Carrier or Sling for a New Born

There is another sling called tickled pink slings. You might want to look up that one http://www.tickledpinkslings.com/

I can't say enough about the Moby Wrap. I wish I had one with my older daughter. They do look intimidating at first but you really do get used to it quickly. They are amazingly comfortable and the baby feels as if they are back in the womb. www.mobywrap.com has info. You can often find them used on craigslist or find similar brands. I liked the wrapping technique on their website better than a knockoff a friend had.

Good luck!

I have a couple slings that I love.... I have an almost 3 month old that I "sling" all the time. :) I like the fleece adjustable pouch sling from Kangaroo Korner (www.kangarookorner.com) for colder days. The pouch sling-type is perfect for newborns.
I also have some pouch slings from Peanut Shell (www.goo-ga.com). Also similar are Hot Slings (www.hotslings.com). (I do like Peanut Shell because they are local- located in the North Bay).Both have great choices of fashionable fabric. I always get a ton of compliments on my sling whenever I am wearing one.
good luck picking one! :)

Hi S.,

I had wonderful success with the Maya Wrap.

I bought it from a doula in San Jose. She came to my house and showed me how to use it and it only cost around $50. There was also a DVD in case I forgot what she taught me - but it really is easy to do and doesn't shrink when it's washed! This was a BIG problem with another sling that I had because once it shrinks - you don't have the length to wrap it.

The doula was Jeanna Lurie
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.mindfulmama.net

It is really easy to do and so easy to adjust and works for all sizes of baby/toddler. I traveled to England with my daughter by myself when she was 10 weeks old and it was fantastic. I don't know how I would have managed without it!

They have a website too: www.mayawrap.com
but it was faster to get it from Jeanna (...plus I like to support other "Mamas")

Take care and wishing you well for the birth of your first little one!
S.

I have a four month old and we had the most success with the peanut shell and hotsling which are the same design. The hotsling comes in many sizes and I had to order mine on line. The ones with the stretchy fabric fit big, but are more comfortable and easier to get baby in and out. They have sizing guides on their website that I found to be pretty accurate. If you get the peanut shell, I would recommend the fleece stretchy kind, very comfy for parent and baby.
Once your baby is a little older, 8 or 9 weeks, the bjorn and ergo carrier work great. Good luck!

I actually used the baby bjorn with my newborn and she was fine with it. when they aren't strong enough to hold their head up, you carry them facing you. my daughter used to just lay her head on my chest and fall asleep. when she was about 3 to 4 months, she could face everyone else and check out what's going on while i was walking. so, you can definitely use the baby bjorn with a newborn. i had no problem. and they get to heard your heart beat while you carry them.

On the Bjorn: There are different sizes, so if you have the INFANT Bjorn you can use it right away...my 7 pound newborn loved it and her neck was perfectly supported. In fact you can't even fold down the bib like you can on the regular Bjorn with the Infant Bjorn.

That being said I totally agree with some of the other mom's that a variety of carriers is best for mom and baby in order to mix up the pressure points experienced by both. Plus you'll find that you prefer one for outside of the house (I felt most secure with the Bjorn) and others for in the house (that's when I loved the Maya Wrap and Infantino sling). I was given a Moby and I believe that it's great but I couldn't figure it out, it was pretty overwhelming and I never felt secure with it.

We have an Ergo too but it IS for later. We lucked out and were given lots of carriers from my friends whose kids had already grown out of them, so definitely ask around or look for used ones as you need them so briefly.

Loved my Baby Bjorn! I used mine right from the start with both of my kids. What I preferred about it vs. the sling was that my husband would wear it too, so it wasn't always me carrying the baby around. It's good for the Dad to be involved in some of the "heavy lifting" too! =)

Also I really liked the Bjorn when my kids got a little bit older (6 months or so). I would take it to places where a stroller wasn't convenient, and the baby was right up at eye level with everyone. Both of my kids loved that.

I used a gypsymama wrap (see http://www.gypsymama.com) with my newborn and, after a bit of practice, i was even able to nurse her, hands free (which meant i could eat dinner with my husband! yaaay!). when she got bigger, i just changed the wrap style and i still use it all the time to carry her around on my chest. The wrap is literally just a long piece of fabric and so you have to practice a little to get it quick and comfy, but in my experience it's been well worth it. The wrap comes with a booklet of "how-tos" about baby wearing, but i also like http://site.peppermint.com/girasolcarry.htm and http://www.mamatoto.org for more helpful pictures and instructions.

By the way, my husband has used the Baby Björn since she was a newborn (as others have already said, read the instructions -- it's actually quite comfy for a newborn to be tucked into daddy or mommy like that!) and also still uses it today (our daughter turned 4 months yesterday).

Such an exciting time for you! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy, and happy mommy-hooding to you!!

www.newnativebaby.com
http://newnativebaby.com/choosingacarrier.pdf

This one is great for newborns all the way thru toddlerhood, and is very comfortable for mom or dad to wear. They offer a special pillow for newborns too, but you can also configure the same thing with two receiving blankets.

