Which baby carrier is best for me?

I loooove my Bjorn carrier. I would definitely recommend getting the Active model... It has great lumbar support which makes a huge difference

C.,

I have the Ergo and I really like it. My daughter is a preemie and when she was really little is was great. Now she is at the point that if she can't see over the carrier she isn't happy. We are working on it for her but I think the other mom's I know when thru a few weeks where the babies eyes are right at the top of the carrier and it annoys them. I think it just depends how old that baby is when they go thru this stage.

L. M

I hated my bjorn,the buckles were always in my first childs face. So I bought 'the ultimate baby carrier' for my second and LOVE it. It was $40 at target and I really didn't want to spend loads (like the mei tei or ergo) necause what if I hated it again? So i got this one and I'm so glad I did.

I have both the Ergo and mei tai (Kozy) carrier, and love both of them. They're more comfy than the bjorn and can be used much longer (both have 30+ weight limits). The Ergo is bulkier, but that's good for my husband (not too girly ;-)) and the kozy (my favorite) can be folded and kept in the car for trips out. (I actually own 2 of them!)

Good luck with your decision. I bought both, and love them!

If you want to use a sling got to slinglings.com they are the best. They are custome made to fit you, nothing to adjust, and they are so comfortable. You can put the baby in several different positions and it goes up to 40 lbs so you definately get your use out of it. My 18 month old loves it. I use it still all of the time, when I take my dogs for a walk, when he's grumpy and I need to get house work done, and for the times when he just wants to be held. they are great. Good luck on your search.

My sister-in-law, who owns at least a dozen different carriers and slings, got me a hotsling with the birth of my second. I love it! It can be used three different ways and now that my dd is one, I am still using it as a hip carrier.

You've gotten some great advice, but I notice everyone has their own favorite. I happen to have a padded maya wrap, and love it.

I'm not sure where you live, but my sister-in-law attends a babywearing group where she and other moms share their carriers and new moms can find one that they like. It makes a lot of sense for you to try different types before you invest in one. Kids are welcome, and there will probably be babies of varying sizes there so that you can get an idea of what will work for you longterm. The group meets in Milford, NH, and if you want I can get more information for you.

I was a Baby bjorn-wearer with my first, then got one for my second, but they are so complicated that, like you, I ended up not using it. Someone then told me about a "Baby Hawk". They let me borrow theirs and I was able to COMFORTABLY wear it while carrying my very heavy 1-year-old for 2 miles! My back always ended up hurting with the bjorn, but the Baby Hawk is amazing. it doesn't have all of the snaps and things--its just canvas with ties. I can even put my 4-year-old (since it holds up to 45 lbs) on my back and carry her comfortably for long periods of time. I have to say--its also very fashionable given that you can get them in endless material patterns! I have 2 tan hawks--one with a purple oriental looking pattern and the other with red, orange and brown modern looking shapes. My husband is even willing to wear that one. My sister has 2 as well--one of them is black with white dragons that her husband wears happily.

We both got ours at an organic baby store. Good luck and congrats on your coming baby!

Hi C.: We have an Ergo carrier and use it all the time. My husband and I have very different builds and we both use it and it is very easy to adjust. It's comfortable and isn't hard on the back (I've heard that the Baby Bjorn can cause back pain). We love it. I also very recently borrowed a Mei Tei from a friend and have used it only a couple times. I like it too, though don't have as much experience with it. I know other folks who have used it and love it as well. I have to put in a good word for carrying your baby. It's been wonderful for us and our baby really relaxes and enjoys it. It definitely frees up your hands! Good Luck. C.

www.bostonbabywearers.com

you can borrow with refundable deposit and try the ones you're thinking about. excellent group! took me 3 months/ different carriers to find the one that worked for us.

The Boston Babywearers group has their meeting this Wednesday - you can go there, try on all types, even take one home for a month (with deposit) to really give it a good run. I highly recommend! www.bostonbabywearers.com

Other place to look for lots of opinions and info is TheBabywearer.com

Personally, we love my homemade mei tai carrier, but I know lots of people who are fans of the Becco or Ergo, and others who like the versatility of wraps, and with my first I had only a Maya wrap ring sling and we did just fine.

