Easy in carrier for newborn

[gizmosmama]

I have a woven wrap which I used for DC1 and loved it. I'm keen to wear DC2 (ETA 6 weeks) too but DC1 will only be 18mo when DC2 arrives and I'm concerned about being able to wrap the baby whilst holding DS's hand etc when we're out and about.
I think I'm going to need a buckle carrier of some sort so that it's really quick and easy to get baby in and out but I'd still like it to be a soft carrier which uses a 'froggy' or 'M' shape position.
Any recommendations of a type of carrier and/or brands gratefully received.

[museumum]

I liked the close caboo. It's like a stretchy wrap but is sewn into an X and tightens with rings. It's so easy in it was my go-to for around the house. But it's a bit too sketchy once they get heavier. I got mine from eBay and then sold again after.

[museumum]

Stretchy not sketchy!!!

[pootlebug]

Are you near a sling library? Different buckles suit different people, so it might well be worth trying one in person if you can.

[BertieBotts]

Stretchy wraps are the easiest IME because you pre-tie them and leave them tied, then you can pop the baby in and out. Then they're not annoying and bulky like an empty buckle carrier would be. You can even wear the carrier while driving (without baby obviously!).

The close caboo is one kind but I'd just go for an ordinary stretchy wrap, the caboo has to be adjusted each time and has long dangly bits.

Brands to look for are Moby (the most well known) or sa-be (the cheapest commercial one) or you can make one, but I think they're cheaper to buy, TBH. Kari-me is made with a lycra mix which I think might be too stretchy for constant re-use without retying.

Do you have a sling meet or sling library anywhere nearby?

[thewholedamntown]

Check out your local sling library to try some as some are more comfy than others. There are loads of buckle carriers which promote the correct hip positions such as Connecta, Tula, Ergo, Rose & Rebellion, etc.

[Whoami24601]

My friend lent me a close caboo for DC 2 (7weeks) and its brilliant! You can put it on before you go out, and just leave it on all day. Baby can be popped in and out in seconds once you get used to it. I never wore DC 1, but its so much easier than faffing with a pushchair when you have a toddler to run round after!

[gizmosmama]

Thank you everyone so far, I think I will try to get to a sling meet.
Does anyone know if Mei Tais are easy to do up? I don't really know anything about them but just been looking at a CatBird Baby Mei Tai which I think looks like it's a sort of in between soft structured buckle type and a proper traditional tied Mei Tai so could be my perfect compromise?

[NK5BM3]

Loved my connecta! Borrowed it first from sling library. Baby really enjoyed it as did I!

[pocketsized]

I've got a close caboo and I love it, easy to wear, not too bulky and my DD (13 weeks) has loved it from the beginning.

[BertieBotts]

It looks like a normal mei tai to me. They're okay but a stretchy wrap is far quicker. You still have to tie that one every time, and you would have to take it properly off, because it would drag on the floor.

Compare with this:

That's not the only brand of course, but it was a good video. I also like this video which is more in depth in how to get them in but doesn't show you getting them out.

[BertieBotts]

Note on the first video, everything before 2:30 is done only once, not every time you put them in/out and before you pick up the baby. So you could do this at home.

For the second everything before 1:55 is the same - you do this once. The actual putting-in process in video 1 is only 50 seconds, in video 2, with a real baby and lots of talking and showing slowly, it's almost exactly two minutes. With practice you'd be well under this, because you wouldn't need to be explaining every step to a camera.