Moby for bigger babies?

[TJ]

P is almost 8m, and bigger than her sister was at 18m.  I'm still using the moby with her, but the regular front wrap cross carry doesn't work so great anymore.  She gets her arms out, and flails backwards, and I'm afraid she's going to fall out.  Are there other wraps I don't know that would be better for an older/bigger baby? 

Related... how the heck do you back carry?  1) I can't figure out how to get her in there by myself in either the mei tai or the moby (if you can even back carry in a moby... can you?); 2) how do you get them back out when you are finished?; and 3) is it hard to get used to not being able to see them?

And yeah, I know I could google.  But I like y'all more.

[sasq09]

You aren't supposed to back carry in a Moby (or any stretchy wrap unless its a hybrid made to do so)
My Moby stopped being comfy around 16 lbs I think. The best thing I ever did was buy a woven wrap! You can do anything with a woven and they last forever. It takes a while to learn back carries, but YouTube and practicing over my bed helped a lot!

[rrrrrachel]

I would get a woven wrap, too. There's a facebook group called everyday baby wearing that's really nice and helpful. They can give you tips for using the mei tie on your back, there are several different techniques for it.

I usually get my baby out by just sitting down and untying everything and letting them down that way, but you can also just reverse whatever method you used to get them up there.

I like front carries better because I can see them and snuggle and they're just easier, but with an almost thirty pound kid they're getting hard.

[sarenu]

Is there a BWI near you? They were a lot of help for me. I tried out several styles of carriers. They also had a huge wrap library available to borrow.

I loved wraps, but I didn't like dealing with them in rainy, snowy weather.

I love my Tula and I also liked the BabyHawk and catbird carriers. I decide on the Tula because I couldn't get a high back carry with the BabyHawk. And it was a lot quicker on and off.

[Stringy]

I've never done a back carry with the wraps or moby - but even with our boba and a somewhat coordinated toddler, I cannot get her on my back without help and a spotter. I haven't practiced much though cuz she doesn't like it.

[TJ]

Yeah, E doesn't like it, but I thought maybe that was because she wasn't used to it. I wanted to start with P sooner so she could get used to it. But I don't know how.

I would love to go to a BWI, but I work full time, and parent solo full time, so.... I dunno.

Everyone keeps talking and talking and talking about woven wraps. But then people like ITK get them, and hate them. So.... yeah. I'm torn.

[brandiewine11]

I haven't tried wraps yet but I've been successful with a back carry both with my ergo and Tula. I needed help the first time but then it was super easy. R loves it and falls asleep back there all the time. I watched a YouTube video for instructions.

[mrslka]

Another vote for a woven wrap. At 8 months pregnant I still wear DS2 (25lbs) in a high back carry when he is fussy. I love the diversity of it.

[sarenu]

For a back carry with a soft structure or Mei Tai I always do the hip scoot. I'm not coordinated enough to plop C on my back and then bring the carrier up.

[sarenu]

Jan 20, 2015 9:47:37 GMT -5 TJ said:

Yeah, E doesn't like it, but I thought maybe that was because she wasn't used to it. I wanted to start with P sooner so she could get used to it. But I don't know how.

I would love to go to a BWI, but I work full time, and parent solo full time, so.... I dunno.

Everyone keeps talking and talking and talking about woven wraps. But then people like ITK get them, and hate them. So.... yeah. I'm torn.

They are harder to do a back carry with in my opinion.

I could never get a good seat for C without my husband's help.

Look for a weekend BWI, and bring the kids.  At mine older kids are there all the time.  They usually have meetings at a closed room  where they can let the kids run around.  I would bring both of mine there if I needed to.

[rrrrrachel]

I do the hip scoot, too. Practice is definitely key. I practice standing next to the bed so if anything happens I have a "net." It is for sure a learned skill. Ssc are easier to back carry in, IMO, but not as customizable so not necessarily as comfortable.

