Baby Wearing for Beginners - A Practical Guide Part II

In Part I, I answered some of the basic questions about baby wearing and listed a few resources. In Part II I want to share my personal experience with the different carriers I own. I might refer to some other ones that I would love to try, but for the most part will try to stick to what I know.

There are different types of carriers: ring slings, wraps (stretchy and woven), buckle carriers, and mei tais. This website has a great overview of the different types and their pros and cons: https://www.carrymeaway.com/learncenter/baby-carriers-101/

I started my baby wearing journey with a baby k'tan, which falls in the wrap category. When Noah got older and no longer enjoyed being snuggled up in it, maybe at six or nine months old, I purchased a used Ergo carrier, which is a buckle (or soft structured) carrier. Spoiler alert, the ergo is my favorite option and is getting used the most in and around this house.
When Ava was born, I wanted to try a different wrap which can be tied in different ways, so I purchased maybe the most popular one out there, also because I found a good deal at Nordstrom Rack, a Moby wrap. Then when Levi was born, I started to look for a carrier that is quick and simple to take on and off, but not as bulky as my ergo. We were attending a wedding and to be completely honest, I also wanted a really pretty one. I had some money left on an Amazon gift card and purchased a woven ring sling.

Baby K'tan

price: $45-$60
Amazon Link: http://amzn.to/2wV6ULn



I love...that this is a great wrap for beginners. You can't do anything wrong and won't have to worry if it's tied too tight or too loose. Because you don't tie it. Because it comes with loops you put across your body, you're also not dragging it on the ground, which is the case with a moby wrap. Super easy and quick to take baby in and out and it doesn't feel to bulky to just walk around with it while someone else is holding baby. Ideal for the first weeks.

I don't love...that it's not adjustable. Granted, that's why it's such a great wrap for beginners, but it means if it doesn't fit your size perfectly, there's nothing you can do. I have a size small which never worked for Tony. And as I lost my baby weight, it even got a bit big on me so baby wasn't as high up as I wanted them to be. This is even more true as babies get bigger.

I'm glad I started with this one, but wouldn't buy it again. When Levi was born I already had a Moby wrap and used the baby k'tan only a couple of times to try it out again. 

Moby Wrap

price: $35-$50
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2y6XjWT


I love...the "hug" feel of the wrap. Unlike a buckle carrier, the Moby really wraps around you and baby. Especially during the early days it feels most similar to having your baby in your belly. Less like a front/back pack and more like a piece of clothing. It feels to me more "stable" than the k'tan which is why I also like it better for older babies. When wrapped correctly, it is super comfortable and I would wear Levi in it for hours. I like this best at home, but have also gone on walks. Because you tie it around you, there's a bit of a learning curve, but it also means it's adjustable to you and your body.

I don't love...that while you can technically leave it on and put baby in and out without having to re-wrap it, I tend to start all over every time I put it on and the fabric always ends up dragging on the floor. That's probably my main reason why I don't use it much outside of our house. As baby gets older and wants to see what's going on, this isn't ideal either. It's also a lot of fabric in the summer; a bamboo one might be a good alternative.

Even though I don't use it much now, it was ideal for the first three months or so when I used it almost daily, so I'd get it again for the newborn stages.

Alternatives. There are a lot of similar ones with great reviews available on Amazon, like this DaisyGro one for about $23. The Boba is another super popular option for $40 and I'm not sure if there's really much of a difference between them (see https://breastfeedingneeds.com/boba-wrap-vs-moby-wrap for a comparison)

