Should i replace Moby wrap/baby bjorn with ergo baby carrier?

[Vfelt]

Hi all,
I'm currently 32 weeks with baby number 2 (little boy!) and I am a mummy to DD who is 20 months old. When DD was smaller I used both the moby wrap and baby bjorn carrier with her - i found slings/carriers to be great for her when she was colicky and would like to use a sling with baby no. 2.
Both have their good points and bad in my opinion:
The bjorn is easier to put on and feels safer (plus hubby wears it too as its more macho than the moby). I did always feel that DD looked a bit slumped and uncomfortable in it with strange hanging limbs. It looks pretty good though to wear out in public although after around 30 mins of wearing it, my shoulders and back started to ache.
The moby seemed the most comfortable for the baby and she was really well supported plus I could wear it for hours and felt no back or shoulder pain. My problem with it was the nature of tying it. Because its a very long piece of material wound around your body, adjustment outside the home are pretty difficult. Also, after having a baby I was a wobbly mess covered with a load of excess floppy skin around my tummy/hip area so wrapping tight material around my flabby bits looked, quite frankly, awful and made me feel an uncomfortable mess.
I was wondering if anyone has any info on the ergo baby carrier? They are really well reviewed but are SO pricey, even on eBay. Or perhaps there are any different suggestions for baby wearing/slings?
Thanks in advance. Would appreciate any opinions. X

[Debs75]

Why not try a proper wrap such as a stretchy or woven. Sorry can't think of names but most of them are just long pieces of fabric and you wrap them around you and then slot baby in. They are really comfy, if done properly and better for baby then most structured carriers.

Have you got a baby sling library near you, they are great for sharing info and letting you try different ones. Google or check on facebook

[ErmahgerdPerngwens]

Patapums are slightly cheaper than ergos and do exactly the same job. I used a wrap sling for new baby as it just seemed so comfy, for them and me. I think I moved on to the patapum around 6 months-ish, I'm pretty certain they have a baby insert or something so you can use them for younger babies.

[ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs]

Would definitely recommend a sling library if you can find one near. They'll be able to advice on a carrier to suit and you'll be able to try it so you know it suits you/ baby/life before you spend lots of money.

Re. the Ergo baby - I think they're great and last through many different stages. I also like Beco carriers. I find them easy to use, comfortable to put on and supportive for baby.

I personally would not use a baby Bjorn as thet do not allow a baby to sit in a developmentally suitable position (this is the same for almost all forward facing carriers). For proper support and to maintain a good position for proper hip development a baby in a carrier should always have their knees higher than their bottoms. There is loads of info online about correct positioning and I just came across quite a helpful website http:/m.babywearingschool.com/site/mobile?dm_path=%2Fresearch.htm&fw_sig_potential_abuse=1&fw_sig_time=1349820607083&fw_sig_url=www.babywearingschool.com/&fw_sig_premium=1&fw_sig_social=1&fw_sig_tier=1&fw_sig_session_key=097b0d19cb9b3da285dbe7320ca07fe035f380ffa53dc26ac66a77ed6c0e5f41-30487247&fw_sig_site=30487247&fw_sig=883d722b7ac9fbfa76d2f0a735cbff78&fw_sig_permission_level=0&fw_sig_access_token=8e4af65178f97743c07961273510c1488b2531d1&fw_sig_is_admin=0&fw_sig_api_key=522b0eedffc137c934fc7268582d53a1&fw_sig_permissions=none&fb_sig_network=fw here

Good luck.

[TeaandHobnobs]

Debs the Moby the OP has is a type of stretchy wrap.

VFelt maybe try a Mei-Tai type carrier? I've found it a good compromise between the wrap and a more structured carrier (like an ergo or manduca), and it is easier to use than a wrap (although still requires tying straps, but is much less faff than a wrap) but still very adjustable.

Can you google for a sling library or sling meet in your area? That's the best way to find something which suits your needs, without forking out money on something which you later find isn't suitable.

[ICompletelyKnowAboutGuineaPigs]

Sorry it seems the link didn't work, I'll try again!

