Baby Carriers- Advice/Thoughts/Opinions

[laurenlou83]

FTM here, so only going off of advice and suggestions from friends who are mothers.

My one friend who is a SAHM of 2 under 3yo, who has her own mommy blog, researches like crazy and I trust more than most, suggests the Ergo and the Baby K'Tan.

She said the Ergo is reliable and she said it is good for the males, too. It distributes the baby's weight evenly, has padded shoulder straps, an infant insert if you like. The new 360 Ergo is made so you can carry on your back, your hip, at the front either face inward or outward and I've heard that is a nice feature to have since every child is different on what position they prefer best.

The K'Tan is a cotton fabric, one-way stretch, no buckles or snaps and it doesn't require any "wrapping". It evenly distributes to both shoulders and is machine washable. I have had a lot of neck issues in the past, so the even distribution was important for me and so was the ease of putting it on since I'm a first-timer! I think this one will be good to use in the "infant snuggle" position during the first couple of months even wearing him around the house. I may end up disliking it, but I have heard good things from her and other friends, plus the reviews have been great. www.babyktan.com/whatisktan.html3

Again, FTM here so I'm going off of research and asking mommy friends. It is possible I will hate the ones everyone else loves
I think it also depends on when/how you will be using them. Long walks/hikes? Everyday use around the house? Will you be taking it on/off frequently when using?

I went to BuyBuy Baby and they had the K'Tan and the Ergo (plus others) out so you could try it on. I would suggest trying this if you have a chance!

[mrskblack11]

I am registered for the K'Tan Breeze. It is made with mesh fabric which will be great for the Texas heat.

[mrskblack11]

@pcrunk, that reminded me that someone got us the Infantino Sash Mei Tai. I haven't tried it on yet.

[Deleted]

We also went with the K-tan breeze for Texas heat and the Ergo 360 with infant insert. Friends in town last weekend have both for their 7 month old so we got to see both in action and their LO seemed to love them.

[Widget123]

Mar 27, 2015 12:24:52 GMT -5 laurenlou83 said:

FTM here, so only going off of advice and suggestions from friends who are mothers.

My one friend who is a SAHM of 2 under 3yo, who has her own mommy blog, researches like crazy and I trust more than most, suggests the Ergo and the Baby K'Tan.

She said the Ergo is reliable and she said it is good for the males, too. It distributes the baby's weight evenly, has padded shoulder straps, an infant insert if you like. The new 360 Ergo is made so you can carry on your back, your hip, at the front either face inward or outward and I've heard that is a nice feature to have since every child is different on what position they prefer best.

The K'Tan is a cotton fabric, one-way stretch, no buckles or snaps and it doesn't require any "wrapping". It evenly distributes to both shoulders and is machine washable. I have had a lot of neck issues in the past, so the even distribution was important for me and so was the ease of putting it on since I'm a first-timer! I think this one will be good to use in the "infant snuggle" position during the first couple of months even wearing him around the house. I may end up disliking it, but I have heard good things from her and other friends, plus the reviews have been great. www.babyktan.com/whatisktan.html3

Again, FTM here so I'm going off of research and asking mommy friends. It is possible I will hate the ones everyone else loves
I think it also depends on when/how you will be using them. Long walks/hikes? Everyday use around the house? Will you be taking it on/off frequently when using?

I went to BuyBuy Baby and they had the K'Tan and the Ergo (plus others) out so you could try it on. I would suggest trying this if you have a chance!

For DD I bought an Ergo that I never used because it wasn't so simple trying to buckle it myself, but if I would have worked more at it I probably would have gotten used to it.  They didn't have the Ergo 360 back then. There are a lot of fake Ergos out there, so just be careful where you buy one. There are websites dedicated to identifying how to identify a fake Ergo.

This time I am going to try a K'Tan (for the early months) and I am leaning toward the Breeze.  I am more in need of a carrier this time so that I can keep up with DD and hold the baby at the same time.  Some of those carriers that you have to wrap / tie yourself are too intimidating for me (I lack the patience for all of that).

[laurenlou83]

Widget123, I totally lack the patience to wrap, buckle, loop, etc a wrap, too! When my friend showed me her K'tan last fall and how easy it was, I was sold. It isn't as pricy as some of the others, so that is an added bonus, too!

The Ergo 360 is more for DH and when we go to the beach, park, zoo, etc. The K'Tan is hard to share due to the sizing of it, but DH would be more comfortable in something like the Ergo... he told me it looked more "manly", whatever that means! ha!

I also forgot I did put the Mei Tei Sash carrier on my Target registry, too! I watched the videos and read the reviews and thought it looked super easy and nice! Also, can't beat the low price of it.

