Soft structured carriers - Ergo, babybjorn or something else...

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Hi everyone

I am trying to choose a carrier for my first baby - not due till december but I thought if I start looking into it now I could try some on before I get too huge!

I would like a soft structured carrier rather than a wrap/ring sling for various reasons -ease of use, I don't think I'll feel secure enough with a wrap type sling, plus DH won't wear one anyway

My wish list

• Suitable from newborn to about 1.5ysr (I'm unlikely to use it into toddlerhood, as I am not very strong - happy to get a new one if I change my mind on this! - so doesn't need to be toddler suitable.)
• Can do inwards and outwards facing (once baby is old enough)
• I would like the weight to sit on my hips as much as possible rather than hang from shoulders
• Very adjustable as there is 1ft height difference between me and DH, he's also a lot broader than me (I have a tiny torso)
• Machine washable

A shop near me has the Ergo and Babybjorn so I can try those quite easily. Which is better given my wish list? And is there anything else that I should consider that is worth making a special trip for?

Thanks!

I had 3 dcs and 3 slings. Last one was babybjorn and it was fab. Has adjustable back to get the weight in right place. It unhooks so you can easily get baby out, and lay baby down if sleeping. Was probably the only one I could use past 12 months (my babies were big) Was the only one I could easily get baby in a nd out of myself. Accomodated thick winter clothes. Had hip strap.

This was the sport version though not the standard, definitely worth the extra.

If you go past 1.5 years, you would really need a backpack.

They are pricey, you can get them much cheaper on ebay once you have decided what you want

I'd recommend.a Manduca - has an infant insert so can be used from newborn, a very comfortable and adjustable sling.

Facing out is not generally recommended for babies as you can't generally get slings which seat the baby in a good position to do this.... which brings me to the babybjorn. You need to find a sling that will seat your baby knee to knee, rather than dangle... think of it like the difference between sitting on a stool or a sofa... your baby will be fine in a babybjorn style sling, but would be far more comfy in a different style. I wouldn't want to sit on a stool for a long time

I can't remember if you can do hip carries with a Manduca but my guess is that you wouldn't need to as the weight is distributed so well in this type of sling you can barely feel it.

You should also be fine to use a sling like a Manduca right into tiddlerdom with no problem.

Thanks both.

Steppe I hadn't realised there were different versions of the bjorn, thanks will take a look.

Mumble I think I see what you mean about the seating position - do you mean the baby's knees need to be higher up? I can see they are higher up in a Manduca than in a babybjorn. As you say, it's like sitting down properly rather than perching. Hmmm, food for thought.

I have read comments on here about facing out not being good for babies, but then I read on Which? that there is no evidence for this... just the opinion of one writer in the 1980s?? So I'm confused, I have seen babies who seem to love facing out (for short periods and if not tired/overwhelmed) so I don't want to rule this out if there isn't any evidence against it.

Well I know the baby wearing community generally talk about them getting overtired/overstimulated when front facing - but same as you, I've seen some babies that love it!
I would more question the seating position when front facing - as you can't generally get their knees up high enough (knees should be higher than their bum). This seems logical to me - and this is why I don't put my dd forward facing.
I've used a babybjorn before, and found it pulled at my shoulders a lot, plus wasn't happy with my dd dangling

we have a bondolino classic and I thoroughly recommend it - fits anyone (long straps!), nice colours without being ridiculously girly (so DH will use it), feels very secure, suitable from birth without any inserts or the like, and we have used it for front carrying newborn DD and back carrying DS until he was 2 and refused to sit in it. think I could prob still carry him now at 2.9 yo but he refuses :o

oh and t is so easy to put on, and adjust - easiest I've tried so far :) certainly simpler than the baby bjorn one we had!!

A Beco Gemini has the seated rather than hanging position and can do forward facing on your front. Not sure how well it meets your other criteria but worth looking into.

Remember if you buy online you can return it within 7 days for a refund (distance selling regulations), so you could try on at home and send it back if the fit is not good.

