Hot Slings & Other Baby Carriers

The Hot Sling it good but its not my personal favorite. I love the Maya Wrap. My twins were preemie and I was able to use it then and now they are 15mths and I still use it. The difference is that the Maya Wrap allows you to adjust it in angles. i.e. If you only need to tighten the fabric around the babies back it gives you the flexibility to do so.

www.mothering.com has a small publication all about babywearing. I haven't actually seen it, but that has become my standard baby shower gift; a copy of the guide and some money to put toward a sling!

Hot slings are great for infants, but as they get older I find they don't work for long periods as well. I baby wear my 14 month old and most of the time use a Mei Tie and a Becco Soft Struted carrier.

You may want to try the Moby wrap or Sleepy wrap. I have one and love it. It is designed to keep baby close and easy to support. There are endless ways to wrap so you should find one that suits both you and your baby. Good luck.

Hi K.

I tried the Hot Sling and found that I had a hard time getting my daughter in and out of it. After trying the Bjorn and the Hot Sling, I finally bought the Ergo baby carrier and absolutely love it. It is super comfortable (way more comfortable than the Bjorn) and my daughter seems really happy in it. It's also really easy to put on and get the baby into it. The only downside is that you can't face your baby out, but you can face your baby toward you and also on your hip. You can allegedly also put your baby on your back, but I have never tried it. I highly recommend it.

I used a hotsling and a moby wrap until my daughter was 5 months. Now we use an Ergo and I love it because at around 6 months I started putting her on my back and it's fantastic.

Hotslings are good for infants and the occasional quick hip carry for an older baby but with your baby already being 5 months, you might as well just spend your money on the Ergo which is front, back and hip carry.

I have a Hot Sling which I really loved when my guys were infants. After that, I wasn't too happy with it. I also loved my ring sling from Happy Slings. If you have any neck or back problems though, I would avoid anything that puts all of the weight on one shoulder. I have some very bad neck issues so I couldn't use my Happy Sling any more. Currently I am using The Ultimate Baby Wrap and I love it. It took me a few times to get the hang of it, but now I can't live without it. Baby can face forward or toward you; it covers nicely in the sun; provides coverage for nursing and support for his head when he is sleeping. As an added bonus, when it is wrapped and tied around your waist, it hides that extra baby belly bulge rather than excentuating and exposing it!

Check out http://www.mybabynest.com/ I bought this when I had my son and absolutely loved it. I tried other as well and nothing was as good as this one. I now buy it for everyone I know as a baby gift and they have all loved it too.

I just got a sleepywrap and LOVE it!

Definitely the Ergo Baby Carrier! Check it out online. It's everything they say it is and more, and comes with a DVD.

I love my Hot Sling! I tries a Maya sling and it was too complicated and then someone gave us a Hot Sling and I haven't gone back. My daughter is only 3 1/2 months old, but she's big for her age -- 26 inches. She is super happy sitting up looking out at the world while we go about our business. I will say however that after a few hours on my feet the fact that it's only one shoulder makes me feel totally crooked. I switch shoulders with some regularity, but still...I'm thinking about trying an Ergo carrier when she outgrows the Hot Sling.

I really like the Ergo too and use mine all the time, but one thing you need to be aware of is that in the front carrying position, the baby can't face out like in the Bjorn.

If my baby were younger, I'd also get a ring sling. Unlike the Hotsling, the ring sling is adjustable so people of different sizes can use it. One brand I've heard good things about is Taylor Made. It can hold a child up to 35 lbs. and comes in a lot of different fabrics and colors.

I love the Ergo Baby. I had a Snugli hard framed back pack type carrier (to use once baby can sit up), but when my son got to 25 pounds I thought I was just about done. The Ergo distributes weight differently (all on the hips) and the back pain was gone. It is designed for front or back carrying, for baby on up (though I don't think that baby can face out in the front). I understand that the Baby Trekker is great and baby can face out in front, but I have not tried it.

All the best,
C.

i have a Moby wrap that my DS and i love! he didn't like being in the slingrider i had, but this wrap is much more versatile and comfortable anyway. it was not difficult to learn to tie either, which was my biggest concern prior to purchasing it. i considered the hotsling, but was told by many friends that it is difficult to fit, so be sure to measure (twice, even) before you buy that type of carrier. i found my wrap at the babycenter.com online store. hope you find something that works!

I am more comfortable in different situations with 2 different slings. Once my baby was about 6 months I began putting him in a mei tai asian style carrier (you can wear them on your front but it's more comfortable on your back, and I can mop, vaccum, scrub the toilet, cook, and weed the garden this way).
When we are going for walks or shopping, I wear him in a Maia Wrap ring sling on my hip because he likes to interact with people and look around.

