Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I'd like to try carrying DS2 but am having trouble finding/deciding on a carrier/sling. I have a Bubba Moe from DS, but it's terribly uncomfy for both myself and DS2. It's hard to get on, DS2 is swamped and pretty much covered and I can't get it tight enough to be firm. I'm small (size 6-8) and DS2 is only 10 days old and 3kg.
What do you recommend? Needs to be reasonably easy to put on by myself, safe for bubs and ergonomically sound for me too. Are there any other features I should look for or avoid?
Where do I get them? Will shops let me try them out with DS2 so I can see how they are before I commit to spending lots of money?
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I loved my Bubba Moe with both my girls, especially when they were tiny, but I did go to a baby shop and get the girls to show me how to wear it properly. It made a WORLD of difference! I'd try that first. Wearing them in a cradle position close to your heart at that age is awesome. DD1 basically lived in our Bubba Moe for the first 6 months of her life! :lol:
I've found my Ergo great too but I much prefer the Moe when they are tiny. I just love having them laying across my chest (as if they're feeding). I use my Ergo a lot more when they're bigger. It's a personal thing though.
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I have a Manduca, which is similar to the Ergo, but with the Ergo you need a newborn insert and it's supposed to be pretty hot. The Manduca doesn't need an insert, there is an adjustable bit for newborns in the carrier that you can use. I also have a hugabub, but had some troubles tying it when my bubba was newborn, started using it again today, my baby is now 10 weeks old. I wish I'd persisted as it's really comfortable for both me and baby. He was asleep in no time! (He goes to sleep in the Manduca as well)
I went to Toysrus/Babiesrus and tried some other carriers, but didn't find them comfortable. I bought my carriers via Gumtree, so 2nd hand and lots cheaper!
Good luck!
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
Thanks ladies. I might take my Bubba Moe to a baby store and see if they'll help me fit it properly. The Manduca seems good too, but I know they're expensive and don't want to buy one before I know it's going to be comfy. The hugabub looks a little complicated for me, lol!
Anyone else?
In the meantime, let the housework pile up while I carry DS2 everywhere! ;)
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I've tried a few. I have a Hana baby wrap, which is a bamboo stretchy. I've never really gotten the hang of it. It's either too tight or too loose and he hates me trying to tighten it while he's in it. He does sleep in it if I get it right though and they're lighter for Summer than other stretchies. I find the Ergo Sport uncomfortable. My shoulders are narrow and it feels like it's slipping off.
i bought a linen ring sling off Etsy which is much easier to use. It's easy to pop him in and adjust. It's not perfect. My 3 month old is a hefty 8kg, so I do start to feel the weight in my shoulder after about 45min. I've just ordered a Baby K'tan from the US. You don't need to wrap with it, but you do need to get the right size for you.
i'm interested in trying a Wrap converted ring sling and woven wraps. There's a business in Melbourne that offers trial packs for 2 weeks. I should do that before I spend any more money on wraps.
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I used a hug a bub until dd2 was 8 months old. She is a summer baby and we did ok with it. If it was a really hot day, we both just wore a singlet. It does take a while to get used to tying. I think it took me about 6 weeks to feel fully confident. I miss it - I really loves that sling!
I now have an ergo which I love. Super easy to get on and works well for us although I am yet to master back carry position on my own. Dd is now 12.5 months and 10kg. I usually front wear with no issues (I have a bad back). It does get really hot though. Not ideal for summer.
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
The hugabub is not as hard as it seems. I practiced once before bubba was born, with a stuffed toy in it, then with bubba boy I tried the pea in a pod, but he was too big for it. Now I tried the heart to heart position for the first time yesterday and it was first time lucky! It's very nice and snug for bubba, just like in womb, he was asleep in seconds. Have a look at the online instruction movies. Also about how to place baby.
The Manduca is cheaper than an Ergo, around 150 dollars. I got mine 2nd hand for 90. The hugabub is about 100 dollars new, I got mine for 50 on gumtree. As my bubba is too big for the newborn insert, I'm going to wait till he's a bit bigger before using it again. This carrier is way more comfortable than the babybjorn!
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I had a sleepy wrap as well as few different carriers, and I love the sleepy wrap best. It can be worn a few different ways, and even I could do it from the book! Like the hug a bub, it does get a bit hot on warm days, but I also then bought some lighter fabric and made one the same shape for summer time. I couldn't use a ring-sling, as it was too one-sided and hurt my neck.
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
I second the sleepy wrap or hug abub for squishys. They are easy enough to use after one or two practice runs, comfortable, my DS loved both and so did I ( he was born Jan 2013). Does get warm but I found most of the time we were inside and he and I both wore singlets and were fine.
He was a very big baby too so we are now on the Manduca, also very comfy.
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
So, after your recommendations and spending a few hours trawling the Net, I decided to give the hug a Bub/Boba Wrap (used to be called Sleepy Wrap) a try. Have found a Boba Wrap on Gumtree and am picking it up tomorrow - yay!!!
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
How did you go with the wrap? I hope you and your bubba like it!!
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
We love it me4ever! Tried it out today and DS, who was very restless and unsettled all day, fell asleep while I was still adjusting him and slept for nearly 2hours in it! I was sooooo comfy too, and managed to get a few chores done. Can't wait til tomorrow to use it again ;)
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
Stretchy wraps are the best! Glad you love it :D
Re: Help me choose a sling/carrier!
OMG, this wrap is like magic! I had to wake DS2 after almost three hours as he was well overdue for a feed (and it was 43 degrees here today). He slept so soundly:)