New and Tested Carriers
I wanted to try some new carriers with my second baby Willow. I enlisted help from Baby Wearer Expert Megan Davidson. She helped me before when I was trying to find the right toddler carrier. Megan lugged her enormous bag over to our apartment. She went through all the different slings/carriers she had that she thought I would like. She also taught me how to use the ones I have.
As we were trying out carriers, Megan figured out after being with Willow and me for a few hours, that Willow had bad gas and was more comfortable if held upright after nursing. -(Megan is also a doula!) . Therefore, we ended up staying away from using a cradle carry, and just stuck with a vertical carry. But we did try a lot of carriers out- here they are:
* *for more carriers, check out the comprehensive site: http://thebabywearer.com/
Market Sling
If you look at fashion magazines, this is the “it” sling. The Market Sling is made by Serena and Lily (those of beautiful linens). I have always loved their linens: deep, chalky colors and interesting ethnic patterns. They have now introduced some baby items: burps and bibs, animals, blankets and the Market Sling. Ah, the highly coveted Market Sling: the colors and hand-embroidery are delish. Whenever I wear it, I get lots of complements. The sling comes in three sizes (Small, Medium and Large) and three styles- Grass/ Marigold, Cloud/Petal and Flax/Sky Blue*, The Market Sling has a suggested retail price of $129. (*Note in the Flax/Sky Blue style only the lining is 100% organic.)
What’s To Like: The yummy hand embroidery, the super soft lining, and the ease of putting it on and taking it off. I even use it as a blanket sometimes because the tight interwoven fabric is so nice. The fabric is 100% organic. The colors are outrageously beautiful: this is why celebrities everywhere are wearing it (Nicole Kidman to name just one).
What’s Not To Like: The carrier is not adjustable so 2 people of different sizes can’t both use it, the fairly thin shoulder strap starts to hurt after hours of use. Make sure you get the right size: from the pic on the left, it looks to me like Nicole got one too big. (Just my opinion, Nicole!) I am 5′6″ and I need the small because I have a short torso. They have a sizing chart on their site to help you.
Baby Bjorn Synergy
You know this ubiquitous carrier: it seems everyone wears it. I had one before (a hand-me-down one) that always hurt my back. So, I thought I would give the newer Bjorn Synergy a try. It has the lumbar support which you can see in the righthand picture. It adjusts to fit different body lengths. Around $130 at amazon.com
What’s To Like: The bjorn is quite simple to put on. It is fast and easy. The profile is small and easy to take with you: it has a mesh carrying bag that is attached to the carrier. It is adjustable so different people can share it. You can carry your child facing inward and outward. It has easy-to-care for fabric. The fabric is breathable. It is really easy to breastfeed in this for me. You can wear a newborn to 26 pounder in it. It does have lumbar support which is much better than the plain bjorns, but I still don’t think it offers a long-term carrying solution. My back ached after a few hours.
What’s Not To Like: Even the lumbar support isn’t good enough after a few hours. The two head clips can press into your baby’s face- their location is not ideal. I found myself putting a burp cloth between Willow’s face and the head clips until she was old enough (4 months) to lift her head away from them. The fabric itself is a mesh one, so it isn’t so cozy.
Baby Pockets
Baby Pockets makes a ring sling They are handmade by a woman named Dawn in Alaska. She is a stay-at-home sewing mom who has managed to grow a small business because her product is so good. She sells her slings on Etsy and loves to “sling talk”. Buy one custom made for $60
What’s To Like: The cast rings that are all in one piece, so there isn’t a seam that could break. That is an extra safety measure that most ring slings don’t have. Also, the rings are made of aluminum and so are very light. The fabric is super light as well because it is silk. The silk doesn’t slip and it is strong. The beautiful embroidery is a nice touch- she made hearts on mine. You can wear this for a newborn up to toddler.
What’s Not To Like: Like it!
