Baby Carrier for Travel and C-section Recovery

I love the ultimate baby wrap ( http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=226678... ). I used it a ton with my first son (c-section) and my second (vbac) pretty much lived in it for the first few months. Good luck!

If you are willing to drive, there is a store called birth and beyond that will allow you to try on several different types of holders and slings to see which one fits you and baby best. Probably worth the drive to end up out of town with the right one! I think they have several locations, you can google them to find out.

I LOVE my Baby K'tan...it's like a Moby Wrap but SOOO much easier and faster to use. Take a look at it on their website at www.babyktan.com (they have videos that quickly show you all of the ways baby can be worn)
...I got mine from Target.com for $35 but haven't seen them the last couple weeks so you may need to check Amazon.

I LOVE my Ergo. I didn't have it during my last c-section, but got it right about the time my son was 3 months. I loved it because all the weight went to my hips, and it is really padded. You can secure it up higher on your waist at his age and there is a newborn insert (I didn't use it at that time). I love traveling with it too, because he can stay on you through airport security, and you can check the stroller (depending on the 3 year old). And my son liked to travel in that position on the plane. You have to unlatch during take off and landing, but during the flight it can support his head really nice if he sleeps.

There is a video that comes with it that I think shows that you can nurse with it on too, as there is nothing between you and the baby, but I wasn't a very proficient nurser, so just took it off my shoulders and did the normal nursing. You can also check out their website, as I they may have more info on that topic.

I am actually still using it on my 30 pounder while 6.5 months pregnant - that's how much I like it. It was pricey (although I won mine in a raffle), but ooooh so worth it!

the ergo is nice but very high priced. i liked my carrier that i bought and made myself i got material from the store something soft but strechy.get material depending on size the heavery the more yard if your small youll need about 4 or 5 yards.and get a book from the library or book store and get the book baby wearing it great and so many ways and you can breast feed when using it.hope this helps you

Hi, I haven't tried this yet, so no first hand experience, but it was designed by a mom and from the pictures and description of the material they use it sounds great. I want to get one when I have my next baby:

http://www.sleepywrap.com/index.php

Good luck! If you do get one let me know how you like it :)

I vote for the Moby wrap. I loved that I could keep it on and just tighten it up a bit now and then. Once you get the hang of it a few times, it is pretty easy to use and baby is quite protected and won't fall out. You can nurse in it very easily.
I went to Paris when my daughter was 5 months old and she loved greeting everyone while facing forward and when she got tired, I turned her around and she snuggled all tucked in. We would walk and ride the train and be out all day. It got the job done in all circumstances.
When my son came along, he loved it too. I liked that I could have him all snuggled and I could still do stuff with my daughter and give her some one-on-one time.
Defifnitely the Moby wrap!
D.

I have a moby wrap and the babies feet get wrapped up in the lotus position so they don't hang down to kick me in the belly. I like it, but it does seem to take time to master, I still keep my Bjorn for when I need to just put him in quickly to do something - I wrap him if he will be there a while.

You might find that a pouch or ring sling works well. They're pretty packable and also easy to get on and off even while seated. If you have your youngest on your front, his weight will be to the side a little bit, but you can also use a sling to wear him on your hip if you want. A ring sling will be adjustable, pouch slings are normally one size, but some do have snaps to adjust the size. I've used my ring sling to fly with my oldest many times!

I noticed that many people recommend the Moby. It is a good carrier, but it's cumbersome and will be difficult to out on in any cramped space like a plane or car. It's basically a very long (think 20 foot) piece of fabric. It also has a bit of a learning curve to using it.

I also have an ergo and tried it on a plane, but the buckles weren't terribly comfortable and the waist strap could go straight across your incision.

If you're able to try them on, that would be best. Birth and Beyond in Seattle has a variety of carriers. Regarding Peanut in Kirkland has some good options and does classes at Evergreen Hospital. I'm not as familiar with the baby carrier sources further north.

I LOVE the Moby wrap! And if you can't afford the $40 new price, you can make your own or buy one on Craigslist. They are more for wearing baby for longer periods of time, because once you get all wrapped up you can just stay wrapped and put baby in and out, but you wouldn't want to be wrapping and unwrapping a lot.

Baby can be worn in many positions, and you can nurse in it with no one being the wiser! Check out the examples at www.mobywrap.com. Click on the "Instructions" box and you can see a demonstration on how to do each one.

