Soft structured carrier for 3mo?

[TeaOperated]

DH and I would like to start wearing our 3mo. We already have a Kari me and a Baby Bjorn (handed down). We neither of us feel safe with the wrap, and like the convenience of the BB but obviously there are the developmental issues, and it is a bit too hard and structured for us.

So it looks like an SSC - what would people recommend? Going to a sling library tomorrow to try things on.

We'd like longevity, something that can be easily shared, and simplicity.

The baby hates the Kari me and will only put up with the BB for an hour at most, on a good day - which is why we're going to hire first! Any thoughts on why this might be?

An Ergo with the newborn insert.

connecta. dead easy and will last from now to toddler.

Too hot for the sling? I would only have baby in a nappy in this heat although I stopped using it over the summer.
Also make sure baby isn't hungry and fully winded before going in.

I found the manduca to be great. Comfy for me and dd.

Connecta for sure

Wilkinet

Another vote for manduca here, started using with ds about 6 weeks old and still going strong at 12 months

Ergo, I love mine.

Thanks! I'm laughing because in my head I was thinking ergo, manduca or connecta, and (largely) the MN jury agrees! How do they compare though?

Good thought re heat - will try again when cooler, although we are in Scotland so it's not as crazy warm here. We did take her to the beach in the BB though, so possibly over stimulated!

tea there is a Scottish baby wearers closed group on FB. You can search for it and someone from admin will approve you within 24 hours.

We love our manduca. Ds is really comfy in it, and it is straightforward and manly enough for DH to use.

Haven't tried any others though. Can you get to a sling meet? As munxx says, look out Facebook for local baby-wearers groups, often will give loads of advice on there.

connecta is the least structured.manducawill be most like your bb but more comfortable and ergonomic. ergo will be half way between but you'll need an insert for the baby.

in this weather I'd get a connecta.

Brilliant. Munxx, will search for the group. Paperclips - have been to my local sling meet which was v welcoming and helpful, but is mostly woven wrap wearers. Lots of heart breaking beautiful slings, but not what I'm after! The library has lots of SSCs and an open session tomorrow, though, so fingers crossed.

Indith - thanks, v helpful. Sounds like connecta may meet our needs best, and have friends with ergos who would let me try, so will plan to start with a connecta if in stock.

Thanks so much folks, I know where to start now!

Don't forget once you know what you want there is also the FSOT slings and things FB group which is where I got my ergo for a bargain!

Good luck.

Ooh, thanks. Daft q - what's FSOT?

Sorry for sale or trade.

Either Connecta or Beco Gemini.

Both the Ergo and Manduca will be at the stage where your little one is too big for the infant insert, too small for the carrier without. The Ergo insert is horribly hot in the summer and I wouldn't recommend at all in any case.

The Connecta is less structured, whereas the Beco Gemini is a bit more of a traditional SSC type with padded waistband. Because you can clip it inwards and it is a narrower carrier anyway, it works much better for smaller babies than Ergo/Manduca. It won't last as long - but nor will the Connecta in comfort tbh. Both should see you through to 18-20 months though.

Bondolino is so easy to share as it doesn't have buckles so you don't have to adjust anything if you were not the last to wear it. It is very very easy to put on especially if you are carrying on your front and when your baby is older you can also use it for back carries. The sleep hood is a really generous size too. I got mine at just before 3 months old and it is still going strong for us at 15 months.