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August 2020 Moms
emiliadkay
member
Product Spotlight Series: Baby Carriers
emiliadkay
member
Well guys, after a brief and unintentional hiatus, product spotlights are back!
This is a place for FTMs to ask questions about, S+TMs to share their prior experience with, and everyone to share what they're eyeing in the world of maternity, baby and postpartum products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week we're discussing BABY CARRIERS.
Please use the prompts below to try to share as much relevant info as you can in a format that is easy for those reading to navigate and respond to.
For S+TMs:
- Individual (e.g., lifestyle) factors that might influence your choice:
- Favorite baby carrier:
- Link/picture:
- Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
- What you like and don't like about it:
- Is there a baby carrier you don't have but are considering? Why?:
- Is there a baby carrier you've tried that you absolutely hate? Why?:
- Additional thoughts on baby carriers?:
For FTMs:
- Baby carrier you're interested in:
- Link/picture:
- Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
- Any questions for S+TMs?:
To view past Product Spotlights or the upcoming schedule, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DzmfbSu7toufv3p1VWNu1XOXDaU-tbI5FEfV8av46pc/edit?usp=sharing
Re: Product Spotlight Series: Baby Carriers
I used a boba wrap ($) for the first few months. It’s perfect for little squishes. Don’t be intimidated by the wraps just practice at home. If I wore her out I would pre tie it before getting in the car and put her in once we got there so I didn’t drag the tails through the parking lot.
Finally we also invested in a backpack carrier. We started with a Chicco($$) from FB Market place but found it wasn’t very comfortable for either DH or me with short torsos. I got a second hand kelty carrier that retailed $$$ for around 100. We used that from 9m-3y. It’s much more comfortable than than the Chicco.
Craft Blog
I may break format for the time being. I have everything from lightweight Solly wraps, heavier knit Moby wraps, woven wraps, linen ring slings, and SSCs. I'm hoping we will have to opportunity to get more use as the years go by with more toddlers and babies in the house, but I'll be honest, so far with our first, I haven't used them nearly as much as I thought I would. And DH has used them barely at all, so part of my reasoning for getting so many was that he could babywear, too.
So we'll see...
<b>What I used:</b>
The Ringsling was the simplest thing to get myself into, pop her into, and feel secure, so the short learning curve meant it got used the most in early days. I would still like to see if there are better ways to carry a bigger baby / toddler in it though, because at a certain point, I didn't feel too secure, like she would just wiggle herself straight and slip right out of it. It was great though because it doesn't take up too much space, so I would leave one in the car or diaper bag, and if she was awake, it was easy to pull her out of the carseat, pop her in the sling, and go into the store. I mostly used my Wildbird, but I have a Lillé as well.
Wraps, various:
When I have used these, it's been at home to walk around and do things. So I had time and space to mess around with it, getting myself wrapped up in it, getting baby positioned, tying it up, checking in the mirror etc. And feeling secure to move around the house and not be worried that she would slip out if I bent over a bit or moved around too much. I have heard of moms pre-wrapping at home, and then it's easier to pop the baby in when you get where you're going, so I would like to try that with the Solly this time. But the tails can be long and a bit awkward to get used to at first, which makes the learning curve a little longer than with the ring slings. It may still be worth it for the stability, and she has had some awesome naps in the woven wrap. As long as it's breathable, she would be comfortable in there for an extended period of time, and the balance two-shoulder wrap style means it's more comfortable for mom, too. The simplicity of the design means there's a huge variety of ways it can be wrapped, so you can try different wraps for different stages. There are lots of YouTube tutorials out there.
SSCs (Soft Structured Carriers):
Look more like a backpack with straps and buckles etc. Lots of brands to pick from such as Tula, Lillébaby, Ergo etc. I have a Lillébaby all seasons for breathability, and a Beco Soleil I found a great deal on. I've used the Beco more (no particular reason why), but there is also a learning curve with the SSCs. It can be tricky to get yourself strapped in without a second person to help see what's going on, but I suppose with enough practice, people get the hang of it! I like it for outdoor walks, feels very stable, and some also have the option for a backpack carry, which I thought might appeal to DH, but I haven't tried yet.
If you try your local babywearing group, they may have a lending library you can try different styles or brands before you buy.