[sarenu]

Jan 20, 2015 9:57:47 GMT -5 rrrrrachel said:

I do the hip scoot, too. Practice is definitely key. I practice standing next to the bed so if anything happens I have a "net." It is for sure a learned skill. Ssc are easier to back carry in, IMO, but not as customizable so not necessarily as comfortable.

Agreed.  I also used the couch and bed for the first few times I took C out of a back carry.  I just sat down, unbuckled, and let him sit.

I wish I could afford a good wrap and a Tula.  I love my Tula for running around town, but I love the wrap for yard work and getting stuff done in the house.

[chickypoo2468]

If you're liking the moby and the wrapping and stuff I would say try a woven. I haven't been able to use a stretchy wrap past 3 or 4 months bc they sag.

The way I get them in my back with a SSC (so it would probably work with the mei tai too) is to put it in in front and set them in it. Then hold both straps in one hand and swing the whole thing around to the back. If you look for instructions I'm sure there's a better explanation. It's hard for me to visualize without physically doing it. I try putting it on my back and then getting them back there but I can't ever pull the whole thing up over them.

[ellie]

The moby isn't comfortable with my almost 8 month old either. I've started back carrying in the ergo though. I stand over my bed, just in case, and I have a huge mirror so I can see what I'm doing. I like lifting her up and over my head and then holding her there with one arm while I put one strap on and then switching.

[sarenu]

Jan 20, 2015 10:07:44 GMT -5 chickypoo2468 said:

If you're liking the moby and the wrapping and stuff I would say try a woven. I haven't been able to use a stretchy wrap past 3 or 4 months bc they sag.

The way I get them in my back with a SSC (so it would probably work with the mei tai too) is to put it in in front and set them in it. Then hold both straps in one hand and swing the whole thing around to the back. If you look for instructions I'm sure there's a better explanation. It's hard for me to visualize without physically doing it. I try putting it on my back and then getting them back there but I can't ever pull the whole thing up over them.

That's what I do as well, but mine is more of a hip scoot.  On hand holding the straps, and the other on his back scooting him over.

My Tula gets bunched up if I try to put him on my back and then bring it up.  It ends up taking more time.

[ellie]

What woven wraps do you guys recommend? Every time I look they are SO expensive.

[sarenu]

If I had the money to buy one now, I'd buy a Tekhni with reprieve.

www.etsy.com/shop/TekhniWovens

I loved the one I tried out, but it's really a personal preference on what you like.

[rrrrrachel]

I have a didy and I think those make great starter wraps. Really anything all cotton. There are cheaper options like little frog and there's nothing wrong with them, but they aren't quite as supportive as a more expensive wrap.


The other really popular brand just flew out of my head. The one with all the rainbows, earthy rainbow and all that.

[Crisco Salad]

Jan 20, 2015 10:48:34 GMT -5 rrrrrachel said:

I have a didy and I think those make great starter wraps. Really anything all cotton. There are cheaper options like little frog and there's nothing wrong with them, but they aren't quite as supportive as a more expensive wrap.


The other really popular brand just flew out of my head. The one with all the rainbows, earthy rainbow and all that.

Girasol?

I got a Osche wrap from our local BWI for a month and liked it, but I never attempted to back carry with it because J was too floppy still. 

I learned how to back carry in my SSC by watching youtube clips. It was really to be able to see the motion in live action, as opposed to the instructions on the package. 

I almost exclusively back carry now. 

[sarenu]

Jan 20, 2015 10:48:34 GMT -5 rrrrrachel said:

I have a didy and I think those make great starter wraps. Really anything all cotton. There are cheaper options like little frog and there's nothing wrong with them, but they aren't quite as supportive as a more expensive wrap.


The other really popular brand just flew out of my head. The one with all the rainbows, earthy rainbow and all that.

I liked the Didymos I borrowed as well. But it was well worn in and floppy. I felt that made it a little harder to wrap and get a good high carry.

[rrrrrachel]

Yes girasol is what I was thinking of!

