Which baby sling?... and why?

[suse]

I have... ummm... a few carriers , each of which serve a different purpose.

Woven wraps:
- 4.5 mtr Vatanai (long wraps are good for multi layer carries - eg: FWCC - front wrap cross carry). The Vat is a good summer weave, but is not as supportive for older babies, even in multi layer carries.
- Size 2 (2.7mtr) Didymos Jim Jade (linen blend). Linen is really supportive for older babies/toddlers, this is a rebozo length wrap which I predominately use for quick hip carries. My DS is not patient enough to stay still long enough to let me wrap him in back carries unfortunately, but he still likes being wrapped for cuddles.
- Size 4 (3.7mtr) Didymos Jim Jade. A longer length 'shorty' which is a good length for kangaroo carry, ruck carries, and hip cross carries.

Ring Slings:
- Psling (these are a fantastic ring sling - they have a wider body, so great for toddlers, a unique shoulder style which is really good for people with narrow shoulders, and once adjusted don't need to be readjusted).
- Wrap Conversion (a Didymos 'waves' weave converted to a ring sling).

Mei Tais:
- Wrap Conversion mei tai (the rest of the Didymos 'waves' wrap which has been made into a mei tai with wrap style straps, which are wide and unpadded - this gives the comfort of a wrap and the convenience of a mei-tai).
- DIY BBO (Ball Baby Overall) mei tai. These have wide, unpadded straps, similar to a wrap conversion. I find wider straps more comfortable, especially in a front carry with crossed straps on back.

SSCs (Soft Structured Carrier):
- Beetlebums SSC (this is my beautiful beast, uber comfortable and supportive with my heavy, tall toddler).
- Bamberoo Solarveil SSC. Equal in supportiveness to the Beetlebums, but with a solarveil panel in the body (and solarveil hood), making it much cooler than a solid bodied carrier.
- Scootababy hip carrier. Fantastic if DS wants cuddles or a feed, but supportive enough to wear literally all day. This is also my DP's preferred carrier, as it is great for quick up and down trips.

I've also had (but sold):
- Catbirdbaby Mei Tai. These are a great mei tai for smaller babies, and for petite mums as they have a narrow strap angle. Also good for newborns who like legs out as they can be cinched in at the bottom. Catbirdbaby also make the Pikkolo buckle carrier which has a similar advantage.
- Connecta buckle-tai (a mei tai with buckles). Again, great for when DS was smaller, and really good for petite mums, but I found this less supportive with a toddler, and needed a wider bodied carrier as he got older.
- Storchenwiege 'Leo' wrap (3.5mtr). This was bought predominately for ruck back carries, but the weave is too hot for the tropics. Great supportive, bombproof wrap though.
- Olives & Applesauce SSC. These are fantastic if you can get one. Too wide in the shoulders for me though unfortunately.
- Ergo. Great for lots of people, again, too wide in the shoulders for me. I also found it too short in the body for my tall baby.
- Bear Hug Baby Ring Sling. These are a fantastic, well priced Australian made ring sling.
- Solarveil Ring Sling. This was my water carrier when DS was little.

As for feeding in a carrier, you can pretty much feed in any carrier from a front or hip carry, but some are definitely easier than others. Pouches are a little more tricky to feed in if a baby prefers to be upright, as they can't be adjusted to lower the baby to the breast. Likewise with SSCs, because of the structured waist band they are a bit harder to feed in, but still doable.

A really important thing to consider is not all carriers suit every wearer, and some are better for smaller or larger babies (or smaller or larger wearers). Some for example, are specifically designed for toddlers. Others have shorter bodies or cinching mechanisms which work better for smaller babies. Sure, I, or anyone else, can say what we prefer and why, and this will give you a good point to start from, but it's pretty subjective. The best way to find out is to try. If you have access to friends with carriers, ask if you can try it on first.

A few general tips though:

Generally speaking, the easier a carrier is to put on (or the less steps involved in doing so), the less adjustable it is.

Wraps are the most versatile and adjustable (and ultimately most comfortable in terms of fit), but have the highest learning curve, and can be difficult if you have an impatient baby or toddler. Stretch wraps (like a HAB) are better for smaller babies, not so supportive for older ones as they sag. Woven wraps are preferable for older babies.

Pouches are the least adjustable - they must be sized to the wearer. Few people (although there are exceptions) find them supportive enough for toddlers. One shouldered carriers are generally not as supportive as two shouldered carriers, as the weight is distributed unevenly.

SSCs can only be adjusted as far as the buckles let them. Very petite wearers often find it difficult to get a good fit on many SSCs. The shoulders are often too wide (slipping off in a back carry), or can't be tightened enough. The waist may be too big.

Ring Slings and Mei Tais both have great adjustment capabilities, but there are many different types and some work better for some wearers, others for different wearers. Ring slings have different shoulder styles, mei tais have different sized bodies and strap construction.

Not saying this to confuse the heck out of you, but just so that you know that if you like the idea of a mei-tai (for example), and try a particular brand that doesn't feel right for you, there are always alternatives.

HTH!