Slings

Dear E.,
Greetings!!!

There is a phenomenal BABYWEARING group here in L.A. called KOALA L.A. led by the very AMAZING Traci Cummings. Her monthly meetings are incredible, and she offers a BABYWEARING LENDING LIBRARY where you can borrow slings/wraps/carriers to try for yourself. Her # is: (213) 300~8275. She is truly a BABYWEARING ADVOCATE and all her help is free!!! : ))) I highly recommend calling her with your request! : )))

LOL,
L. (Mama to 38 week old Dylan Orion) : )))

2 moms found this helpful

Hi E.,
I had the same problem, but with the Baby Bjorn. My friend told me about The Ergo Baby Carrier and let me tell you that it was the best investment my husband and I made. You can buy it for a really good price at myfavoritebabycarrier.com. My son now weighs about 23 pounds and I can still use it with him. I love it and I'm sure you will too.

1 mom found this helpful

Check out Moby Wraps. They go over both shoulders and tie around the waist, giving better, more even support to you and baby. There are a million baby wearing websites that discuss pros and cons of various carriers. Remember to tone your belly. A stronger tummy helps alleviate low back strain/pain.
Good luck!
J.

Hi E., I used the Infantino sling with my son from 7-14lbs. When I used this I had an orthopedic waist band support that I velcroed around my lower back/waist to help with support. I picked up this brace for a couple of dollars at an estate sale, they typically cost about $60+ at a pharmacy, it was a life saver. Any time my back aches I strap this around my waist (like a girdle) and I feel relief.

However now that he is getting bigger like your daughter I prefer the baby bjorn front carrier with built in lower back support, it is one of the most expensive ($125?) but worth it. I'm sure any carrier with "lower lumbar support" would be good. Often you can find a barely used one on craigslist for half the price. I carry my son around the house, shopping etc. He gets to face out, his back is to my stomach, and loves to see what is going in.

Good Luck! ~ G. WAHM of 12 week old son.

She's getting a bit big for a sling. I would strongly recommend the ErgoBaby carrier. It's so versatile, because it's convertable as a front AND back pack!

Hi E.! I carry my almost 4 month old daughter around in the Zolo wrap sling. She loves it, I love it. There are a bunch of different designs to choose from and it comes with a DVD to show you the multiple ways you can "wear your baby." Hope this helps.

The Ergo Baby Carrier. The have a web site. I have 2 slings, 2 snugglies, 1 bjorn...and now...FINALLY...the Ergo, it's the only one that doesn't hurt me...and I'm hands free!

I got a MOBY wrap for my son when he was about a month old and he LOVED being in it. It works in multiple positions (including on the back) so you can adjust how you wear it for the situation and the size of your child. When he was young I would put him in it against my chest and it was one of the only ways I could get him calmed down if he was having a bout of colic. It's basically like a giant piece of stretchy fabric that you wrap around yourself.

She's the same size as my little boy was--UGH! Those stupid slings are meant for much smaller kiddos, I believe! Does she hold up her head? It may be time for a good baby backpack from Babies R Us--they are really well designed and distribute the weight across your back much better than those slings!!!!

The Ergo is the best thing around in my opinion!! I used it when my kids were small, and am still able to use it for my 5 year old 45 lb daughter!!! It has three options for how to wear, as a front pack, as a back pack (for older children who can hold their heads up) and as a hip or side sling. I find it EXTREMELY comfortable, even with my large child now. And it is very easy to fold into the diaper bag or slide under the seat of the car. I know it is an investment at it's price, but it is well worth it in my opinion! If you are interested in purchaseing an Ergo please let me know, as we sell them in our store (and I only sell merchandise I LOVE!!) :)

I have a sling called the Ultimate Baby wrap that the baby can be put in 5 different positions. I have used it since my baby was born up until now and she is 11 months old. I have worn it with her in there for up to 5 hours with no lower back pain or shoulder pain and she is not a small child. I ordered it from Target but have seen it on other baby websites and in certain stores also. Good luck and hope you find one you like.

Hi E. -
I tried many slings/babycarriers in the beginning and ended up with the ERGO. I can't say enough about it - it's FANTASTIC!!. My son now weighs 29 lbs and my back never hurts. The ERGO can be worn in the front, on the hip or back and has an infant carrier available for baby # 2!.
Another great thing about the ERGO is that the baby doen't "hang from the crotch" as they say. They actually sit on their butt with the legs apart & to the front instead of having the legs dangling with all of the weight on their crotch (which I understand is not healthy for developing hip joints).
In the end though the type of carrier you choose is a very individual decision. Good luck!
:)
A.