Other advantages over the Bjorn-style carrier:
1. You can throw it in the washing machine.
2. You can fold it and fit it in any purse or bag to have handy at any time.

There IS a contrary viewpoint to what some say about the Bjorn being safe for newborns. Bjorns and Snuglies may put too much pressure on a new baby's spine. Positioning a baby in a sling is better for their development and daily comfort.
See http://newnativebaby.com/choosingacarrier.pdf.

I've used a lot of different things...

I found the moby and the ergo to be the best -- moby works well in the early stages (until +/- 20 lb) and is really portable, ergo works well throughout and has a LOT of support; I can still use it for shorter periods (on my back) with my 30-lb 2-year-old (this justifies the cost somewhat, it is a bit pricey at just under $100).

One thing that seems daunting at first with the moby is the wrapping (it's a loooong piece of cloth that you wrap around yourself), but once you get the hang of it, it's a non-issue -- I found it easiest when, say, I was going somewhere in the car, to "pre-wrap" myself and then when we arrived at our destination, I could just put my daughter in.

the hotsling -- I have a similar one, one thing I didn't like was the lack of ability to adjust it. My husband is the primary caretaker and we needed a solution that worked well for both of us. Plus, my kid didn't really like the position she was in, in the hotsling.

Good luck, whatever you decide! and try things out at home and keep the receipts in case something doesn't work!

Hi S.,

I have a 5 month old, and I love my Ergo Carrier. It's great because you can use it immediately. Also, it converts for use to hold your child on your hip and eventually on your back. It's a little pricey, but totally worth it!

Here is the website if you are interested. http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/

I bought mine in Davis at Mother and Baby Source. I'm not sure where you are, but I am sure you can find this anywhere or online, too.

I hope this helps!
A.

We used a really soft fleece Peanut Shell sling from week 1 until 5 or 6 months for our son. http://www.goo-ga.com/shop/baby_slings/micro-fleece_slings

We absolutely loved this sling, because there are no rings, no adjustments, no hassles and both my husband (who is really tall) and I (who am average height) wore our son in this sling ALL the time! People always commented on how comfortable our son looked too.

We now use the Ergo carrier and absolutely love it as well! Best wishes,
sh

We loved the Baby Bjorn. I am 5'1" and my husband is 6'4", I liked the fact that they sold one with extra long straps for tall men. We have twins, now 10 yrs. old, so we got our money's worth with the carriers. Hope this helps,congratulations.

~T. s

It really depends on your personality (and the baby's too). I fell in love with the adjustable ring sling, mostly because it was sooooo easy to nurse while I was doing other things. The ring sling, however, dosen't feel secure enough for some moms and/or their babies.

My friend Edie and her husband swear by the wrap, but there is a learning curve on variety of tying you can do. I think this is the one I'll be getting for my next baby because it's so verstile and secure. If you choose to go this way, there are great tying instruction videos on youtube.

The easiest is supposed to be the pouch, and I have even made polar fleece ones for my friends with winter babies. I haven't used it personally, but they get rave reviews for ease of use.

Here's two good websites that has all the styles and lots of pictures to look at for comparison. http://www.kangarookorner.com
http://www.peppermint.com

Congatulations, by the way :) March is a fabulous time to have a baby!

Hi!

Congrats on the baby to come!! We have loved the moby wrap! We also used the Bjorn but it started to hurt my shoulders and neck and back... I could literally wear the moby wrap all day long. Plus there are holds for newborn to toddlers. Good luck!

Baby Bjorns can be used from 8lbs. facing inward with the top snaps to help keep the head up. Make sure your Bjorn is pretty new. They did have a recall, but it was a number of years ago. The newer ones have a strap on the lower portion near the legs to secure the baby. I would use a sling for the very beginning until your baby is 8lbs. P.S. it usually doesn't take very long to hit the 8lbs mark.

We lived in our Baby Bjorn...you can use it with newborns...the baby will face towards you until s/he has neck control- then s/he can face out.

I've used the Maya Wrap unpadded ring sling with both of my girls since they were newborns and I still use it now with them being 2 and 5 yrs.! I've tried a wide variety of slings/carriers and none of them worked so well for me. This one was a gem!!!!! It is highly adjustable and great for easy on/off trips. they run about $55 with shipping and it is worth every penny. Good luck!

I Loved my Moby wrap carrier. It is a long piece of fabric that you wrap around your body, it can look overwhelming to wrap but it is easy and works great. I call it magic because when my 6 month old was a little infant and I put him in the Moby he would fall asleep right away. I bought my Moby wrap at a lactation store in the hospital and the woman showed me how to wrap it, witha a little practice it is easy
Good Luck

I think it really depends on the baby and what you are comfortable using. My little one spent 3 hours sleeping in the baby b'journ at six weeks old during an engagement party. He loved that thing for the next six months until he got too tall for it. My niece and nephew hated it. Wish I could be more helpful. If you know someone you can barrow one from to try, that might be best. Then you don't have to spend money until you know the baby likes it.

