Infant Baby Carriers - Prairie Village, KS

I love my baby Bjorn carrier. When the baby is small you can carry in the front or later on you can switch it to the back. It does get awfully warm for the baby though, so you have to watch how you dress the baby.

Get the Ergo. It is the BEST. An investment, and well worth it. You can use it from infancy to age 3. Its so great! I had a didymos for a while. Big waste of money! Those are a pain. I also liked the New Native baby sling for my tiny babies, but not when they were over 4 months.

I used the Snugli brand from Walmart. It was not only less expensive, but it worked so much better than the others. It was recommended to me by a friend who had tried a lot of others. The main problem with other brands was that it seemed to slip down and i'm only 5'2 so I would be bumping my sons legs with my knees and couldn't sit down with it without "hiking" it up. The Snugli brand did slip down at all and felt more comfortable to my back. I unfortunatly didn't use it long as my son is really tall (90th%)and outgrew it in length very quickly.

I really like my Moby wrap. It's so lightweight and easy to learn how to tie around. My daughter really likes it because some of the holds she can look out at everything and see what's going on. My other favorite carrier is called a Mei Tai carrier. My daughter always falls asleep in this one and it makes her feel so secure and cozy. And it's VERY comfortable for me. My friend makes them and you can check it out on her website: http://craftsbypaula.com/. Hope that helps!

I used the Moby Wrap, and had mixed feelings about it. I primarily used it in the first few months, and then switched to the Baby Bjorn because it was easier to put on and felt more secure for an older baby. I liked the Moby because it distributed the weight across both shoulders and was very comfortable for me and my son. He was very content in it, once he got used to it. The cons were that it is very long, so its not easy to throw on to run into a store -- it would take a few minutes to wrap and tie just right, and it would drag on the ground as I did it. Sometimes it just never really felt like I had it on correctly or securly (its stretchy, you can't tie it too loose). It also shrunk once I washed and dried it (on low), so it made it a little harder to tie as my son got bigger. I never tried to breastfeed in it. It just seemed too difficult to pull my shirt up and get everything placed just right. Plus, it never seemed as secure to me when I tried to use it for anything other than a cradle hold where the baby would be entirely inside of it - maybe that was just me.

I did like the Bjorn, and used it a lot. Its very easy to put on once you do it once or twice, and it felt more secure as he started to move around. I could easily put it on in parking lot, and get him in and out of it standing outside the car. We're expecting twins now, and just bought a 2nd one so my husband and I can both wear them at the same time.

I use a one-piece sling made by my friend Kerry who is the owner of the business, eieiobaby gear. It is wonderful, both for baby and your back! It also works for both younger and older babies and is very reasonably priced, especially in comparison to other slings. Please visit eieiobabygear.com and tell her C. sent you :)

I used a hotsling (hotslings.com) with my daughter and will use it again with my next baby. The problem is though, it can be used up to 35 pounds so I can still easily use it for my 16-month-old, but you can't fit to babies in there!
I didn't like the baby bjorn or any of the carriers with rings, I found them to be to complicated. The hotsling is so simple to use (it's really just a looped piece of material with padding)and my daughter who loved to be cuddled, enjoyed it. It allowed me the freedom of movement and both hands free (cooking dinner, unloading the dishwasher, etc.)but she was still happy. As they get older you use different types of "holds." Such as the side carry (on your hip) or the kangaroo pouch when they have good head control.
Also, I would recommend looking on ebay for baby carriers. You can get some pretty good buys.

hi

i have two carriers. i have the jeep front carrier (like a baby bjorn). it is easy, but puts some stress on my back. the baby can be positioned to face inwards and out. it can only be used while they are little.

the second ins a kangaroo kids sling. great for newbies, and can transition into toddler years. you have to practice a little more to get the hang of how to use it. the store (kagaroo kids) is very helpful and offers instruction and demos when ever you need it. this one offers less stress on my back. it is easy to shove into any diaper bag.

go to the stores to try them out to see what works best for you.

