Too many to choose from...

[MrsFabuloso]

Ok I had a baby bjorn with dd. It was good for her when she was between about 10wks-7mths, but after that she just got too heavy. She loved to be in it, though before abuot 10wks she hated it and would just cry in it.

I have been looking at all of the different ones, and I hae no idea which would be good for our new bub.So if you have tried a few of the different styles, which did you think better?

Out of-
Hug a bub style wrap
peanut shell style sling
mei tai style sling
baby bjorn style carrier
Ergo style carrier

Did I miss any? And I don't mean those actual brands of carriers, just the styles of them IYKWIM?? Thou if you found the actual brands better than another, let me know!

TIA

[Jennifer13]

Personally I loved the Hug a Bub Kellie, my DD was in it from right away and would sleep in it for hours while I walked around (I would think very handy with a toddler). She was still happy to go in it up to about six months ago when she preferred to walk (but she'd also started climbing out of the stroller as well). It was great when she got older because the weight wasn't an issue in the HAB. My back (which is kinda dodgy) never hurt, and once I got the hang of tying it (practised a couple of times) that was no trouble.

I believe the Mei Tai from the ABA is good as they get a bit bigger as well, but not sure about it with a tiny bub.

[{sarah}]

I bought a HAB style wrap carrier for shopping etc and longer times. I've heard they are brilliant one you get used to tying them.

I'm also buying a pouch sling (like the peanut shell) from a lovely BB member, for preschool drop off & pick up. I figure it will be easier to pop bub in the sling for the 5 minutes out of the car rather than spending time getting the wrap carrier organised. That way I also don't have to struggle with the school bag, hand bag & holding Alexzander's hand with a pram or trying to hold bub.

Good luck, the choices seem endless don't they.

[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...

[{sarah}]

Nelle, same here!! I have one here & am waiting on one in the mail It's addictive I think!

[Nelle]

Haha Sarah, what do you have and what are you waiting on?

(Kellie, we're only hijacking til you pop back in, then I promise it's right back to helping you. )

[melbel]

I think it is a bit like MCNs .......Once you have one you can't stop!!

I have spent hours today playing in the custom design page at babyhawk trying to decide what design combos to get for the store.........arrrggghh there are too many great fabrics to choose from...it is doing my head in!!

[{sarah}]

I can move the non-related posts to an "addicted to carriers thread" if you want

I've got a Moby Wrap, a really pretty one. Ummm Batik I think it is, two different coloured blues & a floral pattern on the front, it's a limited edition one.

Then I'm getting this sling from Lea for short trips like preschool pick up / dropoff.

Also thinking of making a MeiTei with some spare linen I have!

ETA: Had to google BabyHawk too & now you're in big trouble!! They are so cool, the best designs I've seen. And consdering we have here, The Hawk (Aaron), Mrs Hawk (me), Little Hawk (Zander) & Baby Hawk it would be fitting...... OH OH OH pink green oriental butterflies with an olive strap!!! That's it I've got to turn the computer off now LOL!

[monnie]

I've got a HAB...and after taking a little while to get used to it, just love it.

We took Felix down the dog beach last week and I wore the sling...it was so lovely!

Initially, in the first few weeks, he didn't like the HAB much...mainly because he's not one to like having his head tucked away. But as he has got older, he loves it.

Today I did my mopping with him in it!

Regarding the material becoming too stretchy as they get older, we haven't had that problem...but he's only 6 months.

The other good thing about a HAB is they have a great resell value!

Good luck in your choice!

[Nelle]

*nelle innocently wanders over to the babyhawk website...*

Nah, it's safe, I've already got a custom BHB Mei Tai that does the job, but gee had I seen some of those BabyHawk fabrics beforehand, I might not have gone looking so hard for my custom, that's for sure.
I'm sure I'll be back to tell you what I love.

[suse]

Ooh ooh, can I join in too?

I would so love a Beco - I was checking them out only the other day and was disappointed to find that they are like hen's teeth here, but maybe there is hope, hmmm? The pikkolos are pretty yummo too but the Beco looks like it would be comfier.

I've currently got a baby bjorn which I'll probably sell, and a baby rock comfy carry sling which is great for short carries and is very convenient, but I want a SSC because the waist support should be better for my totally shot back and shoulders without going for a wrap (I'm way too unco!!). I could see myself getting addicted to carrying - we've only used the pram a handful of times since E was born.