Overwhelmed by mind-boggling selection--Please Help!

[mom2jasper]

Hello Everyone,

I am a first-time mom to a 5 week old son and need some help in trying to find the carriers/slings that meet my needs best. I keep reading reviews, websites, etc. as much as time allows but find myself more confused now than when I started. Experienced baby-carriers, I need your insight!

I have a Baby Bjorn Active which I love, it's great for outdoors, but I find it a hassle indoors. If Jasper wants to nurse for example, I have to undo all the buckles to sit down and get him out of it and by that time he's wailing.

I would like something that I could ideally have on me, sit down in, and be able to scoop him up and pop him in. I don't really want to have to do buckles or adjust things too much. The idea of a fleece or stretchy type carrier with the baby facing me chest to chest really appeals, but I'd also like more carrying options for when he's older. Is there a backpack styled two-shouldered carrier that's soft, able to be folded, worn all the time comfortably, and it would be a huge bonus to be able to nurse him in it. Am I asking too much?

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have,

Robin

[lizamann]

Sounds like you might really like a stretchy wraparound carrier. Here are a few for you to look at. They are all long pieces of fabric that you tie onto yourself. You can leave them on all day and pop baby in and out. Nursing is possible, too, but that can be tricky and take a while to learn. I do it all the time now, but couldn't when baby was only 5 weeks. It just takes a time or two to learn to tie it, and you're good to go.

http://www.cottoncradles.com/stretchywraps.htm (has a great description and sells 2 great brands - the Moby and Hug-a-Bub)

Since you mentioned fleece, you might want to look at the Simply Attached (http://www.mommythink.com/web%20pages/store/simply%20attached.htm - I know nothing about this vendor, FYI.) I love my Simply Attached, but since you want to wear it all the time, I think this would be too hot indoors unless you like to keep the thermostat way down.

If you don't want to think about it anymore, take this advice - buy the Moby from Cotton Cradles. You'll be able to do a back carrier eventually down the line in this one, but won't really be able in the other 2 I mentioned.

[tarahsolazy]

A fleece pouch sling would also meet your needs well. I used a Moby, and a fleece pouch for hours a day when my DS was that age! I have a Mom N Me Creations pouch, which are not being made currently, but come up on ebay occaisonally. Hotslings www.hotslings.com makes a very affordable fleece pouch, but its not adjustable, so you need to measure carefully. The owner will help you choose a size via email, if nec, she's fantastic. Also, the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch, usually referred to as a KKAFP, is a great carrier, and its adjustable, of course. www.kangarookorner.com You can use these in a tummy to tummy or cradle hold now, and can nurse in them pretty easily. Later, they make great hip carriers. If you can afford it, try a pouch, and a Moby!

[ginamlee]

My favorite for that age was the KKAFP mentioned in the previous post.

[mom2jasper]

Thank you so much for the help--I just won a KKAFP on ebay for a great price and I have a bid in on a HugaBub too--trying to get them both for the price of one. I can't wait to get the fleece one though-hopefully both!

[ginamlee]

My 2 favorite carriers! I also own a KKAFP and a Hug A Bub and they are by far my favorites. Good choices! ;)

[audys]

Hi Robin,

This may not apply to you and your carrier, but I wanted to make sure that you knew about the Baby Bjorn Active recall - sounds scary!

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000DJX8A/104-5092307-2614343?v=glance&s=baby&vi=reviews

Audrey, mother to Graham

http://lilypie.com/baby1/050210/3/15/1/+10/.png (http://lilypie.com)