Baby carriers - advice needed!

[Yahdayah]

We are due to have a second DC and are looking to buy a baby carrier.

For our first DC we didn't have one but I think it would be very handy this time round, although I'm clueless on which one would be good from birth (ideally) and could be used by both myself and DH.

I'm not keen on a sling as I would be worried I'd get it wrong.

Any advice / suggestions are very welcome.

Are you anywhere near a sling library to try a few out? Most cities have them. To be honest it's so easy to order next day delivery for things that I'd be tempted to wait to see what your baby is like. I had one with dc1 and used it quite a bit. Thought I'd use it loads with dc2 but he's rarely been in it (now 6months) as he's quite happy to play on the floor when I'm busy unlike dc1 who wanted to be held alllll the time

I have an Ergo and it's been great.

Fwiw though I was given both the baby Bjorn (hated by many sling pros!) and the close Cabo. Close Caboo generally gets better reviews and better for smaller babies/ can feed in it but I liked the sturdiness of the bjorn but if used a lot I would imagine that the fabric of the caboo would be better.

We started with a Caboo but DS used to push backwards in it really hard and his head wasn't supported well enough when doing it. We've now got an ergo 360 and I bloody love it.

I had a Caboo and used it almost constantly for first 4 months or so until baby got a bit too heavy. It was a lifesaver as I had a toddler already. I sold it for almost what I paid for it so they do hold resale value very well. I would suggest something soft like a Caboo for a newborn and then something more structured (like the ergo) when a bit bigger.

Thank you all.

We may have a sling library as we live in a big town, do they also do carriers? Sorry if I am using the wrong terminology.

I'll have a look at the Ergo and Caboo later on. I feel like one would be very handy this time with a 3 year old who I'll be running around with.

Sling libraries will have the fabric wrap slings (which I think is what you mean by sling) and also the different slings with buckles / half buckles / ring slings (which I think is what you mean by a carrier). Definitely google your closest one and ho and have a try out. What suits you might not suit someone else!

I'm a huge fan of stretchy wraps for the newborn stage - honestly they aren't that hard to do, I couldn't make our local sling meet so watched YouTube videos instead. I used to tie it first thing in the morning and leave it on all day, popping baby in and out as needed. Most of the more structured carriers aren't ideal for babies until they reach about 4 months (you can get newborn inserts for some of them but I don't think you get the same snugness as with a wrap). From 4 months ish most people move onto something more structured like the ergo, Tula, connecta. I've got a beco soleil which is v similar to the Tula. The benefit of these sorts of carriers is that you can wear them on your back once baby is a bit older, and then use them into toddlerhood.

Sling libraries usually have a pretty big range and most will advise which might suit your needs and give you chance to try on. Ignore terminology or just read 'something that carries a baby where you don't have to use your hands' for sling or carrier interchangeably.

There's a map called sling pages if you google it you should find nearest for you can help avoid expensive misbuys

I have the ergo and it's fab, that being said ds felt a bit lost in it as a newborn so had a amawrap for then. Really easy to tie and felt snuggly and I kept a it tied on me some days even without ds in it. Felt like having a second tshirt or scarf on.

Recommend a connecta for a simple buckle carrier that can be used from newborn (cinching in bottom and rolling panel a little to shorten) all the way up to toddler.

Another recommendation for the ergo-have used it for all 3 DC. Moby wrap when they are tiny.

I could not manage a connecta. Definitely go and try some out. You can even hire a stretch wrap like a close Caboo before you baby arrives so you are already to get started using it.

A sling library will be able to give advice on and hire out buckle carriers (as well as stretchy and woven wraps).

The most important thing for any carrier is that it follows the TICKS guidelines (see photo) and keeps baby's legs in an M position (as opposed to dangling like in a narrow based carrier like the baby bjorn).

For a newborn I would highly recommend a close caboo, as they are easy to put on and tighten, and they are so comfortable, snug and supportive due to the stretchy fabric.

Another vote for close caboo to begin with. DD2 is 5 months now and we are still using it. We have a boba (similar to ergo) which we used for dd1 and which we will prob start using for dd2 soon

With both of mine I started with close caboo & then go into ergo 360.

I still use the close at home now & ergo when out & about with DS2. I can feed in both & they're just great.

Not an exhaustive list - sometimes it can be worth popping your town name and "Slings" or "Babywearers" into Google or even Facebook.
ukslinglibraries.wordpress.com/find-a-sling-library-near-you/

I volunteer for a sling library locally and we have a huge array of slings (stretchy or woven wraps are the ones that are just material, slings covers all sorts from Baby Bjorn type carriers to ergonomic carriers and ring slings to wraps)

As a guide we charge £5 to hire any of our slings for 2 weeks. There is also a refundable deposit to pay which is returned when the carrier is returned.

Itsaslingthing also do postal hires.

Loved my ergo 360. My dd practically lived in for the first 6 months of her life as she hated her pram and being put down!

We have a sling library!! I'll definitely go there and try some out. I think I just haven't got a clue when it comes to the terminology.

I've seen ladies wearing ones that look like I'd need another six hands to get on and stay put

Thank you all, I really appreciate all of the help and advice