I have used the Baby Bjorn with my kids when they were new born. Just turn them toward you, not facing out. They only need head control to face out. The infants love the Bjorn because they are so close to you. Good luck!

Definitely the Ergo. We tried the Bjorn (kills the neck and lower back), and a couple different slings (slings are great for around the house - really quick to get on and off, and most have a great swaddling effect on the newborn). But the Ergo is the most comfortable and versatile of them all. We use ours now with our 14 month old, back, front and hip. And I swear I saw someone with a 6 year old in one at the grocery store the other day...

Yes. Please don't use the Bjorn until baby is older. According to experts on infant growth and development, it should really be when they're crawling and developing the lumbar and neck curves in their backs.

Anyway, we LOVED the Moby in the first weeks at home. Then graduated to the Kangaroo Korner sling. Then to the Ergo, but I still use the Kangaroo from time to time. I used to work at a mom and baby store and these were my favorite carriers of the 25 or so that we carried.

Hi S.-

If you can do it financially or you're having a shower and you can put both on your registry, I would put both. I had the sling and the Baby Bjorn and both were great for different times and uses. The sling is great early on especially when the baby is in the floppy head stage. My husband also preferred the sling over the Baby Bjorn because he thought it was too hard to get the baby into the Baby Bjorn - it is a bit more complicated than the sling. You can cook with the sling on but not the Baby Bjorn. Also, I had a lot of problems with clogged ducts developed from breastfeeding so I couldn't have the baby pressing against my chest during these periods so the sling was used.

Congratulations on the impending arrival of your baby! Remember to nap during the day when your baby naps (this is THE best new mom's advice I received - it really helped with my fatigue as well as mental and emotional state).

Best wishes...

Hi, S.-

I also used a hotsling. You could try a ring sling, which is more adjustable. Hotslings are sized based on your height and weight/circumference, so as I lost weight, I had to get a smaller size.

I would skip the Bjorn. It doesn't position the baby's hips correctly and can be bad for them. I'd go with a carrier like the Ergo or Patapum. Lots of info on www.attachedtobaby.com. We actually started using the Bjorn from about 3 weeks. If they are facing inwards, the flap folds up for neck support. I never had concerns about my son's head bending backwards. I have the Bjorn air, and the back support and design is just poor compared to an Ergo or similar carrier. I actually have a Yamo. In any case, I can still comfortable carry my babe at 22 pounds in my Yamo, but he just got way too heavy for the Bjorn around 12 lbs. Killed my back, despite the "extra support" of the Air version. Anyway, then i found out about the hips thing...

Hi S.,

You can actually use the Bjorn for babies as small as 8 lbs, you just face them forward with the front part of the carrier folded up and tightened slighltly to keep baby's head cradled - plus there's a little loop at the leg hole on both sides that you hook over these buttons to make the leg holes smaller, to make a more snug fit until they reach a certain weight.

As for carrier vs. sling, personally my hubby and I swear by our Bjorn! In all fairness I never tried a sling - they just never looked very secure and I imagined baby flopping all around as I moved. I have always liked dual-strap backpack-style bags over the "messenger bag" style as well. But lots of women swear by slings so I'm sure they are great too, especially when baby is small and a sling would keep them in a more natural position, but I can't imagine how they work for a bigger, more wiggly baby that wants to look around at everything...

I think it will mostly come down to your preferences and what you feel comfortable with. And we're not there yet, but I would bet that ANYthing is going to kill your back and shoulders once baby hits about 15 lbs! :) Good luck and congratulations!

hi S., I used the original adjustable sling for all three of my newborns, it is the one that goes over you shoulder and adjusts at the shoulder as your baby grows. You can get the wrap slings that are a little hard to get used to but once you get the hang of it they are extremely comfortable and not straining on you back or shoulders. Both types are great for nursing. Now I have the bijorn baby carrier and it is great for the 6+ mos. baby who has the strength for their neck support. I would just suggest going to the stores and trying the carriers on to see what works best for you, each momma is different. Congrats and good luck. this is the greatest time. enjoy each moment they go by fast. - V

My favorite was the http://www.babyholder.com/. It was comfortable with a shoulder pad. (used for a pillow when they are little.) Easy to adjust, and has side pillows for them to stay in better. I used it for 3 kids, started early and all of them loved it! They would go to sleep while I walked around and did chores. I can't imagine using anything else.

I would highly suggest a sling carrier - as long as the baby is comfortable in it size-wise. Being held close to your body, especially your heart, helps with bonding.

I use hotslings - really easy to use.

The Baby Bjorn can be used before they have head control by putting them in facing you and pulling the front of the carrier up so that it supports their head-but if they are on the smaller side, you might not be comfortable with that.

we love the ergo carrier! WE tried many many other carriers but were not happy with them. The Moby carrier worked well when he was small but there was too much wrapping involved when we ventured out. The ergo has an infant insert so that your baby is reclined rather than seated which can put too much pressure in their developing hips and spine. when they do sit upright the ergo had a way of positioning their legs so they wrap around your body which is better than them just hanging straight down. It is also the most comfortable carrier for the parents. Or at least we thought so! Ergo has a website that you can learn more from. good luck and try as many as possible before you buy so that you avoid having as many as we do. By the way Haden is 16 months and 25 lbs and still travels in the ergo on the back position. Have fun!

