Hi, any suggestion on baby wearer products. there are so many out there not sure which to pick? my son is 4 months old and I can tell he likes to face out to be able to watch things. thanks in advance for your help.
I used the Baby Bjorn for my first child and absolutely loved it. It was easy to use and comfortable for baby and me.
My little one is 22 lbs at 6 months. We do both front and back carries in a wrap or a mei tai.
I have a Moby wrap which I love. It can be used for up to 35 lbs, though a lot of moms find it stretches too much with a heavier baby. It's really versatile - front wraps are very poppable for both facing in and facing out, and I also do back wraps, though I'm not very good at getting secure back wraps without help. When I have someone to help me the back wrap is our most comfortable carry. You can get a new Moby wrap for under $40.
The one I'm using most now is a simple mei tai, homemade from the design at haveaballbaby.com. It doesn't do facing out, but I can get a secure back carry easily, and it also does front carries. Haveaballbaby.com gives their design out for free on the condition that if you make one for yourself you also make one to give away, so this one was given to me.
If I could get another one I would get a half buckle tai from twomommasdesigns.com. I've tried one on, and I like the convenience of being able to tie the shoulder straps as I like, and the comfort of a contoured and padded buckle waist strap. I think it's the best of both worlds between simple mei tais and structured carriers like the Ergo (which I was never able to adjust to my comfort). It costs $59, so significantly less than the Ergo, and more supportive than the Baby Bjorn for both baby and parent, so can be used for heavier babies.
I have a Kelty brand carrier that you can use to wear your baby in either direction.
I love it.
It's the only carrier that doesn't KILL my back.
Kelty is a backpack / hiking quality brand.
I like the Infantino hipster. It is pretty confortable, and the baby rests/sits on your hip, just like when you hold them there. Found mine at target
Baby Bjorn rocks - with the cheap ones you get what you pay for. Also consider that your baby would soon be old enough for a backpack style carrier. (about 6 mo when they can sit fairly well). My kids loved being up and seeing the world and both of my hands were free (usually to chase other children)
I have used the Infantino brand. You can get it at WalMart for about $20. It works great!!
I used a snugli for my daugher and we both loved it. Make sure you get one that is easy to open on both sides. The first carrier I had didn't open, you had to slide the baby in and out and it she was asleep, you couldn't get her out without waking het up. My daughter loved it. She would just go to sleep while I walked!
I'd recommend the Snuggli from Wal-Mart (and probably Target et al), but I found the clips and things to be impossible. Two thumbs down!!
Actually, even though the Ergo isn't forward facing, my daughter sounds very similar to your son - likes to face out and see the world, and I thought it would be a problem, but it really isn't. Especially when we do the back position. Now that your son is 4 months old, I believe he's ready to be on your back.
Even when I wear her in the front-carry position, she seems to be able to see enough by looking around to be content. And this is saying a lot because she's a very active kid!
Have fun with your littlun :)
L.
I have slings from slinglings.com and love, love, love them. They are fitted to your size, but depending on size of others that help, they may be able to wear him also. The slings are multipositional so you can wear him on the hip, back, facing in, facing out, or laying down.
I have used a hotsling and a Kelty Kids carrier. I liked both. The only thing with the hotsling is that it is fitted to you, so you can't share it with hubby/grandma, or whoever else might wear him. The Kelty Kids carrier is great, because it just snaps right on, and is VERY adjustable- it will fit anyone! I am extremely busty, and while I was breastfeeding, even more so- and there was STILL room to make it a LOT bigger! It was about $40 at Babies R Us. Babies can face forward or face you in that carrier. The hotsling has several different ways to wear them, and works until 35 lbs I believe.
Baby Bjorn has a infant carrier that also includes back support which is great. I have had numerous infant carriers that let you wear your baby and this is one of the best. He can face out and see the world. You can also place him towards you if he wishes. Hope this helps.
HI! I also have a Slingling and LOVE it! I had a New Native sling and I never could get it to fit just right and my boys were never comfortable in it. The Slingling is awesome and the lady who makes them can answer any of your sizing/wearing questions. I also have a Bjorn and love it as well. They are both recommended for up to 30 pounds. Good luck!