Congratulations!! I too have a 4 year old, an almost 2 year old and just had a baby 9 weeks ago and you're right! The carrier is ESSENTIAL!! My baby practically lives in it and my best advice is go to a store and just try them all on. In my experience it's got to be easy to put on, sometimes only having one hand to do so, and comfortable to wear for long stretches. I've only made-do with our carrier and keep wondering if I too should invest in something better!! Good luck!

Over the Shoulder Baby Holder works best for nursing, that is the one I use most, Kangaroo Korner pouch sling works best for outings but is difficult to nurse in, I also like the moby wrap. Getting used to wearing a sling takes some practice and patience. Give yourself and the baby plenty of time to figure it out, you will be so glad you use a sling once you get the hang of it! you sould read more about babywearing online and through mothering magazine and le lech league. Good Luck

I have used a maya wrap sling (which I love) and a Baby Hawk mei tei carrier, which can be worn on the front or the back. I found the maya wrap to be fantastic for carrying my daughter. she was super comfortable and happy and until she got too heavy for me to keep her in there comfortably, it was perfect. That's when I decided to get the baby hawk so I could carry her on my back. That was short-lived though because she started walking and didn't want to be carried anymore.
I don't know what type of sling you have but a ring sling is generally easier to adjust and grows with your baby more. Before I got the ring sling, I had a mama's milk sling that velcroed. That was a complete waste of money because it never fit right.

hiii
I had baby bjorn and HATE it because it hurts my back and not snuggle the baby in carrier. as when my cry or fussy and there was time when i cant really hold her so i put her in my maya wrap and it calm her down and she fall sleep right away.
sooo
I love my maya wrap sling and ergo carrier. i used maya wrap with my firstborn. when he got older and i still use maya wrap to carry him on my hip, love it. I also use ergo carrier to carry him on my back or front. stopped use it when i got preg. now i use maya wrap alot with my newborn. the ergo carrier is not really ideal for newborn. i have the infant insert for the ergo carrier and doesnt seem comfortable or so. ergo carrier is good for 3 mos up to toddler as up to 40 lbs i think or less. same as maya wrap.

There is another new carrier. It's called the ROUNDHOUSE BABY CARRIER. I tried my friend's one once and loved how secure and light my 18 lb little guy felt. I also love that it comes in lots of fun fabrics. The info on the website (www.roundhousedc.com) says...
* Ergonomic design reduces back strain
* Adjustable sides hold baby securely; adjustable fit provides safety and versatility
* Easy and comfortable to wear, and easy to remove even when baby is asleep
* Use from birth to 3 years or 35 lbs.
* Truly versatile with 6 possible carrying positions; cradle carry, upright cradle carry, facing in (belly to belly), kangaroo carry, side carry and hip carry
* Built in nursing shield
* Offers comfort for colicky infants
* Machine washable
It costs $129.99 regular and $144.99 for organic cotton. Hope that helps!

(My friend is affiliated with the company. I can give you my friends/family discount to get 15% off. Use the code rhff15 when checking out on our site www.roundhousedc.com. However, I am not writing this to plug her business. I really do like the product. My kids are too old now, or I'd have one.)

An ergo is really comfortable only once the baby is a little older, like 5 or 6 months. Ergo does have infant inserts but they are not very comfortable for the mother or the baby. For newborns a sling or a wrap works best. I tried every possible sling for my baby.

Just agreeing with PP re: slings & ergo...my DS1 could not be put down when he was an infant--he basically lived in our maya wrap. I would say persist with the sling, particularly for an infant--ask other moms, check out baby wearing classes, look online. Once you 'get it' you'll be surprised how easy it is to use. Slings are great for nursing too, you can even discretely nurse while following your other kids around.

We loved the Ergo when DS got a bit older...we used ours until DS was 2 1/2 or so (in a back carry). I was able to carry him pretty comfortably on my back until he was just under 3o pounds.

I love the Ergo - but she never dug the infant insert so I used it incorrectly in the beginning when a wrap was too hot (facing my chest with her legs folded under her. But I can use it until she's 2 or older, unlike the Bjorn, and it puts the weight on my hips.