Hi S..
I have every carrier you can imagine, or at least tried them. I think the best thing for an infant/newborn is a sling. A good quality sling (not one you can buy from target). I liked my peanut shell. YOu MUST try them on, wITh baby..so dont even buy it until the baby comes and you can go in to shops that carry slings and try them all on. It's a process to find the best sling but they are the best for newborns. I also have a moby wrap which was awesome with my newborn the only thing is its' a pain to get on and off....so much fabric. Once your baby is bigger though the bjorn works great, espcially if you have the one with the "extra" back support...I also reallllly like my Ergo Pack. You dont get the pain in your back and neck with the ergo like you do with the bjorn. :) Hope i was some help. good luck!

I used that ergo baby carrier. It is the best most comfortable carrier. I still use it with my 3 year old for hiking. With an infant, you wear it in the front and later put it on your back.

Our friends loved their sling, so we bought one too. I tried it, but it just didn't work for me. My kids were born very long (18-21 inches), and over 8 lbs, and since I am just under 5'4" (and had rather full "udders" so to speak), the sling was not a comfortable fit for me. With the third child we decided to purchase a baby bjorn, and LOVED it. It fit our son well (even as a newborn), and I loved how adjustable it was (the back straps adjusted so that they could cross right at the proper part of my back). As I mentioned, my children were not small, so we used the carrier only when I needed both hands for something (like shopping), and when my son fell asleep, it was easy to lie him down on his back from the bjorn without waking him up.

I bought the Peanut Shell- love, Love LOVE it! I put my daughter in it right away, she practically lived in it until 4 months (when she started to outgrow the "sleeper" position). It can totally grow with baby-at least 3 different stages & positions. Plus, it comes in really fun patterns. I did need to exchange mine to go down 2 sizes. The larger kept slipping, but once I had the right size it was great! There's a shop in Davis that carries them if you want to see them in person. Best of Luck!

Hi S.,
I'd suggest that you wait till the baby is born so you can try different ones with her inside it. I had 2 different types of slings but my daughter hated them both. I also had baby bjorn (I didn't like it because it was really hard on my back).
Now I'm using ergo baby carrier and i like it a lot. (didn't care about the infant insert- started using it without the insert when my daughter was around 4 months)
good luck!

I never got to try one, but almost everyone I know would say hands down, a Moby Wrap. They are a little pricey, but if you are nursing they are the best. In Chico, check out the Baby Boutique on Mangrove Ave. You should also be able to find them online of possibly at Babies'R Us or other mainstream stores now.

i loved my infant sling from walkingrockfarm.com
check it out. it was perfect. i think they have to be about 8 lbs. to use.

You can actually use the Baby Bjorn with a newborn - they just face inward rather than outward. There is also a little clasp to button for babies weighing less than, I believe, 11 lbs. Read the instructions for the proper way to use. We used the Baby Bjorn with our first-born all the time and just loved it! Can't wait to use it with our baby due in June!

Moby Wrap is great! It's:
i. versatile (it can be used as:
** sling
**carrier:
*** in the front
*** on the back
*** for discreet breastfeeding,
*** in a cradle position
*** or upright)
ii. comfy (for u and baby)
iii.easy to wash
iv. easy to use
v. even works for twins!

We have a Bjorn but it hurts the area between my neck & shoulders. The best thing is the baby is against you, so s/he feels secure, it can be swaddle-like in that way.

The only drawback is I don't know how appealing it is to men. You can find them at Good Samaritan Hospital's breastfeeding store.
http://www.parentingandbreastfeeding.com/contactus.htm

Hi S.,
I use the Bjorn for my newborn. Their head has plenty of support if you button the top up. My baby keeps her arms tucked in also. In reality though, if you are out and about, they usually fall asleep in the car seat, so it's nice to have a stroller that the car seat fits into so you don't have to wake them when putting them into the bjorn.
Congrats, K.
(I have 2 girls)

For a newborn, I loved my pouch sling. Examples are peanut shell or hotslings. They are super convenient and easy for the littlest ones and they can lay in a cradle position. I didn't like to use it once my daughter got to be about 12lbs. I recommend getting a used one or making your own, since they can't be used for very long. Peanut shell has a pattern to make them on their website, I think.
-A.

I know I'm resposne #45 & you may have already made your decision but I say, go to a smaller baby store w/employees who know their products & can help you get them on. Try on all the baby carriers you can & walk around for a bit w/them. We had a Bjorn that I used w/both my boys & both of them just loved it! When they were newborns they faced me & fell right to sleep. Once they could hold their heads up (about 4 months or so) I faced them out which they just loved cuz they could see what was going on. There's all kindsa talk about the Bjorns putting the babies leg's in an unatural position but Bjorn has a little tab that you can use when your baby is smaller to keep their legs comfy. Plus they say right on the box that it can be used for babies about 7 or so pounds which they couldn't do if it wasn't accurate. I found that the slings dug into my shoulders but the Bjorn offered good support for my back. Bjorn now makes a version that has more of a straight strap that goes down the middle of your back & around your waist. Everyone I know who had one raved about it & how comfy it was to use. I hiked all over Moab, Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon & Colorado w/both my boys in the Bjorn & we were all very comfy. So, try out a few & see what works for you. Baby carriers have gotten much pricier so I suggest you find on that can be used for a while or, maybe once you find the style you like, you could find one at a re-sale store. Good luck & congrats on your new baby!

