Which is the best sling/carrier for tinies?

[Flowerface]

I have had the Ergo, the Baby Bjorn, the Kari-Me and a Hug-a-Bub, but none seem to really have the head support necessary for hands-free tiny-baby-wearing. Does anyone have the answer? I am expecting DC3 and think I am going to need my hands for wrangling DS...

I think you probably just need some help with tying a stretchy wrap (like your kari me etc) to be honest as tied correctly a stretchy does offer the head support to carry a tiny baby. Have you a sling library or sling meet near you?

Otherwise look at youtube videos. and shows how you can tuck the head in to one of the passes.

With wraps, perhaps more with woven wraps, people often tuck a rolled up muslin in to the wrap to provide head support. I know this picture doesn't show a newborn, for some reason can't find a decent picture with a muslin but here you see where the top edge of the wrap is begind the neck? People just tuck a muslin in there, roll a muslin and place on top of the wrap at the back of the neck then fold the wrap back over the muslin so it is rolled under the wrap, you now have a nice little neck support.

Or go for a woven wrap, takes a little more getting used to but you can do the same carries as with the stretchy plus loads more and once feeling confident can chuck baby on your back which leaves you able to pick toddler up when they fall over, cook dinner and generally get on with things! like this!

here is a good example of usiing hte tucked muslin!

Thanks Indith.

I found that mine didn't like having their heads under the wrap and always wriggled free but the muslin looks a good idea. Silly q: what's the difference between a woven wrap and something like a Kari-Me?

Also, has anyone tried the Ergo newborn insert?

A kari me is stretchy fabric, only really suitable while the baby is relatively young and only for front carrying. You must never back carry in a stretchy as there is too much give in the fabric and by leaning back the baby can wriggle out. They are great with tiny babies though as they hold them close and snuggly and can be easier to feed in too plus you can pre tie and pop the baby in and out easily.

A woven wrap is made from woven fabric, either cotton or a variety of blends including wool, silk and bamboo. They range from the cheap and cheerful but very good Lenny Lamb or Ellaroo to the high end like Oscha. The way it is woven, fabric used and type of weave affects the way it wraps, how supportive it is etc. I borrowed an oscha once, it was amazing . Essentially though a woven wrap it more supportive and will last from newborn to preschool or even beyond. You can front carry, hip carry or back carry. Or use them to make a hammock .

Thanks. I found the Kari-Me a bit too stretchy tbh - mine were quite big and started sagging quickly!

What about a ring sling?

I never really got on with them, others love them. Which slings you do and don't like is pretty individual. I'd really suggest trying to get to a sling meet or library so you can have a play with different ones.

Kari me is pretty stretchy I think. Victoria the sling lady stretchies are cheap and cheerful and not as stretchy. There are a few in between types too. Je porte mon bebe is a hybrid wrap so you get the benefit of a stretchy but it will last you longer and feel more supportive.

I used the Moby when DS was newborn/little and it wad great.

I used the newborn insert for the Ergo. It takes a bit of practice to get them in there the first couple of times, but after that it was fab. It's definitely the comfiest carrier I have.

The manduca is really good, has a newborn insert and an adjustable head/neck support. It should last you a long time as can be used as a front, back or hip carrier up to age 3 or 4 I think. Good for babies hips too and apparently you can breastfeed babies in them quite easily although i never tried this. I love mine!

We have just been to a sling library and borrowed a caboo sling as DS is only 7lbs. All good so far :)

I bought a manduca baby carrier and it's great. It says from birth to 4 years, I've used it with my baby dd from a few weeks old, she's still only 3 months and is comfortable in it. As they get older you can have the child on your side and I actually got my almost 4 yr old in it on my back just to see if it could take it and it could! He looked like a giant baby on my back but it distributed his weight evenly (would never use it for him!) It's about £85-£90 and versatile so good value and quality!

I have the Ergo baby carrier with infant insert, it works really well, baby is comfy inside and well supported. Its comfy for me even after a csection.
When I use it without the infant insert I can easily carry my 14 month old.
I would practice doing it before baby arrives and you can get the hang of it then.