When Camden was a baby, I didn't babywear much. Well, correction: I didn't babywear much using an actual baby wearing device. I just held him all day long, napped with him, and slept with him at night. So, pretty sure he wasn't lacking in the whole bonding department.
When I was pregnant with Macey, I knew I'd want and need to babywear more often. Because having a toddler and a newborn? It's no joke, and I knew I'd need my hands free as often as possible. It's not like I could say, "Camden, why don't you cook us up some dinner while I hold your sister?" or "Go ahead and wipe your own butt, Camden. Can't you see that Macey is sleeping on my chest right now?"
Nope- clearly not happening. Which is why babywearing has become so important to me. It allows me to multitask and multitasking when you have two kids? It's key to survival.
Which brings me back to my commitment issues. Where do I begin? At the beginning, I suppose.
Let me introduce you to my first baby carrier love: The Bjorn. The Bjorn was given to me as a hand-me-down and I wore Camden in it a handful of times. I used it fairly often with Macey too; she'd often fall asleep in it while I was cooking and/or eating dinner. We also used it for walks outside. Macey seemed to find it comfortable. I, on the other hand, did not find it very comfortable. Or, more specifically, my shoulders didn't find it comfortable. At all. If I wore Macey for more than 20 or 30 minutes in the Bjorn, I felt like I needed to schedule a massage afterwards.
Then, there was the ring sling. We only had a very brief affair, so I hesitate to even mention it. I wanted a ring sling, but knew nothing about them. Then I saw that Dr. Sears endorsed this particular one, and I was sold. Because Dr. Sears knows everything, right? So I purchased my ring sling when I was pregnant and even practiced carrying a Cabbage Patch doll in it before Macey was born. Yes, I really just admitted to that. But the thing is-- real babies just aren't quite like Cabbage Patch dolls and I found it entirely awkward to carry Macey in this thing. I always felt like she wasn't comfortable or like she was getting smothered, which just meant that I was staring at her the whole time she was in it and not getting anything else done. And that kind of defeats the whole purpose of babywearing, you know? So I broke up with the ring sling.
Next up: the Moby wrap. The Moby is quite popular and I figured if all of the ladies were raving about this wrap, there must be something to it. When it arrived in the mail, I'll admit that I was fairly baffled that it was just a huge piece of fabric. And I probably spent 30 minutes watching You Tube "how to put on a Moby wrap" instructional videos. But once it was on? I loved it. It was so comfortable-- definitely ergonomically correct, unlike the Bjorn. The first couple of times I put Macey in it were tricky for me, but once I got the hang of it, I used it often. But. (Of course, there's a but. Commitment problems, remember?) There are a few issues I have with the Moby: first, it's freakin' hot. It's a lot of fabric, which is fine in the fall & winter. But there is no way I'd be able to wrap myself all up like that during a North Carolina summer. Also, if I tried to do anything more than cook dinner, stand still, or walk slowly around my house while wearing the Moby, it would start to slip down. No matter how tightly I tied it. I attempted to take Macey and Camden for a walk one day while wearing the Moby and I only got about a block away before the thing was practically around my ankles. Finally, it's kind of a pain in the butt to put on. So, the Moby and I had a good run, but ultimately, we weren't right for each other.
So, there you have it: my baby carrier identity crisis resolved. Which carriers are your favorite?
9 comments:
I started with a sleepy wrap (like the moby) because I could wear two newborns at the same time. I didn't like the long straps, but it was the only thing that made us get through reflux hell. We wore crying, unable to sleep Anna for hours because it was the only thing that tempered her crying. Once they were older and didn't need the newborn insert, I switched to an ergo and a mei tei so I cold wear one on my back and one on my front at the same time... Not that I ever did that much, but it was nice to have the option. Now, they are too heavy for me to comfortably wear two toddlers at the same time, so when we use a carrier (like when we climbed a really big hill to look at fall colors in October) my husband wears the ergo and I wear the mei tei. I like the buckles on the ergo, but it fits my husband better but I like the less bulk of the mei tei. The mei tei is much cooler in the summer than my ergo! I did try a ring sling too, and I didn't like the asymmetrical feel of it. So we've run the gamut of carriers too!
I have two kids 22 months apart. When my baby #2 was born I wore her in moby for the first three months. She literally lived in moby. Spent all day there. Then, when stopped sleeping all day and needed to be put down once in a while (I seriously couldn't believe it, but sometimes she would scream until I put her down on the floor to play. She is very independent unlike her sister :)
Now at 9 months, I wear her in ergo whenever we go outside. Oh and when her big sister wants to be carried, I put my baby in a stroller and carry my 2.5 year old on my back.
Oops, I was logged in as my husband - sorry! Lol
I love the Ergo and the Sleepy Wrap. The Sleepy Wrap is super comfortable, like the Moby (more comfortable than the Ergo), but it doesn't slide down. It's really stretchy, but it's a bouncy stretch. I can take the baby in and out several times and it doesn't stretch out and get loose.
I use the sleepy wrap if I'm going to want to sit down or something after Isaiah falls asleep. The Ergo is only good if you're standing and walking. But really, the wrap is way more comfortable than the Ergo.
I also own a sling and a Snugli. I hate them both. The Snugli isn't comfortable for me, and it's a crotch dangler so it's bad for the baby. And I have the same issues you have with the sling. Both my babies seemed very uncomfortable in it until they were older and I could do an upright hip carry with it. I like the sling at that stage for it's quickness, but it's not comfortable for me.
I know what you mean about needing to be able to hold baby hands free when you also have a toddler to take care of. I had a ring sling with SP and loved it! It allowed me to hold her in the upright position on my chest that she loved to be in whenever she was having issues with all her stomach problems. I have always thought the Ergo looked like the most comfortable of all though! And I like that even a toddler can be carried in one! I don't have one though since the ring sling met all my baby wearing needs with SP! I am glad you found one that works for you and Macey!
Mobu for newborn, ergo afterwards. I love my ergo!!!
I'm using the ktan right now and love it with a newborn, but once she gets bigger, I think we are going invest in a ergo too.
What kind of ergo do you have? There's so many models to choose from. Thanks
Amy -- I have the organic carrier. You will probably need an infant insert too.
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