Hi Moms! I'm expecting my second in August. I still need to have two hands free to keep track of my 2 1/2 year old so I'm considering purchasing a Snugli, Baby Bjorn, etc. type carrier. Does anyone have any experience good or bad with these type of carriers. They are expensive and I would hate to purchase one and then not like or use it. Thanks for any insight!
K.,
I had a Jeep brand front carrier that I used for only 2 months; just became was to uncomfortable to wear. I bought a sling from Kangarookorner.com, and love it. My son is 8 months old and weights 23 lbs and this still works great. I paid $50 bucks for it but it was the best 50 bucks I have spent on an item like that. They are adjustable and come in some many different patterns and materials.
Good Luck and Congrats,
J.
The problem with the carriers is that they begin to pinch the shoulders after a while, hard on newborns and cause a problem with spine and hip alignment sometimes. I really recomend either the Ultimate baby wrap that gives you 5 positions including breastfeeding with both hands free and never hurts you or baby.It really lets you take care of baby, sibling and you at the same time. I also have the hotsling that is perfect for quip trips, folds up and fits in you diaper bag and you never have to carry a car seat again. Better for both of you.
I carry both at The Nesting Place. Call me
K. @ The Nestingplace or www.thenestingplace.biz
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I used a baby bjorn and liked it, but liked my sling a lot better. I got an inexpensive one at Babies R Us, and they've come a LONG way since then! Try Mei Tei, I've heard wonderful things about them.
http://www.meitaibaby.com/
http://www.theslingstation.com/ also has great info on slings or wraps. This site is a good place to start with info on baby wearing http://www.wearyourbaby.org/.
I like how versatile they are, and easy to get on/off. Also terrific if breast feeding since many people are able to do it discreetly in the sling.
I liked the cheap Infantino carrier that you can get at Walmart or Target. I had an expensive Baby Bjorn and it was so uncomfortable. The Infantino comes in cute patterns, padded shoulder straps, and criss crosses in the back for good support.
I would not recommend the snugli or any of that type..when I used them, they very quickly began to dig into my shoulders and hurt as the baby grew....THE BEST carriers (slings actually) that I've found are on www.hotslings.com. If you prefer one you can adjust and don't have to buy a 'size' www.zolowear.com is great! I've used these with all three of mine and it's really great...OH and these can be used to around 30 lbs so sometimes I carry my 2.5 yr old as well! (Hotslings also has a swim sling that I have, too)
GET A SLING!!! I can't stress it enough--they are a life saver!! They are awesome, cheap, fold up to nothing,you don't have any straps or buckles to mess with and you can use them as your child grows without killing your back. I got mine at www.slinglings.com and the gal that runs it has great customer service--I'm actually in one of her promotional pictures on the site. My daughter is almost 15 months and I've used it since day one and still do to this day--I couldn't imagine trying to carry her in a carrier at this age but she loves to be "slung". Hope this helps!!
BABY B'JORN. It was recommended to me and I was told...skip all others...despite price...this one is most comfortable for mom and baby. I used it with two children....loved it.
K.
Hello K.,
We went through the baby carier research stage and found that the Baby Bjorn proved to be the best. We tried all price points including the Snugli and found out that the Snugli was very difficult to use even when we tried to strap a stuffed teddy bear in it. You must keep in mind this has been five years ago, but we are using it with our youngest child who has finally out grown it. The Baby Bjorn is easy to use, washes great and is easy to make adjustments. My brother saw us using it and could not believe how easy it was to use that he bought two of them for his twin girls who are 8 months old. I highly reccommend it even though it is expensive.
Hi K.!!!
I preferred the Baby Bjorn. I first registered for a Snugli brand (I think it was) because it was the less expensive alternative. But personally, I thought the straps were too complicating and very uncomfortable. The Baby Bjorn has straps that are designed to supoprt your back and it was a breeze to put our daughter in and out of. I found my Baby Bjorn at TJ Maxx in the baby section for a lot less than they sell at Babies R Us and Target. Of course those places like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls are hit or miss though - but check them out. I have also seen them at Burlington Baby Depot for less as well.
Good luck and congratulations!!
-Char
K., I'm due end of July and looking at the same thing! A lady at USA baby just showed me the Bjorn Air Carrier today, it has mesh so it breathes and is not suppossed to be so hot in the Texas summers. The other ones have really thick padding. I'm going to look into that one more! Good Luck! J.
K., I have a Baby Bjorn that has barely been used. If you want it, PM me and we can work out an awesome deal!
=) S.
The Baby Bjorn, Snugli and other carriers that are similar in style are bad on the baby's hips and spine because they are being supported by the crotch.
You should get something that supports the baby by the buttocks. I'd recommend either a Mei Tai with the baby in fetal position and facing you or a pouch style sling (like a Hotsling). Most newborns will do well with the pouch because it reminds them of being curled up en utero.
baby bjorn is the best!!!!!!!! Good back support for you or hubby.
I.
Baby Bjorn is the absolute best! I got one with my oldest and used it for all of my kids - 4 and I even shared it with friends. You can buy new - or you could look on ebay for a used one or go to kid to kid - there is one at Midway and Parker - there are other locations too. Mine came in so handy for meal prep and esp. for grocery shopping - the baby just loved to be close and hang out - my husband even used it a few times. It has great back support - it adjust very quickly to whomever is using it too. - Good Luck! -R.
I have 3 kids and used the snugli sling when they were newbors. It is great for easy in and out. I also found myself with a hungry baby in the grocery store often and was able to nurse the baby in the sling without anyone even noticing, just wear a cardigan sweater to cover up the pulled up shirt in the back. When they were a little bigger I used both the snugli carrier and the baby bjorn (a friends). I recommend the Bjorn, but they are more expensive. Hope this helps.
