This is a place for FTMs to ask questions and S+TMs to share the wealth of knowledge they've accumulated on baby products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week it's.... baby carriers! Ring slings, wraps, you name it. I know we talked a bit about carriers on the GTKY thread but we can go into full detail and ask more questions here!
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 absorb/respond to. If you'd like to recommend/ask questions about more than one product, please copy/paste the prompts as needed. For S+TMs:
- Favorite [baby carrier]:
- Link/picture:
- Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
- What you like about it:
- What you don't like about it, if anything:
- Is there a [baby carrier] you don't have but are considering? Why?:
- Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]:
For FTMs:
- [Carrier(s)] you're interested in:
- Link/picture:
- Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):
- Any questions about it/them for S+TMs?:
Here is the schedule for the product spotlights to keep track of the topics and threads:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BFKfcrp0DX8dvYklwMEyqaex6ixXUoJ2zRbYirApXd4/edit?usp=sharingFeel free to offer suggestions for other products or changes you think can be made. This is how we did it on my previous BMB and it worked well to learn as a FTM from all the STM's and make some decisions for what items to register for.
*TW LC*
Me & MH: 32
DS: 6/1/18 (Pre-E; IUGR; seizures; NICU)
TTC #2: 12/2019
Sept 2020: HSG possible blocked right tube
Nov 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFN
Dec 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFP!!! EDD 9/18
Re: Product Spotlight Series: Baby Carriers 1/18
Favorite [baby carrier]: birth to 4 ish months, Moby Wrap
Link/picture:
Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.): $40-50? I picked one up at target in a desperate attempt to find something that would work for me.
#2
Link/picture: https://happybabycarriers.com/products/happy-baby-carrier
Join their FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/happybabycollective
Onbuhimo (I still use this with DS who is 2.5)
Additional thoughts on [baby carriers]: I have tried a Ka-Tan, ring sling, and Lille baby and I will be sticking with these two carriers for my next LO. There can be a learning curve for baby wearing and some mom's can be really nasty about all the "rules" but bottom line is you need to be safe while baby wearing. Baby's face and mouth should always be visible, they need to be close enough to kiss, knees and butt should form a M, spine should have a curve and butt needs to have a good seat.
DS: 6/1/18 (Pre-E; IUGR; seizures; NICU)
TTC #2: 12/2019
Sept 2020: HSG possible blocked right tube
Nov 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFN
Dec 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFP!!! EDD 9/18
https://boba.com/collections/boba-4gs-carrier
$105
Comfortable, quick to get on and off, easy to back carry, and narrow enough at the crotch for my tiny baby to be comfortable.
I guess I wish mine was cuter? lol
I want to splurge on a wrap conversion mei tai for this babe! I borrowed one for a bit with my first and it was so comfy, but didn't seem worth the cost at the time.
I love baby carriers. If you want to try a bunch, see if there's a local babywearing community group near you that has a stash they lend out. Ask around in local moms FB groups. It's an awesome way to learn how to use them safely and try a bunch of different kinds.
Side note on my basic Ergo - I really like mine. I bought a rain coat attachment which works great for it (rains a lot where I live). But I do find it awkward to put the kiddo on my back/take the kiddo off my front.
[Carrier(s)] you're interested in: Tula explore front and back, Tula free to grow. It looks like you can wear one of these in front or in back, which appeals to me, and it's for 7-45 pounds so it'll grow with them. There are a few on the Target website, too. I'm interested in the Moby wrap, but it looks complicated to me. I can definitely picture DH getting fed up with it really fast. Link/picture:Cost (either actual dollar amount, or just $, $$, $$$, etc.):$160 or soAny questions about it/them for S+TMs?: My main concern is the comfort of baby and mom/dad/whoever is wearing it.
For YH it just depends on their level of desire to take the time to learn how to do a wrap. I have known dad's that really love baby wearing and have loved wraps. MH wasn't too interested until he could wear DS on his back, which was after probably a year and getting the Onbuhimo.
DS: 6/1/18 (Pre-E; IUGR; seizures; NICU)
TTC #2: 12/2019
Sept 2020: HSG possible blocked right tube
Nov 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFN
Dec 2020: Letrozole + TI - BFP!!! EDD 9/18
Cost: $$ there’s so many patterns it can easily become $$$$ though
What you like about it: Easy to take places and just pop baby in and run around.
What you don’t like: There is a learning curve for these! I watched a lot of videos.
I like the K'tan for infant stage and ergo for late baby/toddle stage
I think the K'tan is around $40 and the ergo is around $100 if you get the 360 (recommend)
K'tan - super easy to use, quick assembly, comfortable for both me and baby.
Ergo - super easy to use, husband and I can both use it easily without too much adjusting, comfortable! Also the ergo comes with a little covering you can snap over babies head if it's cold/windy/raining/super sunny which we used a ton since we hike a lot! There is also a bunting attachment you can buy that snaps on the bottom of the ergo for winter months that keeps baby nice and cozy!
The K'tan can get hot (but this won't be an issue since baby will be born during cooler temps) I also have a mesh K'tan but I don't like it as much as the regular one.
I've heard good things about Tula and Lillebaby. I would like to try a sling wrap but I just can't justify the price since this is our last baby and I already have stuff.
look at your local library and see if there is a babywearing community (might be harder with COVID...) but you can typically go and try out different carriers and even check them out.
2nd kid in newborn ages, I did a wrap and ring sling. No specific brand that I can remember. Wraps look more confusing than they are and are super secure. The ring sling is easy on and off and I think I’ll be investing in a nice ring sling this time around!
@arrowmama glad you had such good experiences with the Tula! That's my first choice right now.