Need Help Choosing a Carrier

[Jaimee]

I would like to find a different soft carrier than my HotSling, but am overwhelmed by the options and need some help! I like my HotSling for three main reasons: ease of use, lack of bulk, and chic fabric. However, my daughter doesn't like it that much and I'm wondering if a different style of sling with more carrying options would be the answer. I've tried on the Moby Wrap and it seems like such a hassle. The Nojo would swallow me up as I'm only 5'4" and have a small build. Please let me know what your favorite carrier is and why! Thanks!

[jenmamahen]

My 2 favorite carriers are woven wraps (Didy, BB-Slen, Storch, etc.) and ring slings. Since you said you found the Moby to be a hassle, I vote for a ring sling. The best RS for a newbie, IMO, is the lightly padded Maya Wrap. www.mayawrap.com

I also like Jan's slings, available at www.sleepingbaby.net

[mom2riley]

My favorites are my Babyhawks http://www.babyhawk.com/ and my beco http://ecobabies.com/pages/HallofFame.php

[TwinKristi]

I personally LOVE my Beco & my Storch wrap. Dh likes the ring sling so we have 1 of each and our BWing stash is perfect! LOL

Moby's are great for younger babes. Once they get 20ish lbs though it doesn't work the same. I would recommend a more sturdy fabric like a Storch or Didy.

My BabyHawk MeiTai also did great until about 20lbs. Now my DS is almost 30lbs and I CANNOT for life of me imagine carrying him in a BHMT now!

I LOVED my Hotsling when my DS was smaller. I think it's perfect for newborns until about a yr or less depending on weight. It can kill your shoulder if they're heavy! Also, you need to probably get a size smaller than you measure on their site. ALL my friends & I got one a size too big and they all returned theirs and I tried to shrink mine but eventually got a sz 4 and it was perfect. According to the instructions I would have been a sz 5 which was HUGE on me and VERY uncomfortable when holding him!

Structured carried, :yuck: That's what I used for MANY (ok, like 8!) years off and on with my first 4 babies. Then I found out about different TYPES and OMG... Hello world!! LOL I think they're waaaay uncomfortable and not good for babies back's from what I've heard.

[mom2riley]

I personally LOVE my Beco & my Storch wrap. Dh likes the ring sling so we have 1 of each and our BWing stash is perfect! LOL

Moby's are great for younger babes. Once they get 20ish lbs though it doesn't work the same. I would recommend a more sturdy fabric like a Storch or Didy.

My BabyHawk MeiTai also did great until about 20lbs. Now my DS is almost 30lbs and I CANNOT for life of me imagine carrying him in a BHMT now!

I LOVED my Hotsling when my DS was smaller. I think it's perfect for newborns until about a yr or less depending on weight. It can kill your shoulder if they're heavy! Also, you need to probably get a size smaller than you measure on their site. ALL my friends & I got one a size too big and they all returned theirs and I tried to shrink mine but eventually got a sz 4 and it was perfect. According to the instructions I would have been a sz 5 which was HUGE on me and VERY uncomfortable when holding him!

Structured carried, :yuck: That's what I used for MANY (ok, like 8!) years off and on with my first 4 babies. Then I found out about different TYPES and OMG... Hello world!! LOL I think they're waaaay uncomfortable and not good for babies back's from what I've heard.


ITA on the HS working for smaller babies (although I preferred my peanut shell or Urban Pouch). My DD is 23 lbs and I have no issues carrying her or my 34 lb toddler in my Babyhawks.

[sistersusannah]

I have 3 different types of wraps/carriers, they each help out with a different situation. My BabyHawk, which I LOVE, is great for when DS is asleep (I have yet to put him on my back, still a bit too small). I also have a BabyBjorn, which is great for when he is awake and wants to check out the world. Plus it is so easy to get on and off. I also have a Maya Wrap, but have had little success with that one, no matter how many times I watch the instructional DVD, try it out, put it on, I cannot seem to get it and DS does not seem to comfortable. I would love to try a Moby wrap, have heard great things about them. Good luck with your choice.

[AngelMommy]

I love my mei tai baby (it is an old style). I am 5'0 and ds was 32 lbs last time I wore him. I didn't feel him at all! I can't say enough about it. Did I mention that I get back aches from things as simple as vacuuming and my back never hurt once, even while wearing him for over an hour!!!

[my4blessings]

I LOVE my BabyHawk Mei Tai!! I can still carry my 3 yo, 33 lb. DD in it on my back! My DS (24 lb, 18 mos) prefers it over the Hotsling and ring sling that we had.

[hfitz5051]

How old is your DD? What does she weigh? If she is a bit older, a highback carry in a MT might be nice. Then she can look around and see what is going on.

[-ashley-]

I think it TOTALY depends on you and your baby, and what ever works for whhat your doing!!! I like pouches for quick trips, they are the quickest to jsut pop baby in and go, but NOT comfy for long periods of time. I prefer ringslings over anything...when we are out on an all day outing, Braelynn lives perfectly comfortable in her RS. She plays (I hook link-a-doodles to thhe rings!), she BFs, and she naps all righht on scedual, we never miss a beat! Some people say that RS aren't that comfy, but once you get comfortable using it on either sholders it's fine for an all day trip!
I will probably switch to some sort of MT type carrier when she gets to be a bigger toddler...but we'll see!

