Addicted to Baby Carriers!

[QueenMab]

*cough* I'm an addict, but DD isn't!! I have a HAb & a baby bjorn with a baba sling on it's way to me right now & a keen eye on those babyhawks... omg how cool are they...?! I am not that financial however... not only that but Scally has just not co-operated with the baby wearing!! Liked the HAB once, never again, liked the baby bjorn once then never again... hoping this new sling will be THE one!! (& if it isn't I'll just have to sell them all & get some more! )

[~Belinda~]

Nelle, it's my DP that uses Baby Bjorn more than me anyway and he loves it but thanks for your advice all the same...

[Willow]

We have a ring sling (100knots I think it's called) and a baby bjorn. I must admit to using the baby bjorn more often than the ring sling because i just can't work the damn thing out!! Every time I've used it DH has had to help me, I couldn't do it on my own and I don't think we ever got it quite right, he never looked really comfy?? It's been sitting in my boot for weeks now and I've contemplated selling it.

I would love to learn how to use it properly but none of my friends or anyone I know uses one.

The baby bjorn is just so quick and easy to get DS in and out of, but I'll admit it kills my shoulders (I have a bad shoulder too).

Used a friends pouch sling when I was in Adelaide visiting and DS and I both hated it! Neither of us were very comfortable and he got soooo hot so quickly - he is a very warm baby though.

[{sarah}]

Nelle I just posted on your blog & now I hate you :nana: You have two very funky fabrics picked that I didn't even see when I was playing. Definitely gotta look into our budget this week LOL!

[melbel]

Nelle. I have the cho cho butterflies picked out as well for the store. I teamed it up with the pumpkin straps and it looks quite funky wih that colour. AND I also chose the boho blossom but the pink one with espresso straps......we have such similar tastes...scary!!!

[Mollygirl]

I initially bought a HAB and loved it! DD fell asleep in it every time, especially as a newborn and at a recent friends 30th fell asleep in the middle of the party in it. I can wear it for longer (it is really comfortable) but find it harder with breastfeeding because you really have to undo the whole thing to tighten it and I don't like the idea of it on the floor of the shops.

I bought the airflow babybjorn, particularly for summer as the HAB was a bit hot, and it was great for the 2-6mth period but now I cannot wear it for long as she is too heavy at about 8kg. It is easy to get on and off and she can face outward if we are just popping into the shops to pick up something quickly. Babybjorn are not suitable until 3.5kg according to the packaging.

I love wearing my daughter and having my hands free to hold DS's hand or just rocking her to sleep if we are out.

[~Kim~]

You girls are seriously evil....I'm not pregnant (that I know about) and my bub's too big to carry, but I've already talked DH into a Babyhawk from Mel lol. And scarily I had a look at your blog Nelle and everyone of your picked out fabrics except 1 is what I had written down to show DH......
I agree with the baby bjorn being only good until 8 kilos - but that got us 9 months and since I got it on ebay for cheap I didn't really mind.

I've also heard heaps of good and bad about the pouches and ring slings so I'm going to get some fabric and have a go at making them....can't hurt to have a few....

[suse]

Nelle - the cocoa sakura is yummo. That and the red sakura are in my fave list. I'm also partial to the pink cherry blossom and the natural echino birds and the red dragonflies.

I'm in a quandary - not sure whether to get a Beco, a Pikkolo, a Baby Hawk or a CatBirdBaby MT. I'm almost leaning towards a mei tai, the CBB is a lighter fabric without padding in the body and would be better suited to our hotter climate, but the BH looks comfier (and they are much much spunkier!).

What to do?...

[Nelle]

Muahaha...if I'm going to be addicted, I'm making sure you all stay hooked and go down with me.

Willow, maybe try YouTube for some ring sling observation? I know YouTube's helped me a bit with using Mei Tais - it really helps to see someone else do it.
I've yet to find the ring sling love, but that's cos the one I initially borrowed had a hugely padded shoulder so not very adjustable, and it was too big for me.
If you like the Bjorn (like we did before Riv got heavy way too quickly), how about another SSC (soft structured carrier), like the Ergo, Patapum, Pikkolo (oooh I'm so excited about getting mine!), umm Beco? I'm missing some...

So what are you going to do then Molly? Stick with the HAB? If you've got the knack of wrapping, I know there are more supportive wraps (a bit less stretchy) you can get - doesn't help you with the b/fing thing though.

Suse, think about what you want from a carrier - that will help you narrow it down. For example - who's going to use it? You? Your dh? Will he be cool with learning how to tie Mei Tai straps? Will you be cool adjusting buckle-able straps? Will you need to get something gender neutral? What kind of carries do you want to do? Does it need to be funky/pretty? Do you want a headrest/sleeping hood? Who will you be carrying, a newborn or toddler? And so on...

Seriously, all the people getting BabyHawks - share your fabric selections once you decide!! And any other features you decide to get!!
So far, my thinking is -
Charcoal,
reversible (so far, Boho Blossom Black one side, other side undecided BUT I saw a picture of a teal panel with charcoal and it looked ace - and teal's that bit more conservative if I want to babywear at a wedding/function),
no pocket,
toyring (for dummy or keys/phone/little purse, which I think would be too hard for a pocket, plus I back carry a lot).

Lol at us people with similar tastes! We'll either be stylish or daggy together!

Wish I could sleep...but since I can't, I'll go and think some more about BH panels... (after a glass of milk, frikkin heartburn!)

