Best Infant Sling

I really liked the kangaroo pouch: http://www.kangarookorner.com/ It worked wonders. He slept like a happy clam in there, and I was pretty comfortable (while he was still small). Even though it's summer, I would recommend the fleece sling because it is so comfortable.

I had a Moby and didn't like it, got a Kangaroo Korner and LOVED it!! Just got one for a friend who's baby is 4 days old. It works for newborns through 3 1/2 year olds, and unlike other slings, can be snapped or unsnapped to change size (if mommy or daddy wears it, or as child gets bigger). It comes in various materials, but I am a huge fan of the fleece one as it stretches around the baby keeping it warm and snug. In hot months, just dress the child a little lighter. Again, can't say this enough,LOVED IT! Oh, and my friend does too.

I tried so many slings and my absolute favorite is Kangaroo Korner adjustable sling.

The website is:
http://www.kangarookorner.com/c-8-adjustable-pouches.aspx

With my three daughters, I swore by my own creation, modeled on the Mexican "rebozo" but with stretchy jersey fabric (t-shirt fabric, but a little thicker). There are some versions for sale made exactly this way--but they are spendy. For myself, I had no money at the time, so I went to the fabric store. If you purchase 5-6 yards (depending on how big around you are) of any jersey color or print you want, you will get TWO wraps, so it's easy to keep them washed. Jersey can typically be found at $3-5 per yard, so it's not expensive. It actually does not need hemming at all--it will not unravel--but if you want to hem it, of course it looks nicer.

Cut the fabric lengthwise in two along the fold. Hem if you want. That's it!

The thing about these is you can wrap them any number of ways, they are strong, you can use them with a newborn infant and all the way until they are 3-4 to help carry them on your hip or on your back if you want. I used them for hands-free nursing WHILE running a crafts booth at festivals where I was selling JUGGLING equipment!

What's most important is that you tie this around your waist first, very tightly with the knot in back. If it's tight enough, it will do two very nice things..1) It will evenly distribute the majority of the baby's weight on your hips, where your body is USED to carrying it, rather than slinging the weight over one shoulder and throwing your back out, and 2) it will nicely hold in your belly, which is recovering from birth and "likes" the support. Then bring both ends over your shoulders, crossing across your chest to wrap around baby, then tie in back again.

I practiced with an infant sized baby doll at first to get the hang of it, but once you have it tied to fit the way you like, you can learn to slip in and out of it without retying.

I have been having the exact same situation with my 3 month old baby. She never wants to be put down! Several people told be about the Moby Wrap. It looked so complicated and I was reluctant at first... but the more I researched it I was really interested. Then I ran into someone who told me about the site wearyourbaby.com It gives you the info to make one at a fraction of the cost of buying one. If you buy the right material you don't even have to sew anything! Also... go to slingstation.com That site has really good videos on how to put the sling on. It takes some practice... but it is so compfortable and it feels much more secure than the babybjorn that we use sometimes. Good luck!
A.

The Moby Wrap is fabulous for newborns and moms. It balances the weight on your body and can be used in lots of different carries. For the price and ease of use, it is invaluable!

I also love the Ergo, though I don't know how it works for a newborn. I got mine when my daughter was 6 mo old - definitely worth the investment!

When she was a newborn she preferred a baby bjorn type carrier. We had a generic version (Eurorider). It was great for getting chores done around the house. For longer walks I had a wrap type carrier. They are pretty versatile, but there is a learning curve to properly tie them.

I would suggest you try a few carriers if you can (borrow from friends?). I got a beautiful handmade sling - and my baby HATED it.

We loved the ergo baby carrier for our son and used it until he was at least 12 months.

my choice is the Moby wrap, it is so comfortable and so secure. I love it!! check it out at Mobywrap.com then see what you can find on ebay, to get it a little cheaper.
H.

Just another voice saying, "Moby." My son liiiiiived in it for a very long time, and it was the one baby item we felt really changed our lives. :) I hope it works for you!

A.,

With my third child on the way, I've been doing a lot of research recently about baby carriers. I've had a few different kinds in the past (Bjorn, Sling & I borrowed a friends Ergo for awhile), all of which have had their pluses and minuses. I really liked the Ergo the best of those three and was looking into getting my own this time around, though I've recently found out about one called the Beco, which is supposed to be fantastic, and even better than the Ergo. I've been reading reviews all over the place about it and people seem to be unanimous that the Beco is better than all other kinds they've tried (including the ones that I've used).

It's convinced me that it's the one I want to get. I know you were looking into a sling, but I encourage you to research the Beco as well.

Good luck whatever you decide to do! :o)

There's lots of options out there. If you really want a sling, you can use a pocket sling that is only one size, or you can use an adjustable. I have a ring sling. It's nice that my husband and I can both use it. There's a kind of sling that has snaps to adjust it, but I don't remember what it's called. If you mean a carrier in general, I'd recommend looking at an Ergo. They're expensive, but my daughter is 2 and we still use it to wear her. There's a lending library in Auburn that would allow you to try a couple different carriers and see what works well for you. Try checking thebabywearer.com too. Good luck and pm me if I can be more help. I have 10 carriers and am pretty comfortable in all of them but they aren't all for all ages.

