Pouch, ring, HAB, mei tai, Baby Bjorn, wrap...???

[Cricket]

I would love to hear suggestions and recommendations from people who have tried these different carriers. I am really interested in trying something different for carrying this baby (plus Marieke will still be using the stroller when this one comes, and we don't want to have to get a double one) but I really don't have a clue as to what is the best way to go. My babies gain weight quickly, and so I need something that will likely be comfortable even when they get bigger. (The girls were both 20+lb at 6 months.) I've liked the look of most of the carriers I've seen, although the wraps seem like a little much material to be wearing. The entire upper body seems to be covered. It does look really comfy for the baby, though. Also, it would be nice to find something that would work for DH and me. He is 6'4" and 280lb (mostly muscle ) and I am 5'7" and hoping to get down to 160lb after this baby. Many of the adjustable carriers are also quite expensive, so I would want to be pretty sure that they would be good before ordering one. One other thing that I wonder about is how hot does it feel to always have your baby on you? Wouldn't you both cook?!
So please send me your recommendations, and the advantages/disadvantages that you have discovered. Thanks!

[Danni]

took me a few times to get used to it but now I cant live without my HAB! I take it everywhere and both Mason and I love it!

I always make sure I am wearing a thin top underneath and that he is only wearing thin clothes too as it can get a bit hot and sweaty. Apparently there is another way of tying it in the hotter months but I havent worked that out yet.

good luck!

[Edensmumma]

i just got an ergo.... it is amazing.. so comfy and is for babies/toddlers up to 40pounds... ive also got the HAB which is my most favourite thing ever. I would recommend this for anyone, esp newborns... if you plan on wearing ur babe alot i wouldnt get a sling or baby bjorn- not good for you or bubs spine...
HTH
xoox

[MantaRay]

I have a pocket sling - the one with rings on the shoulder and it's fantastic. It took a while to get good at putting it on quickly and properly, but I couldn't live without it now. Tom is 10 months and over 9kgs and while I sometimes put them both in the stroller, I still mostly shop with Tom in the sling.

[~Amy~]

I have the baby bjorn......its only really good for little babies. Even then u get a sore back after a while. Sometimes i still try to squeeze bodhi in it( he is like 9.5kg....i think that must be its max weight) & after a short while i'm out of breath & my back is killing me. It doest offer alot of support. To be honest i'm thinking about getting a HAB for him. Iv heard its comfy & gives alot of support for ur back. I'm not sure of the ages & weight for it tho???

[paradise lost]

I had a Kari-me when DD was newborn (same as HAB). It was marvelous for the tummy-to-tummy carry and the facing-the-world front carry. When she hit about 8kg she started to get too heavy for the front carries for me. You CAN tie on the back with it but it takes either a helper (i'm a single parent) or a co-operative toddler and i didn't have either! lol XP still uses it and carries her on his front, he doesn't seem to mind though he does moan incessantly about his bad back.

For a long while then i carried her on my hip, supported with a length of cloth tied into a sling (literally just tied on a knot, then the knot in front of my shoulder and her supported onto the opposite hip) but she soon started to throw my back out as she was getting so big.

So i made a meitai carrier for her myself on the sewing machine a few weeks ago, you can see the pic in my "crafty things" album in the gallery, and we LOVE it. I usually put her on my back and she's MUCH lighter in this carrier. It's a crepe fabric so it's not too hot, and we're not in the warmest climate so in a way i like the less worry about her being warm when she's in it - i can feel how cosy she is myself. I can email you the instructions if you or someone you know would like to make one.

Bec

[Cricket]

So i made a meitai carrier for her myself on the sewing machine a few weeks ago, you can see the pic in my "crafty things" album in the gallery, and we LOVE it. I usually put her on my back and she's MUCH lighter in this carrier. It's a crepe fabric so it's not too hot, and we're not in the warmest climate so in a way i like the less worry about her being warm when she's in it - i can feel how cosy she is myself. I can email you the instructions if you or someone you know would like to make one.

