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anniemm
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| Posted: June 20 2007 at 8:48pm | IP Logged
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Hi Ladies!
My 3rd little daughter is due in about 3 1/2 weeks and I was hoping to be able to make the sling that MichelleQ gave instructions for on her blog, but due to crazy family circumstances, I am out of town until a week before my due date AND once I leave where I am now, I will be moving into a new place in a new state, so I am not ending up with as much time to make the sling as I'd like!
I have never used a sling with either of my other children, but they are all so little still (3 and 19 mo. right now) that I feel like the sling would end up making my life easier! Does anyone have suggestions about what the best ones are and where to get them? I feel totally overwhelmed by the options and thought maybe some others might have some recommendations! Thanks!
Andrea
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Andrea
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mellyrose
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If you can try some out before buying, I would recommend you do that because it seems that slings are a pretty personal preference type thing.
That being said, I have 3 different types that I use and like.
I have a mesh new native style carrier that doesn't work so well for me now with a tiny infant -- but I can see it being nice and easy when she's older.
I have a maya wrap, which is pretty easy to put on and use, but can pull on my shoulder/back if I carry a bigger baby/child for any length of time. I used my maya wrap for both boys and it did make life easier! I think I used it until my middle boy was 3 or so.
For this baby, I also got a ultimate baby wrap and I REALLY like this one. The weight is distributed evenly and the babe is very secure. It does take a bit of getting used to in how to put it on, but I use it in the house all the time and it saves us during dinner time (you know -- the boys HAVE to eat, and it's her fussiest time of day!) I only wish I was skinnier, because it tends to pull at my shirt and it's hard to disguise the weight I need to lose. 
Hope that helps!
Melanie
Mom to Colin (11/00), Nate (05/02), Lydia (04/07)
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cathochick
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| Posted: June 20 2007 at 10:08pm | IP Logged
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I like ring slings (like the one Michelle made) and Mei Tais. I made a Mei Tai and wore it a lot when my most recent baby was a newborn.
--Jessica
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Lisbet
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 5:33am | IP Logged
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Simple pouches cannot be beat for newborns, but if you want something for the duration, I'd personally suggest some kind of wrap, like a MOBY or Ellaroo. (or simply 5 yards by 27 -30 inches of either a tight cotton weave or forgiving jersey, no sewing required, fabric can be found for $1/yard at WalMart even!) The positions and options are endless. www.wearyourbaby.com
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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SusanJ
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I'll second the ellaroo rec. I have the wrap and loved it with my second. It does take practice--but not too much. There are online videos. I have a Maya wrap as well. I think these are a bit easier to use, but harder for long-term wearing. Something with two shoulders will definitely be easier on your body.
Pouches are simple, but some babies (my two, for example) don't like the cradle carry and prefer to be upright. Both a wrap and a ring sling will let you carry a newborn upright from birth, with the legs tucked up in the fetal position. A wrap or ring sling are also great long-term options and could be used on older kids as well. Also, pouches often need to be sized correctly or you will kill your back using one. And, if your husband is a different size he couldn't use it.
Check out NINO (Nine In, Nine Out) It's a babywearing support group that has local chapter meetings. At ours, for example, lots of moms bring their different carriers and you can ask questions, try them on, and sometimes even buy one. Not as helpful if you are still pregnant, but still a good resource.
Good luck!
Susan
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Lillian
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Hi Andrea!!
I have always used the Baby Sling by Nojo. I bought it from Motherwear. I know there are so many out there and I haven't tried them. This is the one I've been using for the past 9 years and its worked for me. I like it because it has the adjustable ring with shoulder padding. I've used it from the time they are 3 days old all the way to 2 yo. And my dh uses it to. They can lie down in them, sit up right, face forward, and sit on your hip. And it seems to come in petite, regular and tall sizes. And when baby falls alseep in it, they are easy to remove gently while baby sleeps.
They don't come in the prettiest colors though!! I have the denim one and keep saying I'm going to sew my own one day. But so far I have bought 3 of them to have a spare and to replace my original one.
Whatever one you choose, try to have someone show you. And don't worry if baby fusses the first few times. They will get used to them!!
Lots of friends of mine from where I used to live make their own. They look the Everyday Sling (pouch) sold by Motherwear. I think those are better for thinner moms. I was a little to "meaty" for it and there wasn't any room left for baby!!! Either way, I'm sure you'll like whatever sling you get.