[ellebeedub]

If you go for wraps... I have a little frog, and I really like it (although I would love a girasol or a kokadi). I started with a wrap nap fairy linen, and it's great for hot weather but a bit harder to wrap with. For back carries, I do a variation of the hip scoot too. I meant to learn the superman with G2, but I haven't really practiced because the hip scoot works so well for us.

[ABobLoblawLawBomb]

Jan 20, 2015 9:47:37 GMT -5 TJ said:

Yeah, E doesn't like it, but I thought maybe that was because she wasn't used to it. I wanted to start with P sooner so she could get used to it. But I don't know how.

I would love to go to a BWI, but I work full time, and parent solo full time, so.... I dunno.

Everyone keeps talking and talking and talking about woven wraps. But then people like ITK get them, and hate them. So.... yeah. I'm torn.

Hippo from here, I got a girasol and LOVE it. I don't love my nati baby hemp so much though (which I got first) because it's super thick. Its hard to wrap and makes me feel claustrophobic. But now that  I have a girasol that I've using and getting used to, maybe I'll get used to wrapping with the nati baby and eventually like it.

[sarenu]

Jan 20, 2015 11:33:46 GMT -5 ABobLoblawLawBomb said:

Jan 20, 2015 9:47:37 GMT -5 TJ said:

Yeah, E doesn't like it, but I thought maybe that was because she wasn't used to it. I wanted to start with P sooner so she could get used to it. But I don't know how.

I would love to go to a BWI, but I work full time, and parent solo full time, so.... I dunno.

Everyone keeps talking and talking and talking about woven wraps. But then people like ITK get them, and hate them. So.... yeah. I'm torn.

Hippo from here, I got a girasol and LOVE it. I don't love my nati baby hemp so much though (which I got first) because it's super thick. Its hard to wrap and makes me feel claustrophobic. But now that  I have a girasol that I've using and getting used to, maybe I'll get used to wrapping with the nati baby and eventually like it.

You might like it when the fall comes around.  I really liked the thicker Tekhni when I put C in a back carry and went outside to do yard work.

[ABobLoblawLawBomb]

Jan 20, 2015 11:44:42 GMT -5 sarenu said:

Jan 20, 2015 11:33:46 GMT -5 ABobLoblawLawBomb said:

Hippo from here, I got a girasol and LOVE it. I don't love my nati baby hemp so much though (which I got first) because it's super thick. Its hard to wrap and makes me feel claustrophobic. But now that  I have a girasol that I've using and getting used to, maybe I'll get used to wrapping with the nati baby and eventually like it.

You might like it when the fall comes around.  I really liked the thicker Tekhni when I put C in a back carry and went outside to do yard work.

When I got it, it was with the intention of back carries for A. Granted, I'm still a new woven user, but it bunches up weird on my shoulders, even after I respread them, and it cut into my arm or shoulder in one place, leaving a mark. I just didn't like it.

[awful]

Jan 20, 2015 10:11:40 GMT -5 ellie said:

What woven wraps do you guys recommend? Every time I look they are SO expensive.

I have Colimacon et Cie wraps. Just cotton so nothing fancy but I really like them.

[rrrrrachel]

I like the kokadi prints a lot and they seem to be on sale pretty regularly.

[abby]

When DD#2 outgrew the Moby we switched to the Baby Hawk mei tai. But then me pregnant belly got in the way. So I took an advanced babywearing class to figure out the back carry by myself. I like doing the superman toss. I hold the top straps and her arms and toss them both over. Once on the back I tie the straps. You could also tie the waist straps, do the hip scoot, and then tie the shoulder straps. Taking them down- untie the shoulder straps and spin the entire carrier around. Or if available- sit on the bed, untie, and let them lay back. Once I got super big and it was too hard to get her back there I got a ring sling and carried her on my hip. Now I double wear: DD#2 on the back in a SSC (Kinderpack) and DD#3 on the front in the mei tai. Or DH wears one and I wear the other.