Baby Carriers

mjellison81

Since I'm bored out of my skull and willing the clock to change hasn't worked out for me, I'm biding my time researching various baby products. Soooo, any thoughts on baby carriers you love or loathe? Moby, Baby Bjorn, Infantino, ERGObaby, etc?

MA&CB

Love the Moby for tiny baby phase and love the ergo when they're a little bigger.  HATE the Infantino front to back.  A lot of people love the bjork, but I guess it's not great for their little hips if they're in it for an extended period of time (same idea as why an exersaucer or jumper isn't great for long periods of time - dangling from crotch whereas the moby, ergo support their legs down to almost the knees).

MrsSweetpeaMagee

Hate the Infantino, love the ergo and I also loved our ring sling that I got off Etsy but don't use it as much anymore because they don't like to be carried as much as they used to, and it hurts my shoulders a little now that they weigh a bit more... the ergo is still very comfortable to wear them on my back

shuga_23

My sister gave me a hand me down Infantino...I hate that fvcking thing.

Love my Moby.

Like the Bjorn (haven't used it nearly as much as the Moby though).

Mrs.ErikaMay

When James was itty, the Mei Tai I had was a lifesaver.  He was snug against my chest and I could rock/ sway hands free to soothe him and/ or make dinner.  Now that he's "huge" I can still use it for side (which I never do) or back carrying.  I don't think to use it that often because we're never on the go that much and it's kind of a pain to put on with a squirmer, but I still recommend it.  One of the best parts is that it is super lightweight and compact- no buckles or structured hard parts.  That also made it good for swapping between people.  Downside was that it was sometimes hard to get adjusted right and then stay like that.

I also made myself a whole bunch of pouch slings.  They are super easy to sew yourself if you've got a sewing machine, which is super fun to match to different outfits!  I used the pouch a TON when he was between 4-12 months because I had a ton of stuff to carry from the parking garage in to daycare and work, and I was going to drop the baby if I didn't use a carrier.  The mei tai was too complicated for the 2 minute walk, so I whipped up the pouches.  Now at 19 months, James still gets excited when he sees me putting on a sling because he knows he gets to hang with Mama- we just walked down to the store this morning with him in one!  They are also very very compact and versitile.  You can have a newborn in one (if the size is right) and they can nurse.  Now that James is big, I carry him on my side and in theory I can do it on my back too.  He gets a little heavy on one shoulder after a while, but I could always double up the slings if I needed to.

We also have an LL Bean aluminum frame one, but it only gets used for outdoorsy day long adventures and usually DH wears it.  I've used it too and it's fine, but I'd be just as happy with the mei tai or sling and with a finicky up/down toddler it works better for me.

Here's a great site with visual examples. http://www.babyinasling.com/guide-to-baby-carriers

 

mrscjwatts

I didn't like the Moby much...I think because I am a little too round in the middle for it to fit comfortably.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Ergo!!  I have the Heart to Heart insert and it was a little warm for the summer but it was great for when she was little.  I havent ventured into putting her on my back but sometime I'll try it.  I don't like that she cannot be forward facing but she doesn't know the difference!

AnnieME

Loved my Moby for tiny baby phase as well.     Nolan did not like the cradle hold, but liked the hug hold.  So I'm glad we had something versatile that I could try in different ways to see what worked best for him.  Yes, it was tricky at first, but soon I got to be a pro.  And from the advice of Megan, I would put it on before leaving the house and then put Nolan in it when I got to wherever we were going.  Next we used the Bjorn.  This was good for when he got older, about 3 months, and had better head control and loved facing out.  Plus, this I could get him in and out of no problem without help.  I had the infant insert for the Ergo, but could not get the hang of it and Nolan hated it.  Now that he's older and heavier, I LOVE THE ERGO!!!!  He's 21 pounds and I can still carry him very comfortably in the front for snuggle time.      I also liked the side carry with the Ergo.  Haven't tried the back carry yet because I think I'll need help in the beginning for that.  But I am able to get him on front and side by myself no problem.  Plus with it being so supportive for him, too, I can wear it forever and not worry about him being comfortable.  I think I could've skipped needing the Bjorn, but it was a hand-me-down so we tried it out for a while.  I just loved the versatility of both the Moby and the Ergo.

jl&jl

I'm a carrier junkie.  I have had 7-mostly hand me downs.

