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JennGM
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 1:24pm | IP Logged
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Continuing with a discussion from here I suddenly had an epiphany that I'm a soft structured carrier type of person. I'm not a sling type, and why keep trying. I'm petite, but large up top, and my back hurts easily. My son is 4 months and a heavy load.
I'm concerned with portability and hands free. It's a different situation going from one to two. Now that summer and day trips and excursions are on the calendar, I need both stroller options and carrier options.
And I love the Bjorn. If only I could find something just like it but that the straps don't cross over in the chest and put pressure (causing clogged ducts and worse). Maybe I need to design something? I've been looking and looking. I love having the front carry, both in and outward. I understand it's not good for long periods of time, but my sons really really enjoy looking around (and helping, when they can).
I'm having better luck with my Ergo. And I found some advice from the Ergo Lady that really helped. This is an awkward age and stage, but just wait and it will get better. She has some other tips about leg positions that is helping. The infant support is gone, and we're getting to love it more.
After looking at so many structured carriers and buckle carriers, I think this Belle Baby might be what I'm looking for as a substitute for the Bjorn. There are others that MIGHT fit the bill, but I do want an option of being able to face out.
WHICH the Ergo Lady said it can be done in the Ergo.
So...I'm just rambling my own thoughts, but wondering if any other advice?
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Jennifer G. Miller
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 2:32pm | IP Logged
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Didn't you say your son weighs 17 lbs? I would think he would outgrow the one you posted pretty quick (it says up to 25).
Why don't you want to consider a mei tai? Just curious. Some of them, like the Catbird Baby even have a cinch at the base to make facing out easier.
I just wonder because it seems it would be ideal in my mind since you like the Ergo, but the longer body makes it more versatile for those your sons age (little head control), you don't have to clip the back for a front carry, the front straps can just be like a back pack for a back carry (no clipping in front bringing pressure on your breasts for clogged ducts, but you can get a clip to do that if you prefer the clip in front), and it is more easily adjustable for nursing, ime.
No pressure, lol, since I seem to recommend it in all your threads, but you've never mentioned i t not working specifically, and I wondered why you don't think it would work.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 2:39pm | IP Logged
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CrunchyMom wrote:
Didn't you say your son weighs 17 lbs? I would think he would outgrow the one you posted pretty quick (it says up to 25).
Why don't you want to consider a mei tai? Just curious. Some of them, like the Catbird Baby even have a cinch at the base to make facing out easier.
I just wonder because it seems it would be ideal in my mind since you like the Ergo, but the longer body makes it more versatile for those your sons age (little head control), you don't have to clip the back for a front carry, the front straps can just be like a back pack for a back carry (no clipping in front bringing pressure on your breasts for clogged ducts, but you can get a clip to do that if you prefer the clip in front), and it is more easily adjustable for nursing, ime.
No pressure, lol, since I seem to recommend it in all your threads, but you've never mentioned i t not working specifically, and I wondered why you don't think it would work. |
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No pressure, lol. The Mei Tais that I see tie (I don't want a tie, but a buckle), and I need more back support (weight on hips).
I do not need a nursing access. The baby will have to come out to be nursed. I can't do acrobatic tricks.
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Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 2:47pm | IP Logged
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Lindsay, I forgot to say thank you for following me on all the threads. 
And yes, I have a two ton son. That was the downside of that Belle Carrier.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 3:00pm | IP Logged
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Well, in that case, I think there is a mei tai that has a waist like the ERgo (heavily padded, buckles) and the body is longer and the top straps tie. Not sure what its called, and I've never tried it myself, but I saw one once. You might ask around at TBW for that specifically. I always thought that sounded like a neat concept since I like the top straps that tie on my mei tai, but you are right, the waist on the Ergo takes a lot of the weight. My husband was still carrying around our oldest confortably in the Ergo when he was three (I never tried as I always had the baby!).
I think that it might be easier to face out in than the Ergo because of the way the Ergo straps go back to the body, it limits the fabric that is free for squishing between their legs.