I had 2 carriers that I loved.

I think my FAVORITE sling is a fleece sling I bought at KangarooKorner.com. They call them "pouches". They are adjustable with a series of snaps on the back so as the baby grows you can still maintain a snug fit. She makes them in fleece and a stretchy poplin-type fabric depending on your weather. But I'm in the Bay Area and I used our fleece one year round. I used this one well after my toddler was walking & running, at least 18 monhts.

The other one that I still used a lot when the babies were littler (but not as favorite) was the "over the shoulder baby carrier" which is a ring-type sling. I'm not even sure if they sell it under this name any more. But it came with a little video on how to get the baby in because it takes a little getting used to but once you know, you know. I used it a lot when mine were newborns because you can do all sorts of adjustments. It can be used for all the various holds, too.

I never had much luck with the New Native types... I thought they were too tight for the baby and I couldn't get the hang of it.

The good news is you're looking into slings which are by far one of the best investments you can make to having a calmer baby, calmer mommy, better sleeping baby, all around they are GREAT. And yes, the baby bjorn is great for some uses once they can hold up their head (and my husband refused to use my slings so he always used the bjorns) but I got hooked on slings because they're so easy to use and the babies really like them.

Good luck!

The Baby Bjorn is actually great with newborns. You have them facing you with the bad holding their heads up. I used one with all three of my children. I also have an Ergo baby carrier which has a newborn insert. I didn't use it with my newborn, but with my third when he was almost one and still now (he's two). I really like the Ergo. You should check it out! congrats (o:

We used a Weego & Snugli's for our twins. The Weego is supposed to support the hips better by keeping the legs in a froglike position. The Snugli was passed down to us & worked ok but I found my friend's Bjorn to be easier to get them in/out when they could face forward (head control).

The Ergo is a wonderful carrier that will last years! They have a special insert for newborns to support their little heads. The Ergo has literally lasted us for 3 years. We still take it with us for long hikes just in case our 3 year old gets tired. It was also a life saver on our trip over seas.

I don't think they need to have head control. The Bjorn has a little flap that can fold down in front for when they are older and face out and want to see. When they are newborn, they face TOWARD you, the flap goes up (behind their head) to help hold it. I used it with two babies. However, that said, I recommend you spend the first couple weeks IN BED WITH YOUR BABY. You both need the rest, plus it's a great way to bond. You will never have this time again. It might sound kind of radical, but you deserve a time out from our crazy world. Take a couple days/weeks of bed rest and engage with the rythmn of this beautiful new being you helped create!

Hi,
I have 2 little girls and have only used the Baby Bjorn and loved it. They need head control to face out, but to face in towards your chest, they only need to be 8 pounds and there is enough support that they don't need to have great head control.

C.

hi S. *belly blessings*
I personally used a sling (http://www.hotslings.com) same one for both my daughters but its because i'm 5'1" and the carriers were much too cumbersome. not to mentuon my firstborn was 5wks early and so very tiny, it was safer and easier to carry her close rather than fumble plus she was too small for a carrier. My second daughter was larger to begin with but again its much easier that she's close to me-one piece, easy on and off. They have a video and instructions on the site as well.

You have to get a Moby wrap! It is the best thing I have ever bought! There is a million different ways to wrap baby,it also supports your back much better than a bjorn.

We also loved the Moby wrap and used it exclusively until my son was three months old, then switched to the Ergo, which is also wonderful and could have been used from the start with an insert.

All other baby carriers certainly pale in comparison to the Moby Wrap... It is super comfy for both Mom and Baby and you can wear Baby several different ways! I am actually an independent distributor, so feel free to send me a message if you would like more information. :)

I recently bought a Peanut Shell at DayOne ($50) and both me and my one month old daughter like it. (But she also likes the Bjorn - which can be used for baby's as small as 8 pounds - we use it with her facing us and tighten around the head and use the leg straps for baby's under 11 pounds - her head doesn't wobble)

Congrats!

I had a Baby Bjorn for my 1st baby, then I found out for my 2nd baby that they are bad for baby's hips & spine - they are placed in an unnatural position. So I found Ergo & love it! It's great if you have back issues too due to the waist belt. I can actually put my 5 year old in it, it's that strong & comfortable!

i had a snugli which is like a lighter and cheaper version on a baby bjorn and it has great head support. i used it tons when my son was tiny. they get heavy though, i probably stopped using it regularly by the time he was 4 or 5 months old. those are best for infants i think. congrats on the pregnancy. i am cookin' #2. my son is my greatest joy, you are in for a wonderful change of you're whole life.

