Baby Wearing Advice

Hi, S.! (Love that name, by the way.) I went to a natural baby store in Asheville, NC, and one of the owners was the mother to a 1-year old. She said she had had the opportunity to try every wrap they sold, and even ones they decided not to sell, and her favorite was a non-stretchy wrap (because unlike the stretchy ones, it's supportive and doesn't sag down, which ends up straining the back, and gets worse over time). It's German, and it's called the Storchen Wiege Ihr Babytragetuch. You could order it from The Nest in Asheville, and they'll tell you what size to get and answer your questions. She showed us her favorite way to wrap it, which takes about 30 seconds when you practice a couple of times, and we tried it with a stuffed animal about the size and weight of a med-big baby. It was SO CUDDLY. I felt like I was getting one long hug, and thought, wow, that's how my baby will feel. I can't wait for our baby to be born so I can carry her this way!!! My husband loved it, too, and we joke that we'll fight over baby-carrying rights. It's also *very* secure, even for a newborn. She went line dancing or some kind of dancing with her son in it 6 weeks after he was born. But for some less vigorous uses (!), it comes with a CD and pamphlet that show some of the other ways of tying the wrap that look simpler and quicker, too.

We've heard from several sources that we should get a couple of different kinds of slings/wraps so that we can use them for different occasions/needs. For example, this wrap that we got, which takes some finagling, is not good for driving around on errands (into the wrap, run errand; out of the wrap, in the carseat; drive; out and wrap again...out of the wrap, into the carseat...) but it will be great for gardening, long walks/hikes/exercise, being around the house, etc. For walking around town, basic slings are great because it keeps strangers' hands off of the baby, whose immune system isn't up and running yet. They're also great for those quick errands - no tying and wrapping; just pop the baby in and go.

Hope this helps!

L.

1 mom found this helpful

I have a hotsling and my two month old LOVES it! As soon as I put him in it he calms immediately and goes to sleep! My husband bought a Karmababy sling for himself and the material is too stretchy. The baby hangs down to his stomach, not supportive at all!
I've heard that slings or wraps are better on baby's spine than the carriers because the baby's legs don't hang down.
Good luck!

My little one is about 6 1/2 months old. I've used a ring sling with her for most of that time. I had an Ellaroo wrap (nonstretchy) that I used sometimes (mostly for longer outings) with her. I preferred the ring sling, especially when she was younger because it made breastfeeding easier. With the Ellaroo I had to remember to bring along a blanket or something to cover up whereas with the ring sling I just used the tail.

I just bought an Ergo that I think I'm going to love (only tried it on just last night but as soon as I put E in it she was all smiles). The other advantage to the Ergo is that DH will probably use it. The wrap was just way too much for him. He wore it once, but only because I was there to put him in it.

The only problem that I've heard with the Moby (strechy) wraps is that they aren't as good for back carries. So it wouldn't last you as long.

Just my thoughts/ observations on the subject.

Good luck and congratulations,
A.

I had an over the shoulder baby holder for my son and wore him in it until he was about a year old (when he started walking he didn't want to be carried any more) I will definately use it with the next one. I had a baby bjorn as well but sold it after only a few uses I couldn't stand it.

I completely understand the baby bijorn carrier...it just isn't comfortable. With my second daughter I bought a sling from Kangaroo Korner online. It is so comfortable and the nice thing is you can put a newborn in it. I LOVE my sling. It's the adjustable fleece pouch from Kangarookorner.com Good luck!

I have a Mamas Milk sling. I love it. It goes from newborn to toddler. When I first got it I was pregnant with my third and my second was 20 months or so and he loved it! It was so much easier to carry him that way being so PG. My baby has loved it since she was born. I use it mainly when I drop my 4 year old of to school. I need 2 hands to hold on to the 2 boys and yet carry her. It is quick and easy to use. East to nurse in also. I found it much easier than my stroller just to pop her into it. Go to http://www.mammasmilk.com. They have all kinds of colors and they match the size nicely. I loved it because I didn't have a bunch of extra fabric hanging around.

I would go for a woven over a stretchy. The stretchy wraps are great for newborns, but once your baby is bigger than about 15 pounds they can stretch and sag and then become less comfortable. A woven will be supportive until 30+ pounds.

You should check out www.magiccitysligners.com and try to hit one of their meetings. They should have some wraps you can feel and try and they could offer advice as well as help sizing.

I wanted to add that I used a woven wrap even for quick in/out trips/errands using the Pocket Wrap Cross Carry when my little one was a newborn without difficulty. I have a Storchenweige stripe, a Storchenwiege Leo and a Didymos waves. I have also used a Vatanai and a Moby. My favorites are the Storches.

I have both a Hotsling and a Moby Wrap for "wearing" our 3 1/2 month old and I like them both for different reasons.

Since we bought a non-stretchy Hotsling sized for me, my husband hasn't been able to use it with our baby since she got to be more than 9 pounds. The Hotsling is certainly easy to put on because you just slip it over one shoulder, then position it into a number of ways depending on the size/age of baby, put baby in and go. My little one sleeps in best in this sling. Hotslings include a DVD on how to use it.

The Moby Wrap comes with an instruction booklet for using it in the various positions. Our baby girl loves to face out in this one and see the world all around her when she is awake. Because this is made from the knit jersey type cloth and is super long, both my husband and I can use this one. I do feel like the fabric stretches allowing our baby to ride a bit lower as we walk so I'm cinching it tighter when I initially put it on now.