Ergo

price: $95-$180
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2xEsMhG


I love...everything about it. It's easy to put on, works for babies as well as for older kids, is super comfortable to wear even on long walks, supports front and back carrying, has a pouch in front for a phone, keys, credit card, and a binky (what else would anyone need?), fits different body types, etc. I have one of the very basic original models as pictured above. For infants, a separate insert is needed which I bought for $25 at Target. Since Levi has been able to support his head pretty well (which was early), I have used this every day. At just over four months old, I removed the infant insert as he can now comfortably sit in it without it. I recently started nursing in the Ergo at the children's museum or during Noah's swimming lessons, which is also super easy to do (when you remember to wear an easy access shirt). I still carry Ava, at almost two years old, in this carrier every once in a while. I've even tandem carried with Levi in the Moby in front and Ava in the Ergo in back. Yep. Ava has moments where she screams and screams and doesn't want to be held or left alone, or...who knows. Neither she or we do. When that happens (for example on a 10pm flight home from Denver) I put her in the Ergo where she can't fight me (as well) and she will eventually calm down.  

I don't love...how big and bulky it is when baby isn't in it. I do wear it around my waist when he's not in it, but I don't love it. While I love the basic design of mine (I have it in a tan color), it doesn't come in any pretty colors like some of the ones I've listed below. Minor comment, but a factor. 

Alternatives. The newer Ergo 360 seems like a good alternative with two major benefits over the original Ergo: no infant insert needed, and you can front carry facing forward. It came out just around the time Ava was born and I was toying with the idea of buying one, but decided against it since I already had one that I liked. I've met a few outdoorsy moms lately who own an Onya carrier. It seems more lightweight and not as bulky as my Ergo and looks like it's a comfy, practical fit especially for older babies and toddlers. Every time I see someone with a Tula I might stare a little, because they are so pretty and sleek looking. They come in tons of different designs which I love. If you're going to wear it every day, why not pick something that represents your style? Keep in mind though, your partner might not be as thrilled about your choice. Tulas seem to be better for kids with long torsos, I always feel like they come up pretty high, which is great for support, but not so fun for a kid who wants to ride arms out and looking around. LILLEBaby is another excellent option if you're looking for a 360 design (includes forward facing options) as well as fun and unique designs.  The look isn't as sleek as the Tula and I imagine it's similar to the Ergo when it comes to how bulky it feels, but it seems to be very versatile. All options have great reviews on Amazon, I suspect any one of them will be a good option and you won't be disappointed. Yes, they're not exactly cheap, but looking for a used one is always an option, and it's so worth having, compared to a lot of the other baby "stuff" that's not actually useful. 

As much as I enjoyed the comfy wrap during the first few weeks, if the budget only allows for one type of carrier, I'd get a buckle carrier like the ones discussed here. As I said in the last post, I don't know how parents do it without one. I like it so much that Ava is getting a carrier for her doll for her birthday in a couple of weeks. 

Ring Sling

price: $20-$100
Amazon link: http://amzn.to/2wSkzrw


I love...the way it looks. I have one in a pattern very similar to the one above and I absolutely love the way it looks. As I mentioned above, I wanted something I could wear as part of my outfit to a wedding and I felt great with it. I've also received lots of compliments for it. It's ideal for bringing along when you don't expect to be carrying baby all the time, but want the option. I just walk around with it hanging across my body until I need it and it's small enough to fit into a diaper bag. Baby goes in and out super quickly. I love also that it's a great cuddle option for older kids. I've carried Ava in it on my hip when she was done walking or just to have a dance party at home. She loves it because she feels like she's just sitting on my hip versus being strapped to me in the Ergo. I keep it in the car now so I always have it with me as a last minute option. 

I don't love...It's not the most comfortable and I wouldn't recommend it for walks or to be completely hands free - I always feel the need to have at least one hand around baby for support. 

Alternatives. There are lots of different ring slings available and I suspect most of them are pretty similar. I would recommend finding one where you absolutely love the looks of it, since it's not going to be your go to every day carrier. If I didn't feel like I already had what I needed in terms of carriers, I'd invest in a woven (non-stretchy) wrap without the rings for more flexibility. Fabrics are so pretty and I would love to try out more ways of tying wraps. This one is the same fabric as my ring sling - without the rings. 


If you have questions, leave me a comment. If you want to recommend a different one or add to the discussion, I'd love to hear your thoughts.