How to wear bubs all day

[Melody7]

I would really like to wear Ethan as much as possible during the day.

We have a Hug-a-Bub and recently bought a Comfy Carry "Babyrock" sling (for the beach). I absolutely swear by the HAB and am pining dreadfully for it (it's been comandiered (sp) for a week).

I often wear Ethan for his afternoon nap and always use the HAB for our daily walks and whenever we're shopping, however I'd like to get to the stage when he's in it for the majority of the day (benefiting from being up at my level etc).

Does anyone actually do this? I'm definately an attachment mummy and am keen to perfect my parenting style. Is there a better carrier for this purpose? I keep thinking of all those African women with their babies - in some cultures, babies don't touch the ground until about 6 months!

Love to hear your thoughts....

[Nelle]

Hmm. Perhaps own a variety of carriers then, you might find that different ones suit each day's activity best, depending on what you're up to.

Maybe a soft structured carrier (that has the support of a hiking backpack, but is soft) could be good for walking. Umm...brands. You could google soft structured carrier probably. Ergo, Patapum...

We have a Mei Tai (Bear Hug Baby, and she doesn't make them anymore), but they can be made, or brands are um...Mei Tai Baby, Baby hawk, I think Pikkolo?

I've heard wraps are the most versatile (ones with a bit less stretch than the HAB, stretch is awesome for newies, but maybe too much won't do an older kid?), but they can have a pretty steep learning curve, since you have to master how to wrap all the different positions. If you have the Hug a bub though, you probably have a head start on that learning though.

I think, if I was going to be wearing around the house...I'd get a lightly padded Mei Tai of some sort, but one that buckled instead of tied, so I could get it on and off easily for toilet trips etc...maybe a Pikkolo?

Keep in mind though, I really am still very much in the baby carrier learning stages, so take all this with many many grains of salt! Hopefully someone more learned will come along to help you. Let us know what you come up with!

[Melody7]

Thanks so much for those ideas Nelle. I'm looking into all those options. I just need something that balances the weight evenly and doesn't cause me pain in the shoulders (this sling I'm wearing makes my shoulder ache!).

[Nelle]

How's the researching going Melody?

[Melody7]

Hi Nelle,

Thanks for touching base. I went to an ABA (Aust B/feeding Assoc) meeting today and saw someone wearing an Ergo. It looked pretty good, but I'd like to try one out before paying $140 for one..... They also showed me an ABA branded carrier that had simple buckles.

I think you're right - I'm realising that I'll need a few different carriers for different things. I've subscribed to a Google group (hope I can mention this - sorry if I'm not meant to!) called "Babycarriersdownunder" and apparently they are a network of serious babywearers who have carriers I've never even heard of (German brands etc) that you can try out! I've yet to delve into this site a bit more - hard to do things with a little one around

I wonder what a ring sling would be like?.....

[Nelle]

Melody, I've found just going through BCD and reading the discussions can teach you a lot - you hear a baby carrier mentioned, you google it, and go ohhhh okay.

I agree that it would be a good idea to try a carrier before you buy. Another option to consider if you're impatient (like I probably will be) is to just check the resale value of whatever carrier you buy. Ergos have pretty good resale value I think, especially if you decide pretty quickly that it's not the one for you. BCD has loaning collection too, if you get approved for that it could help you decide.