When it wasn't hot this summer, I switched to the Moby wrap which I LOVE. I prefer it over a sling because it hangs off both shoulders and so is easier on the back. She snugs right up, and in the last month or so, I've started wearing her face out in it around the house and she likes that. I will start using the Ergo again in a month or so when she can sit in it comfortably. (she's 16 weeks today).

Hi! My friend Mary makes open ended ring slings. They are amazing, easy to use and versitle. I can carry the little guy on my hip, front and back! I can even carry the bigger kids on my hip and back too. The price is half what you find in stores and is custom made with your favorite fabric!
Mary is in Wakefield and can be reached at ____@____.com her you got her name from T. off this site!
Best wishes,
T.

DO NOT GET A BABY HAWK.. i ended up selling mine on ebay because i tried an ergo and it was so much better. My babe is heavy and something that ties did not work once he past 5 months. I used the moby wrap and loved it when he was little. but i bet the ergo would have been good when he was little too. anyway, glad i have both now. the ERGO IS WELL worth every dollar you pay. there is a reason why even used ones are so expensive on ebay. because they rule

I highly recommend Ergo! They're a little pricey (even a used one on eBay goes for over $60) but they are so worth it. You can use them beyond the baby years into toddlerhood. Very comfortable. Mei Tais are nice too, as long as the shoulder straps are comfortable to you :)

Hello C.,
We have the Ergo carrier and love it. You can use it a lot longer than the bjorn and you can put the baby on your back or on your chest. Our boys are 16 months apart and we use it all the time. My husband uses it all the time, especially when we are outside playig.

I also really like the ergo. Good if your kids get big quick. (both of mine were in the 15 lb range by two months!). When my son got a little older, he found it a little constricting and warm. I got a hip carrier made by this woman out of somewhere in the midwest (I can send you the link if you would like) and that is by far my favorite. It's how I would normally carry him anyway, super easy to get on and off, and comfy even for pretty long periods of time (I took him apple picking in it this morning). Let me know if you would like the link. The only thing is that you can't use it for babies younger than four months because they need pretty good head control, so you would need something in the interim. But a good transition from a sling.

I have the Ergo carrier, and I love it! It has much better back support than the Bjorn (even the Bjorn sport) since it has a hip belt, and I like that it works as a backpack as well as a front carrier. I can carry my 22lb 9mo in it for a couple hours without a problem, and my 2.5yo likes to ride in it as a backpack. It has a small zip pocket that can hold a couple diapers and a small bag of wipes or other small (soft) items. I've tried a Bjorn, wrap, and traditional baby sling and the Ergo is by far my favorite!

I have the ergo and i love it . i have tried all the other carries and they all hurt my back but not the ergo. i defently recomend it. It's great jsut make sure that if you buy at a store they show you how to use it and if you buy it online just read the directions . It's very easy to use but it's better if the first tiem someone tells you how to wear it the right way.

The Ergo is the best baby carrier ever invented. You can carry your baby in the front when they are small, on your back when they are bigger and even on your side. I used to nurse my son while he was in it all the time and no one even knew. I could take my daughter who was 2 1/2 when I had my son, my dog for a walk and nurse my son all at the same time. When he was fussy I could just pop him in the Ergo, make dinner, fold laundry vacuum, it was very helpful. Hope this helps.

As others had writeen, I didn't like the bjorn. I love my sling and have a wrap as well. My No Jo sling & it came with a video so I learned step by step. Sorry yours didn't. I'm in CT or I'd offer to come and show you.
We have a great store here that sells slings, wraps and organic baby things only. They are a wonderful resource. Perhaps you could see if there is a place like that near you. When I went to them and told them I wanted a wrap, they showed me how to do them, even though the wrap came with a manual.
Also, Mothering Magazine did a whole issue on wearing your baby. It has tons of pictures of how to wear your baby and what is being used to where them. You could check it out on line.
The third I found to be a bigger adjustment than the second. (i've got a 5y,2&1/2y & 4 mon) HAVING YOUR HANDS FREE IS PRICELESS!!Good Luck!
Congrats and I hope your delivery goes well!!!
M.