I absolutely loved our Baby Bjorn. And I think the baby only needs be around 8 pounds to be in it -- at that age you carry them with their front toward you and there is support for their head in the back. I used it often to get out of the house to walk off those extra pregnancy pounds AND it was a great way to get my little one to sleep also.

We have an ERgo and I love it. My husband is pretty big (6'4"/220lbs) and he finds that it is not very comfortable for him but it works great for me. You can use the bjorn early too, you just have to have the baby face inward.

Hi! I have a few suggestions and also refer you to the mothering magazine website who did a whole section on all the many carriers. We used and love the Moby wrap when our boy was a newborn and also used the New Native. My husband really loved wearing the Moby. After your baby is 4 months or can hold their head well, you can start using the Ergo Baby carrier which I suggest over the Baby Bjorn. Please feel free to e-mail me with more questions if you like! My name is L. and my e-mail is : ____@____.com

I have a great sling made by New Native Inc. Its earth- friendly, extremely strong and comfortable. Check out newnativebaby.com

I had a "peanut shell". Very easy to use. One solid piece of material, usually fleece (very cozy). I found mine at a baby boutique. You could probably do a web search for locations near you.

Ergo is the way to go....I didn't try the newborn insert but I bet it works well. The carrier is totally adjustable and very comfortable. Have a wonderful birth

The Ergo is great for newborns -- it has an infant insert, and the baby is cradled inside it sideways against your body. They aren't lost inside a sea of fabric like the sling, and there is much more support for you. I loved it. You can use the Ergo later w/o the insert, either on the front, your hip, or your back. (I never mastered the hip assembly with it, but it's great as a back carrier when your baby is old enough (about 6-7 mos, if I remember correctly).

Hotslings are good during the newborn stage

In my opinion the slings that you tie yourself are the best. We also had the sling that went over one shoulder, at that was good once our daughter was a month or two old, but as a newborn, having her snuggled right there on my belly or chest comforted her more. It also worked better for us because my husband is much bigger than me, and we could wrap him up in it to carry her too. We have a bjorn and it is great, but when babies are really tiny dangling feet just don't make them very happy. Good luck and congratulations!

S.,
Although my son is older now (8) I had a sling for him when he was little and I loved it. I used it from the time he was newborn until he walked. It was close fitting to me so as a newborn he felt comforted. It was great for breast feeding and when he was old enough to sit up, I could turn him around to face forward as we walked and he liked to look around.

I personally think the Baby Bjorn's are one of the best carriers for infants. They fit in there perfectly and it will really support their head. When they are a little older, I think the Ergo Pack is the best!! It is a soft pack and so easy to deal with and you can put it on your back and carry the child like a piggy back ride. I love mine and can still put my son who is 35lbs in it!! Good luck!

Hi S.,

I know that my Baby Bjorn had a head support for newborns that snapped into place. My first son was in it for the first few weeks. Of course I don't know what model you have. Maybe it doesn't have head support.

There are all kinds of nice slings and carriers. I think any of them would be fine.

Are you sure about the baby bjorn- I recall we used it immediately. The baby will face you as opposed to when they are bigger they face out. I loved my baby bjorn.

Greetings S.,
I am sooo glad to hear you are planning to carry your newborn close to your body, they love it that way! I am a 49 year old mother of three older children who are 23,21 and 17......and I carried all three in slings close to my heart for at least 6 months of age and then onto the backpack. They were all happy, secure and outgoing babies usually easy to please. I really believe that keeping them close is a great start to a healthy well being. Be sure their neck is supported softly, you will know when they are uncomfortable! Best Wishes, M.

S.,
We used the Ergo baby carrier. It had a hip support that's MUCH better for your back than the baby bjorn. It also has an infant insert so you can put your newborn in sideways and he or she can snuggle in next to you without having to split his or her legs around you or control his or her head, like in the baby bjorn. My daughter is almost a year old and we still use the Ergo almost every day. We love it!
Good luck!

S.,
Congratulations! I use the BabyHawk Mei Tai carrier for my 6 mo. I have used it since she was born and it is the only carrier she would go into without screaming. She falls asleep in it regularly. It can also be used as a back carrier which is great when they get older. I carried my 19 mo in it when I was pregnant with my 6 mo. It was the only way I could carry her around comfortably.

Hope you find what you are looking for!
J.

S.,
I would TOTALLY recommend the Moby baby wrap/carrier. It is a VERRRRY long piece of fabric that you wrap around in different ways to hold the baby very close and tight to you. I have a very weak back and do foster care. When I have a baby in the Moby not only do they love it but both arms are free and my back is totally supported. I kinda felt like a hippie at first (not that there is anything wrong with hippies) but i live in Santa Cruz and I see so many different kinds of Moms wearing them. Here is their site. www.mobywrap.com You gotta practice a few times to get it on tight. Many of the trade stores here in Santa Cruz carry them and you can "try" it on before you buy it.
Mary

I had a baby bjorn I inherited that I used with my first child, now 3.5. He was in there at 1 month. The issue was that he was too big for me to carry comfortably in the bjorn after about 6 mos. (I'm 5'4" and 100lbs)

I bought an Ergo for the second baby - she's now 1.5 years old and I'm still carrying her comfortably in that. I put her in there when she was brand new and she curled up cocoon style. There was a phase around 2mos-4mos that she was too big but too small to be really comfortable where I carried her primarily in our new native or the bjorn.

