baby carrier questions
Apr. 22nd, 2007 06:37 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
celticdragonflyI'd like to get some opinions on a new baby carrier.
We've used several kinds before. I was given a didymos when my 2nd was born, and it's worked fairly well for me in front carrier position. I never got it to work in the back. I haven't been able to nurse in it, but then I've never been able to nurse in any sling - I suspect that only works for women less endowed.
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selenite finds the didymos too complex to use and prefers a simple sling. I'm fine with him using it, but it gives me neckaches and pins down one arm too much.
I've been thinking of buying another carrier - partially to make it easier to do baby tradeoffs, and also because I want to be able to use the back position when the baby's older.
The two I'm considering are the Baby Trekker, and the Ergo baby carrier. I'm looking for opinions and help deciding which is better.
We're all of us large people. The Ergo has a waist extender strap you can buy. The Trekker comes in a regular size or a large size. The latter sounds a bit better to me. The Ergo has a baby hood shade, which we saw in use by a couple we talked to this weekend -selenite thought that was a really nice feature. The Trekker has the straps criss-crossed on the back, which looks more comfortable than the straight backpack style straps with the chest strap. I've read that the Ergo does a good job on helping the back stress, though. All the Ergo positions are about baby facing inward, which I've read is the best - Trekker back position has the baby facing out, I don't like that much.
Opinions? Also posted on![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-community.gif)
geekmoms, trying to think of anywhere else helpful to put this.
We've used several kinds before. I was given a didymos when my 2nd was born, and it's worked fairly well for me in front carrier position. I never got it to work in the back. I haven't been able to nurse in it, but then I've never been able to nurse in any sling - I suspect that only works for women less endowed.
selenite finds the didymos too complex to use and prefers a simple sling. I'm fine with him using it, but it gives me neckaches and pins down one arm too much. I've been thinking of buying another carrier - partially to make it easier to do baby tradeoffs, and also because I want to be able to use the back position when the baby's older.
The two I'm considering are the Baby Trekker, and the Ergo baby carrier. I'm looking for opinions and help deciding which is better.
We're all of us large people. The Ergo has a waist extender strap you can buy. The Trekker comes in a regular size or a large size. The latter sounds a bit better to me. The Ergo has a baby hood shade, which we saw in use by a couple we talked to this weekend -
selenite thought that was a really nice feature. The Trekker has the straps criss-crossed on the back, which looks more comfortable than the straight backpack style straps with the chest strap. I've read that the Ergo does a good job on helping the back stress, though. All the Ergo positions are about baby facing inward, which I've read is the best - Trekker back position has the baby facing out, I don't like that much. Opinions? Also posted on
geekmoms, trying to think of anywhere else helpful to put this.![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2007-04-23 12:08 am (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2007-04-23 01:20 am (UTC)Also, www.thebabywearer.com
Also, www.nineinnineout.org and www.mamatoto.org
NINO may have a local chapter where you can try things on and get one-on-one help (your didy is a fantastic back carrier, but the techniques do require a lot of practice and a spotter.)
As for specific carriers:
I am NOT fond of buckle packs for back carries. I am plus sized and they all dig in at my waist and armpits, even when they are extended properly. I can go into a lot of technical stuff about why this is so, but the fact of the matter is that I find mei tais more foolproof, easy and comfortable, every time. That said, Ergos are "okay"... but the Beco and Angelpack LX are both *so* much prettier... and come in funky guy-friendly fabrics too. One of the neatest combos right now is the Beco with an additional Slipskinz cover for more fashion options--you can get one Beco and the Slipskin can turn it "extra girly" or "super macho" pretty easily.
I do not recommend the Trekker. It is overly upholstered for not a lot of net gain in comfort, and the position it holds baby in is not ideal, IMO.
I wear my beco with the straps crossed in back at times, but find the new Piccolo from Catbird Baby (not sure if it's released yet, I have a tester) is far easier to get in and out of than any other buckle carrier I've tried. I have a hard time reaching across my giant bust and baby to fasten a clip--the Piccolo has dual adjustments that make it very easy to deal with.
But still...mei tais. Much simpler, usually cheaper, gorgeous and VERY comfortable. My favorites right now are the Freehand mei tais and Babyhawk's new toddlerhawk carrier. I have standard sized of both of those and they fit me just fine. If you are more than 50 inches around the waist, you may want to get longer straps, but for me, both are just fine with standard straps. Kozy Carriers are also excellent, but the larger body means that for me, it is either a newborn carrier or a toddler carrier, we didn't get along with it too well for the "middling baby" stage. The Freehand is excellent for a wide range, and the Babyhawk standard with headrest is good for younger babies-toddlers and the Toddlerhawk is probably best for 18 months and up, although it can be rolled.
I can nurse in a mei tai, and i can nurse in a ring sling or oversized pouch, but nursing hands free is rare and nursing walking around is dangerous for me, my baby will bite me if I try it.