October 2018 Moms
sammierose464
member
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Product Spotlight: Baby Carriers
sammierose464
member
Even though we have one this week already, I wanted to put it out there before pregnancy brain gets a hold of the idea and I forget.
Did you baby carry?
What's your favorite brand?
Least Favorite?
Did you use different ones for different stages (infant/toddler)?
Did baby love it? Hate it?
Did you baby carry?
What's your favorite brand?
Least Favorite?
Did you use different ones for different stages (infant/toddler)?
Did baby love it? Hate it?
Re: Product Spotlight: Baby Carriers
So I have an old shoulder injury from college and the ring sling did not work for me. It threw everything out of wack. I had s go to a chiro and he basically said my shoulder couldn't handle the weight and the rest of my back was trying to overcompensate.
The Lenny lamb was just meh. It was so beautiful, but just not amazing. The ergo 360 worked nicely for front facing and for the time before the Tula fit and when the ktan was too small.
My absolute favorite was my Tula (which unfortunately got stolen from my car) so this time I think I'll be grabbing a Tula free to grow. With 2 kids (or 3) the forward facing in the carrier doesn't happen as much, and with grocery shopping once they're old enough putting the baby on my back was key! Then I may sell my ergo360. The Tula is just so much more comfortable. I've also heard great things about lilliebaby!
Never felt like I could get a secure hold with the K’tan. Always still had one hand on DS which kind of defeats the purpose.
DS grew super slow so it took awhile for him to fit the Tula even with the infant insert. When he finally did, I just wasn’t a huge fan. It was really hot. We’d both end up drenched in sweat. And it just felt so bulky. I’m only 5’0”, so I’m sure that’s part of it, but it took over my entire torso. I struggled getting the back shoulder clasp buckeled by myself. We still used it as needed until DS was able to sit in a cart around 6 months or so. Only used it a few times after that and it hurt my hips as he got heavier (disclaimer that my hips have been jacked since DS was born).
This time around I expect to need to baby wear more often (even when we’re at home). So I’m trying to find the perfect option that works for newborns, isn’t hot, is easy to get on and off frequently, and fit my frame better.
The other one we loved (and still do) is the boba 4g soft structured carrier. I always found it super comfy to wear DS in this one, and it’s really easy to adjust. I’m pretty petite and DH is on the larger side, so it was important for us to have a carrier that worked for both of us. The straps are easy to tighten or loosen, so we were both always able to switch back and forth. Love that it can do a front carry or back carry, and it comes with a little snap in infant insert (basically a pillow to make them sit higher) so that you can use it when they’re smaller too. I’ve worn DS in it for hours sometimes, and it’s never made me uncomfortable (though sometimes I do feel hot wearing him, but that’s more due to the fact that I’m always hot everywhere, so I’d be hot baby wearing no matter what).
The third one we had was a Sakura bloom ring sling, which we were given as a hand me down from family who were past the baby wearing stage. I’ve heard great things about ring slings, but I was never a fan. No matter what I did, it never seemed as secure or comfortable to me, and I was always readjusting or keeping a hand on the baby. With the boba being so easy to strap on and go, I never found the need to try and make the ring sling work.
for baby baby I had the Ktan and loved it. I also had an ergo with the newborn insert which was meh. When he was about 3 months we had gauze ring slings which led down the sakura bloom rabbit hole. When he was bigger we moved to Tulas and then toddler tulas. I unfortunately didn't think I was going to have another one so sold all my slings and only have toddler tulas. I just ordered a lillebaby all season so can't wait to try that out. I also want a Sakura scout. I had a few that just didn't fit right for me. I loved the boba air for travel but its not supportive so can't wear for a super long time. Living in NYC we used carriers ALOT.
For fit you want baby snug, kissable and have their chin up. Their legs should be froggied when baby and in the shape of an M when using legs out. There are a ton of articles. If you have a local baby wearing group you can usually try out a bunch.
I also had a mai tie style that I really liked for around the house, it was comfortable and I didn't have to fiddle with clips and things. But the straps on mine weren't as long as I needed them to be, so we outgrew that one pretty quickly.
With DD I started with a ring sling (RS) and I loved that thing. I have an Oscha, but they all work the same. It was easy to get her high and tight, and quick on and off when doing quick trips or just around the house. I plan on using it again when 3.0 is first born. My only dislike with it was as DD got older, it was somewhat restrictive on whatever arm I had the rings on, since it does come down on the shoulder a bit.