I have a Maya wrap and absolutely love it! Hands down it has been my favorite piece of baby equipment!! My son would curl up and sleep in it when he was a newborn, and even just a month ago (he's two) when he was sick I put him in it. He wasn't feeling good and wanted Mommy to hold him, but Mommy needed to get a some things done around the house - the Maya wrap worked out great for us both!

Their website is www.mayawrap.com - they have many different colors and patterns to choose from - they also have directions on there if you want to make your own. (Much more cost friendly if you sew or know someone that does - they're really easy to make.)

Hi A.,

I contacted a lady who makes maya wraps for $35 when I started my postpartum doula business because I wanted a sling to show moms the benefits of baby-wearing. She made me a beautiful one. I recommend her. It is made like the maya wrap, but not as expensive so you can check their website and then if you'd like her info, I would be happy to give it to you.
My brother is adopted. I think it is a great thing for both the parents and the child. You will be blessed.

Hi A.-

I had the Baby Bjorn and loved it, and so did our son! (fyi, we also adopted, so congratulations!) It was actually quite easy to use, and we took him everywhere with it. The only problem I had was that I put him in it to do housework and he'd fall asleep, but partially because I didn't have the whole pregnancy experience, I had a hard time with depth perception, and it hurt my back a little because of that. Otherwise, it was great till he got too big! Good luck, and congratulations again!

M.

Spouse and I have tried many ... slings, baby bjorn, etc. BEST is http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/ ... great on your back, even when baby gets bigger.

Steff

I couldn't have survived without my Baby Bjorn--get the most expensive one--it's well worth it! My youngest was colicky and he spent hours in it. The good thing was that as he got a little bigger, I could turn him around so he could see everything going on. He loved watching as I made dinner, read to his brothers, etc. It was a great bonding time to have him so close all the time. Plus, it kept my hands free to deal with my other tow boys.

I have a baby bjorn & love it. My friend bought mine for $70, but I've seen them at resale shops and would recommend purchasing it used. At some point, the baby simply gets too heavy to lug around, so that said, go for a less expensive carrier.

I have a homemade wrap (5 yards of fabric), a ring sling, and a mei tai. I still use all three for my nearly 2 1/2 year old daughter. The ring sling is great for those up and down days and things like trips to the zoo. I like the mei tai for doing things around the house and for those long nights when she is sick and can't sleep. I wear her on the front and the back. For going out for a nice stroll at the park, my favorite is the wrap. It distributes the weight very well and doesn't leave me sore. With an older child it can take some work to get them in and out, but my daughter LOVES riding in it for a walk. I carry her 2 to 4 miles and never have a problem. Ring slings are the easiest to figure out, mei tais can be a little harder, and wraps can be difficult, but in the end, I am glad that I have each of my carriers. The only carriers I've ever disliked are the front pack carrier and the infantino sling that I tried first. The front pack was difficult to get her in and out of and it was uncomfortable to wear. It was not a baby bjorn, though so I don't know about those. I think it was something like evenflo. The sling was never comfortable for me because it was not adjustable enough to make it snug to my body.

Those are my thoughts. Good luck.

I used a Baby Bjorn with my first child and thought it was ok, but I am short and as the baby grows his feet get in the way.

My hands down favorite carrier is a hotsling, www.hotslings.com They are expensive, $40-$50, but so worth it. They are a pouch type sling when the baby is small (up to 6 months or maybe longer depending on the size of your child) and then have light padding on the edge to use as a hip carrier when the baby is big. The fabric is lightweight and has a little stretch. Good for summer. If you are on the edge of sizes, go for the bigger size because the fit is snug. The best place to buy one is on ebay. There are a few used ones, but many ebay powersellers who specialize in slings and sell the whole line new. They are a little cheaper off ebay and the shipping is fast.

I cannot say enough good things about the sling. My son practically lived in it and I was able to do things while carrying him around.

Good luck making your decision!

