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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Baby Carriers

43 replies

fonxey · 28/07/2019 09:34

Looking for some recommendations and opinions. I haven't really tried any on and am a ftm so it's all new and weird and wonderful.

Anyway, me and the OH are quite petite in size and frame. He has arthritis and my back is easily bent out of shape.

I've decided I don't want a sling. I don't think they look that supportive, too fiddly and I just want to plug and play. And i want something of course my OH will feel comfy in too.

I've been looking at the ergobaby and tula. Many others I've seen look rather bulky or stiff whereas these seem quite low profile yet still look comfy. However haven't laid my eyes on a physical one yet.

I'm also looking for something long lasting. I might not feel like i want (or they might not want) to be carried into toddlerhood but I'd prefer that option.

And finally... Is it best to wait until after they are born to buy one (another point they must also be ok for newborns) or before? I'm going through a nesting thing i guess. I can't stop buying things or thinking what else i need to get and arrgh!

I'm guessing might as well wait until after they are born as for the first few weeks probably in no rush to be doing much. But the impulsive but everything part of me wants to be 100% prepared if that is even possible.

I am 20 weeks, so not even close.

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EscapeTheOrdinary · 28/07/2019 09:40

We went to 2 shops (one being mothercare) so dh could try some on. He really really liked the ergobaby carriers until he tried a babybjorn as he said the clip at the back was a bit fiddly in the ergo baby and he preferred that you put the babybjorn on then put baby in rather than ergo where you put it on with the baby. We haven’t brought it yet and probably won’t until baby is here but it was good to try some to figure out what was more comfortable and easy. I have a sling my friend found in a charity shop so will try that first and if baby likes it we will invest in the carrier. There are sling libraries you can loan from but I guess it depends how much you will use one. I’d recommend going and trying a few out but don’t buy (if your planning to own rather than use library) until the baby is here as they are quite expensive

Original poster

fonxey · 28/07/2019 09:47

Yeah, is like to try some on. But the closest mothercare is 60+ miles in a place we have no reason to go to other than Mothercare and i didn't think they had much selection tbh. It's really frustrating. Either that or it's the one on our way to our parents which is 130miles away but at least en route to something!

I guess there is argos but it's not the same and not sure if you could try them on there and just too much fuss.

I guess we'll have to do another trip to Mothercare or somewhere at some point.

OP posts:

Celebelly · 28/07/2019 09:49

Our Ergobaby is great. We have the 360. I much prefer it to our BabyBjorn and it looks much comfier for DD as in Bjorn her legs seem to dangle straight down, not in the frog leg position they should be.

The clip at the back is a little fiddly but still fine to do yourself.

JC12345 · 28/07/2019 09:56

I'd go along to a sling library and have a look at and try some different options. Slings/carriers are quite personal so it's important to get one that works for you. We've got connecta carriers (now called integra) and also carry our twins in slings too. The ergo is another good one too. Stretchy wraps are great when they're tiny but I've preferred the connectas as they're quick to put on and pack up really small so easy to pop in bag when they're bigger and walking more.

Original poster

fonxey · 28/07/2019 10:43

Good advice on slingng library. On brief glance... All local ones have closed down or the website is broken. Hmm no, closed.

Grrrr! Why? Why is this area so crap. There must be something! When i have time I'll look some more. It is entirely stupid that all the baby your shops have closed here. The few we have aren't extensive. Very small, mostly just clothing. I asked people at work but even they can't think of anywhere that isn't at least 60 miles away. Most had their kids a few years ago and they had a Mothercare at least back then.

OP posts:

EscapeTheOrdinary · 28/07/2019 10:48

We have an independent local baby supplier that allowed us to try them on so it doesn’t have to be mothercare necessarily. You still have a way to go as well so if your seeing your parents in that time or going somewhere specific just plan it into your trip. I got information on local sling libraries from an antenatal group and I couldn’t find any online when I looked so you might find out about ones further along in your pregnancy as well that aren’t advertised very well

CatInADoghouse · 28/07/2019 10:56

When we were looking in John Lewis when we were expecting the woman in there was quite off with us and told us to come back when we had the baby to try them out (we didn't go back!)

We bought the ergo baby 360. I found the clip at the back a bit difficult to do up on my own but once it was on it felt comfortable.

icclemunchy · 28/07/2019 11:02

I'd find a sling library or babywearing consultant. Or it's a sling thing do online hire.

Whilst the tula and ergo are smaller than some they both have very thick waistbands and padded shoulders, in my experience they don't tend to fit petite people so well (of course there are some who love it) the zensling and izmi are very popular for newborns in our library as are close caboos.

Where abouts are you? I can find out who's closest to you. Most libraries are run by volunteers and admin like websites tends to get sidelined when we're busy

anonforthespies43267 · 28/07/2019 11:06

I have the ergobaby 360 & no idea how I’ll ever get into it on my own!

xJune88 · 28/07/2019 11:22

We did sling library and mothercare (amazing to try before you buy) I had a fabric one and a cheap one given by sister in law hated them both. I went to mothercare and asked for the best non fiddly one and I've got the babybjorn one its brilliant. Had my little one in from 7 weeks its fab and mega easy x

stellavisionandunderstanding · 28/07/2019 11:22

360 is amazing. My baby only wanted to be carried and I don't know what I'd have done with out as he screamed all the time in the pram.