The only carrier that did not hurt my back was the Hug-a-Bub which you can find on line. There are others like it that may be cheaper so check around. (We bought our 4 years ago now). It takes a minute to put on but is so worth it. Enjoy.

I've had one since she was born and really liked it. She's 6 months and still loves it, its like a little baby hammock that she can sit up in and check out the world. BUT its not like a Moby where you can where it all day, you feel it after an hour. Its pro is that its super easy to put on and take off, or lie the baby down in if she falls asleep in it.

Love love love the Ergo. I have a sling too, which I use ocassionally, but the Ergo is much more comfy for both my daughter and I.

i have a hotsling that i have barely used. especially as the baby got older, i found that the sling that fit ME no longer fit HER. a sling is supposed to be sized to you, not the baby, but this one was only usable for a few months. i prefer the maya wrap ... i also have another but i can't remember the name... something like mei tei??

i like the new native sling.
http://www.newnativeinc.com

Try the ergo baby carrier. It's made so that your child can be carried in it from newborn until about age 5! You can use it in the front, the back or the side and the baby actually sits in it so that their backs are properly aligned rather than hanging by the crotch like they do in the Bjorn, etc. And they can be used much longer than a sling. They are made out of sturdy but soft cotton and are really well made an comfortable to wear for me, my husband and our son. there are also lots of great accessories that go with it. I love the backpack as a diaper bag. You can use it separately or attach it to the carrier and it also has a spot to put your water bottle. Here is their website. I can't say enough good things about them!
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

Hi K.,
I teach HS and coach volleyball! I have three older kids. My favorite baby carrier was the Sara's (Sarah's) Ride. It's a side carrier, you can have the baby face forward or backward. I loved it. Used it for all three kids and it's still in great shape!
Good luck, J.

I use the Moby wrap, the Maya wrap, and the Ergo. I like them all for different reasons.

Hi K.,

I SWEAR by my Ergo Baby Carrier. I still use it and my son is about to turn one. It's something that I will be able to use even when he is a young toddler. I get compliments about it all of the time. People especially find the napping hood a great feature as do I. My son always stays asleep if I transition him into or out of the carrier and it is a breeze to put it. In addition it is MUCH more supportive than any Baby Bjorn or Snugli.

Take care,
L.

I loved my Maya Wrap. It came with a nice video that showed how to make the baby comfortable and a couple of different ways to carry different-sized children. The fabric was beautiful. Before that I had a New Native (taken in by the endorsement by Christie Brinkley or whoever that supermodel was who endorsed them). Couldn't use it even ONCE. My daughter hated it and would just scream. It didn't adjust at all. Maybe they don't even make them anymore.

I love my hot sling carrier. My daughter is almost a year and we still use it occassionally (she's walking and can't sit still!) It was great for keeping her close and still having my hands free. I found it easy on my back and comfy for her too. I bought mine at Target. Good luck!

the ergo carrier is the best!!! YOu can wear it on the front, back or side and has great lower and upper back support. They are around $100. Check it out and if you are interested I know someone that has a barely used one they want to sell.

The Ergo is pretty great, and goes up to 40 lbs. You can use it back, front and side carry.
Good luck!
E..

I have tried many carriers and Ergo is the best!!!!!!!!Works great for small babies in the front and I even carried my 3 year old(40 LB)on my back with no problems.

Hello!

The sling that I found to be by far the most comfortable and easy to use was the Ergo Baby Carrier. Most of the baby's weight is distributed to your hips and then there are 2 back pack type straps that distributes the rest of the weight evenly on both shoulders. That makes it infinitely more comfortable than any other carriers I'd tried. There are front, back and side carrying options which was so fantastic. Although the side carry option is not so convenient (it takes some strap maneuvering) so when I wanted to carry her on my side I just used my sling.

I used the baby bjorn initially when we went on walks, but wasn't comfortable with the fact that it put her in a position where she was 'hanging.' The Ergo is fantastic because it creates a seat for her little tush and her genitalia don't have to have the constant pressure of her whole body weighing down on it.

