Babywearing

Part II of my "crunchy" series :) 

First of all, some of you might be concerned about the recent recall of some slings.  The slings that were recalled were by Infantino.  If you're going to wear your baby you must make sure that baby is positioned properly.  The baby's chin should NOT touch their chest, if it does that means they can't breathe.  Before you try babywearing read this.  Err on the side of caution, if something doesn't feel quite right to you, it probably isn't.  The Babywearer is a nice site to check out for information.  Also, always follow the instructions that come with your particular carrier.  All carriers are not created equal, so some carriers may have different instructions than another carrier, even if they are the same type.

I don't wear Isabella nearly as much as I like.  I simply don't have enough carriers, I mean jeez I only have five!  Many people have one carrier and they love that carrier and use it all the time while others, myself included, prefer to have different carriers for different circumstances.  I currently have the following:  a ring sling, a Moby Wrap, two pouch slings, and a Baby Bjorn.  For those of you unfamiliar with the different types of carriers, let me give you a brief description of each:

Ring sling-  A long strip of fabric with two rings attached at one end.  You feed the loose end through the rings to secure baby.  Baby can be worn in a cradle carry, at your front facing either in or out or on your hip.  A back carry is possible with an older toddler.

I have this one. I have never actually used it haha.  I've tried several times but it never quite felt right.  Maybe I just haven't gotten it adjusted properly because I know plenty of people who love their ring slings.  I'm also not really a fan of the material, it's stiff and thin and just doesn't feel particularly nice.  I also really don't like the color of it (while I love the color green, I just can't get behind this particular shade).  Honestly, I'd probably try a lot harder to make it work if I thought it was pretty 'casue I'm just vain like that. :)

Moby Wrap-  A looooong strip of fabric with a bit of stretch.  You basically just wrap this around your body and tie.  Instructions vary with the type of hold you want.  There are a wide variety of carries, but baby can be worn in all the basic holds:  cradle, front facing in or out, hip, or back.

This thing really intimidates some people.  I can see why since my Moby taller than I am even when folded in half.  Since I had trouble adjusting the ring sling it may surprise some people that I LOVE my Moby wrap.  It is by far my favorite carrier.  It was perfect for the newborn stage.  Isabella was snuggled securely against me and it was comfortable enough for me to wear while she napped.  I still use it occasionally, and would use it more if I could get Isabella  into a back carry by myself, but I haven't had any success with that yet. 

Pouch sling-  One loop of fabric that you fold and put over your head.  Baby can be worn in a cradle carry, upright at your front, or on your hip.  A back carry is possible with a toddler, but not necessarily recommended.

Like I said, I have two and I'll explain why.  The main problem with pouch slings is getting the proper size.  My first one, was a little big.  I ordered it while pregnant, so I had to kind of estimate and it was just loose enough that Isabella didn't feel secure.  She could lean back just a little too far for my comfort.  A few months ago I order a Hotsling.  This one is just a touch small, but it has just a little bit of stretch so it works.  I keep this in the diaper bag to use while we're out.  It is fairly compact and easy enough to get on in a pinch.  We like it for the hip carry.

Baby Bjorn- A structured carrier.  This is probably the type of carrier that comes to mind for most people.  Baby is worn in the front and can either face the parent, or face out.

Why this thing is so popular I'll never know!  It is not at all comfortable for the parent.  Your back and shoulder will ache after about 10 minutes of wearing this.  It can't be very comfy for baby either, given the way their legs dangle.  Run, don't walk, from this carrier. 

So that's a run down of my current carriers.  Right now, I'm really wanting a mei tai, which is an Asian-style carrier.  Baby is worn in the front, facing either in or out, or on your back.  I really want this for the back carry, as it seems it would be easier to get Isabella into a back carry by myself.  I'm eyeing the BabyHawk.

I'm also interest in the Ergo, a soft-structured carrier.  Baby is worn on your front facing in, or on your back.  It's a little pricier than the BabyHawk though, and Isabella likes to face out when I wear her in front.  Maybe for baby #2.

I am certainly no expert, just sharing what I know.  I encourage you to do your own research if you're interested in babywearing.  I may have some incorrect information, particularly for the carriers I don't use. 

Anyone have any babywearing experiences they'd like to share?