I like the moby best around the house.  I like the ring sling if I need to pop him in something quick (like to make breakfast)...use this tons. Out and about and going for walks, I liked the bjorn for the first 3 months and now he's bigger, I puffy heart the ergo.

kristen80

I tried the Baby Bjorn when Jake was teeny (like 12 lbs) and it KILLED my shoulders/back after 15-20 mins.  I was in heaven when I discovered the Moby wrap, and Jake seems so much more comfortable.  I used to take him grocery shopping in it, and to places like the zoo.  Putting it on could be a little cumbersome but it was so comfy.  He outgrew it around 8-9 months, and was just too heavy for the fabric to support him. My mom actually made the Moby (aka "Fauxby") http://www.cafemom.com/journals/read/551225/11_7_07_How_To_Make_Your_Own_Moby_Wrap

I just bought an Ergo on babysteals the other day and haven't tried it, but I'm hoping it will cover the 4 months-2 years age span.  Just got it in the mail, and it seems super soft and really well-padded.  My friend swears by hers and I've never heard a bad thing about them, but I haven't actually tried it yet.

Mainer-in-Texas

I have a Moby, ring sling, pouch sling, Ergo, Bjorn, and Beco Gemini. Some I bought and some where hand-me-downs, but I went through so many because DD hated most of them! The only ones she really likes are the bjorn and beco gemini because she can face outward. And OMG, does she LOOOOOOOVE to face outward! She kicks her legs and squeals and has a grand ol' time when we go shopping and stuff. The second I turn her facing in or put her on my back, though, she starts fussing.

I got the Bjorn used from MainelyFoolish and we got a ton of use out of it (and MH still uses it), but it started hurting my back and I decided to get the Beco because it has hip straps and will hold her up to 35 lbs (compared to 25 lbs in the Bjorn). Anyway, so I would give a huge recommendation to the Beco Gemini - you can do front (facing in or out) carry, hip carry, or back carry, and it's really comfy. (I do want to note that you can't do facing out until they are around 3-4 months old, though).

jd72878

I definitely follow suit with the other ladies - a different carrier for different ages.  Abby loved the Moby when she was small.  It was also great for air travel.  I now use the Ergo all the time - especially when she's cranky around dinner time and I need two hands :-)  I actually have only used the Ergo on my back - super comfy and doesn't strain my back, neck or shoulders. 

Tamzin418

I have a Sleepywrap (which is like the Moby) that I really like for this little baby stage and I think the Ergo will be great when she can hold her head up better. Feisty likes to have room to wiggle so she's not as content in the carriers as I thought she would be. 

If I had to do it all over again, I would have started carrying her in something (anything!) when we brought her home from the hospital. As a first time mom I was too overwhelmed and exhausted to be very adventurous those first few weeks.

mjellison81

Thanks so much all! We are getting a 2nd hand Bjorn from DH's Commanding Officer, in addition to some other stuff (cause she's super awesome!), and I'm all about the Moby in the early stages, so I wanted to hear some other reviews from good sources. I had been looking at the Infantino Ecowrap that another friend loved, although she's a lot taller than me, so it might be different. Ergo has gotten the best overall recommendations from parents I talked to, so I think I'm going to look into one. Thanks again!

carlyaw

I have a baby k'tan and a beco butterfly (the one you can't wear baby out in).  I LOVE them both.  The K'tan was great when he was tiny, he lived in it.  And I am really loving the beco now.  I haven't put him on my back yet but I want to try that soon.  I tried Jen's ergo and it just felt really big on me, I am pretty petite and the shoulder straps slipped even with the back clip tightened.  I think the beco is just a better fit for my body. 

http://www.babyktan.com/

http://www.becobabycarrier.com/