Now that both DD and DS are older, Tulas are my go to carrier. Even my once wearing-averse DS has his own now that he uses. I freaking love them. I'm actually wearing DD in one of our Tulas in my profile photo. I find they're very easy to get on, and comfortable for me and the kids. Even H wears the kids in them from time to time. I actually have two toddler sized, three standard sized, and two free-to-grow sized. I probably should get rid of a few (I admit, I may have an addiction to them) but I'm justifying holding on to them at least until 3.0 is born since we're team green... They can get warm to wear in the summer, but two of mine are coasts (mesh insert in the panel) so that helps some. To be honest I find that the mesh is more beneficial for the kid than the parent. I never used an insert in them so I can't speak to how that works; by the time I started using them religiously with DD I was using a rolled up blanket for a boost (I know, not the best decision but I know better now).
I wouldn't be able to get half of what I do done without my freaking Tulas. DD is so Mommy-centric that it's just easier to strap her on my back while I'm cooking dinner and she's freaking out. I love using them when we go to festivals and fairs as well because they're so much easier than a stroller. We went to the Irish festival last year and H wore DS for the first time and was like "OMG we're never taking the stroller to anything like this again." I can tandem wear the kids when I'm taking them to football tailgates and want to keep them close in the crowds but don't want to deal with a stroller.
I also had a moby wrap and a baby k’tan, and hated both. The wrap was just not worth the effort to tie the damn thing. I’ve never been good at origami, and this was a similar problem. The ktan was just not supportive enough for my liking.
I had a boba with Z and used it maybe twice. Tying it was too much work in public.
I have horrible back issues and had to return every other carrier I tried. Anyone know of a good one that won't kill my back? I'd love to wear #3 since I can't find an affordable double stroller that I like and Z will be 2 one week after my due date.
I’ve used the Tula since he was big enough to not need the infant insert (it was kinda awkward for us) and have loved it ever since. Super comfortable and really handy for traveling, especially napping on the plane. I’ve never tried him on my back - might have to soon with my belly growing.
I would imagine other brand carriers have waist extenders too, but I can’t say for sure.
When DS was tiny I loved the K'tan. Once he hit about 15-18 lbs it felt like he wasn't secure anymore. Before that though it was awesome, easy to use, quick and he loved it.
The ring slings were great once he was bigger (about the 15lb range luckily.) Before that I felt like he wasn't really supported, but at about 12-15lbs it felt like he finally had enough weight for the sling to hold onto him. Most of this I use around the house or grocery store, that's it. Not a long term or heavy use.
I picked wildbird because I wasn't sure if I'd like a ring sling and didn't want to spend a ton - they're very reasonably priced and good quality. I really like them.
The lillebaby was originally purchased for my H, who loves it. He used it from the beginning and DS has always liked it. No infant insert needed and definitely supportive enough for long walks or days at fairs, etc. I feel better in it for long periods of time or rough terrain - you do not feel the weight at all pretty much while using this. Love it.
The K'tan comes in sizes, but I don't know how big they go. The ring slings have extra long ones you can purchase (with wildbird they're the same price as well) if you're bigger and wraps are the same I believe. The lillebaby is great for variable sizes and can get pretty big with extenders as @BLyn627 stated.
Married: 12/16/12
TTC #1: 06/15 BFP #1:07/13/15
D&C: 08/28/15
BFP #2: 09/26/15
M: 06/03/16
BFP #2: 02/12/18
L : 7/26/18 (SIUGR, micropreemie)
Married: 12/16/12
TTC #1: 06/15 BFP #1:07/13/15
D&C: 08/28/15
BFP #2: 09/26/15
M: 06/03/16
BFP #2: 02/12/18
L : 7/26/18 (SIUGR, micropreemie)
If you’re planning to babywear check out Baby-wearing International and see if there is a chapter in your area. I joined when DS was an infant and for 30$ a year I could borrow carriers from their libraries. It’s a great way to try before you buy.
https://babywearinginternational.org/
As far as getting DS up by myself, I second YouTube. It took me a while to get the hang of it, more so because I was terrified of dropping him. Haha
Both of the suggestions @BLyn627 made are how I do it as well.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/202677132/bibetts-pure-linen-ring-sling-baby?ref=shop_home_active_3
Eta: and good quality