Baby Carriers

Megan was 9 months old when I decided that I needed to have something to carry her in. I'd used the Snugly infant carrier until she was 4-months old, but I felt like every time I bent over she was going to fall out of it! She was happy in it (facing me or out), but I wasn't happy with her in it as she got bigger.

I had a friend who used a sling. It looked a little funny to me at first- you know, kinda "mother-earthy" and all that. I wasn't too sure about using one myself. I can't remember what finally convinced me to go ahead and try it, but I bought the rings, found some sewing directions, purchased some fun thread and plain muslin fabric and put one together.

Nana- giving my shoulder a break-
carried Megan this way letting her look out at the world.

It was super easy and was an immediate hit with me. It was versatile: I could carry her, let her sleep, nurse her, put her facing in/out, on my hip or even on my back. She was happy in it, and it was a life-saver for when she got older to get her to sleep at church (until I stopped nursing, anyway).

Then, I moved to South Bend, and I saw this new kind of infant carrier- a Moby Wrap (or similar style, that's just the brand name). Again, I was hesitant to try something new. I was certain the sling was enough, and there was not reason to get anything else. My neighbor bought one and let me try it with Miranda. WOW. She was snuggled in, it was soooo comfortable to carry her. I talked to friends and figured out how to make my own, and found some resources on how to wrap the baby up using different styles.

Can you believe I was nursing Miranda?
She fell asleep and we walked another couple of hours
before she woke up. She was 8 months old on this trip.

So, which is best? Here are my thoughts:

Infant "pack" (Bjorn, Snuggly, etc)

PROS

1. weight distributed across back/shoulders
   
2. gender neutral (I've seen many a dad wear this as much as a mom)
   

CONS

1. although baby can technically face both ways, I've never felt like the infant looks all that comfortable, especially as the baby grows.
   
2. as baby gets bigger, the weight seems to not be as comfortable
   
3. as baby gets bigger, seems like she will fall out if you bend over
4. All those loops/straps/cinches
5. Not very easy to nurse (although I've heard a few say it is possible)
   
6. Cost! I haven't seen anything cheaper than $40, and most are around $80+
   

Sling

PROS

1. super fast to put on (if you leave the sling threaded through the rings)
   
2. easy to switch baby's position (sitting forward, toward you, hip, laying down, on your back) without moving the sling much
   
3. Easy to nurse baby while completely modest.
4. COST! To make your own (you'll need a sewing machine) it's $5 for the rings, and the cost of 2.5 yards of material, and thread. A friend of mine sewed two for $22 (purchasing linen during a 40%-off sale)
   

CONS

1. If carrying for a long time, shoulder can begin to hurt
   
2. Need to learn (simple) trick of how to thread material through rings, how to adjust to get right tightness on infant, and how to get baby in/out
   
3. Not quite as gender neutral (I haven't seen any dad's use this- Travis tried a few times, but I don't think he liked it much)
4. If you buy this already made, you're looking at $40-$80
   

I nursed Megan to sleep while we were looking at Bridal Veil Falls.
Megan is eleven months old here.

Moby Wrap

PROS

1. Perfect for carrying baby around a long time- weight is well distributed around hips and shoulders, while still held in snugly (I can bend over and not worry about baby falling out)
   
2. Can carry baby face in/out, on your hip, on your back (see #4 below)
   
3. Can nurse while in wrap (see #4 below)
4. More gender neutral (I've seen quite a few dads use these- not as many as the infant packs, though)
5. COST: By far the cheapest to "make": you get 5 or 6 yards of interlock knit fabric (60" wide) and cut it into 20" strips. I waited until the fabric went on sale, and spent $30 and made three wraps.
   

CONS

1. Takes a bit to learn how to put it on
   
2. Can get the baby in the wrong way and she isn't secure
   
3. It's LONG, and I've had it drag on the ground (i.e. much easier to get dirty)
4. If you want to change baby's position, it isn't quick; you almost have to undo the entire wrap and start over. Some holds require assistance from somebody else, or odd positions to get the baby in the right way (e.g. to nurse or carry baby on your back)
5. Buying online, already made, they run $40+
   

Travis carried Miranda for a few hours this way-
even on the boat trip to the base of Niagara Falls.

Overall, I wouldn't spend any money on an infant pack. They don't seem to be very versatile, and they don't seem to work so well for when the baby gets older (I haven't tried a Baby Bjorn, tho'). So, sling vs. wrap? I actually recommend both! The sling is perfect if you need to quickly get the baby picked up and keep moving. It's fast to put on or take off, and baby can be in any position (or switch) quickly. Also, nursing is super easy with this- the tail makes a great cover-up. But, I love my wrap for long-term carrying. It distributes the weight more evenly. One can still carry the infant in many different holds (facing in/out, on hip, on back, or even nursing), but it takes a lot of practice to get good at getting them in the right position, and you can't switch between them without re-wrapping.

So, borrow a sewing machine, buy some fabric, and make both a sling and a wrap! (I'd be happy to help you!!!)