Baby wearing tips and tricks

MamaBish · September 2016

I can't be the only one struggling with getting the hang of these things so here is a thread to ask questions and give advice on baby wearing

I had originally bought the Lillebaby structured carrier, which is great and all (albeit hard to maneuver baby in and out of!), but it's not so great for sitting down for longer periods of time. So I went out and got a Moby wrap which I'm not smart enough to do correctly. I mean, she's in it but i'm not so sure she's comfy

Meh.

winnie1122 · September 2016

I have the Infantino carrier from Target (basically the cheapest one I could find to start with, lol) and once I buckled it up the first time, I left most of it buckled except the parts I needed to unbuckle to get it off me so now every time it's easy to just set him in and get him out. I haven't done much sitting in it though...I'm kinda thinking of getting a wrap type one for that. I'm looking at the Ktan...anyone have one and really like it?

coffeeandcupcakes · September 2016

Following this. I've tried the ktan, moby, and ergo. Either I'm horrible at baby wearing or LO hates all carriers. When I try to put him in them he straightens and stiffens his legs.

LDSJM123 · September 2016

I'm a baby wearing whore. I have the baby k'tan, a Tula, and a infantino Mei tei sash. I love my k'tan (getting the right size for you is the trickiest part) and I use it daily. It's how I clean and cook dinner most nights. It's also easy to sit/maneuver in. I really like my Mei tei sash (it's super budget friendly at $35) I don't love it with my 6 week old even though it is able to be used with newborns. I'll love it when she's just a bit sturdier. That said, I still use it just to change things up. But it's very comfy and easy to put on after you practice a couple times. My Tula was a splurge. Super comfy but takes a bit more effort to put on. Haven't put her in it yet, but used it with the family I Nanny for, for 2 years with a toddler.

I really want to try a Solly Baby wrap and a sling of some type.

jennyleigh16 · September 2016

I bought a Boba stretchy wrap when I was still pregnant and he HATES it. Screams bloody murder when I try to get him into it. I've had my eye on the lillebaby all seasons, thinking he might prefer something more structured, but they retail for $210 +tax and I couldn't justify it without knowing how he'd tolerate it, especially with the decreased mat leave income.

I found a woman selling a brand new one on fb for $150.
I pick it up tomorrow and I am sooooo excited to get it and try it out.

mamafox14 · September 2016

I love baby wearing! I have a Tula with the infant insert. It is so comfortable and easy to adjust so my husband and I both use it. I also have a Maya ring sling! It's super easy to use and great for getting stuff done around the house. It holds him so tight and securely against me I don't worry about him flopping around while I clean up. They retail for 100+ but I found mine at a consignment shop for 30!

I highly recommend trying a sling for those having trouble with baby not liking carriers. It creates a nice pouch and my guy passes out almost immediately. It also only takes a minute to get him in and adjusted so there's not a long process before he's comfy.

setosh · September 2016

I have the infantino flip advanced. It's from target. I think it was $30. He loves it. I've been using it with him since he was 8 lbs. it's easy to sit down while wearing and he falls right asleep. He's a pretty calm baby when well fed anyway but it's simple to use and I enjoy it.

TiffRox81 · September 2016

We've had some success with the Ergo! I'd say about 80% of the time she's been happy in it. She's on the verge of being too big for the infant insert, so I'm wondering if that's been the issue the last couple times. My only beef with the Ergo is it's bulky. I wish I had a thinner wrap to use also. When it's hot out, and we've walked....I feel like she's been hot. I am, so I can't imagine she isn't!!

mnkenned · September 2016

I have the lillebaby and she loves it. It is hard to get off and on solo but I do the buckle first and then pull it over my head. She usually cries as I put in on but after like 2 minutes is passed out. It's how I get her to chill out when she's super cranky in the afternoons.
I also have the k'tan, and I've had less success with that so far. I feel like she's less stable and I still have to have one hand on her so it makes it less convenient. I'm gonna try one of the different wrap techniques now that she has a little more head control.
My sis got me a ring sling, but again doesn't feel super secure. Also have a straight wrap I haven't tried yet, also a gift. I feel like if I can't make the k'tan work I'm def not gonna be able to figure out a wrap.

Weville · September 2016

I am lucky to be the last of my friends to have a baby so I have been gifted great carriers. We have the Ergo with the infant insert and we both love it but it is a little hot. I also have a chimparoo ring sling which is our baby whisperer, this is the only one I bought and I'm so in love with it. Our mei tai is easy but I'd like him to be a big sturdier. I also have the Maman Kangourou wrap but I have yet to master it. Our attempts so far have led to baby meltdowns

chelseakae07 · September 2016

I love my Tula carrier but find it impossible to sit with it on. So basically I'm stuck standing if LO is asleep in it. I wear it grocery shopping every week- it's a huge lifesaver since I have my 2 year old to deal with too!

kellz14 · September 2016

At first i had a k'tan. I like it because it was really easy to put on an had no learning curve. But had the comfort of a wrap style. For some reason though i kept getting back pain after wearing it for more than 5-10 minutes. In all the reviews i read no one else had this problem. So don't know if i didn't have it sized correctly or what. But i returned it to amazon.

