Too many to choose from...

[Nelle]

A lot of it comes down to personal preference - what you and the bub are comfortable with. Do you want one just for the new bub or one they can share?

I had a Baby Bjorn when Riv was born, and I found similar to you, that he got too heavy for it before too long - that's where I think the Ergo type come into their own (think the 'category' for them is 'soft structured carrier', so that could be worth a google).

I have a Mei Tai, mine's unpadded with long ties - I find it really comfy, though I can be a bit unco at tying if I'm out of practice - but I love how versatile they are, with front and back carries. Never quite mastered a side carry.
I really like the look of the ones with buckles instead of long ties - there are even ones you can cinch at the front to do a front carry, Baby Bjorn style, with bub facing out I think?
That's probably what's on my wishlist at the moment, I love the Mei Tai style, but the long ties can be a pain. Or I could just get some more practice.
Oh, and Riv seems to find this really comfy, he falls asleep in this one.

I also have a Pouch, which I love for shorter trips, like ducking into shops, or when I've parked too far away, or places like church where I end up just standing around holding Riv while talking. I got it cos it's the easiest to use with my pregnant belly - I carry Riv on my hip, and it's a piece of cake.
I'll be interested to see how the newie likes it in cradle carry.
You really have to make sure it fits you well though, I can imagine a pouch that was too big for you being a disaster, handsfree really relies on the pouch holding bub close to you.

I've never used a wrap, many people rave about them, about how versatile they are, if you get the right one. I've heard HAB's are great for nb's, and then after awhile might get too stretchy for a big heavy bub - but that all depends on how long you want to babywear for I guess!

Right, sorry, enough rambling from me, I'm just biding time til Riv's ready for his nap. All the best, let us know what you end up with!

[melbel]

With the pouch slings you also have the Karma baby slings which get a 5 star rating from babywearer.com for their quality and design.

Also for Mei Tais my personal favourites are the babyhawk Mei Tais for the individuality of them (they are not boring black or kahki like most mass manufactured stuff - these actually use great print fabrics and you can get custom mades).

I also have a soft spot for Beco Baby Carriers cos they just look oh so comfy for both Mum and Bubs.

[Nelle]

I also have a soft spot for Beco Baby Carriers cos they just look oh so comfy for both Mum and Bubs.

Ohh don't they Mel. I'd love to try a Beco Butterfly, but they seem quite the rarity in Australia!
Do you know if bub can face outwards in a Beco?

Day by day I get slightly more attracted to the CatBirdBaby Pikkolo...I think because bub can face outward in that, and I remember how much Riv loved to face outwards and see everything when he could hold his head up!

How's your deciding going Kellie?

[melbel]

They may not be quite so rare in australia soon Nelle

And yeah the pikkolo is gorgy but stocks hard to find.

If you mean face out in tummy mode I don't think so but you can use it as a hip carrier so bubs can look around that way and you still have the back support. there are instructions on all the diff carrying positions on their site.

[Nelle]

They may not be quite so rare in australia soon Nelle

Ohhh that sounds tantalising Mel! Maybe I should just get a Butterfly AND a Pikkolo?

So - there's the trick Kellie! Just get one of each!

[{sarah}]

I've not heard of the Pikkolo or Beco before so I googled They look like a more complicated MeiTei, is that right?

[melbel]

The are what is called a soft structured carrier like an ergo. They have usually have clip straps instead of ties and are generally more padded than a traditional mei tai. Does that make sense?

If you want to look at the different types of carriers and how the work etc, babywearer dot com is like an information and review forum for all sorts of brands.

[Nelle]

Okay, so I'm still researching and learning those two, but:

CatBirdBaby sell MeiTais, but they also sell a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) called the Pikkolo, and Beco make SSC's too. The Ergo is a SSC for reference - same category.

I don't know about more complicated...perhaps different? Because I have a Mei Tai, but I can be a bit of an unco with the straps, where these two strap on like a Bjorn or Ergo.

But yeah, I think they do all the things Mei Tai does, like front and back carries, and maybe hip? Mel says the Beco Butterfly does a hip carry, not sure about the Pikkolo.

I'm leaning towards the Pikkolo, because the front bottom can be cinched in to allow bub to face forwards (without doing the splits!)...I remember Riv really enjoyed being forward facing in the Bjorn.
BUT I love the Butterfly prints, there are some awesome ones there...

When I first started researching baby carriers, I didn't understand all these people who owned a collection of carriers...I wonder if I'm starting to understand now...