I believe we ordered both of them while on sale from www.babycenterstore.com

Enjoy the closeness of your baby wearing~

I wore all three of my babies! It definitely helps when you still have to run around after the middle one! I liked the one that came from Walmart...about 30 bucks!!! You can wear on front or back after they get older. I never used sling, and have used infintino, evenflo and a couple of others I can't recall. But by far, my fav is the navy or black one from walmart! it has 4 closures in the front and clips around your waist and about the bra line in the back. The reason I like these is because it is very easy to loosen the carrier, unhook, lay them in your lap and change their diaper, or when they fall asleep, easier to transfer them into bed without waking. My husband also would wear her, especially in crowds. You can wash them in the washing machine and hang to dry...I wore these with all my children until they were at least 2 yrs old and even older when in a crowd!!! Also, when they DO get bigger, walmart now has these carriers that are awesome!!! They are back carriers, but convert to stand up like a seat when you take it off! Totally awesome when in the park or even the back yard!!! I found mine at a garage sale for $7!!! They sell at walmart for around $40 - $88 (check ebay!...but these are not washable)

Hope this helps,
M.

My faves are hotsling/comfy joey. Definitely check out Magic City Slingers, or if you aren't in Birmingham, another www.babywearinginternational.org group.

I used the Nojo Baby sling with my 2nd child and loved it. I typically give it as a baby gift.

They can nurse or sleep while you walk around in public or just cleaning your house. when they are older, they can sit in it on your hip so that you have your hands free to cook dinner, etc.

K. B.

I tried abotu every wrap and carrier out there and my all time favorite is the Ellaroo. I have bad back problems and it was very easy on my back and easy to use. the only draw back to it is your shoulder can get a little sore when you wear it more than 3-4 hours at a time.

i used a sling. It was a little difficult trying to figure out how it worked by the ladies at nurturing moment let me bring the baby in and positioned it right. They have a website. www.nurturingmoment.com. they carry slings wraps, you name it. I loved the sling because you can use it all the way up to 3-4 years old. I wore it to the grocery store, hockey games, walking the dogs. to do housework, its great for freeing your hands.

I had front packs with my first two children and rarely ever used them. When I was pregnant with my third child, I was bound and determined to find something that I liked and would use. Well I found it. I ordered it online from California. The company is www.rockinbabyslings.com. They sell slings and pouches. They run about $80 or so. It may be a little pricey, but my daughter has been riding in it since she was just a few days old. And she is 6 months now. They are also sold by sizes. not a one size fits all type of thing. They are reversible. Usually a "mom print" on one side and a solid "dad print" on the other. My husband would never wear a front pack, but this he will do. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

I used "The Ultimate Baby Wrap" which is made out of a stretchy jersey material. I too had a carrier similar to the Bjorn and used it once. I found the wrap to be very comfortable. You can position baby in it 5 different ways, including a sling. One down side is that the wrap may seem a little complicated at first but I found that it was very easy to use once you tried it the first time. The only other thing I didn't like was that it is very long, which is nice so you can adjust it, but when you are out and about it made it hard to don it without it getting on the ground. Other than that my son and I both loved it. It also machine washable and dry-able, which was great.

I love the Maya Wrap. It can be adjusted to fit perfectly. It comes with a free video to help learn how to use it.

mayawrap.com

I know I am getting in on this really late, but I use a Maya Wrap Ring Sling and my son (2 months old) loves it, plus it has made it soooo easy to be exclusively breastfeeding because I can breastfeed in the grocery store and no one can see anything. Another thing I like about it is my hubby can wear it, and if I need to, I can carry my 2 year old on my hip with it.

I use the peanut shell baby sling. It's one that is not adjustable and you just throw it over your shoulder. You can carry your baby in several different positions. I used it to carry my daughter up until I couldn't fit her anymore, since I am expecting again! Anyway, the website is www.goo-ga.com. These are the slings that you see all of the celebrities using!!
Good luck!!

HI S., I have the Moby Wrap and I love it. It is really easy to use once you follow the directions and remember how to use it for different positions. I found that my little girl enjoyed it. My little girl is 9 months old and I am looking forward to using it outside this S.. Good luck with you new baby!

I have an OTSBH, Moby, Bjorn & Ergo. I agree with some of the other responses in that i like each of them for different reasons, but I have used the OTSBH with all three of my children. I actually got the Ergo so that I can wear my 6 month old with my 2 year old in the OTSBH (as she sees it, that sling is hers anyway). I highly recommend finding a babywearing group in your area and trying as many different slings/wraps as you can. I found that each one feels slightly different and when you find the fit that works for you, you will be hooked! Best of Luck and happy babywearing!!!

I loved my new native sling, it was so much better than the Bjorn for my back, I was never sore. I could even nurse using it. It saved my "something or other" when I had my second baby and had to run around after a 2 year old. And it advanced up to allow me to have her on my hip when she could hold her head up. Bonus they have one for little girls to use to carry their baby. And it washes beautifully, getting so soft.

I used a babysling with both my daughters until they were toddlers, and we have a boy on the way in June. I have tried several different types of slings; though I liked how soft the stretchy jersy slings were, I found that they didn't feel as secure because the weight of the baby would make them ride lower and lower on me as the day went on. My favorite was the kind with the ring on one shoulder to adjust, and I think I got it from www.peppermint.com I'm pretty short (5'2"), so finding one that came in different sizes (SML) was key. I also tried a babywrap, which is a long piece of material that you wrap in all kinds of different ways. I really liked it once it was on, but it was a little difficult getting on, especially if you're standing in a parking lot getting baby out of the car. Hope this helps, and enjoy wearing your precious one!