And you are welcome. I just really like helping people wear their babies! It seems there are so many options out there now, there must be something that will work for just about anybody, yk?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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SusanJ
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 7:34pm | IP Logged
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Jenn,
I'm an Ergo fan and have never liked Mei Teis even though I use a long wrap on infants. But I did want to say that you can do a rucksack tie with the Mei Tei so the straps won't cross over your chest.
Maybe this carrier is what Lindsay had in mind?
Susan
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JennGM
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| Posted: April 17 2008 at 10:21pm | IP Logged
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Susan, that buckle Mei Tei looks neat.
I do think both the MT and Ergo have a little more fabric to be comfortable for facing outward, so it's not ideal.
And Lindsay, there ARE so many choices that just makes me think that SOMEBODY must have made a carrier that fits my needs. Come on, how hard is it to get a Baby Bjorn/Ergo type of combo that the straps don't hurt me!?
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Taffy
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| Posted: April 18 2008 at 12:33am | IP Logged
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Jenn, I would highly recommend the Frankenkozy. I made one for my little girl and love it. It is like a mei tei but with extra wide straps that do a wonderful job of distributing weight. The one I made is tied but I see no reason why one couldn't be made with a buckle instead.
Here's a picture of the one I made (it was super easy!).
And here's where you can find the instructions to make one. I'm not sure if she makes them for sale but it wouldn't hurt to ask...
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: April 18 2008 at 9:05am | IP Logged
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SusanJ wrote:
Jenn,
I'm an Ergo fan and have never liked Mei Teis even though I use a long wrap on infants. But I did want to say that you can do a rucksack tie with the Mei Tei so the straps won't cross over your chest.
Maybe this carrier is what Lindsay had in mind?
Susan |
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Susan, I think a wrap is a good solution, too, I just know Jenn has said in the past that she doesn't like them.
I never cross the mei tai over my chest for a back carry--just have the straps go back like regular back-pack straps. My bwing class co-leader uses the chest belt from her Ergo (I think) on her mei tais.
That's one reason I think the classes are good if you have access. Not only are there so many different carriers, but there are also a plethora of ways people have found to use each one to suit particular needs.
Have you tried putting him in the ERgo facing out but sort of Indian style with his legs in. (Is that politically incorrect, I'm not sure what else you are supposed to call sitting with your legs crossed that way?).
Or, maybe with one leg crossed in and the other hanging out with baby shifted a little to the side would work.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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time4tea
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| Posted: April 18 2008 at 2:44pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| And yes, I have a two ton son. |
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Jenn,
My oldest ds was 17 lbs. at 4 months, too. He is now 15 years old, 6'2", 200 lbs., with men's size 13 feet  . I'm so glad he's beyond the carrier stage  . Thank you for starting and keeping this thread going - I am seriously looking for a carrier for our 8 month old dd, 19 lbs., and have yet to find the perfect match for us.
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: April 18 2008 at 4:43pm | IP Logged
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Hey Jenn, you're gonna love me for suggesting yet another carrier, but I got a new one today that I think is going to be great for me. It is the Baby K-Tan Baby Carrier. It is similar to my Moby, but MUCH easier to get Seth in and out of. It isn't a long wrap that you feel like you are wrapping yourself up, not to mention trying to get it on without dragging it on the ground. Also, it is very versatile. Seth fell asleep in it this afternoon and got a good nap and it didn't strain my back at all. Usually he doesn't like to be cuddled up in a carrier but he loved this.
Check out their website for tutorials on the different positions. It looks like the back carry is much easier than the Moby. Seth hated the back carry when I tried it in the Moby.
Oh, and since I didn't get around to posting again on your stroller thread, I will do it here. I tried the Sit and Stand. It doesn't recline enough for a four month old. But it does have an attachment for putting the infant car seat in the front seat. It is much easier to steer than my Graco double.
HTH!