I went to a local baby and pregnancy boutique. They showed me how to put on a wrapsody hybrid.... it's similar to a moby. I was initially opposed to a wrap style carrier like that because I thought it was just too confusing and too much work but after showing me how to put it on, it really wasn't too bad. It was really comfortable and LO totally racked out in it. If he's fussing, I can put him in and he's fast asleep in 5-10 minutes. Since it's soft, I can sit and recline back in it no problem. It's good for wearing around the house and doing chores with him in as well as going outside for a walk/going grocery shopping, etc.

So I guess - if you're unsure if you are putting on a wrap style carrier correctly - maybe look and see if your area has a boutique baby store that sells wraps? If so maybe they can show you how to put in on (as opposed to somewhere like babies r us). That's what made the difference for me...

ajareiny · September 2016

I know we have a local baby wearing group on Facebook. They meet up monthly, and have all kinds of wraps for people to try and help anyone to figure them out. My last kid loves the ring sling and moby. This lil guy will not go for those. But I sewed him a mei tai wrap conversion carrier this week and we are both in love.

bunkie999 · September 2016

I have the solly baby wrap which is super nice and very comfy, I can sit in it no problem. We also have the mountain buggy Juno carrier. It's fairly new on the market, I've been using it for longer walks, working out and hiking with babe. My back does hurt a bit in it, but I have no other structured carrier to compare it to. The people at buy buy baby raved about it and say it's "the best". I can sit in it!

[Deleted User] · September 2016

We have the cheapie Infantino carrier from Target as well. She absolutely hated it when she was facing inward, and now that she's strong enough we're trying out facing outward, and she seems to like it a bit more. I really want to get a ring sling, but I just have trust issues with those! Moms who have them, what are they like?

MamaBish · September 2016

schaze said:

We have the cheapie Infantino carrier from Target as well. She absolutely hated it when she was facing inward, and now that she's strong enough we're trying out facing outward, and she seems to like it a bit more. I really want to get a ring sling, but I just have trust issues with those! Moms who have them, what are they like?

I second the trust issues with the ring slings. They seem so unsecured...

erin7264 · September 2016

I have a k'tan, I probably use it a couple times a week to clean and do stuff around the house and when I need to get more than one or two things at the grocery store. She's pretty stable in it unless I'm doing a lot of bending over, I just put a hand on her head to make sure it doesn't flop. It's easy to put on and not too hot.

arhodes6 · September 2016

I have a baby K'tan and like it for stuff around the house and going to parties or out with friends. Plus I can sit in it fairly easily. The only thing I don't like is that DS slips down and I have to readjust a lot of I'm moving around too much. I also have a Lillebaby all seasons (or whatever it's called) and LOVE it. At first I hated it because DS was too small and I felt like my giant boobs were going to suffocate him! But I found a newborn hack for it that works perfect! I roll up a blanket and stick it under his butt so he is sitting on it. It makes him higher so he is in the kissable position and I love it!! It is so comfortable and I know he is safe in there.

Jodi1980 · September 2016

Got a hand me down moby wrap and he likes it...I, on the other hand, feel like I have wads of bed sheets around my body

I also had got a carrier from Jeep at a mommy and me market and that's pretty easy to wear but my intention was to get it for DH when he walks the dogs.

Edited:added text

deuxbouledogues · September 2016

For anyone who wants a Tula (I love mine!) but doesn't want to spring for the infant insert, check out the tula towel/blanket hack. I like the Tula for the back support.
I have tried E in a boba and moby wrap and hated it. The solly though is the same idea but so much more sturdy and snug. It didn't stretch out like the others and is much softer. I agree with others about seeing if you can try on wraps first.