My first answer didn't go through so I apologize if I posted twice... Anyway, I love my Ergo. I have a Moby, a ring sling, a Playtex hip carrier and a Bjorn and the Ergo stands in a category alone for comfort! I just got back from two months in Mexico with my three sons - seven-month-old twins and a three-year-old and we took a double stroller and two Ergos. In the beginning, when the babies weren't able to wear sun screen, we ended up carrying our three-year-old in the Ergo - hiking, around town, up pyramids, you name it. Anyway, it was perfect for travelling - compact and comfortable and because it has a waist strap I could carry a kid for hours (good way to lose the baby weight!). Check it out at www.ergobaby.com. Happy trails!

I finally tried a Moby with kid #4, and I wish I'd done it forever. I had a sling (which couldn't really adjust tight enough because I have small shoulders) and a Snugli. For the infant time I liked the (soft) structure of the Snugli, and that it was somewhat less confusing to put on, but the kids outgrew it pretty fast.

On the other hand, for one trip, it might be great to have a specifically-sized carrier. Do you have any friends with babies a year or so older who haven't given their stuff away yet? That's how I lucked into the Moby. Which I actually only borrowed, before that friend needed to give it to her sister for *her* first baby ... babyhood is so short, there are often people with resources to share ;).

We had a moby wrap with our daughter. It was wonderful and lasted a long time because you can wrap it so many ways for side carry and back carries as they get older. It's great for nursing too!

http://www.mobywrap.com/

It did take some getting used to to do the wraps but once you figured it out it was a breeze. The great thing too was that you can wear it all the time. I used to put mine on when I went to go out and it was on and ready for me to put my daughter in whenever I got out of the car. It wasn't in the way at all.

D.

I second Workinmom! My Ergo is great. I recommend them to everyone since you can use them up until about 3 years of age. My son loved(s) to be carried in it and its comfortable for me too. We still use it at 15 months old. Also, it's super easy to get on and off for when your in a rush in the airport.

Slings are your best bet for a C-Section; I like my ring sling, but my child was never fond of being in a sling plus it was uncomfortable on my shoulder; however, I do plan on learning how to make it work in case I have to have another C-Section and am also planning on learning how to nurse in a hip carry using the ring sling.

If the Baby Bjorn bothered your incision, than the Ergo won't work for you since there is a hip/waist strap; however, it does work great for older babies and toddlers as well - so that will work once your incision heals. If you have a horizontal incision (not sure if classic referred to a vertical incision), than the Moby wrap would work just fine. I made my own out of stretchy cotton material - it's pretty simple. I have enjoyed all of these types of carriers, but find the Ergo and the Moby wrap the most comfortable and easy to use. I inquired about nursing in a sling/wrap and was told that that is considered an "advanced" babywearing skill - so don't get discouraged if you don't get the hang of it right away - they make it look so easy in the videos.

I highly suggest a ring sling. They do have a learning curve so if decide to get one make sure that you have time to pracitice before your trip!

I would recommend the Moby wrap or a sling. The Moby can be wrapped tightly or loosely, and keeps baby up next to chest and is real easy for nursing. I used this for my twins and my singleton. I recommend a sling because it is worn over the shoulder but has no wrapping around the belly and may feel better for you on the incision site. A sling is also easy to nurse in but not as discreet as the Moby. Both of these may be difficult at first to master but once you have they are great and extremely versatile. Both can be worn with baby on your back, side, or front.

S.

hi dear,
I know what you are going through , I have two kids and I know how c-section is !!! best thing that you can move around and be comfortable is buy your self a girdle with support . that can help you big time and you can do old fashion way get a sheet wrap your baby in your body it makes it easier if you need to know how if you go to fabric store they have the pattern to tech you how to do it and it is not expensive . but first try to have the girdle you will see how comfy you will be !
good luck.
M.

I highly recommend the Moby Wrap. It is affordable, comfortable and after a couple times - very easy to use. It comes with a full color instruction booklet and I am happy to show you how to use it and which positions will work best for you. We used the Moby to travel to Panama with my daughter when she was 5 months old. It was a lifesaver to be able to carry all our luggage, passports, etc with both hands and have her safely and securely attached to my body. You can totally bend over and they won't fall out. And unlike mainstream baby carriers, wraps, slings, etc create a more natural positioning when worn properly protecting your baby from serious issues like hip dysplasia or other injuries.

If you live near Tualatin, you are welcome to come by and try on a Moby and see the variety of colors and offerings they have. Then you can decide if it will work for you without the commitment of buying one.

A.
www.punkinbutt.com

I had a c section and wore my moby wrap (still wearing it for that matter) very comfortably. I am not nursing, but i know that you can nurse while baby is in it.