Help with Infant Carrier!

I loved my sling and so did my son. It was an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder brand. I purchased it online after trying my friend's. It even comes with a video and picture directions so you won't be confused about how in the heck to get the baby in it!

J.

I have had success with the New Native carrier. I bought mine online. Check out this site:www.newnativeinc.com

I used it when my daughter was a newborn and I still use it now that she is 27 months old. It is versatile!

A friend of mine also loves her Ergo carrier - but if that is too pricey . . .

I am currently using a sling called Wallababy (www.wallababy.com) and absolutely LOVE it!! I used the Bjorn with my older two, but was feeling the strain on my back with my third. So, I decided to try this one out, and it is very comfortable! You can carry from infant through toddlers (yes, I did try my 2 year old in it - hip carry - and it was very comfortable!). Another sling that is similar is the New Native Baby Carrier.

I loved my Bjorn with both my children. They are pricey, but I have found them used on Craigs list and ebay.

Over the shoulder baby holder!!!!!!! Me and ALL my friends LOVE this sling!!!! It even holds my 16 month old son :0) Good Luck!

You can also try using a wrap like Ellaroo (or Elaroo, can't remember the spelling) or Moby. Just search either one and you should come up with their sites.

A much cheaper way to make the same wrap is to use a no-sew pattern I found online.

The directions are:

1. Start with a piece of fabric that is 60 inches wide by 5 yards (15 feet) long. (I like the one a friend did for me made out of terry cloth. It's a little bulky, but seems to breathe well and provides a bit of stretch while still being sturdy. Also seems to absorb things like sweat, drool, spit up, etc.)

2. Cut in strips that are 20 inches wide by 5 yards (15 feet) long.

3. Give two away as gifts and keep one for yourself. :)

You may not need one quite that long though. I'm pretty short, so mine is actually a bit too long, but not all that much. If you're taller or are a little on the heavier side, the length should be fine. And, you can find wearing instructions online pretty easily. If there is a baby-wearing class (that I think someone mentioned in another post), they should be able to help you. They usually know about various forms of carriers and wraps.

I think with any form of carrier, you'll want to be aware of the snugness of the carrier so that it does not cut off circulation.

God bless,
A.

Slings are the most comfortable for baby. Unlike an upright carrier like Baby Bjorn and such, a sling will keep the natural curve of their spine and their little legs tucked up beside them. It is much healthier for their development than the kind that lets their legs hang down. Check out mamatoto.org for more information and videos about how to make your own slings, maya wraps and other natural baby carriers. I purchased an Over The Shoulder Baby Holder for my children and used that as well as a homemade sling, a front wrap and a homemade back wrap.

Try using a sling!!! they are wonderful;..my son is a bit chunkier lol for his age and i was never able to use carriers because like you said they seemed to dig into his lower legs and leave marks...I switched to a sling that just sorta wraps around you and then around the baby so she is sitting in it like a hammock affect..I loved it it certainly helped when my car broke down and i had to carry my son most places i went when the stroller couldn't go. Good luck hopefully this helps

A sling carrier might be what you need. Try searching online for "infant carrying sling" you should get a bunch of suggestions.

Good luck.

I would try or a sling, it can be used much longer than the carrier. There is a Simplicity pattern (I know Walmart carries it) to make your own sling.

Hi,
I have had great success with several types of carriers. I loved the hug-a-bub or Moby wrap style. It takes a few tries to learn how to wrap them, but they are great because they support the weight evenly on your back. I still use it, and my baby is about 19 pounds now, and it's still comfy. Both Moby wrap and hug-a-bub have instructions that come with, and that are posted on their websites. You can also just get a long long piece of stretchy knit cotton (look at the measurements of the wraps I mentioned) and make one yourself.

I also like the Ergobaby carrier, which is expensive but great for hikes and for wearing the baby on your back.

For lots of great info about babywearing, see this article (and others, I'm sure!) at Mothering.com:
http://www.mothering.com/articles/new_baby/babywearing/we...

And good luck!

Hi H.!
I am absolutely one of those crazy "wear your baby" Mamas. I am in LOVE LOVE LOVE with the Maya wrap. You can get them online. They are perfect for about any age from birth to 4 years old. It is a sling. Instead of restricting your baby's circulation, you can pull their legs to the side and sling them across your body, fold them indian style and set them in front of you like a kangaroo pouch, wear them on your hip, or even on your back as they get older. It has storage in the tail for your wallet, keys, diaper,etc. I have them in different colors and take them everywhere. It is hands free baby care which is great with two kids. Hope this helps. If you have trouble finding them online, you can get them through your local Le Leche League. THat is where I got mine. Best of luck. Hope you enjoy the wrap as much as I do!