Hi,

When I had my second child I got an inexpensive Snugli and maybe used it twice. I just don't think it's worth it to buy a carrier. I held my guy or he was in the carriage, swing, etc. I'll even send you my carrier! It's brand new and I'd love to pass it on! : ) Save your $.

Barb

After trying 2 other carriers I fell in absolute love with the BabyHawk Mei Tei. With no buckles to adjust it is easy to share - you don't have to worry about others using it and losing your "perfect" setting. Once you get the tie down, it's easy to use and evenly distributes the weight across your back so you don't feel it. I've used it for my newborn and actually used it last night for my almost 3 year old. I LOVE it and wouldn't go back to the other slings for the world.

Congrats & Good Luck!

Hi C., you should definitely get an ergo if you can afford one. I had a bjorn with my baby and I resisted getting a third baby carrier (I also have a sling) but finally broke down. The ergo is fab and super versatile. My current theory is that you need a sling for the first 2 to 3 months when they will sleep lying down in it and especially when they are too small for the bjorn. Then 3 to 6 months the bjorn is great. After 6 months the ergo is so much more comfortable. Its also great because you can use it with them facing in or out. On your back you can carry up to 40 pounds which means your husband could even use it now for your 2 year old. My daughter is 1 and we still use it all the time. This weekend we went apple picking with it and she fell asleep! I have a friend who is having her third child and has always wanted an ergo. We bought her one and she was so excited.

The one negative comment I have is that my daughter hated the infant insert, but I didn't try that part until she was 4 months or so. She definitely wasn't comfortable in the ergo until she could really sit up well but I know there are people who use it with newborns.

Good luck

I wouldn't recommend anything but the Ergo, it is one of the few that doesn't put pressure on the baby's spine (like the bjorn where the baby hangs on the pelvis) but has him/her sitting instead. I bought one and I am looking forward to using it with our first baby, so I am speaking on behalf of the hundreds of parents' reviews I have read. I've also been convinced that it is one of the most comfortable for the parents, and a plus that you can use it even for a 3 year old.

As others have said, the Ergo is so much better than the Bjorn, because your hips, not your shoulders and back, bear the weight of the baby. Plus, you can wear him/her front, back or on the hip. My daughter is 10 and a half months and loves the Ergo. She gets excited just seeing it and will usually stay in it happily for hours. Best of luck!

With my son and have used my sling and carrier on almost a daily basis. He loves it, and it had allowed me the ability to get at least some light duties done around the house and while taking care of my 10-year old and all of her activities.

With the carrier, we have the Snuggli brand front pack. We tried them all at the store, and this was the one that I was most comfortable in. When Nathan was very small, I opened it up on the bed and loaded him in, then wore him around the house facing me for laundry (just not carrying loads), checking emails, tidying up, at parties and event, and for walks and errands. Now that he is bigger and more active, I just put the carrier on and slip him in. He faces front and loves seeing the sights and the motion. While I dont do as much housework since he is heavier, I still use it at the library, grocery store, soccer games, special events, etc. In many places where there are terrain obstacles it is much easier than the stroller.

The sling we discovered when he was about 8 weeks old because he went through a phase of wanting to be close all the time. We have the Infantino front sling. Once again, we tried them all in the store and it was the easiest, and most comfortable for Nathan and I. We open it up on the bed or couch, I lie him in it and then lift it up over my head and slip it on. It evenly distributes the weight so isn't too hard on the back. It allows for both hands free, and you can comofortable bend up and down as long as you bend from the knees, keeping a straight back so that the baby isnt hanging forward. I found this great for when he was tired or in a more relaxed mood and used it for the same purposes as the carrier. I found it more helpful when we were in a lot of sun, or when we had parties at home, or were out somewhere and he needed a nap. He even spent a morning lounging in it while I ran a yard sale.

No matter what, I find its a great way to have your hand free for little things. I strongly felt that it has made my son a more secure and content little guy, and also strengthened our bond that much more. Another added bonus is that if you are nursing, the sling is great for a discreet meal or snack. It was very easy to adjust him slightly so that he was in the right position, and just drape a light blanket to cover the part of my exposed tummy.