I really liked the Moby Wrap! Check out youtube for a video about how to wear it. It's easier than it looks!

The Ergo Carrier...What I love is that it is a great close fitting sling for an infant (and you can breast feed easily while they are in it), then turns into a front carrier (but baby faces you, not forward like an Bjorn) and then into a back-pack or hip carrier. You buy one thing to wear until they are too heavy for you! Cotton, neutral colors...washable.

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

Loved mine!
K.

Being an avid baby wearer, I too strongly suggest the Moby. We're still wearing our 27 month old son using a european woven wrap (like the Moby but stronger material) and it's the safest and most comfortable carrier of all that we have.

I had recieved a sling w/rings, something similar to a Baby Bjorn carrier, and a moby wrap. I like the moby wrap the best. It is quite versatile and I felt that it help my baby closest and safest , plus I could change her from riding upright to lying down quickly and easily. Baby can ride on front, hip or back. It is great. I have been using it since my baby was about 8 weeks old and still use it sometimes when she wants to be held a lot and I need to get things done. She is 19 months, she likes to "ride on mommy" and "help" with whatever chore I am doing. I remember it took a few days to really get the hang of it though.
I think that Mother Natures on Clinton has slings/wraps they let people try out in the store.

R.

After three baby's, and lot's of experimenting, the Moby has been wonderful for me. It's comfortable, distributes baby's weight the best, and keeps baby close and secure. The Moby has my vote!

I LOVE my Moby wrap. I also have tried a sling and a Bjorn, but the Moby was most comfortable for me by far. The others hurt my back and neck. With the Moby all the weight is evenly distributed so it is very comfortable to wear and the baby is very secure. The Moby wrap is very similar to what "Theresa S" described. If you make your own you can find videos on Youtube to show you how to wrap it. It can be wrapped several different ways. It looks complicated at first but once you practice a few times it is very easy. When my daughter was first born she loved to be wrapped toward me so she could snuggle against me and sleep. At around five months old I started facing her out so she can see everything and she loves it. When I go shopping I tie my car keys to the end of the wrap and tuck my wallet into the folds of fabric.

Hi A.,

I have tried many carriers and my all-time favorite is the Moby. Your best bet is to try one on and see how it feels. You will know instantly if you love it or hate.

If you'd like, you are welcome to come by and I can show you some different ways to carry your baby. A couple practice runs and it's easy. It's so comfortable, I rarely got to carry my daughter when my husband and I went out together anywhere, because he would grab the Moby wrap first and insist on wearing her!

Here's our hours:

Punkin Butt
9025 SW Burnham St
Tigard, OR 97223

Ph: ###-###-####

M-W 10am to 6pm
Th-Fr Noon to 6pm
Evenings and Weekends By Appt.

I tried the Bjorn when my son was just born--- but love the Ergo-- the difference in how you wear them and weight distribution is amazing-- spendy but worth it
ALSO for real support the MOBY is awesome too- You become one with your baby
L
Congratulations

I read some of your posts-- sounds like he might have Reflux. I had a son with it-- I would be willing to give you as many suggests as you'd like;-) I researched it like mad.

Hotsling! My baby girl LOVED it and could sleep in it for hours until she was about four or five months old. The best part is that I can still use it and carry her on my hip. They're a bit spendy, but you get discontinued patterns online at babysnazz.com. Good luck!

Hi A.,

I make carriers and have a selection of stretchy and cotton wraps as well as mei tais that you'd be welcome to try if you want to see if these styles work well for you. Even if you'd rather not buy homemade maybe this would give you a better idea of what you're looking for! I also have a sling that I'd be more than willing to let you try on. I live in Shelton and I sell at the Farmer's Market here in Shelton on Saturdays, or I could come into PO if you'd prefer. Let me know if you'd like this and we can arrange something.
That being said, my absolute favorite for infants is the stretchy wrap. I love the way that it really "ties" them to my body keeping me. I found that for us it was the most hands free carrier that we've used for little ones. The others all have their wonderful attributes as well!

As someone who owns every type of baby carrier I can tell you that the one I and my daughter love the best is a Moby wrap. I did not use this with my first daughter because it looked like a major pain in the but to put on. Someone gave me one as a gift for my second baby and I figured I would never use it until she wrapped it on me with the baby inside. IT IS SO COMFORTABLE!!! And you don't have to hold baby because baby is swaddled to you it is very nice.

Wow! Lots of great advice/suggestions. I just purchased a locally-made ring sling at Birth and Beyond in Fremont ($34). It's nice, but the moby wrap is more comfortable for me. Unfortunately, my daughter (7 weeks) seems to enjoy being in the sling more--so we don't get the Moby out as much. She doesn't seem to like the Ergo carrier as much with me as she does with her father.

My suggestion is to take your son with you to a store that carries slings, wraps, etc., and see what he might prefer, or what seems to emulate how you tend to carry him. Not sure how easy that would be with a 14 month old in-tow! Otherwise, make sure there's a good return policy!