Seeking Recommendations for Newborn Baby Carrier/ Sling

You've got to have a Moby! Make one (or more!) easily and with ABSOLUTELY no talent, like me!

Go to a fabric store and buy 5 yards of jersey knit fabric. Cut it lengthwise down the middle so that you have two pieces with 5 yards each. Ta-dah! You now have two inexpensive Moby wraps! They wash and wear well, no need to sew or anything! I do iron on a patch in the middle so I can find the middle easily. Wrap it by following directions on Moby's websites. It is so comfy!!!

I use a Mayawrap ring sling from birth until Mei Tei time... no complaints!

I loved my Moby wrap from newborn until about 15 pounds.

I liked my mei tai when my daughter was small, when she was about 13 or so months old I got a Becco and really like it. The Becco Butterfly has an infant insert, so you can use it from birth right up through toddler hood :D (I still use mine on occasion and DD is 2.5 years old.

Ring slings and pouches are also nice for carrying newborns--especially if you need something for hands-free nursing or feeding on-the-go ;-)

J.,
You can use your MT from birth, but many people are more comfortable using it once baby is a little bigger. If you do a few tips:
Froggy babies legs inside carrier, do not try and wear them out with a newborn. Their hips and pelvis are not ready to handle such a wide angle at such a young age (usually 3 months or so for that). Also, when you tie your shoulder straps back around front, be sure to tie BEHIND the babies back, not under the butt. This closes up the gap on hte side of hte carrier and prevents any possibility of baby falling out the side.
As for a great newborn carrier, I always suggest a stretchy wrap, such as the Moby Wrap. Perfect for newborns, very soft and secure, you can really be hands free with a newborn with it! And once baby can latch well nursing in is can help get things done while nursing (like doing things for your 3 year old!!). If you will be nursing, once baby has head control you can nurse baby in sitting up position in hte MT (just lower straps and position carrier a little off to the side).
Hope that helps, let me know if you need anything more specific.
PS, PM me if you want a discount coupon for a Moby :)
K.
Certified Babywearing Consultant

I used the Native Baby sling when they were newborns and loved it.

Hi J.,
If you look up slings and carriers under baby gear & product review on the request and response page there are 5 or 6 different requests and about 40 responses with links or websites and helpful info. I wanted to get advice on the same thing as I am expecting # 2 in about 12 weeks. I used maya wrap with my first and liked it but wanted something different this time around.
Hope this helps,

The New Native Carrier, it's fantastic, it's one piece, so simple to use. No buttons, no snaps, no nothing, just a simple beautiful carrier that keeps you and baby snuggled up comfortably and lovingly to one another,,,and protects baby from unwelcome ooglers as well.
Best wishes,
N.

Without a doubt... get a MOBY Wrap. That thing saved my life... you can use it as soon as the baby is born. So comfy for baby, so comfy (and totally hands-free) for mom (and dad!). Great for nursing too. It was the only way I got anything done and sometimes the only way the baby or me slept. My only regret is that I didn't discover the thing til my second baby was 6 weeks old! I might have another baby just so I can use it right from birth! Just kidding. Best of luck to you.

The babyhawk (www.babyhawk.com) is the best! Easy to use, light, you can use it from newborn up to 40 lbs, it goes front or back, it has no buckles, so no adjusments for different sized adults using it. It's better than the ergo (smaller and no buckles). the weight of the baby is on your hips not your back, so it doesn't create back pain. we've gone on many hikes with my daughter in for a long time, and she loved it. I'm expecting #2 shortly and can't wait to be able to use it again.
you can customize your own carrier on their website, which is a lot fun too.
good luck!

Hi J.. Congratulations!
I used the Baby Bjorn for my baby when she was a newborn and she seemed to love it!
As she got older and larger though, I bought an Ergo Baby Carrier (after constant suggestions here at Mamasource)- It does help my aching back as she gets bigger and bigger (currently 14 months and about 20 lbs and 30" and still use it) -- I am not sure if the Ergo would be good for a newborn, though.
Take care!

I've been wearing a sling with mine since week 3. (She was born 8 pounds 3 ounces and by week 3 was around 10.) It's wonderful. As long as you pay attention to your baby while she's in it I think it's safe. I even wear it around the house when I need to get dishes done and there's no one to keep her company. I wear it to the mall, the park, Sam's, etc. :) I will admit though, now that she's over 15 pounds I have to break up our sling-sessions because of what it does to my back. (I'm rather bony, not sure if that matters.) Anyway I think you'll both love the intimacy (she hardly ever fusses while in her sling) and you'll definitely appreciate the convenience. I can even nurse my daughter while she's in her sling! Hope this helps.

My little guy (now 4 months) LOVED his Hotslings sling, and the Maya wrap sling as a newborn. Hotsling is sized (and sized small) which makes it not the best choice if you want to share it with your husband. The Maya wrap can be adjusted, which made it a good choice if we were going out and my husband or stepkids were going to take him.

After about 2 months we began using the Baby Bjorn (nice, uncomplicated, allows him to face out and see stuff), and we recently started using the Ergo carrier (he has to face in, but has a privacy wrap for nursing.

They also sell something called a Moby wrap, which is basically a long strip of cloth they teach you how to tie, but I was too intimidated!

Of course, I once saw a woman on an airplane use an airplane blanket to tie her child onto her back, so maybe we're all overthinking it!...My husband reminds me of that story every time I extol the virtues of one of my carriers!

A.

I tried a BJORN with my daughter, but I think she had to be at least 1-2 months old. I had a hotsling with my daughter also, but felt she was too cramped. I am expecting my second child and bought a MOBY wrap for this one (in a few weeks). Not really any good recommendations but just thought I'd reply!