Monday, January 7, 2013

Mama Monday: Baby-Wearing



Baby-wearing


Moms, I need your advice.

I had a friend ask me if there was any baby gear I didn't have that I might need for Annabelle. The one thing I can think of that would be super useful is maybe a Baby Bjorn, sling, or some other baby wearing device that would keep me hands free whilst chasing a handsome, yet rambunctious, gentleman of two years.

{Note: I did not baby-wear my boy. I held him, nearly non-stop, for 3 months while I was on maternity leave. Because he was mine and I could. He was/is not spoiled. He self-soothes great. We are both none the worse for it.}

I feel like a sling has its great moments, and a Baby Bjorn or Ergo has its time as well, once the little lady can hold her head up. And Moby? I don't know that I can even go there. Too complicated for me.

Do I need BOTH?

Also, if sling = yes, then is Baby Bjorn > Ergo?

Do tell.

Thanks!

22 comments:

  1. We have the Moby wrap but have never, ever been able to make it work despite many attempts. {They just look so cool!} I've heard good things about the Ergo, so I think I'd like one of those for #2.

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    1. I really am afraid I would throw my back out trying to wrap myself up in the Moby. I liked Liz's review of the Ergo below!

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  2. Anthony and I found this to be very helpful:
    http://www.lucieslist.com/2-baby-carrier/
    We went with the Baby Bjorn because they had that at Buy Buy Baby and we could register with it, but we have been happy with it from the very beginning - even before she could hold her head up. She loved to snuggle down in it and sleep.

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    1. That's the one I've been looking at simply because they are everywhere. I will check out that link! Thanks!

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  3. We used the Baby Bjorn also! Starting at around 7 days old mine went in it whenever needed. It has extra closures to use to keep a newborn's head supported, or I would hold the outside of it with one hand (it still freed the weight off my arms though!) It's great for freeing up hands for pushing a stroller/shopping cart to typing. Loved mine and used it until my back couldn't support their weight any longer! I even got Doug to wear it some!

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    1. I didn't know it held the newborn's head up!!! I was picturing myself having to hold a tiny head up, which is not exactly hands free. Looking at them, they seem pretty easy to use (which is what I need.) Thanks for the info!

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  4. I used the Bjorn with both my big girls but found (for me) that I could only use it for limited periods of time due to the way the weight was distributed across my shoulders only. Also, the instructions say not to have the kiddo in there for too, too long.

    With Katie I sprung for an Ergo (and you NEED the PP fabric - so totes cute) and I have l-o-v-e-d it. That sucker has saved my everlovin life no kidding. Due to the way it is structured, her legs are held in a natural sitting position which is more comfortable for her and (so they say) better for hip development, but it does mean that she can't face out. The Ergo does go on the back and side as well. There is an available insert for $25 that is to be used with itsy bitsies. We used it until Katie was 8 weeks old and although it can get super warm (might not be as much of an issue inside in Jan/Feb as it was say, oh, I don't know, ON THE BEACH IN JULY lol), it was great. It's this fluffy burrito-looking thing with a cushion on the bottom to make sure she's up high enough.

    This is turning into a book. Okay, but I have to tell you, the hip band make all the difference. Katie weighs 22lb now and I can still have her in there for 3-4 hours while I clean the house without anything hurting.

    Anyway, I have a purple one I will happily send you but I'm saying seriously, get that tulip print one you have in the picture. It's so super soft and lovely. =)

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  5. Thanks for the awesome review! I haven't been around anyone who's used the Ergo, so I wondered.

    And I had to put that one on there because it's so pretty. :)

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  6. I have the Moby and the Baby Bjorn. I'm not much help because Anna did NOT like either one. She seems like the exception though. I hope for your sake Miss Annabelle likes being worn!

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    1. Me too! I am going to have my hands full with both of them. But I'm excited and ready. :)

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  7. I wish I had an ergo or bjorn for the wee stage but once they get bigger this is my favorite: https://www.sevenslings.com/ so easy and simple (and cute). I once carried Drew in this on an all day train/shopping trip to the big city(he was 8 months old) it really just helps him sit on your hip hands free. I already use it for Sam when we go to the park and when I clean house or work at the computer. Or in the grocery store to free up the cart. He loves it. I started using it with Sam when he was around 3 months old. That early it wasn't completely hands free but now that he's really holding his head up and sitting on my hip, it is.
    (AmyD)

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    1. Thanks!!! I want to come see the new house, but I feel like I'm never at home until late in the evening. I need a maternity leave!

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  8. Liz already posted the info I was going to give on the Ergo. You might also want to check out the Beco Baby Carrier. The infant insert is built in. It is a soft structured carrier that goes up to 35 lbs as well. We've pretty much used them all. I absolutely loved the Moby for itty bitty babies, but only the ones born in winter. I think Texas is way too hot for a Spring/Summer baby. Also, my babies gain weight fast! We have both the Ergo and Beco and like them both quite a bit. Nathan prefers the Ergo and I the Beco.

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    1. Sweet! Thanks, I will check them both out!!!

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  9. I tried a sling with James, a wrap with Will, and the Bjorn with both. I like the Bjorn the best. The sling is uncomfortable to me unless they're super tiny infants (and you know they've recalled a lot of them anyway!). I couldn't get the wrap to work correctly so we were never comfortable. I've used the Bjorn the most. I am not a big baby-wearing proponent, but it is helpful sometimes. Like in public restrooms with a potty-training child. That's a fun story! :) I am really more of a stroller girl and don't mind hauling the big stroller out if need be. But the Bjorn fits the bill for me for the other times I needed something.

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    1. Good point! It does help in public restrooms!! Personal experience with this also!

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  10. I tried a sling with Will, and it didn't work. He was so small and I was so engorged, I couldn't find a size that worked. I tried a moby with Sam, but it took too long to wrap up and I never got it to hold tight. I tried several cheap off brand carriers with Luke and took them all back. . We borrowed a bjorn with Luke and I loved it, so I got one with Sam. You can carry them facing in or out. In is better for infants and out is better when they get older. I was given a camo cover for it and I love the way it feels and how easy it is to take off and wash. I LOVE it and Cameron wears it sometimes too. Of course, the camo probably helps with that!

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    1. I love all this info. And I did not know that you could find covers for the Bjorn! Awesome! Sounds like the Bjorn is the majority winner here. :)

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  11. Have you looked into the k'tan? It's supposedly just like the Moby, only easier to put on! I have both for #2...got the Moby as a hand-me-down from a friend and bought the k'tan awhile back b/c I heard such great things. We have the bjorn from the first time around with Hadley and honestly, never used it. She wasn't really a fan, never seemed comfortable, and it hurt my back.

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  12. I have a K'tan and I LOVE it!!!! It's soft and stretchy like a Moby, but it's partially put together, so there's no struggling with one long piece of fabric. I've carried Isaac in it since he was a newborn and it's been a life saver. It's not too expensive either, when compared to the bjorn and ergo. Since you weren't much of a baby wearer the first time around, maybe this is a good option for you!

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    1. Brittany (comment above) and you are the first I've heard of the k'tan. I will have to check it out!

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