<b>Carrier I'd like to try:</b>
Ombuhimo
For backpack carries only, but doesn't strap across the front at all. So maybe better to wear the toddler with a bigger bump, or wrap up a little baby in front, and still carry the bigger baby on your back. But still hard to say in my particular case, how much use it would really get... 🤷 BUT THE COOL FACTOR! :D
I like the Moby wrap for the early days, takes practice, but it's such a life saver. You can wear babe topless, and do skin to skin and still go about your business at the house, which is so awesome if babe is super fussy.
I also like a ring sling for when baby is a few months old, it's easy to use, and fast to get on and off. Bonus, it works as a great nursing cover!
I also use an Ergo for when baby is bigger, it's quick and easy and hands free. It goes up to 45 pounds, so you can wear well into toddler years with it, which is really awesome.
Meanwhile, this is me going down a rabbithole of babywearing tutorials on YouTube while the baby sleeps.... ❤️
We started with a wrap. We're not fans. It takes too much time to get situated, in my opinion. I like something quicker. I tried a ktan, which was ok but never felt super secure.
I had an Infantino SSC (cheap). It worked fine. We were happy with it, but I did want to upgrade. We now have a Lillebaby Complete All Seasons. I like the lumbar support. I like the head covering. I like the stiffer more structured construction. We've used it with newborns, too. The Lillebaby Complete, you don't need a newborn insert. (Although, newsflash that SSC companies don't want you to know because it cuts into their profits selling you accessories, you don't need an insert. Just roll up a couple blankets under their butt to boost them a little higher.)
I was just gifted a Maya ring sling, and I'm super excited to try it out with this baby. And it has a pocket on the tail, which I think will be handy. I know people who love them, and I'm looking forward to a quick throw it on option for the infant stage. Especially since I will have three children, so I'm not really going to have to room to just toss the car seat in the cart at the store anymore.
Once he got bigger, we relied on a more structured carrier. It's a random brand called miamily. I had never heard of it but the reviews were great and we love it. Both my husband and I use it. It is supportive and not too hard to get him into myself. We haven't worn it like a backpack yet, but that was a perk of this carrier that we liked and are eager to try.
I definitely want a soft structured carrier like the ergo baby when we are going on long walks or out for a while kind of thing, but I also like the idea of a wrap for around the house. But I also know if it's too complicated I'll never use it. Has anyone used something like the Boppy Comfy Fit? It seems like it has a little bit more structure, but still has the softness that I think would be nice from a wrap.
So this time I am just going to get a SSC. I'm currently eyeing a Tula Explore.. I might also pick up a ring sling. I I am pretty sure he can handle some buckles and feel good about how secure the baby will be. DD loved to be worn, and wearing was how I started gaining my life back. We almost never put her in a stroller when she was small because we just wore her. I intend to do the same with this one.
My biggest concern was always getting baby from the carseat into the carrier and then back again into the car seat, by myself. I always imagined this in a dark alley, at night, and possibly in the rain as well.
***TW***
****trigger warning****
1 LC, girl 5 years old
TTC #2 Summer 2017
BFP 1/5/2018, MC (D & E) 2/23/2018
TTCAL May 2018
BFP 9/20/2018, MC (D & E) 11/16/2018
I was too scared to try wraps with DS1 but I would like to try one out with this baby.
I was thinking about getting a Solly baby again but I rarely used it because it just took so much time to put on and it never felt secure enough for me. Hoping the ring sling is a better option for me. I used fabric carriers with my boys from birth to a few months old. Then I switched to my Ergo which I love. I really wanted to get an Ergo 360 this time. They came out after ds2 was a year old so it wasn't worth the investment. But now I'm interested in Lillebaby due to all the support I'm reading.
We haven't used it a ton yet, but hopefully will more as we get into the summer. So far, it's pretty nice.
Dating 4/2008
Married 6/2016
TTC #1 9/2019
BFP 12/13/2019!
EDD 8/27/2020 Baby Girl
Re wearing bigger kids @rivercitynik and @ziggymama06: I still wear 4 on occasion, especially if he is not cooperative or it's very crowded (obviously not in a long time, lol). Im 4'11 and I wear him on my back. It's not hard at all because my Ergo spreads the weight out and keeps him comfy on my back. When you can finally back carry, it's a whole new world and it's the best! So much more comfy.
Dating 4/2008
Married 6/2016
TTC #1 9/2019
BFP 12/13/2019!
EDD 8/27/2020 Baby Girl
Craft Blog
*Edited to correct / clarify
I have the <b>Lillé complete </b>air flow. And pregnancy brain.