I'm not a fan of slings. They are great for many people but not if you have back problems or even just sensitivities. I rather like wraps. There are many different kinds and styles. You might try going to http://www.cottoncradles.com they have a good variety and do a little compare and contrast of the styles. I ended up getting the Hug-a-Bub it really worked for me. It wraps around your baby, across your back and around your waist giving great support not only to the baby but your back as well. It takes a little time to figure out how to do wraps but once you do they are so convenient.

I have the Moby wrap. I have a bad back and it really helped me be able to carry my baby and still have more back support. You can carry your baby like the sling (or multiple other ways). The difference is you tie it around yourself and it goes over both shoulders. It is a long piece of t-shirt like material. You can even carry them on your back when they get older. I love it. Good luck.

Hi E.,

I have Maya Wrap and have had it since my son was born. I love it! Ultimately when you have a 15-20 lb. baby hanging on you you're going to notice. But seriously I like my sling very much. It's comfortable and versatile (It can be used as a leash when you're baby is older). It takes a little practice, but they all do I think. We also have a Baby Bjorn (the $120 one) which my husband prefers, but I find the Maya wrap to be more comfortable. You can find them online by doing a search. Good luck in you search for a sling!

Hi E.,

I have the Moby Wrap and the Ergo Baby Carrier. I purchased the Ergo Carrier a few years ago with my 1st baby after trying other slings/carriers. It was great because it's easy on the back and my son loved it and because you can carry your baby on your back, it was very useful while I cooked. When my 2nd was born, I tried the Ergo Carrier with the infant insert but my daughter didn't like it and I felt restricted from normal activities. So, I came across the Moby Wrap and my daughter and I love it! It is really comfortable and the baby is really snug and secure against your body and there are so many variations of wearing your baby. You can check out www.mobywrap.com and www.ergobabycarrier.com. I hope this helps!

"Over the Shoulder Baby Holder" is the best. It has a large padded shoulder and comes with a video that REALLY helps you where it properly. Make sure to where it on your shoulder and not your neck. It is great for kids from newborn to 2 years!! It is worth the money. I really love mine. Only sold online

hi E.,

i returned 2 different sizes of the peanut sling. i just couldn't get my lil guy in it easily. plus, he hated being in that position. after much research, i finally got the ergo baby carrier. it's VERY comfortable and the weight of the baby is distributed mostly on the waist/hip band. lots of my friends have it and love it too. it's worth every penny!

S.

Ergo, ERGO, ERGO!! I've been through five and it's the best. Front or back (best for hiking and cooking and even make the baby feel lighter). I think it's the waist band that's key, plus it has a handy pocket and a little head cover to protect the baby from the sun, or to help keep it's head up if it's too young to do so.

we love our ergo carrier. http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

I loved the TaylorMade sling up to about 20 lbs with my son. You do need some help making sure that you have it tight enough, and in the right place, but some babies just aren't into it. Now I still carry my 30 lb 2 yr old in a sling - it's a BabyHawk (I would have gotten a toddler hawk if I had known), mei tai style. I love it!! It's very versatile and so comfy and easy. Takes a bit of practice, but with a 6 month old you'll be putting it on and off several times a day, so it won't take long to get the hang of it.
Good luck!! Look on mamatoto(dot)org to get some ideas and see if there is someone in your area who will come and help you try some and learn how to use them.

It isn't really a "sling", but it is a baby carrier...the ERGO! I cannot recommend this enough. My son will sit happily in the Ergo for hours and it never hurts my back or shoulders.

My baby is 5 months old, 18 pounds and i have been using the Maya Wrap. I like it because you don't have to buy various sizes. I got one gently used off Craigslist for a good price. I really enjoy using it.

Hi E. ~

The best sling I have ever found is the Moby Wrap. It is the bomb! I think they have a web site you can look at.
Good luck in your search.
J.

I love my maya wrap sling. If you purchase directly from the website it's less expensive than buying at one of the few stores that carries it. www.mayawrap.com to check out all versatility of use.

G.