Weville · September 2016

@schaze @MamaBish Our ring sling has no stretch so when he's in it (and its adjusted properly) he's snug to my body without being uncomfortable for either of us. He does need to be periodically adjusted but it kind of follows how he likes to cuddle up on my chest so it feels very natural. I keep it in our diaper bag for when we go to restaurants. If he's fussy I can put him in it and still eat dinner easily

mamafox14 · September 2016

@schaze @MamaBish I actually feel M is the most secure in my ring sling. Like @Weville ours isn't stretchy so as long as I tighten it right he is secured tightly against my chest.

holly142 · September 2016

I love my Boba 3G (not the wrap)! I wear DD2 in it everyday. It is quick to put on, I feel that she is secure in it and it keeps her in a healthy position unlike some other carriers.

mnkenned · September 2016

Ok, I gave the ring sling a second chance after watching this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qhwIpURxXc&spfreload=10 and had a LOT more success. It's nice in that LO can look around more and my visibility over her head is a lot better than the lillebaby. I think I'll have more success with this than the k'tan until she's a bit bigger.

Turns out I'm just like MH and hate to read directions beforehand.

holly142 · September 2016

Now that I can wear DD2 in the Hug Position with my Baby K'tan, it is much easier! I switched her from the Kangaroo position at 10 weeks old, 13 lbs, good head control. She is fell asleep like this while I walked to the park with DD and our dog.

Schmooie730 · September 2016

We switched to the hug position, too. She fell asleep instantly. Can't wait till she can look out!

LDSJM123 · September 2016

@holly142 I just started doing that position too. My daughters head control still isn't great so I fold some fabric over her head to keep it from bobbing around.

carolynpetite · September 2016

I really want to try a ring sling but the chin to chest thing freaks me out. Any tips about that? I have my ergo with insert and k'tan but I have been getting clogged ducts which makes those carriers more painful because baby is pushed against my chest!

FTM53 · September 2016

@carolynpetite I used the ring sling and tighten it for a front kangaroo position. Works great and LO loves it

babycakesday · October 2016

I thought LO was never going to be worn. She hated the baby björn, the ergo and the ring sling. One of thw girls in my mommy and me class gave me her extra moby wrap and LO loves it!!! I wish i had tried it earlier. Try different ones before giving up!

mldutton · October 2016

I have a Sollybaby wrap. The fabrics are super cute and super soft! And the fabric is thinner than the moby (which I tried and it swallowed me and was so thick! I live in Texas so do not need alot of fabric wrapped around me plus a baby). LO loves to be wrapped. Falls asleep almost instantly which gives me time to get stuff done around the house after work. Took me a couple youtube watches to finally get the hang of it but now that I do it takes me no time at all to get her all wrapped up! Even bought one for a friend who's expecting next month.
It was also a huge help since I had a Csection. Since I couldn't carry her in her carseat places, I just wrapped her up and carried her around like that. I'd like to figure out BFing with the wrap, but haven't yet. I feel like that would be easier with the thicker moby.

mamafox14 · October 2016

Just ordered a Wildbird ring sling! I'm sooooo excited about it! They are so beautiful!

setosh · October 2016

Has anyone tried to put their baby forward facing yet? Jaxon has really good head control, but a lot of websites say wait until 4 months. He's almost 3 months now.

holly142 · October 2016

@setosh- I wanted to try but my Baby K'tan says 5+ months so I'm waiting until then.

kmurdock925 · October 2016

I have in two different carriers (both structured- not wraps) and she loves it and is so much happier than being squished against me. She is 15 weeks now and I tried it for the first time on the 10th of this month. I think as long as you watch your LO and are aware if they can handle it or not you should be fine.

john5111 · October 2016

I have in baby bjorn at two months he's pretty secure in there

Lynna813 · October 2016

winnie1122 said:

I have the Infantino carrier from Target (basically the cheapest one I could find to start with, lol) and once I buckled it up the first time, I left most of it buckled except the parts I needed to unbuckle to get it off me so now every time it's easy to just set him in and get him out. I haven't done much sitting in it though...I'm kinda thinking of getting a wrap type one for that. I'm looking at the Ktan...anyone have one and really like it?

This is exactly what we did too with our Baby B'journ helps out big time! Still need help though getting her in and out. Haven't mastered doing it alone. I am waiting for her to weigh 15lbs so I can use my Tula!! She's currently 13lbs with great head control so I may try it out and see how she does.

charmedlifex3 · October 2016

We have a mei tai carrier and everyone loves it so far! It was wicked cheap too...

MDmomma1217 · October 2016

I use the Moby (used with my oldest as well) but I had to look at videos on Youtube to figure out how to tie it. I've used it since DS was a week old, and it's really been a lifesaver. I also have an Infantino carrier (one of the cheaper carriers from Target) but I think it's super uncomfortable.

Dolly327 · October 2016

@Lynna813 I have a lillebaby carrier that I use daily, but I was gifted a Tula which I LOVE too, LO is 16 pounds but his legs aren't very long, so I tied a ribbon around the leg holes to make the space between smaller for him and it works perfectly. Just in case your LO doesn't fit correctly, you can fix it up

LDSJM123 · January 2017

This might help. @kmurdock925

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