Looking for Suggestions on a Baby Sling/wrap for My Eagerly Anticipated Newborn

Hi S.,

I have a 10 month old and a 3.5 year old, when the baby was born I got a Hot Sling because I needed my hands free with the 3 year old. I loved it and so did the baby, she was able to sleep in it and it was so comfortable for me. As she got bigger the sling wasn't as comfortable any more but sometimes she still wants to be held and I need to be able to play and chase the older one so I got a Ergo Baby Carrier www.ergobabycarrier.com . This is the best invention, it is the most comfortable baby carrier ever! My daughter loves to be on my back and I can get lunch and dinner going and still be holding her. I wish I knew about this with my fist! Hope this helps.

I couldn't use the wrap or the sling as confortably as I had hoped so I went to the local walmart and got one of those baby carriers. It's like a little backpack actually a frontpack for the baby who can face forward or backward. I could clean the house, do dishes, even vaccum which is a good thing to start when the baby is small my son would always fall asleep while I was doing that. In the begining the baby may cry but if you don't everytime you vaccum anyway they will cry or get scared. Look into the frontpack prices start at $15 and go up to over $100. I think the one I bought was $25 and I used it until my son met the maximum height (he's 3 now and almost 4 ft. tall). I hope this helps.
New Mom to the group.
V.

If you are a style-conscious mom, I recommend the sling from Mamma's Milk (http://www.mammasmilk.com/) They are absolutely gorgeous and perfect to take with you on the go as they fold easily and take little space, and it's easy to put on and take off. It's very comfortable for the baby, too. They have gorgeous patterns and a lot of them are available in silk brocade. This one is perfect for winter because you can easily wear it over heavy clothes and take iot off just as easily as you take off your jacket.

I also own a Moby Wrap, which is great for summer, as it's very soft and comfortable and supports your entire back. It's especially wonderful for small babies because they are well supported and feel cuddled. It's available in lots of different colors, I had a hard time choosing! Go to MobyWrap.com and you'll see a list of stores (also online) that carry it.

The Ultimate Baby Wrap is great & you can buy it online or at Babies R Us. It comes with an instructional video & it holds up to 35lbs. You can use to nurse, as a sling or as a front or rear carrier. The wraps are much more comfortable then the snugglies or slings because you can distribute the weight better, it's not just on your back & shoulders. Good luck to you & your new addition.

This is the best site I found for learning about wraps, how to use them and how to make them: http://www.mamatoto.org/ They have videos and/or instructions for all the different carries and break them down by age and position (front carry, side carry, back carry, etc). I made a few of my own based on the instructions on that site and I loved them.

Good luck!

I carried my now 26 month old daughter in slings until she was about 18 months old adn now occasionally. I stopped only because she is too big for me. I tried several and the best one (I have slipped disks on my lower back and a couple of other ailments and I had a very big baby for was always off the growth charts) was Over teh Shoulder Baby Holder. It may not be the most chic or stylish (I tried those too) but it worked the best for me. It has slight padding for you on the shoulder (not overwhelming) and it adjusts easily (not all do) and you can use it from newborn to toddler (if you so wish). Not all slings grow with the child. It is great for nursing (not all are easy for nursing) if you are planing to nurse. You can look it up on line and also local La Leche League groups sell them. I know the Jersey City/ Hoboken La Leche League sells it because that is where I got mine (you can find them on teh web under la leche league of jersey city. The added bonus there is that they will help you get started adn show you all the ways to take advantage of it, especially Jennifer in teh Jersey City group. She is an expert. She has 2 kids and never used a stroller once.

Good luck and sorry about the typos.

Best,
R.

I also have a Maya Wrap. I find it awkward for nursing, but it very comfortable for carrying my 4 month old. It takes some practice - especially for nursing, but is very convenient and can be used for as long as your back can support the weight of your baby (newborn - toddler). The Maya Warp comes with a video that shows the many ways you can use it.

Good luck!

I found a wrap on Target.com called Swaddle Me kid wrap, it has velcro and a fun, colorful design on it.

I didn't use one but alot of friends recommend www.mayawrap.com. It has slings, wraps and pouches so you would be able to find one that suites your needs. Congrats on your pregnancy.

