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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Recommend a baby carrier

47 replies

Chocolatecakefan · 13/03/2015 16:44

I'm looking to buy a sling/carrier for when the baby arrives that I can use when I walk my dogs, can anyone recommend anything? There seems to be such a big difference in prices...in M&P, they seem to range from £25-£125!!!

Ideally I would prefer to have a more structured one, I'm not sure I like the look of the bandagedy type slings, they confuse me!

-----------------

Hello!

We've noticed that this thread is quite old now, and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing carriers. Here are our baby carrier reviews.

Hope this helps!

OP posts:

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mamaneedsamojito · 13/03/2015 16:53

I have a Beco Gemini which I love. It has 4 different carrying positions and is suitable from newborn upwards. My LO is almost 13 months and still fits in it. It has some structure but is still soft enough to fold and pack (aka: screw up and throw in the boot of the car)

TheFantasticFixit · 13/03/2015 16:55

Ergo, EVERYTIME. I tried loads and without a doubt it was the most comfortable fit, you can wear it three ways, lasts up to 4 years old (although why you'd want to carry a 4 year old is beyond me) and great quality. Nifty little accessories as well.

Whatabout · 13/03/2015 17:38

Fixit have you used it with a newborn? I only got my ergo when my first was six months.

OneFlewOverTheMumsNest · 13/03/2015 17:45

Manduca is a great alternative to an ergo and suitable from birth. Carried my 91st centile dd until she was 2.5yo. Only gave up because I am pregnant and didn't like the pressure round my abdomen.

StickChildNumberTwo · 13/03/2015 19:26

I love my Manduca and still use it on my back occasionally with DD who's 3.5. I'd suggest finding a sling library/sling meet and trying a load out though - different ones suit different people. I certainly wouldn't trust sales people in M+P or any other high street store to know what they're talking about - some may, but in my experience they don't have a clue.

I think you can get a newborn insert for an Ergo, whereas the Manduca has something integral to it to allow you to carry a newborn (although I've not tried it - DD was 6 months or so when we got it as the stretchy wrap wouldn't hold her tight enough any more - was great when she was a newborn though and not too complicated once you got used to it).

MrsBeeBeeBee · 13/03/2015 19:32

we used the ergo with the newborn insert. my DD hated it (although it did seem a bit straight jackety!) but from around 4 months without the newborn insert it was absolutely fab. carried on using it until she was around 2 at least.

Newquay · 13/03/2015 19:40

Another vote here for Ergo with newborn insert: fabulous and so nice to use

PinPon · 13/03/2015 20:03

Ergo or Manduca would win my vote. Both really useful for a long time and very easy to use.

I don't rate the Ergo insert, but you can probably pick one up cheaply second hand. We used our Ergo without an insert from quite early on. Manduca has the advantage of no faffy insert but they both seem made along the same principles.

stargirl1701 · 13/03/2015 20:11

Ergo.

seastargirl · 13/03/2015 20:14

Ergo, still carrying my 18 month old in it and my 2 and a half year old likes to go in it occasionally!

MaraThonbar · 13/03/2015 20:14

Depends when baby is due. I wouldn't recommend the Ergo for a spring or summer baby as you'll use the insert until 3-4 months and it is like a little duvet. Potentially uncomfortable for your both.

I highly recommend a Connecta. I would avoid a Baby Bjorn. Ignore anyone who tells you that grey damage babies' hips, as there's no proper evidence of his, but they don't distribute the baby's weight comfortably and will be unusable after six months. Ergo, Connecta, Manduca and Beco will all last to at least 18 months.