We also inherited a new native - I was too scared to use this with my first child, but it got a lot of use with my second - and depending on the situation it was better than the ergo - i.e. dinner dates, times when I wanted the baby to sleep and I wasn't moving around a lot, and then that phase where she was not the right size for the ergo. Make sure if you do go the new native route that you buy a size that fits you. The sling should hang above your hips otherwise the baby hangs loosely off you.

We had both.
Our daughter only used the sling in the beginning. Then as she got a little less "bobble head," she prefers the Bjorn and would only use the sling if she were tiered and wanted to nap as I did stuff. Now that she's awake more and is older she prefers the Bjorn.
Good Luck. Being a Mommy for the first time is really hard in the beginning, but they grow really fast and thus it gets better everyday. You'll be totally worn out by the end of the first week, so make sure you line up plenty of help (preferably free help - relatives are the best,) so you can nap and spend quality time with the baby. Have someone else do shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry. You'll only need the help for the first month or so, but you'll be so happy you asked for it :)

We went with a Moby carrier and love it! It's a little involved to first learn how to use, ask at the store to show you. But, it has no size limitation, so you and your husband can use it, and there's many good holds for newborns through toddlers. It has great support for you over both shoulders and at the waist, something I found lacking in slings with my newborn.

I am also a BIG fan of the Ergo.

Hi,
My favorites are the Sling Ezee and the Ergo. I'm using the Ergo right now and love it. My little one never liked the Bjorn.

Hi S.,
congratulations and I wish you well with your upcoming birth experience.

We used the Native Carrier sling and found it excellent for newborn and smaller baby. We used it a lot as we had an infant with reflux that needed holding and comforting constantly. Once you become used to them most slings allow you to position baby in a number of ways.

The Moby Wrap was not available at the time my son was young. I would have chosen that if it was. I have had several friends use them and have seen them demonstrated and used extensively at professional conferences (I'm a Lacation Consultant). I like them a lot. They can be a little daunting to appoach the first few times as they seem like a complex wrap of a lot of cloth. Once you have learned the technique (which is fairly easy to do) then they are quick, easy, and fully adjustable. If you Google them you can find out more on their website. I believe they even have a video there of how to wrap. They are also washable and have a very good reputation for quality.

I hope this helps. You mostly need to find the product you are most comfortable with.

K. H.

ps We also had a Baby Bjorn but though we used it some we did not find it as successful, comfortable, or easy as the slings.

I HIGHLY recommend the Metrowrap (look it up online). I used the Baby Bjorn for my two older children and thought it was great until it really started bothering my back with my 3rd child, who is now 5 months old. I saw the Metrowrap in a store, tried it on and walked out with it. It is the most comfortable wrap I have ever worn and is fashionable too! My son has been in it since about 6 weeks and is still comfortable (so am I!) and he is almost 18 lbs now! I tried the Hotsling and it was not nearly as comfortable.

I used the sling with the best results for my three children for their first several months. The carriers, either front or chest-facing put a lot of pressure on the groin of the baby. This caused my boys and girl discomfort, and could lead to nerve damage if the baby's legs are in the abducted position too long. The sling nestled the baby to me, and the baby could move naturally, and even nurse without distraction. I learned to use the carrier when the baby had stronger muscle control, and had much happier babies. Think about the amount of diaper, clothing, legs, groin stuffed into leg holes, with full body weight resting there, and then being bounced up and down while your parent is walking. Would you want that for yourself? Just something I figured out while parenting my three.

The Moby wrap is fantastic! You can use it even through their toddler-dom

I used an Infantino for my son, but if I had to do it again, I'd use a New Native carrier. I got a HotSling and didn't like the feel of the ring on my shoulder, but others love them. If you can, go to a store where you can try them out. Peppermint has an excellent site for info on slings, check it out:

http://www.peppermint.com/choosing.html

xoxox
S.

New Native organic cotton sling, Worked beautifully for my three boys!

I loved the Native Baby Carrier when my son was born. At first we would sort of line it with receiving blankets to prop him up more... they just seem so lost in there when they are so tiny.

http://www.newnativeinc.com/?gclid=COK_1JLC0JECFQEpgwodY3...

I never like the Bjorn, I prefer that they are cradled. As they get a little older you can sit them up more so they can see.. then eventually you can use it to carry the baby on your hip after they have good head control

I'd recommend a Maya Wrap. They take a little practice to use at first but I love mine, and they are easier on the back I think. They can be a little spendy - I got mine on eBay for about half the price. Good Luck!

