Baby carrier??

[Amyyy1]

I am looking to get a baby carrier which can be used from newborn upwards as I have 3 dogs that get walked twice a day around fields so I think I would struggle with a pram.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what has worked well for them? A lot I have seen online say newborn but then the reviews say not to use!!

I would also really like one where I can breast feed on the go as well if we are going out for the day. Is this something that can be an all in one- good for country walks and when out in town for example for a hungry baby!

I am a little bit wary of the sling fabric type wraps as they look confusing even after watching tutorials on YouTube so would ideally prefer those clip in buckled ones

Thanks in advance!!! X

I'm in the same situation with dogs so following with interest. The close caboo seems to be well recommended from what I've seen so far!

I’m in the same situation, so many to choose from, I don’t like the slings as I’d worry they weren’t tied properly and all the choice is so confusing

Close caboo or baby bjorn would get my vote. We used the caboo for early days and baby bjorn now the babies are bigger.

A Close Caboo for the newborn stage woke work well, then a Connecta once they've outgrown the caboo. Although, if there are any running at the mo, you would do well to find your local sling library, where you can see what suits you but more importantly, to make sure you know how to position your baby in the carrier correctly.

I really like the moby wrap its so so comfy baby feels so much lighter than when I put her in a structured carrier. Also really comfy to sit down in when you inevitably end up using it for a baby that won't nap in the cot . But for structured I have "BabyBjörn carrier one" which I love for wearing my toddler on my back for hikes! It can be used from newborn too.

We have the close caboo and it’s been great for both kids as newborns. I thought I would never get the hang of it when we first got it but it’s honestly really easy once you know how.

I was scared of a sling until we got one and it was a brilliant decision. They really aren't that complicated (I'm not super coordinated and I managed to learn it after a couple of goes), just practice a few times before baby arrives. At 4-5 weeks old, me and my husband had a few days break in Edinburgh - took the pram but ended up not using it once, just walked all over the place and had evening meals with him in a sling on one of our chests the whole time. A couple of restaurant staff only realised there was a baby there most of the way through our meal! So convenient.

I used a Lifft Stretchy wrap, UK made - very comfortable and both me and hubby could use it without having to adjust anything when swapping, like we did with strappy carriers - we got a nice simple grey colour, but there's loads of options. One or my top 5 purchases for sure.

Ooh following this thread, I’d been looking at the ergo embrace as more of a carrier than a sling but any recommendations would be great!

I recommend the Ergobaby one (can't remember exact one... think it may be called 360?).
Baby Bjorn do a newborn one - don't get this! All the weight is around your neck and it is a killer even with a small baby.
Get one that has support around your lower back too. Makes all the difference

I have had slings for all three of my babies and fed them in them a lot while walking. I had a beco gemini, from newborn, not as expensive as other brands and can face out or in and also go on your back when older. I also had a beco soleil which goes to higher weight but needs an insert for newborn as doesn't face out.

I didn't like the wraps or ones that have no waist strap, they gave me a lot of back pain. Ring slings were absolutely terrible for me. Personally i also found the ergo and baby bjorn didn't fit my figure as well. One of the ergos has Velcro round the waist strap which snagged my clothes too. Not sure if that model is still in circulation. One of the most important things for me for a comfortable fit were straps that could cross at the back. The beco ones have buckles so you can unclog the straps and either have them crossed or like a backpack. Many of the ergo styles have this but not all. Not sure about baby Björn.

Many slings that say from birth stipulate a minimum weight. My babies were all around 4kg when they were born so I was always above this, but something to think about.

Also if you are going to be out and about think about waterproofing options, as well as jackets with extra panels for slings, check out bundle bean, they do waterproof along covers that are fleece lined too. Unless it is below around ten degrees you won't need much on baby if you have one of those, just a babygro and cardigan, and when you get inside again if baby is asleep you can just take off the bundle beam and they won't be too hot in the sling. This was great for me with one of my babies who would scream if woken to take off a snowsuit when coming in from a walk! I could just leave them in the sling and crack on with dinner or tidying up or whatever. The other advantage was that my partner could also use it.

Sling libraries do fittings and let you rent slings normally. Of course not functioning as normal just now but some do remote fittings so it is worth checking if there is one local to you. Good luck!

I'd recommend trying to get in touch with a sling library. There are some that do online consultations. Generally stretchy wraps are good for newborns and really easy to tie. Can pre tie and just pop baby in and out. Once they're bigger, a soft structured carrier like a connecta, integra or ergo are good and can be used on the front or back. Avoid anything where the legs are dangling as that's not great for their hips, you want their legs in an M shape.

The Tula carriers are great. The only type I would want to walk long distances in. They provide good support and somehow the baby just sits comfortably rather than hanging awkwardly like I’ve found with other brands. And they provide good coverage for breastfeeding. And most importantly they are so quick and simple to put on and get baby into and out of.

I just got one of the standard sized ones in the sale. They say you need an insert for the small babies but my nearly 3-month old fits perfectly without it. I actually think it’s a waste of money buying a newborn carrier as I didn’t start walking seriously again until 6 weeks after the births (C-section and then forceps with episiotomy) and they are only tiny for a little while.

With my other DC I used the larger toddler size right up until she was 3 years old and it was amazing because I like to walk and sometimes her little legs would get tired

I have a Close Caboo, but I think for longer walks, you’d be better off with a more structured carrier.

I went to a sling consultant and ended up buying a Beco Gemini which was brilliant. It’s so helpful going to a library as you get to try on so many different options - the standard BabyBjorns and ErgoBabys were a terrible fit for me x

Definitely find out if you have a sling library, I hired them for the first few months to find our which style suited. For more structured carriers you want them to be wider on the bottom so that they support the babies knees rather than their legs dangling down like on the old baby Bjorn's, the new style now has proper support. I ended up with the ergo 360 carrier which I used until DD was 2 1/2, was great for my back and she loved the back carry on it when she got bigger :)

When tiny - stretchy wrap - they’re really, really not scary at all once you’ve practiced a couple of times. Once 6-8 weeks or a little bit older - ergobaby, Tula, Beco or similar - not a babybjorn!! We had an Ergobaby 360 Omni which was (and still is) totally brilliant.

Never had back issues until I carried my 2+ yr old in a baby Bjorn, ditto found stokke uncomfortable too which was annoying as I bought it to replace the BB on the basis that it was a brand that pitched itself as ergonomically friendly!
Suspect it's all quite personal but found Beco Gemini to be fantastic, carried toddler in it until his feet reached my knees (and probably looked q odd)! Limiting factor wasn't the carrier but the fact he preferred to walk by that age !

We also have 3 dogs. I've used our Ergobaby 360 every day since DD was 3/4 weeks (she's now 8.5 months). Really worth every single penny.

Congratulations on your pregnancy

We’ve got an Ergobaby Omni 360 but haven’t used it yet as DD is too small. We ended up getting a close caboo as well which can be used from 5lb (ergo is 7lb) and I love it. I’ve used it every day since we got it for both dog walking and around the house as DD doesn’t like being put down but will sleep for hours in the sling. I’m keeping the ergo as I think I’ll need something more structured for when she’s heavier.

We’ve got a connecta which we love. And I have this epic baby wearing coat lovetobenatural.co.uk/mamalila-allweather-jacket-softshell-2016-2017.html
I too have to walk a dog whatever the weather.

I could not cope with stretchy wrap slings at all. All you people saying they're easy must be more coordinated than me!

I loved my babybjorn (the one with no waist strap) because it was so easy to put on. DD is little though so perhaps that's why I don't miss the support.

She's just outgrown it at 9 months and o no have an Ergobaby which I don't like nearly as much. Its comfier, but a right faff to get on and off.

Wow, thank you all so much for your replies!!!

Super helpful to hear from people who have experience of using carriers/ slings as a FTM!!

I will definitely check out a sling library and see what the situation is on whether they're currently open.

I think I am swaying towards a ergo baby 360 atm, that seems a popular choice. X