Hi S.,

I bought the Maya wrap sling and I absolutely love it!! I know they ahve something specfically geared to infants, but the maya wrap can be used to little ones also. I still use it to for my 11 month old, when I have to do some running around. The wraps can be purchased on http://www.mayawrap.com/. They are a ring sling, and I know some people don't find them comforatable, but I think its the easiest thing espically since your hands free. I hope this helps.- C.

each baby is different-- with my fist two i used a front pack becasue they didint like the sling but with cyndi who's know one i used a combo sling/ wrap-- i borrowed one of my friends but just googles both wraps and slings-- its mostly a large piece of cloth for the wrap and the sling just is the cloth with a metal attachment-- it took some practice but i eventually got it down here's one site i found
<http://www.calinbleu.com/wearingstyles.php&gt;

My friend loves the Ellaroo. I'm not sure if the spelling is right. But it looks like the easiest to use of all I've seen. However, it look s like it might be easier for 3 months and up. I think your baby will need to hold his/her head up first. Anyway, check them out on line!

There are numerous different types of slings, pouches, wraps and carriers on this site.

www.attachedtobaby.com

T. stretchy material is good if you keep on those extra pounds after T. baby or if you are sharing it.

We use a Baby Bjorn front pack carrier too. Great for more active chores, like mowing T. lawn or vacuuming.

Hi S. :)

A baby wrap is a very simple piece of fabric, roughly 6" long and 18-24" wide and kind of stretchy. There are a wide variety of ways they can be used, such as in the front facing you a la kangaroo care, forward facing in the front, or in the back facing either direction, or even as a sling, which is the most convienent for breastfeeding (babies who are nursing appear to be sleeping, so it is very discreet). There are many, many different kinds - Maya and Moby wraps are two that come to mind.

They can be purchased online, or in certain stores. They do take some practice, getting used to wrapping yourself and your baby in. There are lots of online sites with a variety of methods to try, and you may even be able to find free classes near you at stores that sell them (I actually know a woman who teaches classes as her business).

I have used one, though I do not currently own one. My friend had made it for herself out of some pretty fabric she'd purchased, and she just sewed seams all around so the edges would be nice. It's way cheaper to do it that way, if you have the skills and tools :) I found it to be extremely comfortable and secure, and actually prefer it over my Snugli. They are nice, they don't cut into your shoulders as they distribute weight really nicely, and they are fundamentally simple.

Good luck to you!

I am a mom of 4, the youngest is 5 mo. I swear by the new native baby carrier. You have to buy it online, and you choose your size, so it is all one piece. I think it is the best on the market. My hands were free to do everything. When she was a newborn, she didn't like to be put down. I could even swing her to my back and do the dishes! Tip- I am quite heavy and used a L in the beginning and then purchased an XL when she got bigger, my husband also fits into it. Most woman would probally use a medium. These are a hot ticket item if you want to sell it on ebay when you are done with it!

Try www.wearyourbaby.org. There are instructions on the variety of slings/ wraps and how to use them. For a newborn infant, some slings can be big and baby gets "lost". A "wrap" is simply a long stretch of fabric that is tied around mom and baby. Did you try a ring-sling or a non adjustable the first time? I have found that for nursing in, a ring-sling was the best. For longer days of wearing, a wrap worked well and was great for my back. Now that dd is 5 mo, and bigger, we use a pouch in a hip carry while working, but the ring sling for ina and out use. www.mayawrap.com has beautiful new and used slings and wraps, as well as detailed instructions on their use. Good luck!

I was given a Maya wrap when I had my first and while I know a lot of people love them I HATED it. Now I have a SlingSet sling which I absolutly love. It's all one piece so there is no big clunky buckle to deal with and no extra fabric getting in your way. The SlingSet is easy put on and take off, fold up really small to stick in the diaper bad and doubles as a small blanket. You could also look at the Hot Slings which are the same thing really as the one I have but come in lots of fun patterns and colors. They also have a fleece one which would be great for VT winter.

Hi S.-
I have to say, I used the Baby Bjorn with my son. It was the only one he would go in. I tried a sling, but he absolutely hated it! I think every baby is so different, you could try a sling and a front carrier and see what your baby prefers.