Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

I plan on babywearing as much as possible this time so I can still chase my crazy little toddler around. I have the Ergo but didn't like that for the newborn/infant stage. Looking for something that will keep the munchkin close to me and safe so I can still "run" around the park with DD.

TIA!

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

I used a ring sling with my younger DS and plan to use it again for this baby. There was definitely a learning curve compared to a carrier you just clip on, but I really loved how adjustable it was and he was always comfortable. I bought mine from sleeping baby productions bc I found the owner/sewer extremely helpful with helping me pick a fabric and directions on how to use. HTH!

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

I absolutely LOVED my moby wrap!!! It took a few youtube videos to show me how to tie it correctly

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

I used the bjorn when youngest was a newborn. It went everywhere with me.

Doesn't the Ergo have a newborn insert?

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Love my Baby Ktan! It was really easy to use and there are 8 possible positions.

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Either a ring sling or a woven wrap like a didymos, storch, girasol etc. I found I got too hot in the Moby and other stretchy wraps, but I didn't have that issue with my Vatanai wrap (woven cotton, more breathable). They can be intimidating at first to wrap but it's quick to get a hang of them. j

And like a PP said, c.rot.ch danglers are no good for baby's hips plus they can be very straining on your back. I wore a Snugli carrier once when DD1 weighed less than 10lbs and it just KILLED my shoulders and upper back. I have worn my Ergo and woven wraps for hours with zero strain on my back.

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Love my Britax though I didn't get it until he was 6 months so I can't speak for how it is with newborns and little babies. I tried 3 other carriers (two of them expensive boutique kind) that I didn't like.

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

I actually just asked my college friend about this - she is an huge baby wearing proponent (gave classes on baby wearing at her local hospital, organized groups, etc). Below is the text of her email - I hope it helps, it helped me tremendously!

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For newborns and tiny infants, I have two favorites...

Moby Wrap - this is the [...] one that wraps all around my body like a garment. this is probably the more practical one for a mother of a newborn plus two toddlers because your hands are totally free. It also holds the baby really close to your body which makes most babies really happy. [DS] lived in my moby for the first 6 months of his life. It looks really intimidating when you first get it because its just yards and yards of stretchy fabric but after putting it on a few times you'll be a pro and it's really comfy and ergonomically awesome for you and for the baby. The downside of this is that is takes a few seconds to wrap it on every time and it must drag on the ground while you do so - and in a wet parking lot that can be a bit of a pain. Also this will be so much easier to use if you know someone who can help you learn to put it on right there in person. I used to give babywearing demo classes at the hospital because there was a nurse there who ran a new mom's group and there might be something like that available near you. Or a really crunchy natural baby boutique shop owner could be helpful for that. baby can face in to you or out to world. You can theoretically use the moby on your back or hip but I have never done either (because it is hard to do it solo on your back and I prefer my sling for the hip carry) There is a Moby Wrap website and lots of knockoff brands that are equally fine are even available in Babies R us, etc... now

The Ring Sling - this is the [...] one that just sits over one shoulder. Not everyone loves these because there is a certain art to wearing them, but if you are a breastfeeder, it's awesome because it lays the baby down right at mouth-to-nipple level and the tail can be flung over your shoulder for privacy. I've done grocery and clothes shopping while nursing a newborn and pushing a shopping cart and most people don't even notice I have a baby with me. I love not having to stop everything and find a private place to sit down to feed the baby while out. This is also really versatile for older babies - they can lie down, sit up facing out or in, or sit on your hip. The sling goes on super fast - just pop it over your head like a messenger bag and the baby pops in and out really easily. the disadvantages are that it frees up one hand but the other still needs to be lightly supporting the baby and that since only one shoulder bears all the weight, it can be uncomfortable to wear for a long time with a heavier or older baby. I also just love these because they are so pretty and they make me love wearing the baby! (rockinbabysling.com sells really well-made ones)

For older babies and toddlers -

Ergo - For much older babies and toddlers (after the bjorn is getting uncomfortable) the Ergo is awesome - baby can ride on your back or front and the weight is so ergonomically distributed that you can be super-mommy and hike mountains or go places no stroller can go. [DH] will wear this one too (I have a plain black one that he will wear). I've hear that there is now a little insert Ergo makes so that you can use an ergo even with a newborn, but I don't own it and have never gotten to try it, so I can't recommend it personally, but that might be a thought.
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Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Posted by medic6809

Posted by babydreams

I absolutely LOVED my moby wrap!!! It took a few youtube videos to show me how to tie it correctly

This! I LOVE my Moby for wearing him and playing with Emmy, cooking, cleaning...you name it. I just bought a Boba 3G and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! You can do the front face to face carry and the backpack carry when they get older. He's 3.5months and a bit to wobbly still and can't "sit" in it right, but for quick outings it's very nice not to mess with the moby. The Ergo does make an insert like someone else mentioned but I know some babies really don't like them. Are you on facebook? If so message me and i'll get you into a babywearing closed group. They are AWESOME!!!!! So much good advice! I don't mean any harm in this, and I will say it's sorta catty and i'm sorry, but please don't wear a chicco, bijorn, or other "******" pack. They are soooo bad for baby I never knew that until I started really looking into baby wearing. You could also do a ring sling or look into a Diddy.

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Posted by CaliforniaBaby

Posted by medic6809

Posted by babydreams

I absolutely LOVED my moby wrap!!! It took a few youtube videos to show me how to tie it correctly

This! I LOVE my Moby for wearing him and playing with Emmy, cooking, cleaning...you name it. I just bought a Boba 3G and LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! You can do the front face to face carry and the backpack carry when they get older. He's 3.5months and a bit to wobbly still and can't "sit" in it right, but for quick outings it's very nice not to mess with the moby. The Ergo does make an insert like someone else mentioned but I know some babies really don't like them. Are you on facebook? If so message me and i'll get you into a babywearing closed group. They are AWESOME!!!!! So much good advice! I don't mean any harm in this, and I will say it's sorta catty and i'm sorry, but please don't wear a chicco, bijorn, or other "******" pack. They are soooo bad for baby I never knew that until I started really looking into baby wearing. You could also do a ring sling or look into a Diddy.

Why are some carriers bad? Just curious because I use an Ergo and DS is always very happy in it!

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Since I expect to do a lot more babywearing this time since I will also be chasing a toddler around, I recently purchased the Boba 3G carrier. I've heard really good things about it as well as the Ergo (which was my 2nd choice). You don't need a newborn insert with the Boba which is nice. They also have a soft carrier/wrap which is very similar to the Moby wrap and would be great to use with a newborn and smaller infant.

Re: Advice on best sling/baby carrier for infant

Wow, such wonderful responses! Thanks everyone for taking the time to write back.

Does anyone know if BBB has the Moby or ring sling? I'd like to try them on. Also, my friend gave me a peanut sling (?) but I think it's a little too big for me. Any advice on that one?

Thanks again!