Help with picking a baby carrier.

I want to get something to carry baby with me when I have her. I had one with Haz, but got rid of it after because he was *meant* to be my last. It had been in the fam for years so I figure there is soooo much that has changed now its best to get opinions.

I want to be able to hands free BF with it - that was the greatest part of my last as I could shop, clean, tend to the other kids - whatever without making it, them or Harry wait.

Obviously durable, and good for at least 12m. I am probably more super paranoid this time round and chances are she will be worn almost constantly.

Also, best price is helpful. Obviously I understand its not going to be super cheap because I want durable and flexible - but at least a justifiable amount given its a spend on one person from a finite source in an 8 person house (if that makes sense to you, lol),.

Thanks in advance!

What type of carrier did you use last time?

For BFing, a ring sling or pouch is generally considered the easiest, as a baby can be carried cradle style, but some babies aren't too keen on being carried horizontally (mine wasn't), and some mums don't find them comfortable, especially if they have back or shoulder problems. They may not be as comfortable once a baby gets older, although they can be used for front and hip carries once good head support is gained. For the vertically inclined babies, a two shouldered carrier like a mei tai (or buckled version, called a soft structured carrier or SSC) may be better. These can also be more versatile and supportive when bubs gets heavier. I still occasionally breast feed my 17 month old in a mei-tai, so it can be done in a vertical carrier.

Alternatively, if you have the patience to learn, a wrap is extremely versatile, and many people find is the most comfortable of carriers once a particular carry is mastered. A stretchy wrap made of cotton jersey (like a hug-a-bub) can be easily and cheaply made, and is great for newborns and little bubs, but are not as supportive once babies get heavier. At that point, a woven wrap is a good bet, although these can be much more expensive because they are custom woven for babywearing. But they are a worthwhile investment for comfort and longevity (you may at that point discover that you want to keep carrying long after 12 months).

There are advantages to all types of carriers, and each have attributes to suit different types of wearing. Generally speaking though, the quickest (like pouches) to put on are the least comfortable for long wears, whereas a wrap, which may take a bit more time to put on, is the most supportive for longer wears. But this is not always the case for all people.

Google 'thebabywearer' and check out the reviews on carriers and the info on different styles, this will give you a bit more of an idea of the general types of carriers out there, and help you form a bit more of an idea of what you might like. Once you've got an idea of the general type of carrier you think you might like, then we can help narrow it down to a specific carrier for you!

HTH!

Not to hijack the threat or anything XD but is the HAB suitable for breastfeeding? Is it suitable to wear if one is a plus size, and will it fit a broad-shouldered man? What's the best sling to incorporate these elements?

Neenee - Yes yes and yes.

You can use the HAB to feed vertically, my girlfriend did it and worked wonders for her chucky bubba :)
Have a look around - what may be confortable for you may not be for hubby...I love the Ergo, DH hates it, wont wear it...The Close Carrier he was much more sold on.
The Comfy Rock I Charlotte hated, she didnt like the position the slings put her in. So you will most likely need to try one and find out which works for you bubs and hubby.
I know some people who have about 5 or 6 carriers of different sorts - different carries, different support, different wearers, and time periods of wear...each has a specific use.

Lots of good reviews on here for the BabyHawk Mei Tai carrier, I looked at one and it was great, just never got one in the end.

Oh some carriers, ike the PEanut Shell are sized, so you could always get on type of carrier, just one size for you and one for hubby.
Find someone with some and try them out see what you think

I think in your case I would get the Ergo and buy a 5.5m length of jersey fabric to make a wrap for when bubba is little.

I personally never really got the hang of feeding in any type of carrier. I put it down on my boobs being too far down and just plain too big when they were full. But I also initially had so many problems with attachment, that I couldn't just BF blindly or hands free. Had to shape the breast and all that.

Sasa

neenee my very plus size hubby can wear a 4.5m wrap no worries and he can also use the close carrier no worries.