Hi,
I would highly recommend that you find a place like Newborn Connections at CA Pacific Med Center or any place that sells them and go try a bunch on. My husband and I had different slings that we each liked-and you'll want one for him FOR SURE. He liked the padded shoulder and I liked a more sporty lightweight one.
There are ones that are adjustable and ones that are not.
Online there is a site for them called Mayawraps and they are beautiful slings with adjustable rings. And depending on how crafty you are feeling- sling rings.com sells the rings and the pattern-which is so easy you barely need a machine. I had a sling-making party with my mom's group and we all had a blast making beautiful Maya wrap style slings. So more than one is good too have-for different moments.
And one more note is that you need to practice a bit to get it right-maybe with a small pillow or baby doll-they can be a bit fussy when you just start figuring them out but then you will never want to be without-the Bjorn is hard on the back.
Also when they get bigger-like toddler size you can sling them on your hip and that is a real back saver.
The sling, when they are newborns is great for having them on you for chores -I even would swing the sling around and have the baby in the small of my back while I cooked dinner.
Slings rule. I have seen many styles so the more the merrier.
Have fun and good luck.
L. (Mother of a 4 and 9 year old)

My husband and I tried 3 slings before we found the Dr. Sears sling. We loved it! It is adjustable for he and I and was really roomy for the baby. Our little guy was in it for probably the first 6-7 months. Good luck!

Congratulations & enjoy your countdown! I was really pleased with the NoJo fabric baby sling, & my daughter (now almost 3) seemed so content in it when she was a newborn. She would fall asleep easily in it, & I liked that I could carry her, but my hands were free to do things. I also liked that she was facing me, & I could see her nestled in it. Also, it deterred strangers from touching her when I first started taking her out because she was nestled inside. I used it both at home & out & about on errands. I bought it on the Dr. Sears website. It seemed easy to use & was comfortable to wear.

My favorite is a Moby Wrap. Check it out online. www.mobywrap.com I LOVE THIS! I used it with my 2nd baby, and wished I'd had it for my 1st baby. I have never had back pain after wearing it all day. I sprained my back 3 months before I got pregnant with my oldest son, and I used the Bjorn and I could only wear him for an hour before my back was killing me. With the Moby Wrap, I can wear my son ALL DAY and it doesn't hurt my back at all! I absolutely recommend this to every new mom! When the kids get older, I also recommend the Ergo baby carrier (you can also use it while they are infants, you just have to get the infant insert). Their webpage is www.ergobabycarrier.com Enjoy carrying around your new little blessing!

Hi, my daughter and her husband have the same carrier and used it right away for their son. They faced him toward them and I think they just used their hand to support the baby's head, but he liked being in it. I bet you are so excited, you have such a wonderful experience ahead, enjoy every minute of it, they grow fast!!K.

I love my carrier and so does my little one. I got it at Kangarookorner.com. Congrats.

The carrier that goes in the front works very well, when the baby gets bigger, you can buy one that goes on the back. Either way the baby learns to pull hair while riding in the carrier. There are different types, depending if your breastfeeding. They are alot of fun. Good luck.

I have used the peanut shell sling with both my kids. It is washable (huge plus!) and easy to roll up and put in the diaper bag. I bring it everywhere with me and even wear it in the house when my son wants to be held for long periods of time.

Here is the link: http://www.goo-ga.com/

A.
Mom to a 2.5 year old and an 8 week old

Hi, i have a 3.5 month old and a friend of mine recommended a Baby-Hawk. they are great! about the same price as the Baby Bjorn but much more "trendier" and safer i find. I have been carrying him in it since about 2 weeks and he loves it, i strap him on and clean the house and in about 20 minutes he's passed out! they come in tons of colors and designs. hope this helps... good luck...

You can definitely use a Baby Bjorn with a newborn, as long as the baby is at least 8lbs. You put the baby in facing you when he/she is a newborn, with the flap fastened all the way up to support his/her head. If your baby is smaller, or you just want a different kind, I've heard that Moby wraps are great. Good luck!

Mobywrap - look it up - it keeps the baby right next to you and it's easy to tie.

If you don't like the Moby wrap, Kelty has a good front pack with BACK SUPPORT. Don't get one without real back support - straps over the shoulders is not back support. Get something with a real panel down the back. I wacked my back out by using a Baby Bjorn once after having used the other two for months and months.

But I would say the Moby wrap is really the nicest and easiest on teh back.

I loved my maya wrap -

I've been reading chiropractic advice that the best way to carry a baby for your and their bodies is to have multiple types of carriers and use different ones daily. Apparently every style puts pressure on the body somewhere, and varying the styles lessens the possibility of problems.

Now, the question is, do you have enough money to buy three different baby carriers? ; )

Good luck!

I loved using the Kangaroo sling with my newborn. It's very comfortable for both mom (or dad) and baby. I could walk around all day with it. I let a friend borrow mine when she had her baby and now that I'm having #2 this summer, I'm looking forward to getting it back and using it again! Good Luck!

My son lived in his sling! We never even used a front pack for him. He slept in it so well. I used until he was about 6 months old and he was so happy in it. The one I used was the New Native Sling.