The Maya Wrap
The Maya Wrap has “how to” videos which are great information for both the Maya Wrap and the Baby Pockets wrap. I review them whenever I want to try a new position. There is the Kangaroo Carry, Vertical Carry, Newborn Vertical, Newborn Regular and Hip Carry. Whew!
What’s To Like: This is a nice ring sling. They have a nice selection of fabrics and differnt paddings. They also offer a Maya Tie.
What’s Not To Like:The rails (the fabric that gets pulled through the rings) is really stiff on mine and I have a hard time pulling it to tighten properly. Megan found the same problem and was surprised by it. I’m not sure if it is due to the wrinkling of the fabric or something I did- but that has been the only drawback. *You can see in the photos on the left what a sleep deprived mom I was (was?!)- I mean “am”.
The Ergo
This is a backpack type carrier (Megan calls a two-shoulder carrier). You can see this carrier a lot now. People are wearing it more and more. You can carry a newborn (with infant insert*see photo with Megan and Willow) up to a toddler. You can wear a child front or back. The child always faces inwards on a front carry.
What’s To Like: First, let me say, I have had the Ergo for 2 years and, though I like it, I don’t love it. It feels so bulky and cumbersome, especially when I want to throw it in a stroller or put it in a diaper bag just in case…..Though what I do like about the Ergo is that, unlike the Bjorn, it has never hurt my back. And, I mean never. I have worn it for hours and hours before with Birch. The padded shoulder straps are great. The hip clip is great for distributing weight: it works like a backpack in that way. It has a nice hood that supports your child’s head if they fall asleep, or that gives you privacy while nursing. This carrier is easy to nurse in. ERGObaby recommends a weight limit of 40 pounds for its carrier; however, the carrier has been tested up to 90 pounds. They are $105. You can buy one at ErgoBaby.
What’s Not To Like: It feels heavy and cumbersome to me. I think twice before I throw it in the diaper bag. When air traveling, it especially feels like extra “luggage”.
The Babyhawk
This is a backpack type carrier (Megan calls a two-shoulder carrier). It works just like the Ergo, but it is lighter, and ties instead of clips at the waist. It is a blast to go to the Babyhawk website: you can design the entire reversible carrier. I chose different fabrics and colors and loved what came back to me. It has a stiff top to support a child’s head. The Headrest Style BabyHawk is for all children from the newborn right up through the toddler years. You can wear it up to 40 lbs- or until you feel comfortable. The Toddlerhawk is meant for older children at least 18 months or older.The Babyhawk is $80-90.
What’s To Like: I like that it is much lighter than the Ergo, but essentially works the same. I like that it ties rather than clips at the waistline. I feel safer depending on a “knot” rather than a clip. You can tie a knot over the newborn’s back (see photo) for extra security, or at your waist. You can also use it as a backpack. The child always faces in in the front carry position. This is a tie carrier, so it is nice for expanding waistlines and double users. The artist in me does love all the fabric and color options. The Ergo feels boring in comparison (tan, black or blue?!)
What’s Not To Like: I like it!
The Moby Wrap
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- Baby Wearing
- Baby Wearing: Slings, Baby Bjorn and Carriers
- Baby Wearing: Slings, Pouches, Carriers and more….
- Getting In Shape With Your Babes
- New Baby Carrier-Belle
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Lilly
I love the Babyhawk. We should meet up and you can try it with your daughter- you can always get the ToddlerHawk for her- or the Kozy Karrier- simialr to the the Hawk but not stiff backing for support.
Karen
Great point Amanda- how did I forget that? The bjorn is awesome for that.
I tried a few ring slings, but it always felt like work to throw them on or carry them with me. For me, the bjorn worked best in the beginning and then the ergo at around 4 months and up- I totally agree with you about the bulkiness aspect and I think next time I’d like to find something with similar back support but easier to lug around. I’ve heard that the babyhawks and kangaroo korner fleece pouches are great but I haven’t tried either.
Don’t forget that the Baby Bjorn is one of the only (if not the only) carriers what let’s baby face forward when they are a little older. My daughter really appreciated that.