Hope that helps!
Ergofan :)

I love the hot sling! I used it with my sons until they were just over a year and wanted to walk on their own. My best friend gave me mine and I really love it. I always have it in the car-just in case-though my youngest son is almost 2 now. They are super stylish and I always got complimented on it. Many women from other countries would comment on how that is how women in their countries carried their babies-and it was nice to see women in the US doing it. There are so many ways to carry your child using the hotsling. Definitely invest in it. I loved mine!

i bought a hot slings carrier when my son was first born and i used it religiously up until he could sit up in a cart.... i LOVED it and would highly recommend it... my husband is in the military and away alot so i was always on my own with my son. i used it when i was doing dishes, laundry or any thing else around the house i needed my hands for... now that hes bigger, i can still use it on my hip or as a back carrier (not really sure if you're suposed to but he fits pretty snugly)
definatly worth the money!

I highly recommend the Ergo baby carrier. You can use it in three positions (front, back, hip) and up to 40 lbs.

I love the peanut shell!!!!!!!!!!! I got it at Babies R Us. I use it for my 5 mo. old son , and my 2 yr. old daughter can use it too. I like it so much more than the baby bjorn- that bothered my back. Also, the peanut shell has cool patterns. Good luck!

I love my ergo baby carrier. It is similar to the Bjorn but so much more comfortable and better for the baby. You can wear it on the front, back and side. My 13.5 month old still loves being carried by me and loves when my husband carries him on his back.
I have the bjorn and this is so much better and it's so easy to put it on that you won't blink about going from store to store putting the baby in and out. It's so easy.

good luck.

You NEED to get the ERGO baby carrier. :)

it's amazing!! totally comfortable for front, hip or back carrying. and it holds a child up to 40+ lbs! it puts the weight on your hips and it's super easy to get on and off. i roll it up and keep it in the car/stroller when we are out. my DD loves it when she's crabby and she naps in it too when we are out walking.

the best thing is that the baby is not hanging by the crotch... they sit in a pouch like seat that is all fabric and the baby is right next to you -- there is no fabric between mom/dad and baby. that's the good thing too... it is great for guys to wear the baby too. there's an extender for the hip belt (i got that) if you need it. it comes with a video and all you do is practice at the bed or couch a few times and you are set to go!

check it out!!!!

i can't say enough great things about it!!! sometimes i don't even bother with the stroller and it's great on vacation and in the airport!!!

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

-L.

I have two hot slings and I do like them but my baby is now heavy enough where it hurts my shoulder after awhile. I also have the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder - see their website - and I do love that one . . . very versatile and easy to get baby in and out.

I have never used a Hot Sling, but I have an Ergo Baby Carrier and just love it. So does my husband. It can be worn in the front, back or on the hip. It never has bothered my back and my daughter adores being in it. Highly recommend it. It can also be used for kids up to 40 lbs.
HTH

go to thebabywearer.com !!! check out the review section at the top which has them broken down into types, or you can post on the forum for recommendations.

there is a whole world of baby carriers not sold in stores that are so much ergonimically made, comfortable, pretty, and safer(most believe forward facing puts pressure on a babys back and dont recommend it).

pouches like hotsling are great for quick trips into the post office, but having all that weight on one shoulder puts more strain on you. if you also want to run after your 2 yr old at the park, or grocery shop with the 2 yr old in the cart, you should get a two shoulder carrier like a mei tai(totally easier than it looks) or soft structured carrier. they can be worn on the front and back for longer periods.

babyhawk, freehand, beco, angelpack are well known. i like dream carriers and connectas as well. look into it, there are somany better choices than what they sell at babies r us. good luck, message me if you need any help, or ill send you pics of my baby in some carriers, shes 6 months:)

I have a Hot Sling, Moby Wrap, and Ergo Baby Carrier. Our 11-month-old son really only likes the Ergo. Maybe if I had started with the Moby Wrap when he was a newborn he would have liked it more.

Some good things about the Ergo:
- I can breast feed with the baby in it
- You can carry a child up to 40 lbs. or so
- Our baby sleeps in it while he is being carried and I can do chores, etc.
- It can be worn front, side, or back
- My husband and I both use the same carrier.

Some bad things:
- It's more expensive than the Hot Sling or Moby Wrap (about $100 as I recall)
- It can be very hot in the summer
- While it is not hard to use, it is not as simple as a Hot Sling.

Everyone is different so you have to experiment to find what works best. Plus, what mom likes might not be what baby likes. Also, the same child might like one style of carrier at one age and different ones later on.

Good luck!

Hi there,
I use sling from JellyBean (I got it at Buy Buy Baby.) When my baby boy was 5 months he was big too so I started carrying him in the hip position. They say only to do that when they are six months and older but like I said, he is a big little guy! I still kind of hold him but it is nothing like carrying him around. I really like it, the baby seems to like it and it is very portable. I think it is the same as the Hot Sling because someone gave that to me as a gift.
Good luck!
Tahara