Saturday, June 23, 2007

Gratuitous Babywearing Conversation with Myself

So I have a rather addictive personality. In that I easily become obsessed with certain things. I come from a long line of actual addicts, so it doesn't surprise me. So I have always had an aversion to all compounds that could hurt me if I became addicted (i.e. drugs, alcohol). Sure, I enjoy a bottle of wine now and then. But I don't make a habit of it.

Currently, I am obsessed with baby carriers. I already own this ring-sling.
It is a great option, but it is better with a smaller baby. I find the single-shoulder carry starts to get uncomfortable after 20 min. with my 18 lbs boy. And I stand with one hip jutting out to counterbalance, and that hurts my back.


So I think that I want a wrap carrier. The local store sells this one. My concern is that it is made of a cotton jersey knit. I have heard that the more stretch the fabric has, the more you have to adjust it while wearing (the weight of the baby stretches it out and then it isn't tight enough). Wraps are also kind of cumbersome for quick trips - it takes time to tie them. And the ends will drag on the ground while you are tying it (bummer if you are trying to put it on outside without getting it dirty). But it completely distributes the weight of the baby around your torso, which I love. I bought a length of cheapo fabric from Walmart to try some carries and loved the concept.


It is quite obvious, however, that my husband is NOT going to wear BB like the guy pictured above. I have yet to convince him that slings are manly attire. On the advice of a friend, I am considering the Er.go carrier. She drools over it, and she is the owner of everything from a Baby Bjorn (she hated it) to an organic cotton mei tai. The Er.go is rather manly, don't you think? So, if I am going to spend another $100 on a baby carrier, I should consider getting something he would wear too, right?

Anyone have any experience with the Trek.ker? The sales people at the Baby Gear store are pretty pushy about those, but my friend claims that the Er.go is better. But then again, the Trek.ker is Canadian (buy local, people!).







Does anyone have any preferences they want to share with me? I can't justify getting another ring sling (i.e. the beloved Ma.ya Wrap). But I am interested in opinions regarding the other options.

10 comments:

Kathy McC said...

Does the guy come with the Ergo sling? ;-) Just wondering...Neither of my boys wanted to be "worn", so I never ended up with anything that I know works. Good luck!

SWH said...

I've heard that with non-little babies people really like the ergo...

And I am very similar regarding getting addicted to things. I planned on cloth diapering last time and bought a whole bunch of sample packages of different types, but when you combine them all i think i have way more than i need (for size small).

I also already have two slings (Maya Wrap and New Native pouch)... and sometimes i find myself wanting to get a new one... and this is all before I've even put a baby in one!

good luck picking one!

Lori said...

Well, I have to admit that I am a fan of the Baby Bjorn (sport model- more comfortable and supportive). However, like Kathy, my babies weren't all that big on being "worn" (something the attachment parenting gurus fail to mention is a possibility, I find). Once my babies were bigger, I often used just a good ol' backpack. I like the smaller models, not the ones designed for serious hiking and such. All of my babies loved sitting up so high and having a much better view of the world.

delphi said...

I guess I am lucky in that BB doesn't mind being worn. I don't put him on in the morning like a pair of socks or anything :) - but he does well when I wear him grocery shopping or at a wedding dance or something. Or when I need to be out when he is supposed to be napping, I can sometimes get him to sleep in the sling. I don't know how/if he would sleep in a carrier where he sat vertically - he hasn't fallen asleep in any position other than horizontal for months....

Unknown said...

I SWEAR by the Bjorn air carrier. My friend Jess at seccang.blogspot.com still carries her 25 pounds little girl in her mei tai.
That's all I got.

missing_one said...

I love the Ergo!! My husband wears it, I wear it. I even wore my 2 year old son in it for 3 hours when we were visiting Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and I was 7 months pregnant (it was so comfortable!)
I've hiked with it for hours at a time (after going through several carriers) This is the best one for the money because you can wear it for babies a month old to toddlers AND it folds up so nicely. Don't be disuaded if you get it and have problems figuring out how to get it on and off. Practice and you'll become a pro and love it. It's also so easy to nurse the babies in descetely because you just lower the straps and don't even have to take it off and doubles as a nursing cover and supports the baby.
I love it. You can find great prices on EBAY for it too.
We also had the Baby Bjorn and loved it, but I recoment the BB Active carrier because of the cushy back support. The baby is just not in it very long. Also a great buy on Ebay

Aurelia said...

It's baby trekker forever for me. I have a bad back, and it works front or back, outward facing or inward facing. My husband loved it too, he wore our kids everywhere in it for years. Very unisex. It folds up into itself, so it's totally easy, and washes in the machine.

If you are going for any kind of serious long range walks/hiking, check out Mountain Equipment Co-op's backpack carrier's. Again, absolutely brilliant, Canadian, well-made,

Anonymous said...

Ah, a fellow compulsive ;) I did stacks of research into carriers, but unfortunately a permanent back issue has meant I couldnt use mine as much as I wanted. We used a baby bjorn which was ok, but I think the ergo seems like a great option, esp being able to carry front, back, or even on the hip.

I warms my heart to see you having so much fun with something so baby-related :)

Anonymous said...

I have the Baby Trekker and absolutely love it. My daughter is 14 months and I can wear her for ages (either on the front or back) with absolutely no problems. Would definitely recommend it, and its a perk that its Canadian made.

Mrs. Collins said...

I can't wait to wear my baby!! I bought a slingy type one with Jimmy, but since I didn't get to take him home I have never used it. Plus I'm sorta afraid I might hang myself with it. I guess I'll get one when Critter arrives, but you know how it is, I won't buy one until I've got him in my arms.