4Real Forums: Need advice please a.s.a.p.--best carrier

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Topic: Need advice please a.s.a.p.--best carrier

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Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 3:01pm \| IP Logged

My Peter cries 24/7 when not latched on to me or held after falling asleep. Needless to say, with 9 children, homeschooling needs, and cystic fibrosis needs.....I am quite overwhelmed with how to care for everything. The kids can NOT handle the crying----the house is small....and well you know the rest.....

So, please would you take a moment and help me buy the BEST sling (so I can nurse....not a Baby Bjorn type). I need to order asap. Which one have you found the best? My old one from years ago that finally fell apart always hurt my shoulders....didn't have much padding or something.

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!!

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SusanJ
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 3:23pm \| IP Logged

Hmm . . . this is a highly personal thing. The most versatile type of sling is a wrap carrier--the type that is just one long, wide piece of fabric. But those also tend to have the steepest learning curve. If you are willing to futz with it and spend some time with online instructions (Lisbet has some great ones on her blog, by the way) then that is what I would recommend. If money is not an issue, you will be happier with a German-made wrap like a Storchewiege or Didymos. The weave is better and much more supportive.

If simplicity is your thing then I would probably go with a ring sling such as Maya Wrap or Ella Roo. You can nurse in those types as well and they are very easy to use but harder on your body.

Susan

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Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 3:51pm \| IP Logged

Awesome help, Susan---thanks for taking the time.

Anyone else's favorites?

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~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met

folklaur
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 4:16pm \| IP Logged

My body doesn't work well with carriers

- the only one that did was the Maya Pouch. I loved that thing. I am not even sure they still make it, or if they only have the Maya Wrap now.

CrunchyMom
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 4:24pm \| IP Logged

I'm not sure how old your Peter is, but in the babywearing group I co-lead, the three most popular carriers are

A)A moby wrap--it is stretchy and most use it from birth until more head control.

B)A mei tai--my favorite brand is a Kozy but Babyhawks are also popular

C)Ergo

If you want to nurse, I find the mei tai easier than the Ergo. I adjust it down low so that they can nurse and then cinch it back up when they are done. No flipping or turning. The Ergo doesn't allow so much for this and requires more contorting ime. Both are good back carriers for those times when touch is all that's necessary and you want to have your hands freer.

I'm with Susan. If I could only have one carrier, it would be my didymos (but a kozy is a close second!), but if you are really so stressed, the learning curve is steeper on wraps (so you may not feel you have the time to fiddle and learn) though the payoff is high! Some people pick up on it quickly and others never like them.

Ring slings are a simple option, but most find that wearing them all day is not as comfortable as a two shouldered carrier.

ETA: If I were able to afford it as a shower gift, I think I would give the Kozy to those with little babywearing experience since I find it both versatile for a wide range of ages and easy to use.

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Lindsay
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CrunchyMom
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 4:32pm \| IP Logged

Nina Murphy wrote:

My old one from years ago that finally fell apart always hurt my shoulders....didn't have much padding or something.

THANK YOU SO SO MUCH!!!!

If you do want a ring sling, I don't know that padding is really so much a factor in how much it hurts your shoulder. Many unpadded slings are among the most comfortable. The weave of the fabric has a lot to do with comfort as well as the style of the shoulder. Plus, technique is important. And unpadded sling needs to keep the rings very high on the shoulder and be spread well for optimal support.

Some very popular ringslings are Taylormade, Sleeping Baby Productions, and Sling Me Mommy.

I use a homemade one from SlingMeMommy.com's instructions because I find it simple and super comfy. Others prefer SleepingBabyProductions (she has extensive how to instructions on her site as well). Both also sell ready made slings.

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Lindsay
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Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 4:42pm \| IP Logged

thank you, thank you, lindsay!

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~~Nina
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and 2 yet-to-be-met

Lisbet
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 4:49pm \| IP Logged

Nina, I'm a huge fan of a wrap myself. You can find out tons about how to use one/make one here. HTH.

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teachingmyown
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 5:18pm \| IP Logged

Nina,
I have to hold my guy all day too. He is four months and 18 pounds. Here's what I have found to work.
I love my Moby D wrap. It is very comfortable and completely hands-free. I find it awkward to nurse in, but I think that I am not doing something right. The other downside is that with the baby in front it is hard to cook and do dishes. He hated when I tried to wear him on my back in the Moby.

I have also been using a Hotsling that a friend lent me. I think it works far better than any of my ring slings. It is very secure, almost hands-free, and it is easy in and out. You just can't hang laundry or bend over too far with baby in it.

I have been looking for a back carrier that he will like so I can get those chores done. Today, I ordered a Kozy carrier. It really looks like it will do the trick. I should get it by Friday, so I can let you know how I like it if you can wait that long.

It really is so hard with SO many choices and different preferences. Good luck!

by the way, I am going to be selling my Maya Wrap ring sling if you decide you want one.