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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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teachingmyown wrote:
Hey Jenn, you're gonna love me for suggesting yet another carrier, but I got a new one today that I think is going to be great for me. It is the Baby K-Tan Baby Carrier. It is similar to my Moby, but MUCH easier to get Seth in and out of. It isn't a long wrap that you feel like you are wrapping yourself up, not to mention trying to get it on without dragging it on the ground. Also, it is very versatile. Seth fell asleep in it this afternoon and got a good nap and it didn't strain my back at all. Usually he doesn't like to be cuddled up in a carrier but he loved this.
Check out their website for tutorials on the different positions. It looks like the back carry is much easier than the Moby. Seth hated the back carry when I tried it in the Moby. |
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Molly, I noticed in Nina's baby carrier thread you were using Hot Slings. I need to pull mine out and try again, since I won't be doing cradle hold now.
Did the K-Tan not work? When I looked at it I thought it might be too stretchy for a heavy child, although it looks like it wouldn't be hot and easy to use.
I'm getting to like my Ergo more. I do wish I had the capability of making the seat area smaller so he could put his legs out comfortably. I don't like folding up his leg(s).
I've been enjoying AttachedtoBaby.com because I like categories, but I'm a visual person. I can't tell you how much time I've spent looking for sites or reviews that talk about large-br**sted women and baby wearing to no avail. Most of what I find is the suggestion that larger women will have problems nursing in suchandsuch carrier. But I want to know where are the straps, where does it all press on the mother? And I want to know back support for heavy babies.
I am finding one other negative with the Ergo is the side/underarm straps are uncomfortable for long periods for the reason mentioned above. I just am so prone to plugged ducts that I need to be very careful.
Not that I would buy a new one, but has anyone seen or tried Pikkolo? It has the capability to make the seat smaller, and ways to make the baby's head higher or deeper into the pouch, two areas I would like different than the Ergo. My son keeps trying to eat the strap that is in his face. I do wonder since the Pikkolo rides on the waist that it might be less comfortable on the back than the Ergo.
The other one that intrigues me is the Bondolino, but I can find very, very little information on it. Pictures have a small baby, can't see the straps or how the parent holds the weight.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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teachingmyown
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| Posted: May 07 2008 at 9:11am | IP Logged
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Jenn, I was meaning to go back and retract my recommendation for the Baby K'tan.  I really liked it at first. It is simpler than the Moby and easier to do a cradle hold and nurse. But, it is way too stretchy and quickly lost its snugness. Seth literally almost fell out while I was cooking dinner. I had to have someone grab him before he fell because I had raw meat on my hands!  He basically wiggle enough to slip between the two pieces of fabric. If I were to just wear it like the Moby, it would be safe, but it doesn't work as well as the Moby. I sent it back.
As far as the Hotsling, at first I didn't think I liked it. But Lisa (lisbet) suggested that I didn't have Seth sitting right in it. The circulation in his right leg kept getting cut off. So, now I plop his bottom in the "pouch" first and it works really well. I like that it is snug. It is a little hard to get him in a reclining position to nurse. But I can wear him in it and still hold hands with two of my other children, it is that secure. Of course, things like bending down or hanging clothes aren't safe and I have to keep a hand on. For most activities it is pretty good. It does still pull on my shoulder like my other slings.
I am well-endowed, too. I will let you know how the Kozy feels when I get it. I friend has an Ergo that I am going to check out, but I think I will prefer the ties to buckles. I haven't used anything other than a sling or wrap since my first 16 years ago.
Seth is 18 lbs at 4 months so I know what you mean about carrying a big guy. My biggest problem right now is that wearing him on front (after years of wearing the others on front) is that I feel that my back is permanently curved like a C. Even stretching doesn't help. I am hoping wearing him on my back some in the Kozy will help.
What a puzzle!
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In Christ,
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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CrunchyMom
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JennGM wrote:
| I'm getting to like my Ergo more. I do wish I had the capability of making the seat area smaller so he could put his legs out comfortably. I don't like folding up his leg(s). |
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I don't know if it would work well with the Ergo--I've never done this myself--but at my last meeting, some of the moms mentioned using a ponytail scrunchy or scarf tied around the base of a mei tai to keep the cinching there for little ones on carriers that don't have a built in cinch.
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Baby Carrier