Hi E.,

I see that there are already many reponses but I too would recommend the Ergo Baby carrier. I own a baby shop in San Clemente and we have tried many different carriers in our shop and the Ergo is the one I use personally. I have a 3 year old and an 11 month old and with the Ergo I can carry the baby and still chase my 3 year old around the park. I love that I can also put him on my back and cook, garden, etc. it is really a very comfortable carrier. I don't have any back issues but i have sold this carrier to many women who do and all have given me feedback on how comfortable it is. If you are in Orange County, give me a call and you can come down and try them on to see for yourself. We do ship anywhere if you aren't in our area.

Best of luck to you! A good carrier makes life so much easier :)

K.
www.OCTravelTykes.com
###-###-####

I used the Maya sling when my daughter was an infant. It is rather simple... it is just a giant piece of fabric with a round metal circle. What is great about this one is how you can adjust it to suit your needs. I bought mine at a boutique in Escondido called Magical Child (the name is now changed... but it is next to Trader Joe's). The owner of the store was able to show me how to put the sling on and the many ways I can adjust it to help relieve the stress from my lower back. The biggest piece of advice about this sling was to adjust the strap over the edge of my shoulder. For some reason this helped my lower back out a lot. I only used my sling for the first 3 months and after that my back much preferred the Bjorn. Hope this helps a little!

I highly recommend the Ergo baby carrier. It's a very sturdy all cloth back pack type carrier. It costs a lot, but can be used on children up to 40 pounds or so, which is close to four years old. I can nurse my child and no one can tell. The baby is close to mom - in the front, back or even side and often goes to sleep as a result of the walking motion. It's a carrier whose value continues to grow as the baby gets heavier and older. They have a website www.ergobabycarrier.com, with links to the instruction videos, so you can see exactly how it's used.

I recently bought a Slingling (and so did my husband) because our little guy doesn't like the "dangly" feeling of the baby bjorn (maybe he will someday). The slings are comfy and their customer service, exchange policy, and shipping speed are AMAZING. www.slinglings.com

After 7 wraps, slings, Bjorns, etc....I FINALLY found one that doesn't hurt my back AT ALL. www.mobywrap.com LOVE IT!

The Ergo Baby Carrier is ALL you need (or any carrier that is similiar). This is one that will NOT hurt your back - can be worn for hours and hours and you'll be amazed. I've have two kids, used it with both from birth - 2.5ish years. Once on a hike with our then 4 year old and 2 year old, I carried my 2yo on my back in the Ergo and hubby carried our 4 year old on his back in our other Ergo - they both slept the whole time - my 4 yo looked kind of funny but she was comfy and so was Dad!
M.

www.ergobabycarrier.com

The Ergo baby has amazing back support and is perfect for a six month old. YOu can buy it online at ergobaby.com

www.mayawrap.com

I bought 5 different slings and finally ended up with this one, which I like very much. I wish I had two because you have to wash and dry by hand (because of the rings) and so it is out of commission sometimes -- but I just can't bring myself to spend yet more money on slings... even one I like. My daughter is also a big baby and she likes this one best as well. She was never the swaddle type and she wants to have her arms and hands free. When I front carry her, she can even play with a small toy while I carry her.

Hi E.,

I've been using a Didymos sling - my daughter is now 11 months old. They're great because you can tie them many different ways as the baby grows. All organic cotton in many different styles. A bit pricey, but well worth it!

http://www.didymos.com

I really like my Moby wrap too. It is very comfortable and easy to use. My friend even holds her toddler in it on her side.

I used the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder with both my boys from birth to about 3 years old!

Don't let the super OLD-fashioned photos on their website fool you- the baby holder can look much cooler! http://www.parentsafely.com/over-the-shoulder-baby-holder...

Take Care,
F.

I love my Moby wrap. You can use it in alot of different ways and it is sooo comfortable. It is suitable for nursing, front cradle, and front carrying, and even side carrying as they get bigger. It is very versatile. It can take a little practice to get use to wrapping but this is by far MY FAV product for carrying. I used a snuggli and a bjorn and I felt the moby was much better. The one downside is that it can get hot to wear so I recommend getting the natural color instead of the darker one, my friends tell me it's not as hot. This has only been an issue for me in the 80+ degree heat though. I usually just wear a tank under it and then its tolerable. And put baby in just a onsie so he isn't too warm. He sleeps like a rock in it and loves to be close to mom, best of both worlds. My son is 17lbs at only 4 months old, so he is a big boy too!
Good Luck!

I love my Maya Wrap. Used it constantly until my DD was about 10 months. Now she is a big girl at 14 months and prefers to walk or crawl, but I still keep it in the car for those times when she won't sit in the stroller and wants to be carried.

I love that it was wash and wear and all cotton. And because it is made up of a large amount of yardage, I have used it for a blanket, burp cloth, shade, etc. when I have forgotten things at home.

And the best is I didn't get back aches from it when worn properly. I could wear my DD in it for about 2 hours while walking around the mall (at least until she hit the 15 lb marker.) Now I just hip carry her when necessary in the sling.

It is pretty pricey, but not as expensive as the Ergo. And if you are handy with a sewing machine you can google the pattern for cheap or free online and make your own. You can also buy "slightly" used wraps from their website. I have purchased both the wrap and the pouch slightly used with no problems.

I have also heard wonderful things about the Mei Tai and the Ergo from many Moms who have adopted older kids/toddlers. I am talking about Mama's who tote around 20 + lb kiddos all the time, so they know their wraps and carriers very well.

I know there are some stores out there that specifically deal with different carriers and you can try each one on before buying. I think there is one in Temecula, but I don't know the name of it.

Good Luck!

I started with the new native sling for my 8 lb. baby girl. She's now 14 lbs and it is still comfortable for her to sleep in -- but she's not comfy to hang out in it while she's awake. I also have the new native sling which I love -- it has padding on the shoulder and comes with a video of the different ways you can wear it as your baby grows. This sling is she happy to hang out in and look around as I shop, do laundry or just visit with people.

The ladies at the Pump Station showed me how to size/wear both of my slings and that's been hugely helpful. I had hurt my back when she was 8 lbs, but have no problem at all now that I've been shown proper wearing while she is 14 lbs.

hope this helps..

The Ergo is fantastic. While not a sling, it has an option to buy an infant insert that will keep your baby snug against you. I still use it for my 10 month old son. The best part is that is puts the pressure on your hips rather than your back. Also, it can be used as a backpack carrier for older babies/toddlers. Good luck!

I ordered mine from hugamonkey.com and I've been very happy with it. They have instructional videos, good customer service, and they are very reasonably priced starting at $25 with free shipping and exchanges if you get the wrong size.

I have used a Baby Hawk carrier with my 15 month old daughter since she was 5 months old and weighed 21 pounds (she is now 28 pounds). Because she is a big baby, I still wear her on the front facing me. I love using it, it is very convenient. What's nice is that it is just fabric and straps that you adjust to you and your baby's body. It is very similar to the Ergo carrier (which I have never used, but friends like that one too).

hi there,
yes!i had the same issue when i got one of those type slings,my daughter didn't like it and it wasn't that comfortable.i would recommend you get an ergo baby carrier.you can go to ergo.com. they're around $100. but sooooo worth it.i still use it for my daughter,and shes 19months.they fit in it till they're really big...as long as you want to carry them.it can be worn front and back,i always put my daughter on my back and i could do anything i would normally be doing with her attached.and its very comfortable and easy.its a moms best friend when you have a small child.good luck!

You may want to try the padded over the shoulder baby holder. I had a great one that I used in the summer that was made of a lightweight fabric that was great for nursing and dried off quickly when I took my son to the pool or beach.

I say check out the Ergo. www.ergobaby.com
my son is 18 lbs at 4 months and I have carried him in it since birth.
It distributes his weight perfectly and I can carry him all day without any pain or fatigue. Best of all he loves it! He falls asleep every time and he was a baby who was diagnoised with "colic" at 3 weeks. We even used it during those crazy nights to get him to calm down enough to sleep!
The website has great demo videos that I suggest you watch. Its not only easy on the person wearing it but also great for baby since the baby sits on their bum instead of their tailbone as they do in other carriers.
They don't go forward facing but as an attachment parent I've found my son is most calm facing me and being able to sleep with his head on my chest. You can even nurse in it or wear them on your hip or back. My niece who will be two in November still loves hers and my sister breezes through the airport with her in it.
We've tried other carriers (believe me, with a baby who has colic you'll try everything!) I love this one the best and I also love that you can have full use of your arms while wearing it
if you do try it I also suggest the sucking pads they just came out with because the baby will chew on the straps, I know three personally who do, my son being one! Its not necessary to have them but it makes cleaning a cinch :)
boy you'd think I work for ergo after this (but I don't I just really love my carrier)

Check out TheBabyWearer.com. They have tons of information on different types of slings/carriers -- including reviews from people who have tried them. http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php