Baby Carrying Systems

[mela lu]

Hi all,

I''m just starting to research all things ''baby'', and I''ve seen a ton of info on strollers here, but not much on carrying systems like the baby bjorn, slings etc. I''m looking for something that both DH and I can use to carry around baby-to-be.

I''d LOVE any info, websites and feedback (positive and negative) you may have about these types of systems.

thanks in advance!

 

[erica k]

The only baby carrier that I''m going to get is the Ergo (except maybe a hard frame hiking carrier). I''ve done tons of online research, and just bought one for a friend''s baby shower. They''re really well made and soft. I can''t really do a sling because of my shoulder and back problems, and I like that the baby''s legs are at right angles in a more natural seated position. The Bjorn seems to be popular, but I always feel alarmed when I see the baby''s legs dangling. I also like the Ergo because you can put in an Infant insert for the first few months when the baby can''t hold up its head. It also works with a variety of body types, and there''s a waist extender that you can buy.

I refuse to buy a stroller until absolutely necessary, and when I do, it''ll be a cheap umbrella stroller.

But god help me if I have twins! Then I might just have to give in to the strollers.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

We really like our baby bjorn (active). I had a sling my MIL bought me and T HATED it! She would freak out. She likes to be able to see her surroundings.

ETA: you can start using it when the baby is 8lbs (they face towards you). Once they can hold their head up well you can move them facing out.

 

[neatfreak]

Two of my married friends swear by the Bjorn active as well...and one of them has had 3-4 different sling/carrier things. So that is what we are getting too. Those slings just look so uncomfortable for the baby!

 

[erica k]

I agree, the slings look a little uncomfortable. And those P-Slings cost upwards of $300!! For what? Beautiful Japanese linen and a metal ring designed by Me&Ro. No thanks!

I might also try the traditional Korean podaegi, but all that wrapping and tying looks complicated. I guess everything takes practice, anyway.

I think the hip pouches might be nice when the baby is older (1-2 yrs).

 

[Tacori E-ring]

make sure anything you get can be washed easily....babies are little but what comes out of them is not!

 

[Clio]

I used slings for all 3 of my kids, and they loved it. They would snuggle in and sleep, mostly, feeling very safe and secure. I had a Bjorn, too, but my babies didn''t like it much.

It''s a very individual thing, though. Some babies hate the sling.

 

[rms]

I have 16 month old boy/girl twins. My daughter was super fussy from the very beginning and the ONLY thing that worked with her was wearing her in my Moby Wrap. It is 1/3 the cost of an Ergo carrier or Bjorn which was a key factor for me. I was really skeptical about buying it at first because it is so big and a bit of a pain to put on. You do not want to be standing on a muddy ground trying to get this thing on. BUT ONCE it's on, it is great. She would just sleep on me and would never cry when in it. The other great thing about it is that when done properly, your hands are completely free, which is not true over over the shoulder type slings. So I cooked and cleaned with it with no problem, and at times I could pick up my son at the same time if I was alone and needed to tend to him. As the kids got older, I would face them outwards and that worked great too. I have never worn them on my back with the Moby, but it certainly can be done.

Nowadays though I absolutely love my Kangaroo Korner adjustable sling for putting the kids in a hip hold. It takes all the pressure off my arms when carrying one in it and they like being carried that way for short trips. My friend loved hers so I looked into it. They are kind of expensive but I got a brand new one on ebay for 1/3 the normal cost, which I was totally thrilled about. There are many other similar slings that accomplish the same thing, I think that they are just not adjustable.

A friend of mine has a Baby Hawk carrier and seems to like that.

 

[miraclesrule]

Wow, how things have changed!! We didn''t have all these contraptions when my daughter was born. My arms were her holder. But then again, I preferred that. Don''t get me wrong...I admire multi-tasking..as long as it wasn''t me doing it.

I do have to say that I got really buff arms from holding my kid. (And I keep them somewhat buff by babysitting a lot) And the hips came in handy too. I have a pear body and she fit perfectly on the hip bone.

I look at all the money that my co-workers are investing into these baby items that only last a few months and I cringe. But then again, the buying and selling of used items is a godsend to the modern Mom. But $300 ???!?!?! Yikes!

I thought I would be poor after her wedding, but now I see that it will only get worse with my first grandchild. Must have two bases for each carseat, must upgrade carseat at 7 months, must upgrade again...oh vey.... I don''t envy y''all. But I do admire you.

