I used a peanut shell with my second baby and loved it: http://www.goo-ga.com/
Here's another website that has reviews and forums about different slings and carriers: http://www.thebabywearer.com/
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.
I would stay with what you all ready have. My second baby, I bought the sling for and I didn't think it was comfortable for me or her. She would cry in the sling and when I put her in the Bjorn she would fall asleep within minutes!!! YEAH!! I returned the sling after using it a couple of times. Plus, I am short, so even if I did the strap to the shortest setting, the baby seemed to bang on my hip/waist too much. I felt I couldn't move or bend over, so what was the point to putting her in the sling. Best of Luck and Congrats with the new addition to your family!!
Hi Laura,
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!!
DeDe Frerichs, SHADE Color Consulting
www.shadecolorconsulting.com
Hi Laura,
Consider the Moby Wrap as the cloth is soft, slightly stretchy and will go over both shoulders comfortably.
LILO
Hi Laura,
I didn't have any success with the sling. Baby #2 did not like being on her back or side, so she just screamed every time I started to put her in it. I think I successfully got her in there when she was sleeping once or twice. The Bjorn worked great for baby #1 and #2. As long as you have a strong back, you'll find it's just as convenient as the sling. If I were you, I would purchase the sling and try it. If it doesn't work out then return.
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...
Baby-wearing websites...
I have a 3 1/2 month old and have 3 carriers: the Baby Bjorn Sport, a Zolowear ring sling and a MetroMamma wrap (similiar to Moby wrap). I absolutely love the sling and the wrap and wear them both regularly. I find that I use the Bjorn the least because it is the least comfortable for me and my daughter doesn't seem to like it as well. I live in the city and we rarely use our stroller. When we go out, I use either the sling or the wrap because it is so much easier than maneuvering the a stroller...especially on the ice and snow. The Metromamma wrap is the most comfortable for me and I love the way it looks and how versatile it is...there are so many different ways to wear the baby depending on the age, mood and development. It takes some practice putting it on, but after a few times I can do it in less than 5 minutes. Because it is more complicated to get in and out of than the sling, I use the sling when I know I will need a quicker option. If you decide to get a sling, I recommend the ring slings as they are adjustable for different users (dad can wear it, too) and have a few more wearing options than the hotslings.
Hi Laura,
I used a "sling" with my now 10 month old daughter, but she quickly outgrew it and I used the Bjorn when she got a little bigger. The sling was great, she was able to be close to me, yet I could still get a few things done.
Congrats on your upcoming baby! :)
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!
Definitely, sling is the way to go. I have quite a few and love them! Go to slinglings.com.
-Ann
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.
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.
hi laura. i have one child, turning 5 in march. i used the NOJO sling from newborn to 4 months and i lOVED IT. can't say enough good things about "wearing" your baby. convenient. nurturing. comforting for baby. i know a lot of babies love the bjorn, but my son hated it, and i always felt like he was just hanging there. i'd switch to the bjorn after 3-4 months. my opinion, sling is the way to go for the first 3-4 months. good luck! lu
I'm not sure what to suggest when your second is quite small because I didn't find a good option at that time. I bought a "hotsling" when my son was a bit older and think it could be a good try with a second initially. DON'T recommend the ring sling...it was a complete pain.
That said, let me say that the ERGO is by far the best baby product across the board. You can use it far beyond the baby bjorn...I think it is much more secure, and my son loved it. It won't work for a tiny baby, but I imagine you'll want a way to carry your second for some time while chasing around your first and I just can't recommend the Ergo enough. (The ergo works front and back but I have only used it in the front because my son is super squiggly).
I have used a New Native sling since my daughter was a newborn. She is just now getting big for it at 10 mos old. It was $40 at babystyle.com. My main bit of advice is don't pay a huge amount for a sling until you have gotten to try out some of the options. I spent $100 for a custom made ring sling when I was pg with my 1st. I never managed to use the thing!! It just wasn't right for me. Also, I believe kellymom.com has instructions on how to make your own sling if you can sew or have access to a sewing machine (it's really simple).
Laura,
I had a Bjorn with my first, ande used it occasionally. I just had my second 2 months ago and got the Moby Carrier. I love it! It looks like a lot of fabric (and it is!) but it is so easy to put on and there are many positions that the baby can be in. It is also great because in some of the positions it offers head-support, so i have actually done exercise classes with my 2 1/2 year old in a stroller and carrying my newborn in my Moby.
Good luck, and congrats!
Amy
Sling is definitely a better option. I have both a bjorn (with back support) and a wrap. Slings tend to be better on your back and more versatile, not to mention can be used with a toddler using a back carry - no they're not too heavy! Go to BeBy Baby on Roscoe in the city to try lots of cloth carriers out to find the best one for you (ring sling, pocket, wrap, mei tai, ergo (cadillac of the bunch), rebozo, etc.).
Yes! Sling! So much easier. Can wear it around all day even. I loved my Moby Wrap for when my 2nd was little and now that she's bigger, I love to use my Maya Wrap more. You can use a Maya for a little baby though, you don't HAVE to buy 2. My distributor is in Warrenville right off 88/Winfield Rd. Stacey: lmartinez301 AT comcast Dot Net.
Congrats on baby #2!
Sling! You MUST sling! Ok, so I'm biased (I own a company that makes slings - nestbabysling.com) BUT I don't know how mama's get by without them! My son is 2 and still loves to be worn and with your second, keeping the baby close (and portable!) is even more essential. I recommend ring slings over pouches and wraps for first timers as they are much easier to fit, a breeze to get the hang of and very versatile.
Good luck, and congrats!
Ashlee