Baby Carrier

[aaaarti]

Hi all

Any advice on baby carriers for newborn? I need something easy to put on and not bulky. I have been looking at the bjorn mini so far. Thank you.

I'd recommend looking to see if you have a local sling library, you can hire them for a week at a time until you find one you like then you can buy one. A lot of people prefer stretchy wraps for newborns. I used a more structured carrier from around three months, stretchy for earlier on. I did try a manduca when DD was six weeks which was also good. My proper purchase was for an ergo 360, you can get a newborn insert for it, it was a brilliant carrier, and I used it until she outgrew it :) some also hold their value really well for resale

Friends have recommended the Close Caboo for the newborn stage, you can find them cheaply on ebay if not near a sling library.

Second annlee3817 advice about going to a sling library. You need to be aware depending on the size of your baby e.g. if they are under 3.5kg or if you have any injuries, caused by labour or otherwise, there will be some slings/baby carriers you simply can't use from the beginning.

I have inherited slings/baby carriers which have been barely used. I found a wrap one that I get on with otherwise I would have had to go to a sling library.

I love a stretchy wrap for the newborn stage. Takes a few goes to get the hang of it initially but they're really good for out and about and in the house too. If you're after something more structured I'd recommend a Tula - you can get a newborn insert for the standard ones, or I think they do one now that's suitable from birth. If you can access a sling library it's definitely worth trying a few types though.

I’m all for a sling library too! Definitely go and hire one first.

Thanks all! Will definately google sling library now and find my nearest one!

Many different slings but rarely see people recommend baby Bjorn once they've used it. Not great for carriers back and certain ones not brilliant for hip positioning (though I think they've changed the designs)

Ergobaby, Tula etc good but second the sling library recommendation. What works for someone won't work for everyone.

But most people I know love a stretchy wrap for a newborn.

My baby's 18 weeks and we both love stretchy wrap...have done for about 17 weeks. Youtube tells you how to use them safely, also very good for baby's hips and to hide your tummy whilst you wait for it to disappear :)

Another vote for a sling library!

I would recommend a stretchy wrap (Ama or Boba wrap both good) for the newborn stage and a connecta from about 4 months onwards. The Connecta folds up nice and small and is easy to use and comfy.

Don’t get a Bjorn. Horrible to use and imo uncomfortable and some are also poor for baby’s hips.

Another vote for a sling library - please don’t get a bjorn. Horrible things and I have one!

Thank you all! Can save my money and look into a stretchy wrap!

Are they fiddly to put on?

Deff find your local sling library. Carriers are a bit like jeans, just because they look simlar doesnt mean they all fit the same, not will you like one just because your friend does.

Popular options for newborns at the library I run are stretchy wraps (boba, hana and sling school are all good brands) or the close caboo. Depending on the size of baby some also go for a zensling or a izmi.

Do try them out though, it always makes me sad when someone brings me an expensive carrier they bought because someone told them it was "best" and its just not comfortable for them

I used a stretchy one for the newborn days when my DD was lighter and loved it.
Now she's bigger I have a Baby Bjorn One which I like a lot. I know they've had bad reviews but for me it was the easiest one to use and I find it comfortable. They've changed the design now to make it safer for babies hips when facing inwards (which I tend to stick to).
But try the library or at least somewhere you can try a few on with your baby in it to get a feel of what you like and what fits with what you want it to do

Oh and stretchy wraps are fiddly at first but YouTube is really useful to follow at first. I found it easier to sit leaning back when placing her in and taking her out of it and left it on me for most of the day, even when she wasn't in it so I didn't need to keep having to do it. Now I've got a more robust one I can do it on the go whilst holding her with one arm

I vote for the sling library too. We had a close caboo for the first couple of months, which was great and really easy to use. Then once my boy was a little heavier we bought an ergo 360, which we used until he outgrew it. Now we just use a rucksack carrier (he's almost 3) when we're out walking. I also used a woven wrap at home, after I felt he was too heavy for the caboo, if he was being clingy. But sling libraries are great for trying lots of different slings and a really reasonable cost before you spend big bucks on one of your own. I've also heard bad things about the baby Bjorn carriers in terms of them being bad for baby position regarding the hips and also I know people who have said they were also uncomfortable to wear. But everyone is different.

I went to our local sling library, it was really helpful, we've ended up with an ergobaby Omni 360 which is suitable from newborn without any extra inserts etc but will last a good while and a soft stretchy fabric one for at home.