Hobby2014 · 13/03/2015 20:15

We had a close caboo. It's a fabric/wrap m one but it's made, you don't tie it yourself IYSWIM.
DS loved it. Slept in it. Just chilled in it.
Easy if lots of adults will be using it (not at the same time!) because you just pull it to fit you. No changing straps and buckles etc.

misskatamari · 13/03/2015 20:36

Stretchy wraps are great for newborns and are so secure and easy to do once you have a few goes. The close caboo is a good alternative too - it's simpler to put on but similar to a stretchy. For a more structured carrier I know many people love the ergo. If you have a local sling library I'd really recommend going along to have a look at the different options as well.

curlykale · 13/03/2015 20:36

Find your local sling library...better to try different ones before you spend the money. You may not want a very structured carrier with a newborn...but it might suit you later on. Everyone has their preference, hence the sling library is worth a visit.

Original poster

Chocolatecakefan · 13/03/2015 21:41

The baby is due April...

I looked at the MN review of the ergo and it said it was only suitable for 4 months +?

Forgive me for being thick but what the hell is a sling library????

OP posts:

obeliaboo · 13/03/2015 21:45

Chocolatecakefan I'm after a carrier/sling too - i've been told to join my local sling library and im just trying to find time/a way of getting there.
From what i gather its like wee 'library' of the various slings/carriers out on the market, that you can go and browse, try on and even rent. Im well up for a go!

obeliaboo · 13/03/2015 21:46

Im also due in April, so im panic hunting tbh!

cookiefiend · 13/03/2015 21:46

Lillebaby- I love mine. My friend with an ergo likes mine better as it has better head support and is more versatile. Mine has no pocket, which is annoying, but the new ones do. Fits all shapes and sizes, better padding than ergo and lasts til age four.

Original poster

Chocolatecakefan · 13/03/2015 21:47

I've just googled my local one and apparently it doesn't meet till the end of June so that's a no go!

What's the opinion on the baby Bjorns?

OP posts:

Allstoppedup · 13/03/2015 21:54

Chocolate

Bjorns usually aren't ergonomic and so can quickly become uncomfortable for both you and your baby as they don't distribute the weight very well. I do believe they have just brought out an ergonomic one recently but as others have suggested, there are better carriers out there that will last you longer and give much more support/comfort.

Some people get on quite well with a Bjorn however and there is a 'hack' you can do with a scarf (Google carrier scarf hack) that can make it more comfortable for you both.

As long as your carrier adheres to T.I.C.K.S and you and your baby are happy you can't go wrong.

Itsaslingthing hire out carriers via post- so you could try brands before you buy too.

Original poster

Chocolatecakefan · 13/03/2015 21:56

Thanks for that advice allstoppedup

OP posts:

TheABC · 13/03/2015 21:58

I love my babyhawk - it's a mei tai carrier. Ergo is a buckle alternative.

Wotsitsareafterme · 13/03/2015 22:01

I am a huge ergo fan but I recommend an SSC (soft structured carrier) which is the generic name for manduca/ergo/beco/tula and so on rather than a wrap for a first baby as ssc are so easy and hassle free. I couldn't get on with wraps they make me too hot and I sweat buckets when I'm bf. I had a close caboo with dd1 I could never get it tight or high up enough to be safe and they are thick and heavy.

Google the site 'love to be natural' good range of slings and carriers and info.

Baby bjorn carriers are not the recommended 'knee to knee' shape for babies the ergo type are so much better for baby and you.

Lastly small babies need to face inward at all times so they can turn their heads away from stimulation if they want to

PomeralLights · 13/03/2015 22:05

If you do consider a stretchy wrap - I hate my moby, love my ama. Moby comes undone super easily whereas the Ama stays in place enough that I can take dd out, feed her, then pop her back in without adjusting. and wraps are lovely for super close baby cuddles :) I'm tempted to get a proper carrier now though, the wrap is starting to hurt my shoulders/back (3m old dd)

bayrans · 13/03/2015 22:05

Still using my manduca and she's 20months old. I love it and we're still on front carries (she's quite small).
Used from about 4 weeks old.

Baby Bjorns just don't give you any back support at all, whereas I'm still able to front carry my little one thanks to a great design.

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