**TW**
Been slacking on the Product Spotlights. Whoops!
Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product. Feel free to comment on threads like these throughout your time at the board, not just when they're in their week in the spotlight, if you discover something new OR are new to the board. This week it's.... Baby Carriers!
FTMs are encouraged to ask questions & STM/+s encouraged to share their knowledge based on experience. You can use any or all the prompts relevant to you below to share info in an easy-to-read format. Pictures/screen grabs, if put in spoilers, are welcome!
For STMs....
Re: Product Spotlight - Baby Carriers
BFP1 04/24/2015 EDD Dec 2015 MMC 10W5d;
BFP 2 09/25/2015 EDD June 2016 MMC 9wks;
BFP 3 03/22/2016 EDD Dec 6th 2016
I’m looking for a comfier carrier for baby #2... currently eyeing the Ergo!
Also, looking into ring slings because I looooooved baby wearing DD and plan to do it with this one, too, so I want options.
Once she was about 2 months old I started also using the ergobaby 360 with the infant insert. When she was little I wasn't much of a fan, but once she was bigger 6+ months it was really nice just to be able to click it all together and not have to figure out how to wrap things just right and tight enough while she was crying trying waiting to be picked up.
This time around I'm interested in getting a baby sling, but I don't know if I want to invest money in something that I'm not sure I'll like. They seem fairly expensive for a bunch of fabric and a circle hoop.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
My oldest only ever wanted to be front carried in the Lille by me and never MH even when I was pregnant with his brother. 🤣 But #2 actually doesn’t mind back carry and he prefers Daddy to carry him most of the time if he has the option.
I never figured out how to back carry with the ringsling but I kind of want to with this one. I also think breastfeeding is much easier in the sling over the Lille.
DD was born in November so it was colder out and that has a lot to do with carriers and fabric choices.
- When she was really little I used the Moby Wrap and I really liked it, however the fabric was thick and warm, this time around I have a Lillebaby Wrap and the fabric is so much lighter. I'm excited to try it out since I haven't yet.
- After a couple months I got an Ergo with the insert (which you need until they reach a certain leg length-depending on the version). At first I loved it, I felt like she was more secure than in the wraps. Eventually it got uncomfortable and would make my low back hurt from the waistband digging in. It also felt really bulky and warm.
- I also used the Infantino Mei Tai Carrier. This I think was a happy medium between the wrap and the soft structured carriers (i.e. Ergo). It felt more secure, was easy enough to use and was less bulky. Downfall was that I couldn't get a great fit since her legs didn't really fit knee to knee.
- Then my best friend turned me on to the Lillebaby 6-in-1 Complete. I started with the standard All Seasons in black (cotton outer fabric, mesh inner fabric, zips down to expose mesh to make it cooler). It has been my absolute favorite. I get the secure feeling since it is a soft structured bucked carrier, it has a lumbar support so nothing is digging in your back, you can adjust the height of the chest clip which helps take weight/pull off of your shoulders and distribute it much better, no insert needed you can adjust from narrow to wide seat depending on your child's leg length (they now have the Serenity version which has 3 adjustment levels for leg length). There are a lot of straps, but like I said once you figure it out, you can set one set and just adjust the other. You can roll up the excess dangling straps too. I quickly discovered while the All Seasons was great in WI from Fall to Spring, it was HOT in the humid summer. I ended up also getting an Air Flow (all mesh) and that one has been amazing and much cooler for summer. I now own the Complete in Original, All Seasons, Airflow, Embossed (different fabric choices). I also have the toddler carrier "Carry On" in the Woven fabric. If anyone has any questions on Lillebaby, I am a bit obsessed and am happy to answer!
- At some point around 8 months-1 year I tried the Lillebaby Ring Sling. Overall the Ring Sling is great for quick ups, but just wasn't the carrier for me. I never felt secure enough. I also didn't spend enough time figuring out fit.
DD is almost 3 and I still occasionally wear her. I am super excited for a new little squish to wear all the time!Sorry for the novel.
ETA: The Lillebaby was clutch for on the go naps for DD for the first year and a half! They joke that it comes with "Sleepy Dust", but it seriously does once you get the fit right.
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019For this baby I’d like to try a ring sling for when he/she is super small. I feel like that will be cooler than the Ergo in the late spring and summer months. Are all ring slings basically created equal, or are there certain brands you all prefer?
I have a K'tan that I LOVED and used for the first 6 months or so. For me, the K'tan was super easy to wear and assemble (especially alone) and DS seems to enjoy it and would usually fall right asleep as soon as he got all snuggled up in there. After he grew out of the K'tan, I used the Ergo 360 and that worked fine as well - probably used until he was around 2 years old. No complaints.
Are you considering a different one this time?
I might switch for the lighter mesh K'tan this time since baby will be born in the summer - DS was a winter baby. I also want to try a more traditional wrap this time - mostly because I found the K'tan a lot more comfortable than the ergo and I feel like you can use wraps for longer than the K'tan. I will probably only buy one though if I can find it used.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
warning, picture overload.
Here are some of the suck pads I’ve gotten for myself and friends.
here are several of my stash’s at different points.
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019These are my favorite (Etsy pic because I don't have any of my carrier without DS in it). It's from Baby Anicka's shop.
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
Married Sept. 2013
DS1: Nov 11, 2016
MMC: 11/16/18 (9w6d)
CP: 2/3/19 (5w3d)
BFP! 8/24/19
DS2: May 10, 2020
@mdfarmchick I had the Green Meadows Organic for a little bit, I got it in a mystery box. I never used it and sold it brand new. I really want to get the Blushing Pink Original Organic, I've been keeping my eye out for one on marketplace for a decent price. They discontinued the Original Organic and now have the Organi-Touch. Basically they just have a new manufacturer for it. I've heard that the Organi-Touch's aren't as soft as the Original Organics.
- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019- BFP: 3/10/16 — Baby Girl born 11/20/16
TTC#2 April 2019We have a lillebaby, but it always just felt too bulky to me after the k’tan.
My go-to from age 1.5 to now is a soul slings onbuhimo. It is so convenient and DD loves that she is sitting higher on my back and can see so much.
We also have an osprey backpack which we use for hiking and other outings where H is likely to carry her. It’s so easy to adjust from H to my small frame if we decide to trade off.
I’d like to get a ring sling for this LO, ideally Sakura Bloom which I’ve been drooling over for years. And maybe even a soft carrier similar to the Sakura Bloom scout, though I’m not feeling as tied to the brand for that.
H can’t understand why I need more carriers, but he’ll come around. 😉