinderpack is a great canvas carrier with a mesh center panel option, which is great for where I live in the South. The infant I had was great and didn't require an insert. They've tweaked the design since, and I'm not as fond.

I wasn't a fan of the Tula (it felt too stiff and bulky), and besides, I live in a pretty hot climate so didn't want to deal with an insert.

For this baby, I'm interested mainly in a Lillebaby All Seasons or another baby-size Lenny since neither require an insert. The Lenny, I think, is meant to be used starting at 3-4 months, so that may factor in my decision. Maybe not since I have the ring sling.

mamabirdoftwo · June 2016

@jenlynne0624 I use 2 yards of linen or silk fabric, cut it so the 2 yards is about 36in in width, hem all four sides and sew on the rings. There is a pleated option too but I prefer gathered fabric. There are tons of tutorials on Pinterest and etsy has great patterns. Slingrings.com is where I buy the rings and I buy linen or silk at our local fabric shop to make sure it is breathable fabric. They are really easy to make.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

Hmmmm @mamabirdoftwo I do love Pinterest and I have a sewing machine, so this may be a thing that needs to happen. Any particular stitch you use to hem the side?

mamabirdoftwo · June 2016

@jenlynne0624 I use a medium straight stitch

1982Babies · June 2016

I still use the heck outta my original Ergo with my toddler. She's about 23 lb.

maamawaabangi · June 2016

I've used my ergo for 6 kids (well not my 2nd oldest because he joined our family at age 5), and for 11 years! LOVE it.
I also like beco and ring slings.

I hated the moby wrap and woven wrap I owed for awhile. I couldn't get over how it felt like I was carrying around a flipping bolt of fabric on my body!

I also didn't enjoy my short stint with a bjorn.

But everyone has there favorite.

zubenescamali · June 2016

I haven't used a ton of different carriers. I hated the Moby, which isn't as big nowadays anyway. I liked the sling wrap, but would have preferred a ring sling for more custom positioning since DD's chin would tuck so tight against her neck. I love my Beco and it's the only one I kept "just in case". my only complaint is that it gets hot, and I live in florida, so it is not super summer friendly. I have heard the Tulas are a little thinner than the Becos, and that the Pikkolo is best for short people, but I don't have experience with either

tinattt23 · June 2016

Anyone share a carrier with their partners? I'm looking at the Tula hoping it will fit both FI and I. I'm sure I'll use it more, but for long walks/hikes I imagine FI will be the pack mule

Christinaruth74 · June 2016

I love talking baby wearing!!
i have tried a few SSC (soft structured carriers) and my Tula was the winner by a landslide. My H loves wearing it as well. It has made trips to the mall, aquarium, hikes, whatever.. A breeze. Often I'll use the stroller as a shopping cart and just wear DD on my back!
ring slings are fantastic and I will second every recommendation for Sakura Bloom. I had a Maya at first, and it was good, but it just didn't work as well for me. The length of the fabric in the SB was perfect and so easy to manage. After some YouTube videos and a couple of babywearing meet ups, i can confidently say the RS is such a convenient option, especially for around the house or quick trips to the store.
When DD was an infant, we really loved our Moby wrap. It is stretchy so it can't be used after a certain weight, but it was nice for newborn snugs at home.
I also have some wovens and they are fun. So much practice (I still need more practice!) but there's nothing like the feeling you get when you've just hoisted your baby on your back using nothing but lengthy fabric.

JEM525 · June 2016

Love Moby when baby is very little and my Ergo For when they get bigger. I say go to the store and try on a couple, then you can figure out what will fit your frame the best!

amylianne · June 2016

Ok, I think I'm going to try a tula, ergo 4 position and sakura bloom. This baby is going to have to live in it so my hands are free for my other lo's. Thanks for all the good suggestions!

yellingbanana · June 2016

Thank you so much for this thread.

I have a Bjorn, and I really, really hate it. I don't even use it with my second daughter. But DH did. It kills my back.

I am am excited to try out the ones you guys have recommended. I'm not crafty, and don't have a sewing machine.
Where do you buy a ring sling?

SarahF8611 · June 2016

I used a K'tan at first and then a Tula. We also have an Ergo for my hubs that he likes. Highly recommend all three!

SarahF8611 · June 2016

dmontgo said:

We're planning on using the Ergo 360 with the removable newborn insert. It's like $175 on Amazon, but out of the carriers

Be cautious about buying Ergos on Amazon- there ARE fakes out there.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

The b/s/t boards on Facebook for carriers are really slow right now and prices are great if you all want a jump start on baby purchases. I've seen ergos for less than fifty bucks.

dmontgo · June 2016

@SarahF8611 I know what you mean! I made sure to check the seller and read all of the reviews--it's through Ergobaby itself so that helps!

H4aPartyof5 · June 2016

@yellingbanana, if you live in/near a fairly decent sized town, you may have a boutique or retailer there that sells ring slings.

Otherwise, a few of the online retailers I've heard good things about are 5 Minute Recess, Frogmama, and Paxbaby. Sakura Bloom and Maya Wrap have their own websites as well.

I second @jenlynne0624, the facebook B/S/T pages are slow...it's a buyer's market. If you don't mind used, a good place to look is The Babywearing Swap.

jenlynne0624 · June 2016

Baby wearing on a budget too. All carriers 100 and under.

Christinaruth74 · June 2016

Idk if this matters to most, but one thing I consider when purchasing a baby carrier is resale value.. Especially if you're not positive it will be the right carrier for you. So although some carriers seem like a big investment, you can almost guarantee that you can factor in some sort of return on it later on.
As far as SSCs go, you will not get the same on an ergo as you would for a Tula. Same with Maya vs. Sakura.
And yes to the buyers market!! Now is definitely the time to score some amazing carriers for crazy cheap on the boards!

kbduke · June 2016

Zulily PSA - They have Ergo's today. I just got the active with infant insert for $80

maamawaabangi · June 2016

I got my beco on zulily for $60 a few years ago... Keep an eye out... They do show up discounted there!

cgss11 · June 2016

Has anyone made a Moby style wrap? I used one a few times when I was a nanny and liked it. I read some blog
posts about making your own, but wondered if anyone has any specific fabric recommendations to get?

penelope4612 · July 2016

I'm bumping this (old) thread with a question:
One of my SIL has a new Moby wrap and a lightly used Beco carrier that she is offering me.
The other SIL has a Baby Bjorn (probably lightly used, not sure of the exact condition) and a never used ring sling.

Thoughts? Should I take them all? Preference any over others? Buy something new?

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