Bec

I would love to have instructions Bec. Thanks so much! Can you PM them to me, or would you rather have my e-mail address?
I mentioned the carrier/wrap/sling idea to DH and he doesn't sound too enthused about the whole situation. I'm guessing that spending large amounts of money on this isn't going to go over too well. So making one myself, or finding one second hand is probably going to be the best bet for me. (and that's fine - heavens only knows I don't need to spend money just for the fun of it! )
Thanks for all the suggestions so far ladies. I would love to hear more! So far it sounds like the HAB is a pretty good way to go, but as I just said, I don't know if spending $100, plus the shipping and taxes is going to fly with DH. I'll have to keep my eyes open for a good one on e-bay, or something.

[{sarah}]

We had a Baby Bjorn & hardly ever used it cos it was just murder on my back. Next time I'm planning on getting a HAB or Calmawrap which are both very similar.

[~Flossie~]

i only have a Baby Bjorn.. and while it is really easy to use and great for newborns its not the best idea if you have a heavy bubba like me.. he is 10 months and around 10 kilos, so when my DD is tired and want to go in the pram i use it and get a very sore lower back!

next child will defn look at another carrier!

[MamaPan]

there is also the baby bjorn active which has extra back support and i have heard quite good things about it. They have also bought out the baby bjorn air which is extra breathable so good if you tend to overheat.

[Shellbelle]

Hi, I brought a HAB this time round after trying other carriers like baby bjorn with my first 2. I LOVE the HAB. Angus also loves it and settles almost immediately when I put him in it. Also I can wear it shopping for hours and my back feels fine. I use it around the house when he is grizzly, esp when I am cooking dinner and stuff, I have 2 free hands and he just sleeps!! I did have to watch the DVD a few times to get the hang of it, but is easy once you do! Good Luck!!

*Michelle*

[Edensmumma]

Cricket it is 100 buks, but when u see ur bub fall aslepp in under 2 mins and you can go about ur stuff.. it'll be like those adds... "priceless" oo oooo just thinking, you prolly dont have those adds... There's a member on belly belly FionaJill who would prolly make you one... ir you read her blog.... she says she made one exactly the same and will make one for belly belly members- it would work out to be less than half price.(plus my comission now as well, of course)

[Fi]

Yep - I second the HAB. It will go brilliantly for the first 6m or so, and its hands free too, which is just so important when you have a toddler running around.
I would imagine they have a good resale value too.

We have a ring sling as well, but didn't start using it til he had good neck control and was happy being in an upright hold (about 4-5m or so). Our Ergo is just starting to get used more now with hamish but we use it alot for Jenna too.
But for the newbie stage, I dont think you can beat a HAB style wrap

[Tracey]

I wore Indah in a HAB when we were in Qld last year July so she was 10mths, I continued to wera her for a few months after that too... But once she started walking we took the pram alot more & then I was pregnant!

But I've seen ppl weraing 12+mth olds!!!

[Edensmumma]

Caro, till ur not comfy any more... Eden is still very comfy in ours and she is 7 months and 8.5 kg.... on the dvd they have toddlers in it?!?

[Fi]

We carried Jenna wil about 12m, and then she was walking well, so we let her walk rather than be in the wrap.

[sunshine_sieben]

I love my HAB. It has saved my sanity. Maya can be quite gassy and impossible to settle at times. But within a couple of minutes in the HAB, she's fast asleep. Quite amazing, really. Sometimes I walk around for an hour with no success and then I put her in the HAb and it's instant. Couldn't live without it. She's only 2 months old, so I haven't had the issue of summer heat. But it does get quite cozy. I usually only wear a thin long-sleeved shirt underneath. I'd imagine you wouldn't need to wear much in summer. It takes a few tries to get the hang of tying it, but then it's no problem.
So, I second Gill's comment, it's worth every cent.
Am looking at getting the ergo too for ease of use.

[paradise lost]

Hi Cricket,

Sure i'll email instructions.

I need your email as it's in the form of a pretty big Word Doc and i can't attach to PM's. You can PM your email addy if you want, to keep it off forums.

You can use the Kari-me (same as HAB so similar here too i'd think) until bubs is 15kg, but it stops being comfy about 5kg before that! lol You can put a tired toddler on your back with it, but you really need help to get them on and get everything flat and comfy for you both (i found) but my wrap/mae tia in general, for me, really come into their own when bubs is good at walking but still small enough to get tired out easily.

Bec