Inertia if you are looking for cheap and are not sure about wraps what I did was go to spotlight and buy 5m of cotton jersey for about 40 bucks, this will make two wraps cause you cut it in half length ways. It's a great way to learn how to wrap and try it out for not much outlay. Once I decided I loved it I then went out and got myself a more expensive european woven wrap which is just so comfortable now that bub is getting bigger.

Suse has given some excellent information about all the different types so ditto what she said.

I foudn the wrap style the best for little bubs, great position especially if they are colicy, refluxy or just like to be curled up on your chest. We had a one shoulder ring sling with DS that I was able to BF in, although not handsfree, I would need to support with one hand if I was walking around but like sunshine_sieben said I think this had more to do with my boobs than the carrier.

Once both my kids got to six months I swaped over to a backpack style. With DS we had the rigid style and with DD we used the ergo. I wish I had the opportunity to use the ergo from newborn but didn't know it existed. My SIL and a friend here in town have both used the ergo with the infant insert from newborn and were able to feed in it - although you need to be careful they don't slip out apparently ;)

I have heard great things about the mei tei styles and wow there are some gorgeous designs out there are they called catbirds or something?????

All up I have had 3 carriers for different purposes, wrap for up to 9 months, close and comfy - one should sling - get and easy to put on, does pull on one shoulder and ergo which has gone from 6mths to 2 1/2 years.

As for hubby - he used the wrap and he is a pretty big bloke - he liked the wrap but I had to wrap him up - he never got the hang of tying it. He also likes the Ergo and did try the one shoulder but it didn't really fit well.

Good luck with your shopping

I use the peanut shell sling, i never got a chance to BF with it but i think you can :)
It so quick and easy to use!!!
i love it!

I also used the Peanut Shell - my DH could wear it too. It's so easy just to throw over your head - no buckles, ties or anything. You can BF in it too but I found my boobs were too big so it was a bit awkward (I had huge G cups though). Once bub gets older you can change the position so you can 'wear' bub on your hip.

I also have a friend with the HAB and she loved it.

Good luck :D

Just a little note to the Neenee, yes, the HAB should fit plus sized people, too. I'm a 16 and still had room to move. Froom memory on their website they mention a "very huggable" size for very large people, so you could always contact them directly with your measurements and get their advice.

With the Ergo, you can actually purchase extender straps to make the waist strap longer to fit larger people. As I said, I'm a 16 and I think the Ergo would fit up to maybe an 18 without the extenders.

Sasa

I have 2 Bubzilla slings. They suit me quite well. I can wear them for quite some time and they do well with the older kids too in the hip or monkey hold. I had Sarah in it at last year's baby expo in Adelaide for quite some time. I have put it on with a Dolly during this pg to see how hard it will be to get my BBs into the sling for feeding and it seems to be able to work easily for me, but I will see next week (unless she decides to come earlier :D)

I do want an Ergo though. DH has a Bubba Moe sling, that has a buckle, and seems to suit his shape and size a lot better than me, but he would find an Ergo more comfortable because the buckle does sit where a lot of the weight is concentrated.

There's a website reviewing all different types of carriers, if you like. Google theslingdirectory. Doesn't sell any, just gives reviews from other mums.
I've used a moby wrap (like a HAB, but cheaper!) and loved it for newborn/small babies. I like my pouch sling for older babies (short term carrying only - too long is hard on my back.) And I had a snugli (front pack carrier) which worked really well for smaller babies too. All good for different purposes, really. Depends on how long (hours) you want to carry your baby for. The wrap is VERY comfortable to wear/carry in, but takes a little time to put on. The pouch is really quick and easy to put on, especially outside, in the parking lot, or whatever, but I can't wear it too long. The snugli was quick and comfy, but not as versatile for positioning, and wouldn't fit a bigger baby.

All the best!

