If you could only keep one carrier...

[cyrdian]

which one would you keep?

I would *love* to start BW, but really can't spend more than about $50, and that's stretching my budget a lot. I'm a small, moderately hard to find size, so will prob have to buy new or maybe try to sew one.

My DD is 6 weeks old, and I would love something for quick trips/around the house when I am working on the computer. I have been having trouble carrying her in my arms all the time. It is hot here at the moment, so maybe something without a TON of fabric? Was thinking about a MT or a slinglings pouch, but am totally new at this.

So, any advice would be helpful. If you could only keep one style of carrier, which would it be? (and why)

Thanks everyone- I am trying to search through old post to get opinions too, so I am really sorry if this is like a daily question from newbies!

[Macyllehub]

I have worn wraps, ring slings, pouches and mei tais......

Hands down, I will never live without a mei tai. For me, Its the best carrier. I can wear my 5 month old, or my 2 1/2 yr old. I can wear it for long periods of time without ever having to take it off, readjust, or anything. I love that I can nurse in it without a hassle for me, and I can put it on my hip, my front and my personal fav - high back carry! I really feel that my mei tai distributes weight in perfect ways. I'm never sore, or feeling the weight on my spine. The frog position of pulling the newborns legs up and wraping them tight is perfect while young, and while older they love to know they are close, yet can see everything too!

I love a ring sling, that comes in second... but I found that it became really heavy really quick for me, so I do without, but keep it in the car for "just in case" trips.

HTH mama! :goodvibes:

[MatildasMum]

I would say a wrap. They can be used in SOOOO many ways. There is a small learning curve but once you have it down, it's so easy and quick.

Plus - they can be used as a blanket, a hammock, a cover, etc.

[lulusmom]

I will never go without a wrap. I used to be an all-mei tai/ssc girl and have since converted my whole stash over to wraps. They are hands down the most comfortable as well as the most versatile.

[happyslings]

I would also say mei tai because you can use it for so long and with multiple sized babies for longer. A ring sling was always my favroite, but for comfort, hands down I wuld say a mei tai.

A wrap would fall into that same catagory for me but its a lot of fabric and some people dont really want that.

Good luck momma!

[SubliminalDarkness]

For me, I would say a woven wrap. But for you, since you said you don't want a lot of fabric, I'd probably suggest a mei tai.

[osmom3kids]

I have worn wraps, ring slings, pouches and mei tais......

Hands down, I will never live without a mei tai. For me, Its the best carrier. I can wear my 5 month old, or my 2 1/2 yr old. I can wear it for long periods of time without ever having to take it off, readjust, or anything. I love that I can nurse in it without a hassle for me, and I can put it on my hip, my front and my personal fav - high back carry! I really feel that my mei tai distributes weight in perfect ways. I'm never sore, or feeling the weight on my spine. The frog position of pulling the newborns legs up and wraping them tight is perfect while young, and while older they love to know they are close, yet can see everything too!

I love a ring sling, that comes in second... but I found that it became really heavy really quick for me, so I do without, but keep it in the car for "just in case" trips.

HTH mama! :goodvibes:
:yeahthat:

Cupcake Carriers (in the WAHM Forum) makes rocking MTs, check them out

[HeavenlyHold]

Since you DD is only 6 wks, I'd say that the Slinglings pouch would be a great option, or a Sleepy Wrap...Both you can get for under $40.

[ChasingSage]

I have three children, and have devoted much time to figuring what really works for us as far as baby carrying. I try not to buy into consumerism in any aspect of my life. I would extend your request to two carriers, though. I would never have a baby/toddler, without owning a ring sling, I prefer a Maya wrap lightly padded, and a woven wrap, living on Miami Beach I adore my Vatanai. These two are my vote. Blessings~

[brandislee]

I only have two, a peanut shell (sling) and a baby k'tan. I haven't used the baby k'tan much (just got it and belly is too big at the moment for me to use it with my 22mo). And once upon a time I had a wrap, but in my post partum stupor threw it away out of frustration because it was too complicated for me! However, having looked at ALL the baby carriers they had at my local boutique and weighing the benefits and drawbacks, I have to say that if I had to choose one it would be the baby k'tan.

I love my peanut shell, it's so ridiculously cute and easy to use, perfect for every day use. The drawback, however, is that it can pull on your back/shoulder if you use it for a long time. Wraps are better for this because they distribute the weight much better, but as I said, I don't have the patience for a wrap. So when someone FINALLY explained to me how the baby k'tan works, I was like "why didn't someone tell me this earlier!!!" I had thought before it was just another wrap. It works like a wrap, but really it's just two loops of fabric that you arrange in various ways- almost as versitile and weight bearing as a wrap (not quite as much because there isn't as much fabric), but much more user friendly. And it sounds like that's what you're looking for!

I wanted a mei tai, too, but like you I'm trying not to get TOO out of control spending wise, and I felt that, even though you can use it in a few different ways, it's still more limiting because you can only have baby sitting up. I also love the look of ring slings, but since I already have a peanut shell couldn't justify buying something that is essentially the same thing.