Mummyme87 · 28/07/2019 11:24

Do you have a Wear my baby shop near you? They are great

eurochick · 28/07/2019 11:26

We loved our ergo 360. I wouldn't have used a baby Bjorn - they are not great for the baby's hips.

TinchyP · 28/07/2019 11:34

We have the ergobaby omni 360 in air mesh. We tried it in john lewis and then bought it from the ergobaby website for a larger range of colours. You can wear the straps in an X shape so the clip is not an issue.

TerriB1984 · 28/07/2019 13:55

We had the original design ergo baby and loved it but agree it’s a very personal thing. As a PP mentioned the waistband is quite thick but that’s one of the things I liked as it means as baby gets heavier you are not carrying all the weight on your shoulders like some other carriers. If you can find a sling library or wait until baby is here to try on in a store I really would recommend it. I really thought I would like a stretchy type sling but after hiring one I really couldn’t get on with it and found myself holding the baby under their bum for support which defeated the whole purpose of baby wearing!

Caspianberg · 28/07/2019 14:00

I have been looking at this a little. The ergo adapt is supposed to be the newer version after the ergo 360, and they are supposed to have solved the clip at back issue so its now easier to use alone.

physicskate · 28/07/2019 14:42

The newer babybjorns have been redesigned to be better for baby hips than they were. We love our air. Dh is a bit slim and short and I am about the same height but need to shift a stone of baby weight at some point. Dh has a bad back. He can carry our dd for at least half an hour. I'm still recovering from pgp and find it very very comfy!

Hedgehogblues · 28/07/2019 15:04

I love my Beco Gemini. It is a bit fiddly to put on but it is really comfortable and supportive. It has good lumbar support

ThanksItHasPockets · 28/07/2019 15:15

Both ergobaby and Tula are great carriers but not ideal from birth. Better would be something like a Caboo from birth (or a stretchy wrap, but you say you have discounted slings) and moving into the structured carrier from approx 10-12 weeks.

Original poster

fonxey · 28/07/2019 16:22

The tula there is one that will work from birth and the other you can get an insert? I don't want to have to get one thing and then have to get another. Although i guess if i could find a sling library which seems increasingly difficult (I'm from Cambridgeshire) might be ok. I did find a couple quite local to Cambridgeshire actually i might investigate bur might be a bit limited and Cambridge is just a pain even though i work there!)

I'm feeling a little grumpy actually that the local ones have closed last year. It's a bit sad but i guess if no one wants to run it.

Wee moved here last year and i kinda feel that nothing is here that is easy or convenient.

OP posts:

ColaFreezePop · 28/07/2019 16:29

The thing is depending on the size of your baby, what suits you and them as a newborn won't feel comfortable when they are 3 months old and start wiggling.

We have gone through a baby bjorn and sling, to a Tula and Beco Gemini. I will end up going back to a wrap as DD gets bigger but using a different one wore a different way . My DP will probably still use the Tula.

My LO was under 6Ibs when born but now tall for her age.

DappledThings · 28/07/2019 16:36

I have a Beco Gemini and love it. Been using it for 3.5 years now. Don't find it fiddly at all. My babies were too small to go in from birth but fine from about 6 weeks. Older one still naps on my back in it most days.

ThanksItHasPockets · 28/07/2019 16:55

Yes, Tula free-to-grow are safe from 7lb without an insert but the ideal would be something softer. Be aware that the ergobaby infant inset is like a little duvet so although not so bad for a winter baby you do need to be careful of overheating.

If accessing a sling library is tricky, It’s A Sling Thing are fab and do postal hires.

Linzbe · 28/07/2019 17:38

Where abouts in Cambridge are you? I volunteer for my local sling library and I'm sure our consultant could find someone close to you!
Some sling library's also do postal hire, something you could look in to?
Finding the right along is like finding your perfect fit paid of jeans! It is very personal.
I had a stretchy wrap with my daughter when she was a newborn then we moved to a buckled Nova (no longer exist) when she was about 4 months, she's now 21 months and I'll be upgrading to a toddler Integra by the time she's 2.
If you are into learning how to use woven wraps these will cover from birth right up to 7/8 years old!!

hubbletelescope · 28/07/2019 18:05

I think Tula have an option of a carrier for petite parents.

We had a close caboo for the first few weeks (although I know you said you don't want a wrap) followed by an Ergobaby original until 15 months and we are now swapping to a toddler Tula. We could have kept going with the Ergobaby but DCs legs got a bit long for it and I didn't feel they were very supported. I have loved all 3 carriers but I would have just got the Ergobaby original straight from birth (with insert) if I had my time again.

With the Ergobaby you can move the strap that holds the back clip higher or lower to help you reach it.

I use the sling for at least an hour a day dog walking.

I wonder if you live in the same area as me there are no baby shops here at all. I used you tube to look at videos and reviews of baby carriers and then bought on the strength of that.

All the best for the arrival of your baby.

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