OMG the Ergo! It's literally a baby backpack LMFAO! So cute and hillarious! Is it comfortable? It seems great for older kids but the newborns look a bit . . . I don't know, like they don't fit into it properly? Is the ergo better for the back than getting a stretchy fabric and wrapping it around oneself?

I totally hijacked. Sorry Intertia!!

Thanks for all the help everyone! I want a carrier that goes across both shoulders so I'm not looking at ring slings etc. I have shoulder and lower back problems anyway not to mention huge boobs (which is where the breast sling will come in handy for BFing while slinging :D )

AAAAYYYY the HUB is so exxy!! :o Might have a look at that moby wrap!

edit: moby wrap appears to be American only, I can't find an Australian site. It also looks as though it's the same price as the HUB?

The ergo carries on the hip, the back and the front.
There is a newborn insert that goes in it so you can front carry the baby safely from birth through to toddler age.

I have one for Charlotte and it is my favourite carrier - largely because it is the only one she likes! lol

check out the babes in arms website, they are very helpful too so will answer any questions you have about it.

ETA: The Ergo is sort of like a mei tei....as opposed to a Baby Bjorn iykwim.
The Close Carrier goes over both shoulders too if you are after that style, I cant use it now Charlotte is so big, but many people have given it rave reviews cos it is easier than a wrap and super comfy (Apparently lol)

Neenee, the Ergo is really comfy. I know a few people with back problems who can still carry their children in the Ergo or HAB. They both spread the weight evenly over the whole torso and hips. I find it most comfortable when they are quite tight, it seems to pull less on the shoulders that way. I have mostly used it in the forward carrying position as I like to be able to interact with DD. I think the last time I carried her that way, she was about 16 months. I only stopped because firstly, I don't need to carry her that much anymore and secondly, the baby bump got in the way. The back carry is great, but as I said, I like to be able to see her. The hip carry is alright, but seeing that it is a 1 shoulder style, I could only do it for short periods.

Yes, the HAB is expensive. But as some people have said, you could just use a length of stretch jersey fabric as a cheap alternative. The trick is in the tying. There are sites online with instructions of how to tie basic wraps. Or you could PM me.
Because the tying is a little tricky (you will get the hang of it quickly. It only took me less than a minute once I got it), and to avoid having to drag the material all over the car park while tying it on, I used to tie it at home before I left for the shops, then put DD in it, when we rerached our destination.
The Ergo can be used from Newborn, but I only got mine when DD was 3.5 months old, so never tried the NB insert. It doesn't quite convince me tbh. A wrap however seems like jsut the right thing for a NB.

Be careful, baby wearing and all the different carriers can be VERY addictive!

Just my own personal experience. Everyone is different, though.

Sasa

Its all good Neenee. Saved another thread about the same general thing, right?

So I am going to spotlight on tuesday with DH to pick up 5ish metres of cotton jersey and going to make a wrap (or two, lol). I sat down and watched some vids on youtube on how to wrap bub. So anxious now because I want it to be tuesday already so I can wrap my bub. She already prefers sleeping on my chest, this will just give me my hands back!

But I was wondering, can you get the right kind of woven fabric? What is that usually weighted to?

And a really odd question, but what colour do you think I should make it. For most of the end of the pregnancy I was looking at pink ones because, well, she is a girl. But then I kinda thought, hang on - DH could be using this too and he would look silly in pink. I don't want to go blue because I dont want people to think she is a boy - and DH hates brown so that kills tanny, mocha type colours.. White and Beige show up stains far too easy. I am just not sure what colour to go with that is suitable for the three of us. Any suggestions?

Mmmmm, beige is not too bad. Hides baby spew reasonably well.
Black bleaches out too quickly and shows up everything.
Mine is red, it's unisex, but doesn't necessaryli go with all your cloothes.
Cause that is probably your main consideration: as the wrap will almost become part of your outfit, it should go with most of your clothes.
If you can find it, a slightly patterned fabric would be great at hiding stains.
Grey tones would be pretty good at going with most colours.

You should post a piccie, when you're done.

Sasa