[mmo2112]

There was a good discussion about this on our board a while ago: goodbyecb.proboards.com/thread/10781/baby-wearing

Also a FTM, but I'd second the advice to go try them on at BuyBuyBaby!

[baytosa2013]

FTM here too. We were given a bjorn that hubby can use if he wants and I registered for the Gemini just because it had good reviews and you could wear it so many ways. I am now thinking of throwing that K'tan breeze on the BRU registry just in case for the TX heat.

[ladysif]

Random shopping tip - Bed Bath and Beyond carries Ergos and the chocolate colored one is on clearance for $95. You can have it shipped to store so no shipping cost and apply a 20% off coupon to the clearance price. We did this recently as a gift for my SIL; we had to ship to store to get the 20% off, and bring in the coupon when we picked it up to have it applied, but a good deal in the end. $76 before tax.

We don't have a Buy Buy Baby near us, I know they're the same company as Bed Bath and Beyond and they also have the same carrier for $95 but I'm not sure what their coupon situation is like. You could probably do it there as well though.

[trixi282]

I was gifted a Mei Tei that was personalized, and it was great. I used it quite a bit early on, but stopped using it after awhile just because for me it was harder to wear on the back with it.

I was given a 2nd hand Bjorn (which now I know is actually not very good for baby's hips) - but we did use that a little, mostly for traveling because it was easy for me to get on and off.

I was also given a 2nd hand sling - just one super simple one, and I hated it. I could never get it positioned properly and felt she was suffocating.

Then as LO got older I got an Ergo and I loved it. I didn't think it was too difficult to buckle. And I liked that 1 size basically fits all. I'm a chubby girl to start, and my H is tall (not that he ever baby wears), but it's easy to adjust. My LO only let me wear her in it a few times, but she liked being on my hip with it.

I plan on using my Mei Tei and my Ergo a lot more this time around.

[mmo2112]

Mar 27, 2015 13:41:45 GMT -5 @demanda88 said:

Mar 27, 2015 13:25:23 GMT -5 mmo2112 said:

There was a good discussion about this on our board a while ago: goodbyecb.proboards.com/thread/10781/baby-wearing

Also a FTM, but I'd second the advice to go try them on at BuyBuyBaby!

Thanks- I knew we had a thread about it but had briefly read through it at one point and thought it was mainly about baby wearing rather than recommended carriers. Looks like it has some good advice.

You bet. I only remembered it because there was some discussion about carriers I'd never heard of, which I now want to try.  I think we've registered for like four different kinds and I keep changing my mind...

[kemdupuis]

We registered for the Ergo 360 and a Moby wrap. I went with the Ergo because I like that it has options for different positions, is supposed to be easier on your back (I have back issues) and DH even tried it on and thought it would be comfortable for him, too. I've also heard really good things about it. I registered for the Moby because it's supposed to be great for infants, and I figured I would want something a bit lighter weight for carrying him around in the Alabama heat.

[txngrl31]

FTM here, but like y'all, I, am registered for the K'tan wrap for me to wear during the first couple of months and the ErgoBaby Original for my DH.

[holliberry28]

I registered for the Boba.

[noeliav]

In our BWI group, most mamas prefer the Beco, Ergo or Tula. The Bjorn and the Ergo 360 do not get similar rave reviews.

The K-tan is nice but is fit-dependent, the moby has more flexibility there, but then you're (usually) dealing with some temperature issues.

If you have a BWI chapter in your area, I really urge you to go check them out. Often they have a lending library where you can try before you buy anything, and for sure they should have volunteer babywearing educators who can help you find a carrier that will best fit your needs/preferences

www.babywearinginternational.org/about-bwi/chapters/

[redlipz]

I just got myself a ring sling, tried it on with my 3 year old and it's comfy and not too complicated. I got a linen one so its not too warm for the summer and it will grow with the baby. I also have a moby but I don't think it's hot weather friendly so I'm going to buy another wrap.

Whatever you do, don't go with the "seven sling" thingy.

[wormgerm]

For you Moby ladies I just want to warn you that those puppies are densely knit and very warm. They will more than likely be way too heavy for summer babies. I registered for a Solly Baby wrap. Same style as the Moby (which I LOVED for wearing my nephew) but made from lighter material. I'm really excited to get that, wrapping little babies is so comfy cozy!

I also have a double layer linen ring sling.

