Carrier for soon to be new mom!

[MirandaMoes]

Hi!
I am new to the board and wanted to say hello. I am due in April with my first, a little girl! I plan to breast feed and am trying to find a sling or carrier to help me conceal breastfeeding a bit in public. Also just want to ahve the option of hands free carrying when needed. I seen people mention KKAFP often on the board but not sure what that is! I would love any info and maybe links to palces online if anyone has any suggestions! Thanks tons!!
Miranda

[mmaimp]

Miranda,
Welcome to the board! I’m new to babywearing too. We have a bijorn but it did not work well for DS. He had reflux and the carrier put too much pressure on his tummy and made the reflux episodes even worse. I want to wear this new baby to keep my hands free and it would also be great to nurse but I know that there is a learning curve for nursing in slings and pouches. I’ve been researching slings and pouches for a few months now and know the 2 or 3 I’d like to start with.

I’m going to get a Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch (KKAFP) first since the baby will arrive sometime in January. http://www.kangarookorner.com/k_shop_pouches_custom.shtml

I’m also on the waiting list for a Kozy. http://www.kozycarrier.com/

Another carrier I’m considering is a hugabub http://www.hugabub.com , and I’m looking for a Mom and Me (MNM) pouch and Jen is listing two on ebay now. http://tinyurl.com/3maed

I have not even entered the world of ring slings yet. Other BBB memebers have posted that slings can be eaiser for nursing than pouches because they are eaiser to adjust. This can be overwhelming and there are some great old postings about pouches and slings on this board. When you have been a member for the BBB for the required period of time and have the number of posts needed you can join the BBBSwap group where other BBB members post items for sale or swap. Pouches and slings are offered often and it’s a great way to experiment with all the different options out there. Unfortunately it seems difficult to tell what pouches or slings will work until you try them out.

Here are links to one of the old threads that I mentioned:

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=62&topic_id=5764&mode=full

Good luck and let me know what you picked!

[tarahsolazy]

I have tried every kind of baby carrier out there, and here are my impressions:

I love pouch slings, like the KKAFP that the PP mentioned. I used a Mom N Me pouch when DS was tiny for hours each day, comfy and essentially hands free! Hotslings www.hotslings.com also makes nice fleece or stretchy cotton pouches which are very affordable. They are not adjustable, though, so getting the right size is important.

I can now use a ring sling, like the mayawrap, but I tried it when DS was tiny, and I was unable to make it work!

I have never been able to BF in a sling or pouch, but even so, I could take DS out, latch him on, and use the sling for concealment anyway, if I wanted to. DS has never tolerated nursing with stuff over his face, though! I would just wrap it around him.

We also had a Baby Bjorn, which my husband loved until DS outgrew it. I never used it, I loved my pouch so much.

I also used a Moby wrap www.peppermint.com (and lots of other retailers) starting at about 5 weeks, and it is fabulous. It seems like its so huge when you first unwrap it, its SIX YARDS of fabric, but it is easy to put on and pop baby into. I think this will be my primary newborn carrier when I have another baby.

Have fun, babywearing has been a wonderful experience for DS, DH and I. We rarely use the stroller, even though DS now weighs 24 lbs!