There are so many, just wondering which is easiest to use in terms of safety, comfort, getting bub in and out, breast feeding...chasing a toddler etc...
Thanks
We use a baba sling and love it. The only downside is not being able to bend over or anything..
But if you can, I suggest going along to a baby expo where you can get demonstrations (or a local baby shop that stocks slings) - so you can see what's right for YOUR baby. That's what we did and we put Liam in the sling crying and within a minute he was asleep. We said 'we'll take it!'...
May I suggest that you have a think about what features you want from a carrier - what is most important to you? Realistically, there is no one carrier that suits all people, and that performs all functions. Different carriers also suit different body types/sizes, so what suits an average sized mum may not suit a very petite mum (the Ergo can be a very good example of this, as can many of the padded buckle slings like Bubba Moe and Baby Rock). Anything that is 'shaped' will suit particular body types better than others. Within each genre of carriers, eg: ring sling, mei tai, SSC, there are any number of different brands, each with their own specific design and shape, so if one does not suit you, another might.
To answer some of your points:
- safety: what exactly do you think of when you ask about safety? To be safe, a carrier should fit well and be well made with no flaws in the construction. Potentially though, any type of carrier has the potential to be safe or unsafe.
- comfort: overwhelmingly, a wrap (stretchy or woven for newborn, woven for older babies), is the most comfortable type of carrier, as it is infinitely flexible and adjustable. This is especially true for wearing for long periods of time, pressure points can be more easily avoided in a good wrap. However, a wrap has the steepest learning curve and is not as quick to put on as other carriers. Mei tais are another good alternative if you cannot find a SSC that works well for you - quicker to put on than wraps, but more adjustable than an SSC. Generally speaking, two shouldered carriers will be more comfortable than one shouldered carriers, especially for long wears and for carrying older children.
- ease of getting in and out: pouches, SSCs (soft structured carriers) and ring slings are the easiest carriers to get baby in and out of, although there are some wrap carries that can be pretied for easy in and out. (Pouches are not a good carrier if more than one person intends to wear them - they are sized to the wearer and non adjustable)
- breast feeding: adjustability is key for easy breastfeeding. A ring sling is usually considered the easiest sling to feed in, as baby can either be in a cradle position or vertically. Unlike a pouch, it can be adjusted to bring baby closer to your breast. For babies who like to be vertical, a mei tai is more easily adjusted than a SSC.
- ease of movement. Many people find that a wrap allows for the most ease of movement, as it can be worn in a number of positions from newborn (even back carries), unlike most SSCs. An Ergo can only be used in a front carry with the infant insert from newborn, as can most other SSCS (Pikkolos are an exception to this, as the seat can be cinched in).
I have given more of a general overview rather than any specific advice, if you can give us more information - what attributes are most important to you in a carrier, and what size (height / build) you are, then a choice can be narrowed down. It's also worth remembering that some carriers are specialists - ie: good for a particular circumstance (eg: stretchy wraps like HABs are great for newborn wearing but not as good for older babies, pouches are great for quick up and down carries but may not be comfortable for long wears), and others are more generalist. If you have very specific requirements you may consider getting more than one carrier (eg: a pouch or ring sling for quick up and down carries, an Ergo or other SSC for longer wears and for when they are older, or a good wrap).
Nettie, Suse is the expert. I read everything she writes. Has always been tops for choosing for me.
I have 3
A baby bjorn - DH prefers this as it's easy on and off, and easy to get bub in and out. We however are both fit and strong in the back (our jobs requires us to wear a bunch of heavy equipment on a belt) so neither of us find it uncomfortable BUT I know lots do. We also haven't had really heavy babies either.
A pouch - I love this and so did Nate (thank goodness). I thought I wouldn't get much use of it once he outgrew being cradled in it, but I was so wrong. I love to have it with me all the time. Even now he can sit on my hip and I still have 2 hands free (great when you have a naughty naughty toddler like I do). I can also carry Darcy in it if need be. Drawback is, it only fits me. I would need to make DH his own. I find it really comfy too and fair dinkum it's so quick and easy to get on and off.
A meitei - I saved a thread of Suse's from a while back where she made her own. I made one off the same pattern and man I wish I had had it for Darcy. My snuggly little man just loves it, and it quite happy in it for hours. It's a bit more fiddly to tie, but once you get the hang it's all good. It also carries either of my children (7kg five monther or 15kg 3year old) and both of us can and do wear it.
Like I said I made the meitei and the pouch as well. I get the most fantastic comments when I am wearing either of those. Both dead easy.
Thanks Kim! I'm not really an expert, compared to many I am a real noob! Most of what I know is from trial and error and from what I've learnt from the real experts!
I have read so many of suse's posts and she has led me to so much information
I started with a hug a bub and it was ok but was far too much trouble for a newborn - I highly recommend the close carrier for the forst 6 months
after that we have now moved on and .... well... i have a few, but I must say they all have their place. For a 5 month old I would look at mei teis, soft structured carriers and woven wraps. I was very much anti wrap to begin with (after trying the HAB with a newborn!) but with an older baby it is so different, there is so much support and they basically feel weightless, but you do need to learn the different ways to use them. wrapababy has some great videos. I am in love with my wrap and have another on the way
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Baby Sling Recommendations please?
etc...
Thanks Kim! I'm not really an expert, compared to many I am a real noob! Most of what I know is from trial and error and from what I've learnt from the real experts!
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