[desicasi]

I LOVE my didys and Beco and Angelpack LX. Great for long or short trips.

[haynmama]

I like all of them! DD's new favorite is a Sutemi Pack, a soft structured carrier. She seems to fuss the least in this and it is comfy! MT's are great too. I like the HS and Maya, but she doesn't really like them all that much. I agree w/the pp: it's up to you and your LO!

[Jaimee]

How old is your DD? What does she weigh? If she is a bit older, a highback carry in a MT might be nice. Then she can look around and see what is going on.

DD is 4 months and around 12.5 pounds.

[EmnJJsMom]

My mei tai has SAVED me! I used to attempt slings and dd and I BOTH hated them. I made myself a mei tai and it's heaven! We are both so comfy!

[tealeaf]

I recommend a mei tai (I have a Kozy), a soft wrap, and a Sleeping Baby Productions ring sling. For different ages of baby and different circumstances it is helpful to have various types. When my newborn was nursing, I carried her around in a soft flannel rs. When I needed to vacuum (or otherwise needed my hands free at home) I use my stretch wrap. When out & about with an older baby, MTs are good. If you pick up carriers on FSOT (here or thebabywearers.com) you can get great deals on all three styles.

:goodvibes:

[Jaimee]

:bumpsign:

[togg_mama]

I have them all and I use them all on different days depending on my mood.:goodvibes:

If you want a quick fix for just a few minutes here and there, do the bjorn, but if you want to carry her a lot, get something that supports her weight well.

[EvansMomma]

I voted Mei tai and other.
We have a Babyhawk and I looooooooooooooove it!! I don't go anywhere without it.

We also love love love our Didy wrap. But we use it a bit less than the BH.

[mistylaureena]

BECO:thumbsup:

[laytonsmama]

O.k., you can't vote for 2 so I voted ring sling. My second vote would have been the Mei Tai. I have both and I love both. I just love my ring sling a wee-bit better. It is just easier to put on. If you can afford it, buy both!! :mrgreen:

Oh, and a note on the hotsling, I hated it. (I know it works for some people though) It just was not as easy for me as the two mentioned above. Maybe I had a bad fit? After using one though I would never again buy a sling that was not adjustable. I do have a bjorn..........HATE IT, what a waste of money. Glad someone else bought it for me! :2cents:

[Jaimee]

:bumpsign:

[blueyed_boys]

Hotslings are great I still use mine with my 2 yr old on a hip carrie. My second fav is my Kozy carrier then my ergo ! Good luck choosing one

[jax]

I have a woven wrap that I LOVE...now that I have the hang of it. It was a hassle to begin with but now that I got a little practice it was worth it. if you are looking for versatility don't give up on the wrap!

I also have an ellaroo mei tai that I really like but I can only use it for front carries right now cuz DS is too small for me to feel comfortable putting him on my back (though I've seen it done). Good luck mama..

BTW there is a baby carrier raffle on hyenacart right now under the NINOraffle site. maybe you'll get lucky and then you can try something different!

[Mommyof2boys]

I voted other, I love my Peanut shell!

however, if you go with a ringsling, I totally love the feel of Jan's SBP sling

[thinkdanni]

my favorites are:
for quick runs to the store my pouch, for a little bit longer my SBP ring sling, then for the most comfortable longest wearing but takes time to put on woven wraps (didy)

[Sweet_Fantasy_Fox]

i really love my hotsling, i also have a ring sling that works awesome. i love the comfort of the babyhawks, ive had 2;)
and of the sachi's, the sachi is actually more comfy that the babyhawk is too!
www.sachicarriers.com i think is the site.. these have padded leg area that is more comfy for the rider:thumbsup:
the thing i didn't like was all the tying, i am 5'2 and they are long and become a hassle. i sold all of my mei tai's and really want a beco or ergo carrier:)

[kflowerfly]

luv ERGO, check out the www.thehomegrownfamily.com they had a used one for sale.

I am 5ft and I L O V E my ERGO

[mamakori]

I love Zolowear! I know the mama who makes them (we used to be in the same bunco group) and she's great. The quality is wonderful, and they are so comfortable to wear. It also definitely fits in with your reasons for liking your Hotsling - easy to use, not bulky, cute fabric selection. I resisted buying one for quite a while because of the cost, but they are so worth it! My less expensive Maya Wrap didn't even compare. DS lived in the Zolowear until he was over 1 and just too heavy to support on one shoulder (he's a big guy).

That said, I had a lot of friends who swore by their Mei Tais. I have one (a Kozy) and have never really gotten that into it. We had an Ergo and liked it (cry - lost it at Disney World), but I found it too bulky for running errands, etc., though it was great to use around the house when I needed to get things done.

[srfbluemama]

I love the two-handed freedom of my babyhawk MT, but also love the poppability of my pouches. I'm probably going to get a Ball Baby Overall MT in the near future (wider straps sound like they might be nice!) and everyday I think to myself that I *need* :giggle: to try a RS (love the idea of bfing in one). Variety is the spice of life! :laugh:

I tried a stretchy wrap (Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Stretch), and while it was quite comfortable, I just didn't have the patience to try to master it. It's much faster and easier for me to just strap on the MT.

[Jaimee]

I just purchased a Babyhawk at 15% off!! They are having their 2nd anniversary sale through tomorrow, so order up mamas if you want a Babyhawk! The promotional code to enter is "birthday2." Thank you all for helping me decide!