Also, Motherwear has an easy return policy. No, I don't work for them! But I have been buying from them for almost a decade!! 
Good luck!
Blessings,
Lillian
Isabelle 9, Anna 7, Sophia 5, Kolbe 4, Catherine 21 mos. and Baby due in 1/08
Smithflections
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DominaCaeli
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| Posted: June 21 2007 at 1:33pm | IP Logged
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Lisbet wrote:
| Simple pouches cannot be beat for newborns, but if you want something for the duration, I'd personally suggest some kind of wrap, like a MOBY or Ellaroo. (or simply 5 yards by 27 -30 inches of either a tight cotton weave or forgiving jersey, no sewing required, fabric can be found for $1/yard at WalMart even!) The positions and options are endless. www.wearyourbaby.com |
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I want to second all of this! I love my Hotslings pouch--I can wear my babies in it for hours without a problem, and it isn't bulky. My daughter loved the cradle position when she was a newborn, and now both she and my son are worn on my hip. The pouch is so easy to use, as long as you get the right size. Most online stores are happy to exchange sizes for you.
However, it really depends on what you're looking for. If you want to wear your baby all day while you're doing housework, chasing around other littles, etc., then the pouch might not be best; it is hands-free, but not arms-free (one shoulder is in use). Same goes for the ring sling. A wrap or mei tai, which can use both shoulders (more like a backpack), is better for all-day use and is more versatile. As others have mentioned, though, there is a bit of a learning curve. BUT, in the case of a wrap, there is no concern about sizing.
And as Lisa said, a wrap is just a long piece of fabric, so you can easily make your own. I just followed the Wear Your Baby instructions.
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Celeste
Joyous Lessons
Mommy to six: three boys (8, 4, newborn) and four girls (7, 5, 2, and 1)
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nicole marie
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I also really love my Hotsling! It is easy to use and easily fits in the diaper bag when not in use. I have used it since DD was a newborn and now she is almost 11 months old and still rides in it on my hip to do housework!
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monica
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 6:23am | IP Logged
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i used a maya wrap sling when my ds was little, but once he hit about 10 mo, he was much too interested in the world around to not be able to reach out. also, he is very tall for his age, so he could lean very far and was scaring me. so igot a moby wrap. it takes a bit of time to master it, but it is SSSSSOOOO comfortable when you get it down. there are a variety of ways you can wear it, and my son is now 14mo and i will still put him in it when hiking or when i need to get him to sleep and dont have a place to lay him down. any way, thats my two cents.
monica
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 10:24am | IP Logged
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My absolute favorite is my Moby D Wrap! I have a Maya Wrap which is really good, and a regular sling. The problem with those two is that I never feel COMPLETELY hands-free while using them. The Moby D is completely hands-free! Also, my last baby wanted to upright from the time she was very little. I could not get her in a secure, upright position in a sling or Maya Wrap.
The Moby has several variations on how to wear the baby, so you can find a way that works and even change as the baby gets older.
But the most important thing is how completely secure the baby is and how completely hands-free you are! It made a huge change in our lives
I got mine from an online store that gives 10% of her proceeds to a crisis pregnancy center. She also gives great customer service. The site is www.mom4life.com.
Hope that helps!
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 10:33am | IP Logged
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Watching this thread with interest, as I'm trying to sort out what we'll have.
I really didn't like the padded sling, Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. We ended up using the Baby Bjorn quite a bit. I know that isn't popular with many attachment parenting moms, but it worked for us. But it did give me clogged ducts, and I was wondering how does any front carrier (like the Moby) ride on larger chest areas?
I was eyeing either a Hotsling or Native Baby Carrier, and then a Mei Tai or Moby. It just seems you need more than one carrier for baby's moods and needs, and mom's needs and activities.
Can anyone give a comparison of Moby with Mei Tai?
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Lisbet
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 10:43am | IP Logged
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Jenn, I personally prefer a Moby over any other type of sling/carrier. (or any wrap carrier for that matter, and I will admit, I have too many! In my defense, I do teach babywearing at the local birth center! )
Mei Tai's are not my 'style' I don't like straps, I don't like things around my waist. (my husband digs them though, and has 2 of his very own!) Ring slings and pouches work for me the first few months, and I do use them exclusively the first week or two. But I need a two shoulder carry, and a secure back carry option. (my babies are on my back from about 2 weeks on.) Right now I carry Molly on my back quite often, out of the way of the baby bump, nothing tied around my waist, completely hands free.
