My Babywearing Journey - The Road to the Perfect Carrier

I knew when I first started reading about babywearing that it would be something that I'd want to try out. I stocked up on 2 Hotslings before E was born (one was given to me as a gift and the other I purchased) and was able to borrow a Snugli from a friend who received two at her shower.

Then I had E. And it got a little difficult after 3 months to get comfortable (and get him comfortable) with the sling. He also didn't seem to be too comfortable in the Snugli. He was a chunker.

So I started researching other methods of babywearing. And the one that seemed the most  feasable was buying a wrap. I didn't get a Moby Wrap but I got something similar made by a WAH mom. It was basically 6 yards of jersey knit cotton cut in 1/2 lengthwise and serged on the edges. A DIY moby wrap. But so much easier to have someone else DIY it :)

And this worked amazingly well for a few months. I felt comfortable, E felt secure and all was right with the world. Until it got super hot. So we stopped babywearing as much and got some good use out of our stroller. Then the day came when the Ergo went on sale on BabySteals.com... again.

See, I missed it the first time because I was too slow to order. Then I saw it again and didn't think Joseph would go for paying $70 for a baby carrier. I waited till they were still in stock the next day on the website before even bringing it up with Joseph. And he said if it's easier on you, go for it! So I did! And my Ergo was delivered about 3 weeks after I ordered it (maybe a bit longer due to the large demand and mass quantities being shipped).

And ever since I opened that package and tried it out I've been in love. The ease and use of the Ergo is just fabulous. It's light, sturdy and keeps me and my babies cool or warm depending on the weather. I could wear E in front or on my back depending on where we were and, during my pregnancy, how big I had gotten. I think I carried him on my back up until I was 30 weeks pregnant. And I only stopped because he preferred his stroller or walking to being worn.

With having a newborn again I didn't know what I would prefer. Or what she would prefer. E was awesome and never minded being carried but I had heard stories from friends about their efforts to wear their babies with no luck. The babies just weren't having it. So I asked for an Ergo Infant Insert for Christmas (and received two!) and hoped for the best.

When we went on our first few outings with Miss M I chose to use the same sling I used with E. And she didn't complain one bit. Then I tried out the Ergo with the infant insert. It was pretty nice. But I didn't quite like the insert. So when Miss M started showing signs of having good control of her head and neck I tried the Ergo without the insert (I think it was around 8-10 weeks?). She did great!

And I haven't used my slings (or the Snugli) since. It's been Ergo all the way. But since Miss M is a heck of a lot more petite than her brother I may have better luck with the Snugli if she prefers to look out. She keeps trying to crane her neck around to see what's going on when she's wide awake and not as snuggly. So we'll see...

1 comment(s) with love:

Alanna said... Reply To This Comment

We LOVE the Ergo too! I used the Moby at home with Sam, but anytime we were out and about I preferred the Ergo, since the long tails of the Moby were always dragging on the ground while I'd be putting it on by the car. The Ergo is SO much easier for that. Until Sam was about 7 or 8 months, when she started getting furious if she couldn't face out, so we switched to the Bjorn Active for that. I use the Ergo on my back now sometimes, and she thinks it's hilarious. :)