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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Someone just tell me what carrier to get- why is it so complicated?!

46 replies

pippinleaf · 02/10/2014 20:17

There seems to be WAY TOO MUCH out there about carriers. I want a carrier from newborn that doesn't hurt my back, that doesn't have tonnes of fabric swinging from me, that is easy for me to put on by myself, that my husband can wear without feeling ridiculous and that's it. I am completely bamboozled by it all - got to the point of thinking I will just Sellotape the baby on me or put it in furry clothes and Velcro it on.

Someone please just put me out of my misery and tell me what to get!

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chocolatemartini · 02/10/2014 20:18

Ergo with infant insert would be a safe bet.

PotteringAlong · 02/10/2014 20:20

Go to a sling library near you and try before you buy!

ohthegoats · 02/10/2014 20:21

Friend just bought a Manduca and loves it. I've bought a Boba 4G, but we don't have the baby here yet, so can't vouch for it.

BananaPie · 02/10/2014 20:21

Baby Bjorn active. Easy to use, with clips rather than ties, and back support. Try eBay rather than paying full price for a new one!

ohthegoats · 02/10/2014 20:24

And yes, I went to a sling library - go early, it's hard to try them on usefully when you've got a big bump.

Racheyg · 02/10/2014 20:27

I have an ergo and they are brilliant. no back ache and comfy for baby aswell

Original poster

pippinleaf · 02/10/2014 20:28

Sling meets are all well and good when you're not working full time but by the time I will be able to go to one I'll have the baby and I want one before she arrives. I will check those ones out, thank you, and welcome any more tips.

OP posts:

JabberJabberJay · 02/10/2014 20:28

Yes go to a sling library or sling meet. You can try lots on and see what you like. I had a Become and loved it.

callamia · 02/10/2014 20:30

The ergo is the best money we spent on our baby. He's one next week, and he's a fairly big baby, and I use it pretty much daily. He's always slept well in it, I can use the bus with it, my husband uses it - it's ace. It's never once hurt to carry him, although I'd advise getting a decent bag to carry about - one shoulder changing bags are a pain.

I have some woven wraps too, but the ergo is so easy. When DS is a bit older I'll use it more for back carries too.

Artandco · 02/10/2014 20:30

Boba 4g. No faff with giant inserts and suitable from newborn-3/4years ( small on front, on back as bigger)

JabberJabberJay · 02/10/2014 20:33

A soft structured carrier is probably your best bet then. Something like an Ergo or Beco. Easy to wear and get to grips with. A tiny baby can go on your front with both of those and once they are larger you can use it to carry them on your back. Soft structured carriers properly support baby's hips and are also much more supportive for you than Baby Bjorn or similar.

MollyBdenum · 02/10/2014 20:33

Ergos tend to be best for people with shortish torsos ime.

partyskirt · 02/10/2014 20:37

Ergo in general, plus maybe a soft stretchy one for the early days.

LittleBearPad · 02/10/2014 20:37

Wait until the baby arrives and then go to a sling meet. It'll be the best way to figure out what you like and what the baby likes

bumpiesonamission · 02/10/2014 20:39

Ergo!!

wherethewildthingis · 02/10/2014 20:41

We love the manduca!

Liara · 02/10/2014 20:43

Beco Gemini.

Like an ergo, but can be turned into a baby bjorn if your baby is one of those who actually like facing outwards.

I had an ergo for ds1 and it doesn't really work well for a newborn and the insert is awkward at best, tried every other conceivable type of carrier until I hit on the Gemini (with ds2 by then) and it is undoubtedly the best.

LikeSilver · 02/10/2014 20:44

Another Ergo fan here. DD is 2.5 and not only does she still like it, it still doesn't hurt to carry her. Just a note of caution - there are a fair few fakes about.

Bolshybookworm · 02/10/2014 20:45

Another vote for the ergo here- it's just so comfy and I like that baby is facing you so you can see when they're asleep and chat to them. I didn't like the look of the insert so used a stretchy wrap until about 4 months.
Choosing a sling is a very personal thing, however. It depends on your body shape and personal needs. E.g I don't like cross back carriers (eg BabyBjorn) as they give me lower back pain, but some of my friends find them very comfy. Same with one shoulder slings (eg Babasling) which are AGONY for me, but I've got narrow shoulders. One thing I would check before you buy is how easy it is to get baby in and out. I had a wilkinet first time round and I had to have baby on my lap to get her in the sling which was no use in a crowded car park! Ergo is good in this respect.

I'd maybe borrow a stretchy wrap or babybjorn for the early days then go to a sling library and try a couple if you can.

Alyx80 · 02/10/2014 20:45

I liked my Connecta.

Iamrandom · 02/10/2014 20:45

The connecta is fantastic. Good position for baby, can be worn front or back from baby through to toddler. Has rucksack type clips so easy to get on and off by yourself.

Bolshybookworm · 02/10/2014 20:46

Oh yeah, a well-meaning relative bought me a fake ergo on amazon. Get a real one from John Lewis.

shinynewname · 02/10/2014 20:50

Manduca here too. Has newborn insert built in and is very adjustable, DH and I could both use it.

It is really soft and nice. :)

Also holds it's value pretty well too, I used mine from 4 months till age 2 and sold it for about 2/3 of what I paid.

Although you don't fancy lots of fabric, I do also recommend a stretchy wrap as well. I used both a lot. You tie it on and then can pop baby in and out as required. Lovely and soft for newborns and can be bought quite cheaply.

Pico2 · 02/10/2014 21:05

I think we have the Ergo Sport - I think it is discontinued, but better for DH because he is tall.

We also have the Baby Bjorn which I liked for earlier months.

Tranquilitybaby · 03/10/2014 00:21

Connecta or Ergo would suit your purposes.

Stay away from the cheaper carriers where babies legs just hang down. Have a google of the TICKS guidelines x

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