[ThePalindromicOne]

I've gotten the K'Tan and registered for Lillibaby Complete. Lillibaby hasn't gotten a ton of love on this thread but I loved the reviews and features.... it's similar to the Ergo 360 I believe with the features and doesn't need an infant insert. I really want to have all the different wraps, babies look so cozy in them

[sidneyvicious]

Mar 27, 2015 17:46:42 GMT -5 ThePalindromicOne said:

I've gotten the K'Tan and registered for Lillibaby Complete. Lillibaby hasn't gotten a ton of love on this thread but I loved the reviews and features.... it's similar to the Ergo 360 I believe with the features and doesn't need an infant insert. I really want to have all the different wraps, babies look so cozy in them

We registered for the Lillibaby All Seasons.  We went to BBB armed with all of billyhorrible's recommendations from the other thread, as well as the thread from way back on TB, and tried on everything we could get our hands on.  For now I personally am just more comfortable with the more structured carriers, and this one seemed like it would work well in the hot summer and was easy enough for me to get on/off.  

[PurpleIris]

I ended up rather...obsessed with carriers with my first. I have probably 7 right now, and just got a woven wrap.

I can't recommend the Moby - it's a heavy material and it stretches a lot, it felt like it would start to sag pretty quickly no matter how well I had it wrapped. Def wouldn't use for a summer baby.

I don't have one but I tried the Ergo and liked it; I know lots of people really love theirs. I may get one for my husband this time. I think the Becco is a good choice too.

We have a Mei Tai from Babyhawk that I LOVE. It has ties instead of buckles like the Ergo has, but it is so easy to get on and adjust. Holds a lot of weight so we got a lot of use out of it. We ordered a custom one so I picked my fabric for one side and my husband picked one one his side. Washes well, overall just great.

[erbear]

FTM, but we're registered for the K'Tan and an Ergo 360...although my friend let me try her Beco Gemini on and I kind of loved how easy it was to use!

[omgtree]

I have an ergo that I got when DD was about 9 months old and I love it! It made grocery shopping and doctors visits so much easier! I'm not sure about getting the infant insert because it seems like it would be really warm for baby. I did register for the Mei Tai Sash as that looked light weight and I heard it works really well with little newborns plus it was only like $30.

[tiffbot]

STM but FTBabywearer. We did try a Björn with DS once and just didn't like it. I've learned a lot more about babywearing in general since and got a k'tan for around the house this time for the early stages, and a BabyHawk mei tei to have for going out. With a toddler I knew Id have to give babywearing a much more educated shot this time around!

[tatersalad]

So question for all the KTan Breeze moms on fit. I am a dress size 6/8 when not pregnant, but always buy blouses in a 10 because I'm a 36D. That puts me in between a small and a medium size wise on the KTan and it says if in doubt to order down a size. I just feel like a small is really small for a 36D bustline. If I go try one on now I'm a 36 DDD pregnant, so I don't feel like it would be very accurate. Any experienced opinions appreciated!

[wifedeangel]

Mar 28, 2015 8:49:56 GMT -5 tatersalad said:

So question for all the KTan Breeze moms on fit. I am a dress size 6/8 when not pregnant, but always buy blouses in a 10 because I'm a 36D. That puts me in between a small and a medium size wise on the KTan and it says if in doubt to order down a size. I just feel like a small is really small for a 36D bustline. If I go try one on now I'm a 36 DDD pregnant, so I don't feel like it would be very accurate. Any experienced opinions appreciated!

I would still order a size down. They're supposed to be quite snug.

[kimberlyandthor2014]

tatersalad you may also want to take into account whether or not you plan on breastfeeding, because if you do, those girls will stay quite big until bfing slows down. Maybe send your measurements to the company and ask what size they suggest? Maybe the top part of the carrier is adjustable and can accommodate a change in boob size....

ETA : Ah it's a stretchy t-shirt type--yes I'd recommend the smaller size too if in-between. It will stretch out a bit with your body as you wear it.

[mrsmonogrammed]

FTM here, but I bought the Ergo 360 this weekend at target. H and I had a lot of fun playing around using a stuffed animal to get a feel for it. Very easy and lightweight (granted there wasn't a real baby in there). I also have the summer weight infant insert on our registry so hopefully we'll be able to try that out after the shower:)

[megeliz1]

I would recommend the Boba over the Ergo. The reason I say this is because with the Ergo you have to buy a seperate newborn insert and it's pretty bulky and hot for a summer baby. The boba comes with a cushion that makes it safe from 7lbs and doesn't have extra fabric around baby. They are both very similar in design and function and DH at 6'3 wears ours all the time. Bonus: they have really fun prints that are still 'manly'

I have a linen Sakura Bloom ring sling that I LOVE! DD will be 1 this week and I wear her in it with my belly and it is still comfy.

I also have a Boba wrap (think Moby) and hate it because of how heavy and hot the fabric is, not at all practical for a summer babe unless you live somewhere cool.