where to start with babywearing...?

[Bumptittybump]

Baby no. 3 is due imminently. I plan to get to a local sling library asap after she is born, but trying to do a bit of research in advance and now I'm just massively confused and overwhelmed by the options out there. Help!

I bought a moby wrap when I was expecting my twins 5 years ago purely because I read that you could carry two babies in it. Seemed like a great idea, however when it came down to it seemed phenomenally complicated in the newborn twin/first time mum fog. I was just not confident in using it even with one of them and there were no sling meets near me at the time to get any advice.

I really want to carry this baby as seems much more practical for the school run and I would like to be able to do without the pushchair more in general. So something quick and easy to put on in the morning whilst also trying to get two 5 year old's to put shoes, coats, hats on etc would be great. I'm a bit put off by previous experience with the moby wrap. I'm also quite petite and the amount of material seemed to swamp me. Would a mei tai type one be easier? Are they ok for newborns? Any other recommendations/advice?

[VilootShesCute]

Is a moby like a kari me? I loved the kari me and got used to it so quickly I just kept it on pretty much full time for 6 months I didn't get on with the structured ones but the ergo was amazing when she hit 1 as it's soft structured and gives more support for heavier infants but it's still flexible enough to be comfortable to wear.

[Bobafatt]

I used wrap slings at first, but found they sagged after about 4 months as DC grew.

I now have a Boba 4g which is great. It has a newborn insert, and looks like it could have been good from birth.

It is a totally different type of sling to what you are suggesting though.

Agree slings are great for the school run.

[ghostspirit]

I have never tried the wrap type slings they look to complicated. I have always used the buckle slings. And they are a life saver on the bus for me.

[ispymincepie]

Moby only has a one way stretch so can be tricky to get right. Similar but with a two way stretch is Hana or Boba wrap. Once it's on it can stay on all day but if you'd rather a pre-tied stretchy (i.e. less material) look at the NCT Close Caboo. Or look at a lightweight buckles like a Connecta or Nova baby carrier. Good luck!

[Luckystar1]

So the wrap sling can go on first thing and you can leave it on all day. Once you've nailed putting it on (it's not as complicated as it looks once you're used to it!) it's easy peasy to put on after your shower and pop baby in and out.

Mine has been a lifesaver.

Don't bother getting anything else yet as you can clock up a collection of slings/carriers that you don't use!

It helped that my DC2 was very keen on the sling, whereas DC1 hated it as a baby (loved it as an older infant!), it is, in part, the luck of the draw!

Also if you are breastfeeding, you will need to wear zipped or very low necked stretchy clothing as one up one down isn't possible in a sling

[MoMandaS]

I like a mai tei for newborns - HopTye is good and comfortable, much better than the cheaper Palm and Pond. I also love Ergo (soft structured carrier/buckles) but you need an insert for newborns. My first son spent a lot of time in his!

[MoMandaS]

Mei tai, sorry!

[nephrofox]

Close Caboo is easy to use and great for little ones

[Floridasunset]

If you wanted to try them before baby arrives you can go to a sling library whilst still pregnant and try them with a weighted doll. They will be able to give you advice as to what would suit you best. You could also take your moby and they would show you how to put it on properly.
I loved my Caboo for when they were very small

[8DaysAWeek]

DS hated his stretchy wrap but loves his connecta (soft structured buckle carrier). We hired one from the local sling library and haven't looked back. He hates the carrycot and car seat so it's a lifesaver. It appears, like with everything, all babies are different and the sling meets really are your best bet to avoid spending £££ on lots of different ones.

[Tftpoo]

Congrats! I have twins and a singleton too - baby wearing is the way to go if you want to get anything done. I found the Close Caboo very easy and comfy for the first 8 weeks or so then switched to a Connecta (buckle carrier) once DD was a bit bigger. It is really, really easy to use, feels totally secure and is very comfy. She is 7mths now and I think I have used it pretty much every day since I got it. Definitely check out a sling library if you can - it might not be worth buying to start with as if, like me, you might switch to a different type of carrier as the baby gets bigger. There are quite a few FB buy/sell/swap pages for second hand slings which is where I've got mine from.

[Bumptittybump]

Thanks all! Sounds like it's worth giving a stretchy wrap another go but I do also like the look of the buckle ones, so will see what the sling library people have available and try both to see what we get on best with. Guess it's hard to judge until she's born and I know her temperament too.

[Bumptittybump]

And sling libraries seem like a fab idea! There was nothing like it near me 5 years ago but now I've found 4 within 20min drive and something on almost every week!

[welshweasel]

I found a close caboo really easy for the first few weeks (and cheap on eBay!). Less material to tie than with a stretchy wrap but same end effect. Once DS got bigger I moved on to a buckle carrier (I've got a beco soleil but there are lots of options). I do think a wrap type is perfect for the squidgy newborn phase tho.

[JagerPlease]

Echoing other posters - we used the caboo at first, have tried various others from a sling meet and now that DS is somewhat heavier we've found a manduka to be our favourite (got one second hand after trying one from a sling library)

[LifeLong13]

I loved my Mobi. Have you looked at YouTube videos on how to tie them? I could do mine in a minute even now with the brain fog. It's like muscle memory

[SpecialStains]

For babies above 12lb I love my ergo baby carrier, however the infant insert for little babies is useless. I have the performance ergo and it is so easy to get on, and the pocket is just big enough for some nappies, wet wipes, purse and phone.

For younger babies, I recommend the snugiwrap. A bit fiddly the first few times, but cheap and you get used to it.

[kiki22]

I used a Moby aria for the first 8 weeks but once ds2 started to get more alert he actually didn't like being stuck facing into me he prefers lying in his pram kicking about. The thing i also found about the carrier with the school run was once we got back I was stuck with ds2 strapped to me as removing him woke him which I found quite limiting oh and I found having the baby strapped limited my play with ds1. Just another point of view.

[ODog]

Close Caboo are a great simplified version of a stretchy wrap for newborns. They are pre-tied so no long lengths of fabric or complicated ties.

I loved a ring sling for DD when she was a newborn. I then moved to a hoptye which I'm still using with her now at 6mo

[Bumptittybump]

So close caboo seems popular for the first few weeks/months too. Then we'll see what we want to move on to. Ta :-)

[sherazade]

When pregnant with my third I was intrigued by babywearing and thought I'd 'give it a go'. Now ds is 8 months and we have never used the buggy ( thank goodness I didn't buy an expensive one !) I have tried and brought many and rented various ones from our sling library but the ones that worked best are the pre tied stretchy (caboo) for newborn days -3 months and then A connecta. We even went for a family holiday without a buggy and the sling is a lifesaver. Use mine on the school run, shopping, days out , errands , walks , everywhere ! We even take our other kids to the cinema with the baby as ds will sit nicely in the sling. I have breastfed discreetly in it when out and about.