I have a Maya wrap, which I loved using when my son was small. It is a 'ring sling' and does a one-shoulder carry only. I have switched to a 'wrap' which is just a long piece of cloth. It can be used for front, back, two-shoulder, hip, etc. It's nice, but bulkier to carry when not in use...

you can find more info at www.mamatoto.org and www.babywearer.com

There's a monthly meeting in st louis, first monday of the month at the central library, 9:30-11:30. They're very helpful about teaching new ways to use your wrap, and suggesting different styles, etc.

We used the Baby Bjorn, and liked it. (We had the one that carried in the front). However, we found that we really didn't use it that often - we used the car seat carrier, or just carried him. It seems that they grow OUT of the carriers so quickly, so it wasn't worth the money (to us) that we spent on it. We haven't looked into carriers for larger children (our son is now 1 year), however we don't really seem to have a need. He's now old enough to sit in his stroller, or in a cart (with the cart cover of course!).

Hi. I have several carriers that I have used on my two girls. The Moby Wrap is nice, although I haven't pulled it out lately (the youngest is now 12 months)... it's great for newborns - keeping them extremely close to you and very secure. My problem with this one is that the fabric is oh so long, so if you have to "wrap" baby up in a parking lot, your fabric will scrape across the ground. It also tends to be a very warm carrier. The Baby Bjorn is okay for a newborn but tends to cut into the shoulders and become uncomfortable with too much weight. Neither of my kiddos liked the Maya Wrap (baby has to enjoy being in a cradle hold for this one and they always liked being upright). My favorite for weathering all developmental and comfort needs has been the Ergo Baby Carrier (you can find it online or perhaps at Hippobottamus in Lee's Summit - check first). The Ergo is just like a backpack and is very comfortable for baby and mama. I still haven't quite figured out how to put baby on my own back yet with no help... but some of my friends have no problems with that. Of course, you can wear baby facing you on your belly, on your back, or on your hip. Hope this helps... there are a lot of carriers and choices to make. Take care,
K.

Hi A.,
Congratulations! We have both the Baby Bjorn and the Peanut Shell. My little girl was born very small, and still is, so the Baby Bjorn was way to big and uncomfortable for her for a long time. It has been great since she was about 7 month old. We used the Peanut Shell for a long time and loved it. She gets to be so close to you all curled up, and she slept great. It comes in different sizes so it will fit you perfectly.
Hope this helps!
K.

I have only tried the Baby Bjorn and liked it. It's a little awkward to get the baby in and out of, but it helped when I had things to do around the house and the baby wanted to be held.

Hi A.! I have not used the Moby Wrap but did try one like it. I found the long fabric ones difficult to use and didn't like them. We have three kids with the youngest being 8 months. My husband has used the Baby Bjorn with all three and liked it.... but it always hurt my back. I have tried several other carriers and slings and my favorite of all is the Beco Baby carrier. It is wonderful!! They advertise it in Mothering Magazine and you can find them online. They come in beautiful prints and it is the first carrier that does not hurt my back. It is strong and can be worn on the front, back, and side. It has great support for your lower back and very padded straps. It is designed like the Mei Tei carriers but instead of tyes they have hooks. It reminds me of the Bjorn.....but way more comfortable!!! www.becobabycarrier.com

Hi A., I excitedly bought the Moby Wrap when I was pregnant. Only used it twice I think, my son is now 23 months old. I am only 5'1" and that thing is awkward! It's a super long piece of fabric that you eventually master how to put on,(there are quite a few different carry positions) but it just wasn't for me. It is great at holding the little one in, but I would say it's not the most user friendly. I have seen a lot of women with these nice little slings that craddle the baby, that looks nice and easy. As for the Moby, it was kind of a waste of money for me. Dad ended up buying one of those Eddie Bauer Front carriers, that got about three times. I don't recommend Moby, but maybe you'd be happy with it-best of luck on the search!

I like the Moby for little babies, and now that my daughter can sit up on her own, it is nice for the hip carry. As a chiropractor, I think it still puts a lot of strain on the back when the baby gets heavier, even though it goes over both shoulders.