<a class="break-all" href="http://m.babywearingschool.com/site/mobile?dm_path=%2Fresearch.htm&fw_sig_potential_abuse=1&fw_sig_time=1349820607083&fw_sig_url=www.babywearingschool.com/&fw_sig_premium=1&fw_sig_social=1&fw_sig_tier=1&fw_sig_session_key=097b0d19cb9b3da285dbe7320ca07fe035f380ffa53dc26ac66a77ed6c0e5f41-30487247&fw_sig_site=30487247&fw_sig=883d722b7ac9fbfa76d2f0a735cbff78&fw_sig_permission_level=0&fw_sig_access_token=8e4af65178f97743c07961273510c1488b2531d1&fw_sig_is_admin=0&fw_sig_api_key=522b0eedffc137c934fc7268582d53a1&fw_sig_permissions=none&fb_sig_network=fw" rel="nofollow noindex" target="_blank">here

[AnnieLobeseder]

Stick with your Moby for when baby is tiny and new. Egos are amazing but only for bigger babies, say 6 mo onwards.

[catkind]

I'd stick with the moby for the first bit then see. While it's tricky to adjust in a muddy field, you can pop baby in and out without needing to adjust. And tiny babies seem to just love them so much. Tell your DH he'll get admiring looks from all the women in town and he'll master it in no time - Mr K loved that bit;)

Ergo is fantastic from about 4-5 months (earlier if you have a chunk like ours!), but for a newborn you need an insert and I've heard it's not that good. I think some Beco's are better for a newborn if you like buckles?
We tried a patapum but didn't find it nearly as comfy for the adult as the ergo. And I don't think they do have a newborn insert.

[Vfelt]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm off to antenatal class tomorrow so will enquire about sling meets - sounds like a great idea. I wasn't happy with the baby bjorn really; always looked so uncomfortable - going on eBay I think.
Will have a look at the ones that have been suggested x

[fraktion]

Be careful with ergos as there are lots of fakes out there.

Manducas are good from newborn.

[KnockedUpMell]

We have various carriers, andi think it boils down to personal preference. I find mei tais most comfortable and easiest to get on / off. DH prefers the structure of ergo and baby Bjorn (I find my shoulders ache with them), and I didn't like the cloth trailing on the floor with wraps and found it quicker to tie compared to a mei tai.
If you do decide on an ergo, be wary of getting them off eBay / amazon / any website that's not on the ergo baby approved retailer. I bought a fake by mistake (hoping to save££), and the quality is vastly inferior to a real ergo.

[KnockedUpMell]

I meant slower to tie with a wrap vs mei tai

[Rockchick1984]

I love my Rose and Rebellion, it's a mei tai and is so comfortable (and very cheap on Zulily until tomorrow morning!) but again it's only really suitable once baby is about 3 months old. Personally my recommendation is for your moby until baby is supporting their own head and able to sit up with support, then switch to a mei tai. Both of these you can also breast feed in if this is something which would be beneficial to you.

Oh, and in case your antenatal teacher isn't aware of your local sling meet (mine wasn't) just look on www.slingmeet.co.uk and you should be able to find one there :)

[Clarella]

What about a caboo or even the caboo dx? Id also be interested to know what more knowledgeable peeps would say how these compare, am a first timer and thinking of getting dx for DH and me, and moby for me though the ordinary caboo looks good (its just getting DH into it!)

[kalougri]

Have you seen connectas? They are like a mei tai but with buckles so I think are quite dh friendly. They are way more comfy than a Bjorn and hold your baby in a much better position. I personally love either a stretchy wrap (like your Moby) or a ringsling for newborns although rinslings have a much steeper learning curve.

[Diamond7]

Moby for first few months then I've heard the boba 3G is good. Designed to carry from newborn to toddler.

[Vfelt]

Wow. There's so much choice! Think I will stick with the moby for a bit then and DH can lump it! The mei tai looks interesting. Will have a look for a bargain on eBay.

[moojie]

clarella I have a caboo and I love it. My DH wears it too. I sold my moby as I kept getting it wet on the floor when trying to tie it out and about. The caboo is great as no tying and a nice snugly closeness with the baby. Ds is now 6 months and is getting a little frustrated with being so tightly close to me so I'm looking at getting an Ergo to take us through the next stages.

[Clarella]

Ah thanks moojie, just can't decide between usual or the new dx one, very few reviews about yet!

[KatAndKit]

a manduca is better than an ergo and way better than a bjorn and they are fairly macho looking especially if you get a black one.

[SamSmalaidh]

I found the Beco Butterfly really good from newborn, and you can put the baby on your back really easily from about 5 or 6 months too if you want.