Slings and wraps

When #4 arrives, Josiah will just be 3 and Xavier will be 18mths. I walk Kiya to school, and have a Phil & Ted e3 for the boys. I've been trying to work out what I can do when there's a newborn to take as well. Josiah is very small for his age, and I think the walk to school and back will be a little too far for him. I'm eyeing up an Ergo (front/back carrier) anyway but I'm not sure I want to carry either Josiah or Xavier's 10kg that soon after giving birth!

I'm thinking either a wrap or a sling for Crumb would be the way to go, and put the boys into the buggy. What do you think would work better? I like that the slings are basically baby-brain proof! but I also like the versitility (sp?) of a wrap. Also (not that I've talked about it with mine) but do many of your DHs wear your babies in your slings/wraps and what do they prefer?

Hi Becca, I got a heart to heart sling from TradeMe for just $25. I already had a front pack but I find the sling so much easier to get baby in/out of and heaps more versatile. I initially put Kryssi in it as a very small baby, nowadays she sits on my hip still in the sling (I don't need hands and she doesn't slip out). It enables me to hold two preschoolers' hands when we cross roads etc, and Kryssi is quite happy to sleep in the sling. It takes a bit to get the hang of at first, and I've never mastered bf in it although they reckon you can.

I had a quick look at the ergo link. They have a good reputation and the baby looks snug and neck supported. I forgot to check until after I closed the page, is the baby able to turn front-facing in it? If not a middle-aged baby will always want feeding and an older child will get bored of the lack of view.

Brands - I have a baby gear front pack, I don't recommend it for small babies cause it has no head support, and while it's comfy to wear it takes a lot of getting in/out so is best for a school walk than a lot of in/out shops etc. I have a heart 2 heart sling, it's ok and probably entry level in terms of price and features. Baby wouldn't fall out of it but I'm sure there would be better out there.

Thanks ladies

MILF wrote: gosh you are going to be quite the procession when you go to school arent you!

Yeah, Lyla, I know!

busymum wrote: is the baby able to turn front-facing in it?

Yes, Teresa, the child can face forwards when using the Ergo as a front pack.

I've had both a baba sling and a Moby Wrap. Personally I wish I'd had the Moby with a newborn, and I think this would be especially so if there was an older sibling as it holds them more snuggly. The Baba Sling was okay when she was little, but I find now that she's bigger (and she's still only 6.5 kg) that my back gets really sore when I am carrying her in it, so I've had to retire it. I found the Moby to be the best option for me as I have a windy baby and it was one of the few that allowed her to burp

Now my disclaimer. I loved the Moby so much, I'm the one that was responsible for bringing them into New Zealand. So yes, it is now a business opportunity for me, but it wasn't when I purchased it and fell in love with it.

Hi Tiff, yes they're really similar to the hug-a-bub. I have an article on the differences and if you want to e-mail me through the website I can forward it through to you.

The tying looks complicated but honestly it only takes about 3 goes to work out what works best and from then on it is a breeze. There is a basic tie and then you can do a few different carries with the basic tie.

It is suitable for Dad also, but some guys seem to be shy about using them. On one of the graphics that I don't think I included on the website because I'm not stocking that colour there is a photo of bubs with Dad.

Becca - I really like the look of the Mei Tai. Jen just showed the one she made on TNN. I could try making one for ya in the next few months if you'd like? Hassle me about it if so

Whats the website for the moby wraps??

www.scarecrowfarm.co.nz. There's been a preorder sale on. It was meant to finish yesterday, but I'll extend it another couple of days.

Oh oh oh! I think I managed to talk my husband into getting me a Moby wrap for my birthday (later this month)! He said as long as our finances work out the way we think they will, he'll get it for me! Yay!

Oh this looks awesome - I was pretty much going to go with Hug-a-bub but this looks the same and is cheaper. I can't quite get my head around the instructions for the different holds though