Good luck!

I (and my son and my husband) loved the Mei Tai style carriers. If you can sew, it is wicked easy to sew your own - I made ours...and at 4.5 years I still bring one along when we go on hikes to back carry my son if his little legs are giving out! You can find directions on sewing your own carriers at: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/ There are lots of styles of carriers here...the ones I made and stuclk with were the "basic Mei Tai" - I also tried a ring sling but felt like I was swimming in the sea of fabric. I also had a couple of Hotslings that I liked for quick in and outs. We did try the Playtex Hip Hammock - I wish we would have saved our $$$ on that, it was worthless.

When my 13 month old was new, she LIVED in the Ergo. We got the infant insert, and I wore it most of the day. It was the only place she would sleep during the day, and I was still able to use my hands. I definitely recommend it. She did not like any of the other wraps or slings we tried, but I know other babies do. Now that she is bigger, we have gotten the Ergo out again and put her in it on our backs for outings or even short hikes. She seems comfortable.
Good luck!

I used the ergo carrier and LOVED it. I could still put my son in it on my back and he is now 3.5 and over 30 pounds. It is great. It is a little hard to put on and takes a little getting used to in terms of getting it on by yourself, but I really loved it.
Also, with my first child, I never used a sling because I found it did not work for her. With my second child, I asked a friend for a "lesson" on how to use the sling. I found it really helpful for quick trips. Especially once he was big enough to hold his neck up, I was able to put him on my hip with the sling and have my arms free. It was great for school pickups or quick trips into the grocery store. So I wouldn't give up on a sling right away.

The Bjorn always hurt my shoulders after a short time of putting my babe in it. Both the sling and the ergo were much better.
Good luck!

Our daughter had reflux for the first couple of months, so she wouldn't tolerate a sling, but I really liked the Moby wrap when she was little- I could wear it around the house without a shirt on for skin-to-skin time with her, and it kept her comfortably snuggled in for a while. My absolute favorite has been the Weego:
http://www.weego.com

You can wear it on the front, or as a backpack, with baby facing in or out when worn front. It evenly distributes the weight on my back and shoulders, and my daughter feels very secure in it- she is 13 months old now and she still loves riding in it! I also chose it because it seems to offer better support to the baby's pelvic area than other facing out carriers- like the Bjorn, and it gives good head and neck support for younger babies.

I love carriers! I have a bjorn, and a maya wrap sling (soooo wonderful, i use from newborn until a year or so), w/ my 2nd i bought the ergo. i like it b/c my son could be on my back while i cooked dinner, etc. i still use it for my son (almost 2)when we go for walks/hikes, i think it is more comfortable than our big backpack. the only thing is their little legs need to spread quite a bit, and it can be a bit tricky to get on if you're alone. if you plan to use that for a newborn you have to buy the infant insert to go w/ it. i am also expecting my 3rd, and b/c i use the sling/bjorn so much, i won't buy the infant insert. there's just not that much difference in the bjorn and ergo if you're going to wear the ergo on the front anyways!
good luck,
L.

I'm a Mom of a 16 month old and a 2 month old and even when I go out with my husband I wear my baby carrier. It is so much easier than lugging around my double stroller even when I am by myself. I think you should get a new one! Definatley!

Hi Cris !!
Thing of it is ( isnt it?) that you cant tell what you would be comfortable with til you try it out.

Here is a suggestion...go to a health food store...only because you can fill bags amount you want to...and measure out seven to ten pounds of something you would use at home so it wont be a waste. Oatmeal, flour, grains, whatever. Benefit of having a "loose" item is that you can shape it.
Rebag your purchase to resemble shape of curled up infant.. maybe quart and gallon zipper bags? double bag so baby doesnt leak out. Looks like an infant yes? LOL

Go to a high end baby store that would carry several brands of slings. Try them out, using your "baby" for weight. I dont think a doll would do as it does not have the weight and you would need the weight to see how sling fits on you.
That way you can see what one suits you best and is the most comfortable for you.