I had a bjorn (not the new one that I think is called sport and is very like an ergo, but it was supposed to be supportive on the back) and used it for 10 mins before giving up - DS1 was a big baby and it hurt my back and shoulders even when he was very young - and he never cared about the facing outwards (but im sure that depends on the child). I know they have different ones now but i still find most people I know dispense with the bjorn pretty quickly once they put on a couple of kilos

I got an ergo when he was a couple of months old and we still use it for him now (he's just turned 3). I could carry him in it for hours and he was happy in it for a long time too - he generally fell asleep! it's also flexible in that you can do a hip carry, front carry or (when a bit older) back carry. You can get an infant insert for the first few months. I wouldn't consider anything else for DC2 who I'm pregnant with now.... in fact I'm considering getting a more up to date ergo cos I want a different colour!

If you can try a few on - and try putting a bit of weight in it (I guess carrying a bag of sugar around would work!!) - if you're comfortable, that's the one for you.

I have beko geminis for my DTs, they are suitable from newborn to toddler, they have 4 carrying positions (front inward, front outward, hip and back) and are very easy to use. I can carry my 8 mo 20 lb DTS on my back for ages without any back pain and they seem to like it too.

Thanks all!

Beco gemini looks good thanks wriggle - it does seem to give the baby more of a seat to sit in (and hence more bending at the hips and knees) than the bjorn judging by pics I have looked at. Good point about the 7 day return too (though presumably not if it's been dribbled/possetted on...!)

greentrees I do see your point about that's not how you'd carry a baby. I wouldn't do forward facing for long periods, but would like a carrier that gave me this option for short periods, especially for an older baby who will be more curious and whose hip joints will have settled down more.

I have a very cheap eBay version of the ergo was only £17.99 and does job perfectly for front and back carry also have a babasling which I use for hip carry

I had a Wilkinet which was fab and v comfy. Though seems a bit old skool now so many slings and carrier brands are on the market.

Do have a look on eBay though. I can't believe the price of some.

I've bought majority of my slings on eBay but watch out for fakes... I've definitely been had on one occasion. Ergo's are the main culprit. If they were just cheap it wouldn't be so bad but a lot if them are unsafe!

Oh I'd forgotten the Wilkinet. The leg position in forward facing doesn't look quite as good as the Beco Gemini though better in inward facing than Bjorn.

Good point about fakes thanks!

Beco Gemini is definitely my favourite at the moment. Anyone know anything about the other Beco styles? any benefits over the Gemini?

The main disadvantage to the Gemini is that it's not very wide (in order to accomodate the forward facing out position) - not as wide as the Manduca, Ergo etc. For that reason it won't last as long, although to be fair should be good to 15 months or so. It will be weight tested to far above that, but too narrow to properly support the baby's legs.

As I understand it, a baby's hip sockets are not fully formed until around 18 months.

I run a sling library and frequently have people come is saying their baby will not be happy unless forward facing. I'd say 99% go on to find that the baby is absolutely fine in a meitai or buckle carrier where they can look around sideways.

thanks pootle and greentrees. Yes I can see that pootle now you mention it. Suspect I'm unlikely to be carrying DC much after 15 months as I am a total weakling, but DH would... if so then at that point we'd get something more toddler suitable.

The gemini is suitable up to 35 lbs. You would just back carry once they got too big to front carry. I doubt there are any front facing out carriers that go further than 15 months

Oh ok ceevee that helps, DH could do that then. Yep I can't imagine front carrying being comfortable beyond then - unless on the hip but that's a different carrier anyway.

Nope, Gemini does hip carry too!

I second the manduca. The 35lb limit is the weight the carrier will take before it breaks, not a guarantee of fit. We've had a gemini and a manduca and the gemini is narrow, as your little one gets bigger it will get less comfortable for him and you. Becos also have these daft safety buckles that are really hard to open with one hand. manducas look a bit more dad friendly too and the straps have shorteners and extra adjustment for both parents.

Is there a sling library, meet or consultant near you? www.slingmeet.co.uk/ that way you can try them out with a demo doll before you shop.

Oh, a good and well fitted carrier wont hang the weight from your shoulders, it should distribute it evenly all over the sling making the baby feel rather light :)

There's a sling library not too far away but it's only open on weekdays... It's got a great range though including the Beco, Manduca, Ergo and Babybjorn so I think I will wait until I'm off on maternity leave and go and have a play.