[OakShannon]

I do a lot of babywearing with Daniel and have since we got him. Our homestudy approved us for infant - age 5 so we didn't know ahead of time what age child we would be matched with. In the week between finding out about Daniel and taking him home, we had to do a TON of shopping - fast and on a budget. (Thank goodness for our family and friends!!) So I just picked out a Snugli because it was inexpensive and looked servicable.

It worked fine at first, but as Daniel has grown, it's started to chafe his thighs and we've had to cut way down on the amount we're using it. (He's 5 1/2 months and weighs about 18 lbs.) My mom just bought us an Ergo, and so far I love it. It's really comfortable and Daniel can look around and reach while facing me because the straps go under his armpits instead of over his shoulders. The hood works great supporting his head and shielding him from the sun when he falls asleep, too. The only downside is that it's expensive.

So I'm curious, for those of you who wear your babies a lot - what baby carrier do you use and what do you like about it?

[blessedbybug]

I found this one last summer when DS was a year old and not walking and I still wore him sometimes upto 75% of the day. It has decreased since he decided to walk finally at 17 months and I was really struggling with my back at the time. We still get it out now from time to time, on his rough days, and he's over 30 pounds. I loved it because he wasn't all out front but fit on my hip snugly.

[OnTheJourney]

I love my Mei Tai carrier. DS is 21 months 26lbs and I still wear him regularily with out a problem. I used a Bjorn from NB till about 3 months, but have sold it and with my next baby I will use a wrap or ringsling for the early months. I really loved using a wrap from about 3 months till 9 or 10 months or a MT on my front or hip. Then from about 10 months found it easiest to use a MT with DS on my back, unless he was sleepy, then I'd put him in front and he'd sleep. And for quick trips into a store or something, I'd tie him on my hip in the MT.

[JenC]

I love a wrap for itty bitty babies, then SSC's when they get a bit bigger. Snuglis and Bjorns hang the baby by the crotch and put all their weight on your shoulders, which isn't the greatest for either one of you. You could also look into a ring sling.

[Hadley2]

It's been about a bit over five years since we used it, but I really liked the Over-the-Shoulder-Baby-Holder ring sling. I don't sell these, but lots of people did on the internet.

DD2 rode in one from preemie birth to age nearly 4, 35-40 lbs, maybe a little more, I think. Ride 'em front, back, side, lying down, sitting, cuddled, straddled, you name it. I like the "bumper" padding to ensure no tight edges. We liked it so much, we packed it away for the grandkids!

I tried other sling types like the Nojo (sp?), but none worked as well as this one for me.

I have friends who like the Maya-style wraps, too.

[powderpiggy]

I absolutely love my Kozy Carrier, and so does our son. I would not trade it for any other and only wish I had the money to buy a second since you can pic from such great fabrics. Wherever I go I get a ton of complements on it. DS sleeps in it great. And its comfortable for me. I also feel great knowing that they are all made in the US and the business is run by a WAHM.

The Kozy - The "gold standard" Mei Tai baby carrier!

I guess I would like to add that when he was a newborn DS seemed more comfy a sling worked better but from about 4 mo on up, we both really prefer this.

[JenC]

Something you do need to be careful of are bag slings. They tend to make baby rest their chin on their chest, which at the least can make it difficult to breath, and at the worst could lead to suffocation. There's a blog about them here. You can also check out The BabyWearer.

[tinktink]

I have liked most styles for different ages. Except an SSC, like what an Ergo is. I hated the buckles, couldn't stand how she was so low on my back she was riding my butt. I wished I had an active local babywearing group so I could have borrowed from the library, before buying. What gets most wear nowadays is the Babyhawk, and wraps. I have been looking for the right ring sling too.

I love that there is BW talk here lately!!

[luckyshamrock]

I used a hotsling until about 7 months. The summer pool sling was awesome during the summer months and hot, humid days. I have moved to a Beco Baby Carrier. I love it. It is alot like the Ergo; however, more money. It comes in great fabric and well worth the penny pinching for it!!

[Amber76]

I love, love, love my Moby wrap. It was a gift from some friends, and it is the most valuable thing I received at any of my showers. I wear my son in it several hours a day and he loves it. I also used it to carry my almost three year old niece on part of a walking trip at a local state park. My son goes in one of two newborn style holds-laying down or vertical. My niece goes on the hip or back. There are also a lot of other possiblities for using it, but haven't had the chance to try them since Ben is too small and Belle is too big for them! Also, on a side note, the instructions with the Moby show two different ways to carry newborn twins. I don't know how well they work since I have a singleton, but it would be worth checking into for those with or waiting for, twins.

[JustCourtney]

I am glad someone asked! We brought home our baby 2 days ago, , and I am just now realizing how much I miss having my hands free! I am wondering what kind of carrier I could use, because I am very busty. All of the tslings I have seen seem like they wouldn't work - I am afraid that I would end up suffocating the little guy with my boob! Am I being crazy? Any other big busted mommies out there that wear their babies?

[jjlutefisk]

I'm large chested and I used the Bjorn for my daughter and loved it. I especially love the new design of the bjorn making it easier to get on and off. Loved loved loved it.

[devildogwife]

Cameron is not allowed to be in any kind of baby carrier (due to his CHD) till after his 2nd stage Glenn. Before he was born and we knew that, I purchased a custom-made mei tai. It's so well made! I can't wait to use it late summer. We also had 2 hotslings, but I returned them.

[Amber76]

Originally Posted by CourtneynCarl

I am glad someone asked! We brought home our baby 2 days ago, , and I am just now realizing how much I miss having my hands free! I am wondering what kind of carrier I could use, because I am very busty. All of the tslings I have seen seem like they wouldn't work - I am afraid that I would end up suffocating the little guy with my boob! Am I being crazy? Any other big busted mommies out there that wear their babies?

I am VERY busty and I love mt moby wrap, as does my son. I haven't ever felt it was at all likely that he could suffocate. Good luck choosing!

[mondk]

I bought a gently used Baby Bjorn from Ebay and have only used it once! It is hard to get him in it by myself and now that he weighs 21 lbs. I probably can't even use it. It worked great that one time...I got a sling (can't think of the brand) but didn't like it because he was so smooshed in it and I was afraid of suffocation, like someone above mentioned.

We use our stroller everywhere now...so not much need of wearing him, LOL.

Blessings, Michelle