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Original poster

Baby Carrier Recommendations please

26 replies

TurtleneckTuna · 16/09/2019 19:29

I bought a Bjorn Mini (or something) and it worked well when LO was a tiny newborn but from it maxed out at about 5kg. It doesn’t wrap around waist/lower back but just hangs off of upper back and therefore it is agony* after about ten minutes.

I feel pretty desperate to get a better one so that I can properly walk the dog in nearby fields which aren’t pram appropriate. (If the dog doesn’t get a good run soon I’ll be selling him to the first bidder 😉)

My main requirements are back support. But hopefully it goes without saying that it needs to be safe. He’s not quite sitting up yet but almost there.

*agony is a slight exaggeration but it’s not great

(I did look on mumsnet review pages but none of them seem to really mention back support)

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ElfCakes · 16/09/2019 20:52

I've loved my ergobaby. I've also heard good things about the beco gemini. If you have a sling library nearby you could go and try some out and see what suits your and your baby before committing to buying one

sewinginscotland · 16/09/2019 20:52

Buckles have quite good back support, they go across the back? I have a nova, people love the conneca. I would have bought a tula if I had the money.

I'm definitely not an expert though. Why don't you see if there's a sling library nearby? They'll be best placed to help you.

Preggosaurus9 · 16/09/2019 20:54

Ergo is fab. Join the fb group affordable slings for sale or swap. Can also post for advice, it can get quite confusing with all the different brand names etc. Ignore the woven wrap brigade and don't let them put you off!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Families General parenting

Hunkyd0ry · 16/09/2019 21:00

I bought a connecta for that reason. It has a strap that rests on hips to spread out the weight.

Original poster

TurtleneckTuna · 16/09/2019 21:23

Wow thank you, I didn’t even know a sling library was a thing. Tempted to track down one even if it isn’t local, spent enough on the bloody bjorn thing (at the JL saleswoman recommendation plus good reviews online) so I definitely think I need to try them out properly.

Thanks all, I’ll do some research into those brands too.

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Original poster

TurtleneckTuna · 16/09/2019 21:24

Oh I definitely saw a couple with their twins in connecta carriers in Asda today and regretted not asking what they were. They looked comfy (the slings and the babies) and the pattern was so cute.

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Teachermaths · 16/09/2019 21:29

I have a beco gemini and love it. Structured more than an Ergo which my husband really appreciated. It has a fitted waist band and shoulder straps and does a few different positions.

There are websites that hire slings (I've used its a sling thing) so if you aren't near a sling library you can still try before you buy (with a small cost!).

Passportpacked · 16/09/2019 21:33

Ergobaby 360, walked for miles with the dog and little boy enjoyed facing forward to see everything.

randomsabreuse · 16/09/2019 21:41

Manduca. Has really solid waist belt. Fine from newborn up to when DD got too independent at 2.5 although back carrying was better after about 9 months due to her propensity to attack my glasses!

Connecta/Integra has less substantial waist belt which suits some people.

Tula has a good waist belt but I prefer crossover straps for back carries as the rucksack style straight straps feel uncomfortable under my arms.

justatemporaryname · 16/09/2019 21:57

Ergobaby. As a pp said, there are websites where you can hire/try slings if you don't have a local sling library. I used it's a sling thing and it was great.

Rosebud1302 · 16/09/2019 22:08

Ergobaby was the best investment for me after really suffering with my back using a Baby Bjorn. It's brilliant. Carrying him still at over 12 months old.

burblife · 16/09/2019 22:17

I agree with ergobaby. Used with DD until she was over 1. I found it comfortable even after needing physio on my back post birth. Using again now for newborn DD with infant insert.

Polestar50 · 16/09/2019 22:25

Another vote for Ergobaby.

We used a stretchy wrap for newborn stage then an Ergobaby 360 from about 2 months old. Our child is now 16 months and we still use it almost daily. I love it and reckon it's well worth the investment.

I walk at least an hour a day in hilly country with the dog and it is really comfy both fur me and the baby. I like that you can easily change the carry positions (ours likes forward facing the most but back carrying is slightly easier for me now he's big and heavy!)

I can feel it in my back if I carry him for more than a couple of hours a day now but it is just tired muscle pain, not anything being strained.

Also, most importantly, it's really easy to keep him in a good carrying position with wide hips and bent knees.

You can get pretty covers for them on Etsy too. I've never bothered but have seen others with them and they look great. https://www.etsy.com/search?ref=auto-1&as prefix=ergobaby&q=ergobaby+drool+pads+360&order=mosttrelevant&viewtype=gallery

Polestar50 · 16/09/2019 22:27

Sorry, not sure that the Etsy link above works. You can search for Ergobaby drool pads if you're interested

DappledThings · 16/09/2019 22:32

Beco Gemini is brilliant. I still carry my 3.5 year old in it with no issues. Had 2 babies in it from about 8 weeks each.

ElfCakes · 16/09/2019 22:39

@polestar50 I've never seen those before! I might have to customise my carrier ready for DD! Thanks for the tip!

upups · 16/09/2019 22:42

I have a ring sling which I think you can use from newborn but I've only just started loving it since my little one was about 10 months. It's fab and so easy to use once you get the hang of it!

TheJoxter · 16/09/2019 22:45

Another vote for manduca

Teaformeplease · 16/09/2019 22:46

Loved my Ergobaby. Really sad that my 6 year old no longer fits in it!
I had a ring sling too which was useful.

Polestar50 · 16/09/2019 22:58

You're welcome @ElfCakes!

titnomatani · 16/09/2019 23:02

I used the Hana sling with LO when he was newborn- 4 months and then he went into the ergobaby Omni. I used that until LO was 10-11 months but find my shoulders hurt if I have it on for more than half an hour. Had never heard of the beco Gemini until this thread so think I'll look into that now and save the sling and ergobaby for the next baby!

thatwouldbeanecumenicalmatter · 16/09/2019 23:06

Another vote for Beco 🖐️

ColaFreezePop · 16/09/2019 23:10

@titnomatani please visit a sling library. I use a beco and a wrap, while my DP uses a Tula. Different body shapes suit different carriers.

titnomatani · 17/09/2019 01:00

Thanks cola, I'm petite and find the ergo overpowers my frame but have stuck with it because of the research gone into making it safer for babies (hips, etc). and it being good for adult backs. I'm sure our sling library didn't have the beco to try out when I visited. Will send them an email and ask if they have one and if I can try it out.

Original poster

TurtleneckTuna · 17/09/2019 10:19

www.johnlewis.com/ergobaby-omni-360-mesh-baby-carrier/pearl-grey/p3501816

Is this the one most posters are recommending? I have some JL vouchers so that’s a bonus.

Also found a sling library meet up in my local area, so thanks for all that recommended this.

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