Sling - Plano,TX

I just had my first baby 2 months ago, and he ALWAYS wants to be held whether he's awake or sleeping, so I researched slings and carriers for a long time before I settled on a hotsling. It's WONDERFUL!!! The website is www.hotslings.com. They make slings to custom-fit you, and they aren't too expensive. They have a lot of cute fabrics too. Wearing a sling takes some getting used to for both you and the baby, but it's worth it. Hope this helps.

I would recommend that you look into the Ergo carrier or the Patapum. I have the Patapum and love it. It's for when they're too big for the sling.

I have used different slings/pouches over the years, starting with the easy to find but much too padded NoJo. I currently use a Maya Wrap (that is six years old and all my children have been worn in) - obviously my favorite - and from time to time if the baby is asleep and especially if I'll be walking a lot (Grocery store! mall) I use a homemade Mei Tai which I just love.

E.,

You should check out the responses to the sling/carrier question that I posed last week. I got some really great responses about different slings for infants and toddlers.

I am trying out a few that were suggested on my trip later this month...I'll let you know if I find one that I fall in love with.

Good luck and Congrats on Baby #2

J.

I have two carriers that I really love - my Maya Wrap and my Kozy Carrier. The Maya is great for newborns, and for "popability". It's what I choose when I'm going to be running errands and would putting baby in and taking him out a lot. My Kozy is a mei tei style carrier and it is my workhorse - takes a little longer to put on but I can wear it for hours comfortably, and it gives me much better freedom of movement.

There is a learning curve involved in using most of these carriers, but if you get a good quality one that fits well, and you learn how to use it, they are invaluable. I didn't even use a stroller at all with my last child because I liked my carriers so much.

Locally, you can check out The Sling Station:
http://www.theslingstation.com/

There you can see a lot of different types of carriers in person, and they offer babywearing classes periodically.

E. I used the Ultimate baby wrap for my fist born. He loved it and I loved it and my husband loved it. It comes with a video to show the different ways to use it. I bought mine online from babies r us. Here is the website...
www.theultimatebabywrap.com

S.

Hi E.,

On a recent trip back home, a cousin of mine, who has a toddler and a 5 month old, had a sling called the maya wrap. It looked very comfortable and you can wear it different ways. It would also come in handy if you plan on breastfeeding. Check out the website www.mayawrap.com

I DON'T HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE WITH THE SLING BUT I BOUGHT A REALLY EXPENSIVE FRONT CARRIER THAT I HATED. IT HURT MY BACK SO BAD. I BOUGHT AN INFANTINO FRONT CARRIER AT WALMART AND I LOVE IT. SO DOES MY SON. IT'S VERY COMFY AND WAS ONLY $12.

i bought 2 different kinds of slings but still they all just seemed to offer no back support and it just kind of wadded the baby up into the fetal position .. but it looked SO uncomfortable on the back/neck... I think that if you use them from the get go, they're a lot easier... but I didn't start until after mine was a wiggle worm. I've seen babies just love to be in them.. but mine hated it! I bought a New Native Baby Carrier (not adjustable) and also bought one of those big huge ones that looks like you're wearing a freakin bed sheet with an adjustable cord. Kid was lost in all the fabric.

BUT...

I have seen one -- I can't remember where though - just checked Babies R Us website and One Step Ahead's website and neither have it..but it's a sling that has more back support so kiddo isn't just squished into a little ball with his knees in his nose.

:) Good luck.

I love my sling!!! I got mine from chickabeez.com .. the one I used has no buckles or rings and doesn't have the extra material hanging off! Very cozy and fits great! I used the sling until my daughter was getting too heavy (about 10 months old) then I switched to a mei tai...my last one came from cobaltcarriers.com ...it is great for both the front and the back...again with no buckles or rings!
Good luck and congratulations!!

I use a storchenweige wrap (that I bought at www.theslingstation.com) and a Kozy carrier (http://www.kozycarrier.homestead.com/). Right now my small 6 month old prefers the wrap, but I think the kozy would be great for your older baby.

I'm only 5'0".

also check out http://www.thebabywearer.com/

I know you've gotten a lot of responses, but I wanted to throw in mine b/c I'm about the same height as you are :)

I had a maya wrap and loved it for the first few months -- BUT b/c I'm short (5' 1") the maya was hard after my ds started gaining weight. b/c of my height, I obviously have a short torso and that's where most of baby's weight sits, and you support the maya w/ your shoulder - which can be painful after a while. I never thought b/4 I bought it that I'd have to consider my height in my decision. If I had it to do over again, I'd buy a frankencozy b/c the weight is distributed over both shoulders and your back and waist, or any other carrier that went over both shoulders!
In the beginning a simple pouch (or maya) is great, but as baby puts on weight - I really recommend something that helps you carry baby w/ more of your body than a maya.
Congrats and good luck!
--S.