 

[LitigatorChick]

I loved my baby bjorn active as well. We used it daily until Miller was too big.

Now, when he likes to be carried, he is way too heavy. He likes to ride on my back, but I have to hold on to him, which is uncomfortable. Any recommendations as well for carriers for big "babies" (ie. 2 year olds!!!).

 

[ahappygirl]

My son loved the Bjorn. My husband and I both used it all the time. And I have to say, my arms have been buff since he was born! I still carry him whenever he asks - as long as I''m not already carrying bags of groceries or something. I don''t have another child and I figure pretty soon he won''t want me to carry him anymore.. he''s 4 yrs, 42 inches and 33 lbs. I''m going to take advantage of all the cuddling while I can!

 

[mela lu]

THanks for all this great info. I''m going to go and see the Baby bjorn IRL, as well as this Kangaroo Korner. I really love the idea of hands free, but am remiss to spend money on something the kids may HATE!

Tacori - you kill me. "babies are little but what comes out of them is not!"....so get whatever sling/carrier in black, not white, right?! hahaha

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Date: 6/17/2008 9:53:55 AM
Author: mela lu
THanks for all this great info. I''m going to go and see the Baby bjorn IRL, as well as this Kangaroo Korner. I really love the idea of hands free, but am remiss to spend money on something the kids may HATE!

Tacori - you kill me. ''babies are little but what comes out of them is not!''....so get whatever sling/carrier in black, not white, right?! hahaha

Don''t get ANYTHING in white (or light colors IMHO). GROSSSSSSSSS! But it isn''t so bad when it is your kid. Can you borrow one from a friend to see if your baby likes it before you buy?

 

[mela lu]

unfortunately, I''m the first to have a bambino of all my friends. My best friend and I are due within 7 weeks of each other, so we''re the guinea pigs for the group. I''m thinking that I may wait until after the baby''s born and then try the out irl with the baby at the store.''

We''re planning a trip to Florida in March 2009 after the baby is born (feb) to get out of the Brutal canadian winter. I''m thinking I may buy a lot of things there, as things are waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper in the states.

My mom wants to buy us a bugaboo (we''ll prob order it online and have it shipped to our friends house in NY), and then I''m hoping to stock up on things when we''re in Florida in March. Oh the planning that goes into trying to say money! hah.

Canada has a 14% tax on everything. so on top of being slightly more expensive, we have the tax. It nets out cheaper to buy in the states and pay the duty (most of the tine).

 

[happy in love]

A friend of mine has a Moby Wrap. I don''t know too much, but I know she and her new baby like it. She likes that she can carry him different ways with it. Anyone have an oppinion on those?

 

[ellaila]

We''ve got Mobys and Baby Bjorns, and the babies like them both. I personally like the Moby -- it just fits me better since the wrap is "created" for my body each time (it''s just a HUGE length of fabric that you tie all around you), whereas my husband prefers the Bjorns (we''ve got two, one red and one black, but I"m not sure what the styles are because they were both hand-me-downs). He uses the red though, which has the heavier weight limit and he thinks it''s got better back support.

The Moby definitely takes some practice, but I really like it.

 

[LitigatorChick]

Date: 6/17/2008 10:16:32 AM
Author: mela lu
unfortunately, I''m the first to have a bambino of all my friends. My best friend and I are due within 7 weeks of each other, so we''re the guinea pigs for the group. I''m thinking that I may wait until after the baby''s born and then try the out irl with the baby at the store.''

We''re planning a trip to Florida in March 2009 after the baby is born (feb) to get out of the Brutal canadian winter. I''m thinking I may buy a lot of things there, as things are waaaaaaaaaaaay cheaper in the states.

My mom wants to buy us a bugaboo (we''ll prob order it online and have it shipped to our friends house in NY), and then I''m hoping to stock up on things when we''re in Florida in March. Oh the planning that goes into trying to say money! hah.

Canada has a 14% tax on everything. so on top of being slightly more expensive, we have the tax. It nets out cheaper to buy in the states and pay the duty (most of the tine).

Girl, what province are you in that has 14% tax!!!! I''m in Alberta, and we only have GST at 5% and no PST!!!

 

[mela lu]

LitChick:

I''m in Ontario. Downtown Toronto.
Le sigh.