There are so many styles and types these days I imagine it would be difficult to purchase a sling from a catalog or online and be sure it suits you. This way at least you could have some idea of where it is going to "pull" on your body.

God bless

Grandmother Lowell

C., I loved the maya wrap, mayawrap.com, it's a sling, very versatile and a lot less bulky then the others. I used it to help support my child from infancy til my daughter was 3!

I just read your entry, and am wondering the exact same thing. In fact, I have a 4 year old, a 2 1/2 year old, and just found out I am pregnant with #3!!!! We are thrilled, but I was having the same thoughts about how I am going to manage 3! I am looking forward to hearing the advice.

C.,

Hi! Congratulations on your third!! With my first two I was never very good with a sling...it ended up that I had the wrong type and I was using it incorrectly. With my third I had a friend who used hers religiously show me how to do it and it worked!! I was very grateful. I also realized that I was using the bjorn incorrectly (who would have thunk?). The key to the bjorn is that you have to tie it very tightly onto your body...otherwise you carry the majority of the weight in your lower back...which hurts tons.

I also have the ergo but found they need to be a bit bigger to use it. Also if you are on the heavy side (like I find myself today) there is not much leeway with the belt strap...so it is a bit tight. I love my backpack for hikes...but once again they need to be bigger for that.

Good luck...hope this helps.

H. Z. (SAHM 5, almost 4, and 14 1/2 month old boys)

Hi C.. I switched from the Bjorn to the Ergo with my second child and the difference was incredible! I LOVE the Ergo. All the weight is on your hips so it's much better for your back and shoulders. The only drawback is that your baby can't face out, which both my boys preferred. However, as they get bigger it's easier for them to look around. My son is now 10 months old and 23 lbs. and I still use the Ergo every day. I mostly use the front and back carry (rather than the hip) and occasionally I put my 3-year old in the Ergo on my back (for things like grocery shopping), which he loves as well. I tried the mei tai and liked it a lot (especially the fact that it is much less bulky than the Ergo), but I felt like I needed to be able to get my baby in and out of the carrier quickly and easily. If you go with the Ergo, I would recommend getting the infant insert so you can use it from birth. Alternatively, you could use the Bjorn until your baby gets a little heavier and then switch to the Ergo. Best of luck!

Hi C. -
I have 3 children and definitely loved the bjorn again for the third. Especially since she like to walk all the time. The sling got more in the way for me. Good luck.

Hi,
I used an Ergo with my second child and I have to say that I preferred the Bjorn in the early months. However, the backpack function of the Ergo is great. It is comfortable and I always felt that I had a lot of freedom of movement. It was way better than traditional backpack!

C.

i like the moby wrap

I used the moby wrap with my second and it worked great. It is especially good in the first few months when the baby is still pretty little, but it can work for older kids too. The nice thing about it is that it is really just a long piece of fabric so it is small to pack and bring places and can be used in several different ways. Good luck with your 3rd!

no personal experience with either the bjorn or the ergo, but i have a babyhawk mei tai and i love it. there are lots and lots of really awesome fabrics to choose from, and it is super comfy and can be used for both front and back carries.

my understanding is that carriers that support the baby's bum and thighs (like the mei tai) are better for baby's spine than carriers that just suspend baby by the crotch.

for more information on babywearing and different types of carriers, visit thebabywearer.com where there is a forum you can ask questions and lots of reviews of different brands, etc.

I think that you should be okay with not getting a new one. But once you have the baby in the carrier...see how you feel. If you are not feeling good about it, then get a new one.....good luck~

I have to say that I love the ergo for my baby it really helped because he was colicky we used the infant insert to start, the only thing that I would have to say is it wasn't the best if your baby is nosy like my son trying to see everything that is going on, with the insert I found it was better for when he was tired and needed to be held. It was great when he was sleeping if I wanted to go for a walk, vaccum, and get things done around the house.

I can't wait until I am able to use the carrier with out the insert because I think it will really be great then!

I would say for carriers it really all depends upon what makes your baby happy, we went through 3 different ones before we bought the Ergo.

Good Luck with whatever you choose!!