[MotherMoonPads]

I would definetly keep my mei tai with XXL straps (I think they're 110 or so inches!). I couldn't live without my mei tai. I certainly wouldn't get anything done!

[mandalynnne]

Hands down a mei tai.

BTW - you can get a new mei tai in the co-op going on for less than $50 ;)

[paxbaby]

Oh, tough question.... I can't decide!!! But for your price range, I would suggest going to the store, and buying a length of stretchy material to make your own stretchy wrap! Start off with that, and as your LO gets too heavy, then invest in either a woven wrap if you are loving the WRAPPING, or a well-made MT, or a Soft Structured Carrier :)

[cyrdian]

Wow! Thanks everyone for the advice! I didn't even know about the co-ops either, so thanks for that tip too!

[amegrl520]

For your needs I would say definitely go with a pouch sling. They are great for quick trips and can be used for your entire babywearing experience. You can definitely get one on fsot for less than your budget and even get a new one too for that price.

[Meg678]

One quick questions about MT's...at what age is good to start using them?

[mom22girls]

Another vote for Mei Tai

[hrtoe]

For my now 6 month old I have favored out of my Ergo (so far he's still a little to small for it - and a mei tai is too big for him as well so far), my Sherpani front carrier, my Moby and my ring slings; I'd go for my Moby first every time even still but definitely when he was smaller. 2nd is my ringsling. You could make both easily for under $50 and they would last you for a while. The Moby (don't use anything too stretchy) supposedly only lasts until around 15 pounds, but my son is now 14 pounds and it's still awesome. The ring sling is more compact and I love it as well, but it's not my first choice (it was with my firstborn). HTH. :)

[hisminenours2005]

I would keep my mei tai! I LOVE my beco obi but the MT is so much more comfier with an older child. So for the fact I can use it longer, definitely my MT!! I used my MTs from birth and still using them for my 2 year old.

[angel0123]

I love my slinglings pouch ( I love my ergo too) but my slinglings gets used everyday (and hes 18mths). Great value for the money!

[vickieboggs]

my ring sling.

[stephrene78]

I have several different carriers and my absolute favorite is my Peanut Shell. Hands down! Sizing is key so if you feel a pouch is too big or small, try another size.

[junebug]

loved the Moby when DD was small, have a maya wrap for when i need something really quick but i absolutely LOVE my new babyhawk mei tai! it's so comfy and would have worked well with a small baby as well. that one's probably over your budget but you can find them used. :2cents:

[Quickshep19]

My favorite carrier is a Mei Tai. I can't live w/out it.

[jelybean333]

I would not go with out my mei tai baby, you can also get a (i think it is called a turtle shell insert) that allows you to carry younger infants in them, Maybe a mommy that has used one can direct you better.

[pumpkinbearsmom]

Another vote for mei tai. I got both my Baby Hawks for $40ppd on this site and TBW.

[cyrdian]

Thanks for all the the great advice! I may be ending up with a sling as a gift, but I definitely want to try a mei tai, after reading all the reviews. My dd has developed a few food sensitivities, so isn't often comfortable laying down in a cradle position, so I think the mei tai would be good for that reason too. Off to look at mei tais now! (Hurray- getting somewhere!)


PS- did anyone get their mai tais from two mommas designs yet? What did you think? Any preference among styles (OS, 1/2 buckle/ full buckle, onbu?)

How did they compare to any others you have tried? I noticed there weren't any reviews on TBW yet :goodvibes:

[Deanner03]

Thanks for all the the great advice! I may be ending up with a sling as a gift, but I definitely want to try a mei tai, after reading all the reviews. My dd has developed a few food sensitivities, so isn't often comfortable laying down in a cradle position, so I think the mei tai would be good for that reason too. Off to look at mei tais now! (Hurray- getting somewhere!)


PS- did anyone get their mai tais from two mommas designs yet? What did you think? Any preference among styles (OS, 1/2 buckle/ full buckle, onbu?)

How did they compare to any others you have tried? I noticed there weren't any reviews on TBW yet :goodvibes:


Check out cuppiecakecarriers on here. Her MT's are GREAT! I have purchased three :blush: One a friend now has, and two I still use (used one today, in fact) they're CUSTOM (you choose fabrics) great work, inexpensvie, and you can get a matching bag. The mama is GREAT!

[tracyb928]

Thanks for all the the great advice! I may be ending up with a sling as a gift, but I definitely want to try a mei tai, after reading all the reviews. My dd has developed a few food sensitivities, so isn't often comfortable laying down in a cradle position, so I think the mei tai would be good for that reason too. Off to look at mei tais now! (Hurray- getting somewhere!)


PS- did anyone get their mai tais from two mommas designs yet? What did you think? Any preference among styles (OS, 1/2 buckle/ full buckle, onbu?)

How did they compare to any others you have tried? I noticed there weren't any reviews on TBW yet :goodvibes:

Our Babywearer Reviews here (http://www.thebabywearer.com/cgi-bin/reviews/reviews2.pl?category=northcarolina&folder=twomommasdesigns) :mrgreen:

[mum2kenna&lucas]

I am mostly a wrap lover..but I do LOVE my Olivia Bolivia's!! So my vote would be for 1 of those :goodvibes: