Manduca, ergo or Beco Butterfly, please help me decide

[joymaker]

Hi All

My DS is 14 weeks. I have been using a (borrowed) didymos for the past month and find this very comfy though DP is not keen on using it and would prefer a structured carrier.

The above are all supposed to be good slings and are around the same price. Price aside anyway, on what basis should I make my final decision. I can borrow a Manduca to try but not the other two slings. Your opinions please.

I've tried the Manduca and the Ergo and the Manduca beats the Ergo hands down in several ways.

Not tried the Beco but have seen it. It looks very well thought out. In a race I would go for the Manduca first though.

my ergo is the best sling/carrier I've ever tried and dh loves it too

foxytocin (love the name by the way!)and hildathebuilder thanks for your replies.[cofused] Just had first try in the Manduca with DS. Doesn't seem to like his head facing inwards with the straps either side also blocking his vision. Will he ever get used to this I wonder?

The manduca is a bit more rucksac-like than I had imagined with what feels like almost too many straps, though I know they are all functional. Is the ergo much similar?- I'm probably comparing it too much to the feel of a wrap.

I have heard that the ergo comes up a bit shorter on the back support and I have a relatively long DS (64.5 cm already). What is the lenght of the back support of the ergo and do you find that this will leave growing room for a child to use it to the maximum weight stipulated by the carrier in this respect- ie What age and what kind of build are your DC? thanks

your baby will get used to the straps where they are. Also when he gets a bit older he will push with his hands and knees off your body to look around which has the safe effect as 'tummy time'. Both my daughters hated being put on the floor on their tummies but were happy to do it in a sling.

I think the Manduca is better than the Ergo for the things you mentioned. It is so much better thought out, ergonomically.

Don't be afraid to tighten the straps as much as you can. That is what will give you and the baby maximum support.

Also if you are petite as I am, the Ergo may not fit you well. It slipped off my shoulders and didn't adjust small enough for my waist. (but I am a size 6/8 so it affects very few people like this)

I do prefer wraps for small babies myself but I think that the Manduca is very good. The problem with breathing and positioning that you are mentioning are more a concern for babies who are not full term and healthy or who spend excessive amounts of time in car seats, bouncy chairs etc. In a good carrier and with you being mindful and educated about positioning,(see link above) you should be fine to look for small adjustments to make to make it work better for the two of you.

thanks foxytocin- really informative, I shall persevere with the manduca

oh, my dd is now 22 mos but petite. My friend's dd whose Manduca I tried, her dd is the same age but much taller and heavier than my dd and she rates the Manduca v. highly.