A wrap would work fine I think for a bustier mama. (no personal experience here on that though  ) There are no buckles or straps, and to be comfortable, the fabric should spread out nicely. There is really nothing to bind you.
*ETA, I plan on posting a belly pic on my blog later, I will have Molly on my back for it!
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Lisa, wife to Tony,
Mama to:
Nick, 17
Abby, 15
Gabe, 13
Isaac, 11
Mary, 10
Sam, 9
Henry, 7
Molly, 6
Mark, 5
Greta, 3
Cecilia born 10.29.10
Josephine born 6.11.12
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JennGM
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 10:47am | IP Logged
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I guess I like straps, or at least the look. The wraps I see seem to swallow up some ladies, and all I can think is that looks HOT!
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Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 2:31pm | IP Logged
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Jenn, The Moby works just fine for us larger chested women. Much better I would say than Baby Bjorn or other traditional carriers. I hated the way I looked in those.
The Moby is not hot at all. It is really light weight so it doesn't really feel like you are adding another whole layer. I actually like the way it spreads out across my back so that none of my extra bulges are visible. Of course, when the baby isn't in the Moby, I do get strange looks from people trying to figure out what I am wearing!
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
Remembering Today
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Jess
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I have a Moby too and I love it! What Molly said about getting the funny looks when the baby isn't in it is true LOL. But I have carried our 3 month old in from birth and in several positions and she loves it and so do I. It isn't hot either and we live a very hot climate.
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Jess
+JMJ+
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anniemm
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| Posted: June 22 2007 at 11:57pm | IP Logged
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I think I'm going to go with the Moby wrap...I'm so hormonal that when I watched the instructional video it made me cry!!!! lol It's just so sweet...I've never had a baby in the sling and it seems just natural.
Thank you so much for the suggestions....this has been SO helpful so far!
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Andrea
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Kathryn UK
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| Posted: June 23 2007 at 3:37am | IP Logged
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Advice from wrap experts please 
I have a wrap similar to the Moby and a ring sling, and like both. My problem now is that I really need to be able to put my 12 month old on my back, but the wrap is a bit too stretchy and I can't get her up securely. Would it work if I sewed a non-stretchy cotton panel to the centre of the wrap to make it more like a Moby D? She is light weight but very wiggly!
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Dh Michael,  Rachel(3/95) Hannah(8/98) Naomi(6/06)  (11/07)
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graciefaith
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Has anyone tried this sling out. It's a hybrid. It's an adjustable pouch, basically. This is what i think i want to get. Im also a newbie when it comes to slinging babies. I was looking at the moby wrap and others like it but i dont know if i would like all that fabric wrapped around me.
Wise Woman Slings
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JennGM
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Kathryn UK wrote:
Advice from wrap experts please
I have a wrap similar to the Moby and a ring sling, and like both. My problem now is that I really need to be able to put my 12 month old on my back, but the wrap is a bit too stretchy and I can't get her up securely. Would it work if I sewed a non-stretchy cotton panel to the centre of the wrap to make it more like a Moby D? She is light weight but very wiggly! |
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Oh good, that was going to be my next question. Moby over Moby D? Comparisons? The Moby D with the non stretch panel looks like it could give a little reassurance.
Also, One Hot Mama was recommending The Ultimate Baby Wrap, which to my untrained eyes looks like a Moby. Any comments?
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teachingmyown
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The reason I went with the Moby D instead of the Ultimate Baby Wrap or the Joey Wrap, which is also the same idea, is the woven panel in the front. A regular Moby is just like the other wraps. The woven panel on the Moby D helps keep the baby tight against your body. Otherwise as the baby gets bigger, the stretchy fabric will sag and the baby will get lower and lower. Still very secure, but not as comfortable. The Moby D has just enough extra support to keep the baby in the original position. This probably isn't an issue for those with tiny babies or those who don't intend to wear the baby for an extended period of time.
Besides, you can get such pretty styles in the Moby D! Always a consideration!
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Molly
wife to Court & mom to ds '91, dd '96, ds '97, dds '99, '01, '03, '06, and dss '07 and 01/20/11
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Best Baby Sling?