I loved my Gerry backpack. My sister and I carried all 5 of our kids in this. She may have to be a bit older but we used to truck around New York city w/ our kids in this. Its actually built for hikng so very comfortable and the kids like to be sitting high to look aound. lmc

Yeah, those "crotch carriers" are really bad for them. I'd get a sling, wrap, or soft carrier (Ergo, MaiTai, etc...) instead. They are much better for their hips and legs!!! PM me for links for information and places to buy them.

A few of my close friends have had the same complaints of their Evenflo carrier. My husband and I love our Jeep 2-in-1 by Kolcraft. We read several reviews before our purchase. It is still one of the top three. Our daughter is 6 months old and loves it!! It is not as expensive as the Bjorn and is very easy to use.

http://shopping.msn.com/content/shp/?ctid=4226

Good luck.

H.,
There are a lot of great carriers out there. I would not consider any wal-mart - target or any other such places an appropriate place to purchase a carrier.

There are so many wonderful choices out there. I don't know if price is an issue - but the higher cost of some is well worth the investment.

I personally have used a fair amount and the one I use daily is an ergo

http://www.lastellablu.com/shop.php?useraction=main&c...

I can still even put my 3 and 6 year old in this if I want to. It is so comfortable and easy to use. It distributes the weight so that it goes to your shoulder and hips and not your back!
It also is great for the baby and the circulation would not get cut off!

Also Park and Vine on Vine street in Cincinnati sells an assortment of carriers. They even have baby wearing classes to help anyone who needs it out.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to e-mail me - I would love to help you as much as I can!

Good Luck!
C.

Hi H.! Congrats on your little one. I have a three month old and love to use a sling by Hot Slings. There are no buckles, straps, etc which was one reason I chose this brand. Their website is www.hotslings.com but you can also pick on up at Target. They do carry different sizes to fit you best. My son absolutely loves to be carried around in it!

Hi H., Try a baby sling. You can find the slings and directions for using them at www.slingbaby.com They are the most comfortable way to wear your baby hands free. My girls loved their "sling rides." It was great for discreet nursing in public. I carried my middle daughter in it until she was 3 years old and over 40 lbs. It was still comfortable. I couldn't carry her any other way because she was too heavy for my arms, but the weight is distributed over your back, shoulders and abdomen with a sling. They are so easy to use and put the baby in, no straps to buckle or adjust, no zippers. Now I make them for all of my friends who have babies. Really they are very easy to make, a lot less expensive than buying. If you are interested in directions email me.

I use the ultimate baby wrap and I love it. It comes with a DVD to teach you how to use it. (It's really simple!)

www.babyhawk.com

www.frogmama.com (look at the Angelpack LX on this site)

www.thebabywearer.com is a forum where you can ask all kinds of questions about carriers.

I love my Babyhawk the best and it is so easy to use....the Angelpack LX is good too...it is a buckle carrier like the one you have but made a little different. Your childs legs might not be positioned right and that is why there are marks on her legs. Good luck A.

H.,
I have used and still use both the Eddie Bauer front pack carrier as well as a Moby Wrap with my second son who is 8 months old. He loves them both as do I. I have never had problems with either of them cutting off circulation to his legs or arms. The Moby Wrap is something new that I didn't have for my first son. It is just a big piece of cloth that you can use in many different ways to carry your baby and can even be used as a back carrier for toddlers up to 35 pounds! Well worth the $50. You can get them on www.mobywrap.com. Good luck finding a new carrier for your little one!

My kids and I both hated the sling - they were never comfortable in it. With my second one I loved the Hip Hammock. The baby sits just like you would naturally carry him on your hip, but your hands are free and your arm doesn't get tired. He often would be so comfy, he'd fall asleep. I also loved my Baby Bjorn. I got mine used on EBay for pretty cheap.

I haven't used this, but I plan on purchasing one. It's called a sleepy wrap - here's the website (http://www.sleepywrap.com/index.php?page=home). It's just a strip of cloth you tie around you. I thought this looked REALLY comfy, and so easy to take along. You just tuck it into your diaper bag.

Hope this helps!