To Sling or Not to Sling....

I have heard a lot of moms either love slings or hate them. I am planning on getting a Moby Wrap for our next child. Check out their website, especially how to put it on. (I have heard, from a mom that uses one, that it looks hard at first but it gets easier with every use.)
You can also look up Moby Wrap on YouTube.com to see really people use this baby carrier.

Sling websites...

www.hotslings.com

www.lucky-baby.com

Baby-wearing websites...

www.mobywrap.com

www.mayawrap.com

2 moms found this helpful

Hi L.,
I have the Moby wrap and love it!! It seems intimidating at first but it is really easy to use and only $35. There is a store in Chicago called Be Bye Baby that has a monthly "baby wearing" class where they show you all the various types of slings and help you figure out which one is right for you. They are at the corner of Lincoln and Roscoe. If you live far, I would still check it out - it was one of the best classes I ever attended!! Well worth the trip!
Congrats and good luck!!
T.

2 moms found this helpful

There is a great group called the Lake County Babywearers. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LCBabywearers/
This is a great resource for all types of slings and carriers. Most of the moms have several children so they can tell you what worked for them and what didn't. We also meet monthly in at the Greyslake Library and you'd be able to play with different carriers/slings.
I really hope you check it out.

Oh, I used a mai tai and a wrap with my first and I will definately be using something when we go for number 2.

Good luck,
R.

1 mom found this helpful

I have a 10-month old and used a Hot Sling (www.hotslings.com). It has been fantastic. I use it ALL the time. When she was really little, there we times she didn't want to be in it. But other times, she couldn't get enough of it. She actually began to recognize it and if she was fussy, when I took it out, she immediately got quiet because she knew she was going to be in it soon. We had a bigger sling for my husband and he used to put her in it and vacuum, which she loved. I'm planning to buy a MayaWrap (www.mayawrap.com) for my sister-in-law who is pregnant, and get one for myself. The Hot Sling is not adjustable and now that my baby is getting bigger, I think something like MayaWrap, which is adjustable, will work better.

1 mom found this helpful

I received a Baby Bjorn but couldn't use it for awhile due to my baby's weight (8 lb. minimum). I bought a Peanut Shell at Nordstrom's and love it but I waited too long for my baby to like it--she's claustrophic in it and much prefers the Baby Bjorn, funny, I know. I wish I would have started the Peanut Shell immediately, but I waited until I could try it on with my baby inside and who wants to bring out a newborn to a germy store in the winter? Anyway, the Peanut Shell allows you to carry your baby 3 ways: sling style, kangaroo style, and on the hip. We're now doing the kangeroo style around the house and it's lots of fun but for outdoors and shopping, I trust the Bjorn because she's "locked in." Too bad they're all not inexpensive, but I have definately gotten my money's worth with the Bjorn and my daughter is only 4 months! Another plus is that the Bjorn isn't as "feminine" looking. My husband originally scoffed at the idea of wearing the baby but now he's the proud papa showing off his daughter in the classic black Bjorn. The Bjorn is a no-brainer for adjustments as we can switch back and forth between our body types in seconds.

Two styles that were recommended were the Hotsling (by a mom) and MobyWrap (by a mom & lactation consultant). If you're in the Suburbs, a great resource is Dundee Pharmacy in Northbrook.

1 mom found this helpful

A Maya Ring Sling would be a great purchase. Newborns can easily be carried in the sling, and slings are great to use for quick in and out type of carries. You also can carry baby in a hip carry with a Maya RS when baby gets older and develops neck control! However, with a ring sling, you do have limited motion of one arm because of where the sling rests on your upper arm/shoulder.
You might want to consider a Mei Tai -- either a Babyhawk or Freehand. Both of these carriers properly support a baby's weight unlike the Bjorn where the baby dangles -- not good for hip development. Mei Tais also are very comfortable for mom or dad! A second recommendation would be an Ergo carrier, which is similar to the Bjorn, but again much more comfortable for mom/dad and supports baby's weight properly. You would need an infant insert with the Ergo, but most moms love it! I have all three of these carriers -- a Maya, an Ergo and a Freehand Mei Tai. I like each, and I probably wouldn't be able to function well with out the Ergo!! (DS - 19 pounds at six months looooooves being carried!)
There is a babywearing group in Lake County, and we meet the second Friday of the month at 10 a.m. at Grayslake Library. Mamas can come and get help with a carrier they already have or try carriers other mamas have before they purchase one. I know the group also is trying to find a time to meet either one night a month or on one Saturday a month so working moms can get help, too! You can talk to other local experienced babywearing mamas through our Yahoo group, Lake County Babywearers. Also, thebabywearer.com offers lots of insights and opinions from other babywearers about carriers! Hope this helps!
And, lastly, diaperpin.com has product reviews of carriers.

1 mom found this helpful

I have the Moby Wrap and I love it...for a younger baby. Now that my son is 14 months old and 27 pounds, it's just not as effective with a larger/bigger baby.

I did find a new wrap called the Sleepy Wrap and it's supposed to be much better. I can update you when I get it sometime next week (it's being shipped).

I would definitely advise a wrap, though. I have a 5 year old and a 1 year old (and another on the way) and I couldn't live without my wrap!! Especially when they're younger!

1 mom found this helpful

I really liked the Infantino sling. It's secure, and my son really liked it when he was really little. He preferred it to the Bjorn. I even used it when he was about 5 or 6 months old and going through a very clingy/fussy stage. Helped so much when he wanted to be held but I needed the use of my hands.

It's only about $25 at Target. There are some that are a lot more expensive, but I found this one to be really comfortable and easy to use. One benefit to this one over others is that you can adjust the length for you or your husband. My hubby really liked carrying our son in the sling, made him feel more connected to him. He loved feeling the little guy stretch or kick while wearing the sling.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi L.,

I have tried just about every type of carrier out there. My favorite two are Didymos (long piece of fabric you tye into different 'carries', and Ergo Baby carrier.

The Didymos was great when my little guy was first born through around 15 pounds. Once he got bigger I transitioned him to the Ergo.

The Ergo is so awesome because you can carry your guy in the front, hip, and back. This might be a good option for you because you can throw your 19 month old on your back if need be, or put your newborn in front while you chase your toddler around. The Ergo goes up to 40 lbs.

I've also used a variety of ring slings (hot slings, kangaroo korner, etc.) but didn't feel like my baby was as secure. They also hurt my back and shoulder because the weight was only distributed to one shoulder.

Check out this site: http://www.thebabywearer.com/

Hope this helps!!

D. F., SHADE Color Consulting
www.shadecolorconsulting.com

1 mom found this helpful

I suggest waiting until your baby arrives and trying one out to see if she likes it. I had my heart set on a sling or a mei tai carrier and found out that my little girl absolutely hates being worn. I think she thinks I'm trying to stuff her back in! She did better with a Baby Bjorn once she could hold her head up since she liked facing forward and seeing everything that's going on. Plus she could flail her arms about as I carried her.

1 mom found this helpful

Hi L.,
Consider the Moby Wrap as the cloth is soft, slightly stretchy and will go over both shoulders comfortably.
L.

1 mom found this helpful

I think slings are great but so is the bjorn. I would recommend you wait till baby comes until you decide. I am also due this summer and think I will use my shell sling (by hotslings) with a newborn. It gives them that nice tight feeling and it is a bit more comfortable for me. I have the hotsling and the ergo (for older kiddos).

1 mom found this helpful

Slings are great if you have a pretty strong back, otherwise check out the ERGO baby carrier.