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Bookswithtea
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 6:16pm \| IP Logged

I was very hesitant to spend the money on an Ergo, but I took the plunge a few months ago and I don't regret it one bit. I have learned to use it and nurse in it. It is so comfortable I can do just about anything with baby in it and I don't have painful shoulders at the end of the day. Before this, I was a sling devotee and had worn out at least 3. I still use my sling occasionally, but I get frustrated with it because its not really hands free compared with the Ergo. Nursing in it took a few times to figure out, but now that I know how to do it, I can nurse in a store and shop and no one even knows.

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Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 6:17pm \| IP Logged

thank you, lisa! which wrap do you use---homemade or something i can purchase -- &n bsp; ? ; ; ; /

thank you, molly! i'm going to look into the kozy and hotsling right now....and compare to maya. i'm scared of the moby---that it would be too much work!

sorry for the nursing typing!

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~~Nina
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and 2 yet-to-be-met

JennGM
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 6:23pm \| IP Logged

Nina, you always inspire me! Can I ask you to describe what your old sling was? Did it have rings? A long tail? Any padding or railing? Could it have been the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder?

Were you displeased, or used to it and want something similar?

I'm having a love relationship with my Ergo. At first we didn't get along, but now it's a breeze and very hands free. But I don't nurse in it, or any other carrier. I'm pleased with my investment

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dawn2006
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 6:50pm \| IP Logged

nak

my guy is just about 3 months old and i love the moby and so does he. the learning curve for me was 4 tries. i wish i'd had this with my other babies!! i haven't perfected nursing but have had a few passable attempts. one time i succeeded in nursing hands-free and going about my business. um, one time.

eta: my back up plan as he gets heavier is to buy a mei-tei as another poster already suggested. i've seen a few moms nursing in them and it seems pretty easy. plus, good for back carries, too.

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JodieLyn
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 8:58pm \| IP Logged

I like my maya wrap.. it has a fold that you can flip over the tip of your shoulder.. that keeps it from sliding onto your neck.. which for me is what hurts the most.. I took to wearing any sling over the tip of my shoulder for that reason.. but the maya makes it much eaiser and leaves more of the weight coming down on the top of my shoulder than over the point of my shoulder.

I've also worn two ring slings at the same time.. infant in a high front carry but a bit to the side and a toddler on my hip.. whew.. that was exhausting but it got me through... hmmm.. oh I think it was Stations of the Cross. And I like how easy it is to switch kids around in the ring sling.. I've had a toddler fall asleep and been able to slip the baby around to my back/side and be able to pick up the toddler and carry him.

I want to try a wrap though.. I've seen one demonstrated and I like the versatility.. though I'm not sure it's as simple to switch around as the ring sling.

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Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 11:52pm \| IP Logged

JennGM wrote:

It was one of the Dr. Sears' ones from 1990! I abused that puppy! LOL

You always inspire ME, Jenn!

I mainly need it for carrying him NOW at this 9 1/2 lb. ----needs to nurse constantly stage. I wonder if the Ergo would work for that?

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~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met

Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 11:53pm \| IP Logged

Bookswithtea wrote:

Thanks, Books! One more vote for the Ergo! can you use it with infant?

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~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met

Nina Murphy
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Posted: May 06 2008 at 11:59pm \| IP Logged

Thank you, Jodie!

Thank you, Dawn!

I love all of your different experiences and input!!! I am still considering it. I just can't decide. Someone sells the Moby at my church....but I'm not sure if it's right for me. The pouch-type looks easiest, but I'm questioning the support it will offer. Maybe the Maya...

And. I don't want to get hot because I'm ALWAYS HOT!

Decisions, decisions.

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~~Nina
mother of 9 on earth,
and 2 yet-to-be-met

JodieLyn
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Posted: May 07 2008 at 1:13am \| IP Logged

Nina.. have you considered buying a used carrier?

I have a friend who is a self-proclaimed carrier junkie.. she loves all the different ways to wear a baby.

And one of the things she'll do is to buy a carrier used.. and then if she doesn't care for it.. she can re-sell it for close to if not all of her purchase price because so many hold their value. You lose too much buying new and re-selling.. but buying used and re-selling can make it possible to try many different carriers without much outlay of money.

There's a site my friend uses.. and it has space for selling carriers.. let me check on what it is.. I posted it somewhere here not to long ago.

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JodieLyn
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Posted: May 07 2008 at 1:15am \| IP Logged

here's the site she gave me

http://www.thebabywearer.com

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Jodie, wife to Dave
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All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
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CrunchyMom
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Posted: May 07 2008 at 6:20am \| IP Logged

The trading post at TBW site linked above is great for buying used carriers.

I personally would not get the Ergo for the size baby you have or to nurse in.

I think if you have someone who sells the Moby and can help you use it well (I don't think the directions that come with it are very good), it is a good option for the stage you describe. Almost all the moms with newborns who find our group end up loving theirs. She can probably help you learn to nurse hands free in it.

A kozy might be cooler, but I find that most of the heat comes from the baby and not from the carrier itself.

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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
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[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR

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