[Juliette]

Ok...I'm thinkin' about my new babyhawk ;o)

Black Straps
pistachio paisley (main - love this one!)
undecided about the reversible fabric...maybe black spring birds? pistachio peggy? birds and butterflies black? cranes and bonsai blue? charcoal sakura? or none?

or

Chocolate Staps
Surf and Sand Paisley (main)
Cocoa Sakura (reversible)

decisions, decisions...

[suse]

OK, so now I'm really in a quandary. I saw an Ergo IRL yesterday - my first one!! Gee they aren't overly pretty but they look comfy. I crash tackled (not literally) the lady wearing it and asked her very nicely if she liked it, and she ended up giving me a demo right there in the middle of the shopping centre - yay!

Too many choices. To answer the questions that Nelle asked me to ask myself - I want too much.
- I need something that is going to be good for longer carries and as Euan gets heavier - the two carriers I have start to become uncomfortable after less than an hour or so and he's only 6kg. My back and shoulders aren't great so it needs to have excellent back and shoulder support.
- I need something versatile enough for back, front and hip carry (outward front not important).
- It needs to be suitable for a hot, humid climate.
- I would like something that has a pocket large enough for my wallet, mobile and keys, and hopefully will fit a nappy in as well, so I don't have to carry a bag
- I would like something pretty/funky

I'm leaning towards a CatBirdBaby MeiTei in Oasabi (funky, reversable, light, easy, less structured), and/or an Ergo (comfort, long carries, sleeping hood, small pocket, but bulkier and less pretty).

Or there's the Babyhawk which I would love but worry that it would be a bit hot with the padding. Mel, if you are lurking, how do you reckon the BH would go in Nth Qld?

[melbel]

The babyhawk is not as thick as it looks and is cotton so very breathable. As far as a structured type carrier I would place the ergo as the hottest because it is a nonbreathable nylon fabric. The catbird would be similar to a babyhawk..... Most of the bayhawk "padding" is in the support ares like the head bum and straps. The body is actually quite breathable. Same with catbirdbaby mei tai and pikkolo. Hope that helps.
Having said that I dont know queenland weather but I reckon at the height of the season anything is gonna be too hot!!!!! LOL

[~Kim~]

nope I'm getting a cherry red one - buggar being conservative!

[Nelle]

Juliette, how does the pistachio paisley look with Brown straps? Just cos I love cocoa sakura, but the pistachio paisley is really lovely too!

Stinking BabyHawk though, I thought I was settled on Boho Blossom Black, but now it seems to be GONE!! Bummer!! Do they sell out of fabrics quickly Mel?

So now...I guess Birds and Butterflies Black instead...that was a suuuuper close second anyway, I liked it better as a fabric, but thought the Boho might make a better looking panel. And I think Cranes and Bonsai Blue for the other side...

Suse, to be honest, I think Mel's right, any carrier will be hot on a stinker in Qland. I *think* the google group Baby Carriers Downunder have quite a few Qlanders though, it might be worth joining and seeing what they use...

I kinda think the Ergo's ugly...though, I saw one on Ange and Jols (two other BBers) and theirs looked good, better than I thought they would, but I'm not a big fan of black. I think I remember you saying black would fit well with what you wear though, so that's probably not an issue for you then!
I think the Pikkolo's look better.

And speaking of Pikkolos....I got mine today!!!!!
We were rushing to a hospital appt today, I got in the car, and there was this big bulge under the floormat! Cute of dh, he knew I'd be excited to get it, so he hid it there!
I'll post a pic tomorrow, but it's awesome. I put Riv in the back carry, and he thought it was okaaay, but then Rans put Riv in a front carry and he loved it!! Which is good, cos that'll be the carrier that Rans uses. So it's most important that he likes it. I'm sure I'll pick up tricks and get better at using it along the way, but so far it's super easy to use!

Anyway, I'm so tired. Bed. May all your babywearing dreams be sweet, where the store doesn't sell out of the fabric you wanted!

[melbel]

Nelle, I just typed boho blossom black into the search function and it came up....maybe it is just out of stock. Actually I only just realised just then that there is more than one page to each of the fabric sections....how dumb am I...now I have more fabric choices to drool over!!!!

That fabric is a current one Nelle...I have the pink one i think here to make a dress out of so if you really want it it could be done by sending them the fabric perhaps or maybe email and see if they are getting more in? I will fire off an email to my friend Jess and see what the go is for ya!!

ETA: have emailed her Nelle...will prolly hear back in a day or so.

[Nelle]

Nelle, I just typed boho blossom black into the search function and it came up....maybe it is just out of stock. Actually I only just realised just then that there is more than one page to each of the fabric sections....how dumb am I...now I have more fabric choices to drool over!!!!

ETA: have emailed her Nelle...will prolly hear back in a day or so.

Mel! That's so funny, now you see why the decision's so hard to make!! All the best with all those new fabrics to discover!!

And yeah...I just typed boho blossom black and it came up too...so who knows what the deal is, because I also typed in Cranes & Bonsai Blue, and that didn't come up, yet it's under the 'Oriental' menu...perhaps it's all just a bit skewiff.

Thanks so much for emailing her, I'll keep exploring my options just in case the Boho Black's a no-go, but I really appreciate it!

Anyone else finding that there are panels that they love, but wouldn't put on their carrier and vice versa? Take that Boho Blossom Black for example - there are other panels I love much more, would have them on my wall in an instant, but I reckon the Boho would look really great as a Mei Tai panel!
Or am I the only crazy one...

[melbel]

I got an email today......boho black is out of stock and they dont know when they will get more fabric in so I guess keep looking Nelle! It's not like there is a shortage of choice there!!

[Nelle]

Ah poo. Back to the drawing board - but the drawing board's so big!!