My professional opinion on the Baby Bjorn... that type of carrier predisposes kids for a condition called spondylolisthesis (slipping of the vertebra), so I do not recommend it. This is due to the way the baby dangles in it... the pressures on the pelvic structures and lowest vertebrae are not good. (Same is true for the doorway bouncers or putting them in an exersaucer before they can stand).

I HIGHLY recommend the Ergo. It is by far my favorite carrier. It looks like a backpack, but is not rigid. It is very easy to take baby in and out. My husband loves it too. And it is the only thing that can almost immediately calm my daughter when she fusses. www.ergobabycarrier.com

Also visit www.happybottomus.com. It is a great store in Lee's Summit, but they also have a baby-wearing class you can go to. Click on the calendar.

Congratulations on your adoption. As an adopted child myself, it makes my heart happy to hear your story.

Good luck & happy baby-wearing!

Yours in health,
Dr. Alyssa

I love my maya wrap ring sling. I use it a lot, both for my 17 month old, and occasionally for my 4 year old. I got it when my oldest was a baby and used it tons, but when my second was a baby I got a wrap (long piece of fabric) and I love love loved it. It was hard to get the hang of (I practiced before she was born), but is very easy once you get used to a couple of ways to tie it. I jut got a long piece of fabric. She could always sleep in it and felt so snugged in close. I also have used a mei tai, and I really want one. I've used baby bjorn and it was okay, but not nearly as good on my back or snug for my baby. Here's a great website... http://www.wearyourbaby.com/ ... enjoy your little baby! A sling is a great way to bond.

K.

I can't use the baby bjorn or any carrier of that style. It hurts my back, and it's not really good for baby's spinal column until they are older. My absoulute favorite (I have three!) is the mamasmilk sling pouch. It sounds complicated, but once you get the hang of it.....awesome. It was wonderful for the newborn stage, I could put him in there all curled up and walk through walmart, or around the house, and he would just sleep. Now that he is older, i "wear" him on my hip, and I don't have to worry that he will fall, or that my arms will get tired.

The karma pouch sling is nice if you don't want to have to worry about adjusting the velcro or straps, you just want to make sure you get the right size. I don't like this one for the hip carry. It is one long peice of fabric that folds in half without stiching so I don't feel like it holds his butt in the pocket as well. Safety first.

So all in all, I love my mamasmilk pouch slings. The best 50.00 bucks I have EVER spent!

www.mykarmababy.com
www.mamasmilk.com

Hi A.!

What a great idea about adopting first, we are thinking of adoption after having a few bio kids of our own. I got the standard Baby Bjorn type pack from Target that you wear on your front. It was okay, but I think next time I will get one that you can wear baby on your hip, much easier to get to things you need and include baby more than the "front loading" ones allow :).

Congrats!
S.

The only one I've used is the Baby Bjorn. I thought it was comfortable and the baby could face me, then face out as he got bigger. My husband even thought it was comfortable.

I really like the Maya wrap. It's one big piece of fabric looped through rings. It's hard to get used to, but it comes with a dvd instruction that I would recommend watching right away. It's very comfortable and doesn't hurt my back as the weight is distributed across the back and shoulders. I like that baby can be positioned several ways. I've used mine when my girls were less than one week to over one year old. Good luck choosing. There are many out there and I'm sure you'll find one you like!

I had a Moby Wrap and hated it. I found it to be difficult to put on, uncomfortable for baby and me, and very hot (even in the winter). I ended up selling it.

We also have a Snugli. Its not bad, but nothing fancy. After a while it will make my back hurt. My husband does use this one occasionally.

I bought a Mei Tai off ebay (keepyourbabyclose). I LOVE it. Its easy to use, comfortable, and baby loves it. It was about $50, but worth every penny. It can be used until baby is 35lbs and in several different positions. It can be a front carrier, back carrier or even a hip carrier. There are several companies that make Mei Tai's, so you can shop around, but I feel like I got a good deal on E-bay.