Baby Carriers for Busty Mother

I've had good luck with the mei tai and the Nojo. I tried pouches but they never wanted to sit right. I'd stay away from the bjorn/graco/snuggli types, if only because they're bad for baby's hip and spine development. Anything that leaves their legs dangling straight down and hangs them by their crotch is bad news. ;)

Good luck!

I tried two different ones and found that "hip hammock" is the best for me. It has two straps and both can adjust to different sizes (easily). Hope this helps!
M.

D., check out handsfreebaby.com. Karen is awesome! I have 2 carriers that I got from her. There was just a simliar request last week. I've copied and pasted Karen's response to that below. Good luck. Traci

From: Karen T Date: Tue. Feb. 27, 2007 Since Traci already plugged me, I will go ahead and add to the suggestions you have already gotten! The one thing you want to look for in any good carrier is how the baby is held. Just think of how you hold your baby in your arms, they are held in the cradle hold, or on your arms or hip, but in both positions thay are butt below the knees. You do not hold them by their crotch and let their legs dangle down. Having them in a sitting or cradle posittion allows for their spines to curve in a natural C positiotn, instead of arching back as they tend to do when you support them only by their crotch. Thier spines curved correctly is better for baby, and less strain on your back when you hold them in a carrier.
That said, the Moby is a Stretchy Wrap, essentailly a long peice of cloth that you wrap around yourself and baby. Great for newborns and little ones, but does tend to stretch a bit to much after 25 lbs. There are also a large variety of woven wraps out there that are supportive for heavier weights that would work great now also.
HotSlings are great pouches which can be used from newborn up. I LOVE the ease of a pouch, but pouches and ring slings are one shoulder carriers, so may not be as comfortable on your back for long periods of time.
Mei Tais (or Asian back carriers) are rectangle peices of material with straps on top and bottom (think of a really pretty print Snugli with wide support for babies bottom and straps instead of buckles). They can be used to carry baby on front, hip or back.
Someone also mentioned the ERGO. This is a great carrier for all ages, and if you like that "structured, buckles" look, is a wonderful choice. This is the carrier I use most right now (along with my woven wrap), I have a 16 month old whom I back carry, while 27 weeks pregnant.
thebabywearer.com is a great site to go to , but very overwelming at first, you will literally see hundreds of choices!! Best bet is fine some near to you where you can try on carriers to see what is right for you. So many people try wearing their baby in one type of carrier and don't like it and quit - like the woman who posted and said she did not like the sling "but may not have been wearing it right" - getting help from someone with babywearing experience can make such a difference! Oh, and you can wear your baby in most carriers so that they can see what is going on. Or find a NINO meeting near you (Nine In Nine Out - the Babywearing Organization), you can find them at www.nineinnineout.org.
If you go to my website (Traci posted it), and go to Types of carrier up top, you can see a good explination of the different types of carriers that are out their.
We are in Felton, DE - not sure where you live, but if you send me a message, I may be able to track down a vendor near you.
Good luck and Happy Babywearing!!
Karen

I love the Ergo http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

I started using it when my daughter was about 6 months old and still use it at 20 months. It keeps her in a very comfortable sitting position instead of hanging like in a Bjorn. It can be used front, side and back.

Hi D.!

I have a 38I bra size when I'm nursing (maybe larger this time - eek, still growing!) and i've noticed that I didn't have any problems with the Snugli carrier with my first daughter (I'm currently pregnant with the second, so we'll have to see how that one goes) when she was smaller. The thing even fit my husband, who's a size 54 chest!

I don't know if you tried it, but it might be worth looking into. I got mine as a hand-me-down and hadn't even thought about it, but I never noticed that it was uncomfortable during the time that I got to use it with the first. :)

Good luck!
J.

I used the Bjorn carrier and I also have a DD chest, my husband who has a wide chest could also use it. Bjorn also sells a carrier for heavier women that can be adjusted which might give you more room in the chest. We loved the Baby Bjorn, it was a great investment for us, good luck!!!!!!!!!

I'm glad you posted this as I have the same issue (54H). I went to the Maya Wraps site and it looks like it may work. I can't wait to purchase one.

I am the same size and i like the fisher price carrier because it is totally adjustable and my baby can face out ward or inward and it is comfortable.

D.,
Questions: Do you want to front carry or back carry (does your baby at 4 months have good head control yet?). Are you nursing? These factors will make a difference in what carrier you choose.
4 months and 19 lbs is a great time to get baby used to being carried on your back (this is about the time most people give up on "Snugli or Bjorn" carriers on front as they get to heavy in those types of carriers to be comfortable for long). Back carries are also more comfortable in some types of carriers for big chested moms. There are lots of great options out there!!
Most "big baby store" carriers may not be as adjustable as you need. PM me and I can give you better direction with those answers. If you are close by, we do free private consultations all the time!! And have a babywearing group (NINO) that meets monthly for tips and advise.
K.
(Hands Free Baby in Felton, DE)

You might try a Mei Tei (also called an Asian carrier). There are many web sites that sell them. In my opinion, they are easier to use than the Maya Wrap (although I know people who love those). One type is called the Kozy (http://www.kozycarrier.homestead.com/). Also the Ergo is a backpack style that can be used for a front, side, and back carry (http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/). I've read that the position of the baby's legs in a Bjorn puts a lot of pressure on the baby's spine and thus is not optimal. The Mei Tei, Maya Wrap, Ergo, and others like it that put the baby in a more sitting position with legs to the side instead of straight down are better for baby's spine.

try the moby wrap. you can find it at mobywrap.com. totally awesome product.

Hi D.,

Karen T. (a member of this group and my good friend) sells baby carriers that are awesome! Look up handsfreebaby.com to see her products. She is also listed in the Local Business Reviews.

A short while ago, someone here asked for baby carrier suggestions and she posted an eloquent response that gave positive feedback on carriers she doesn't sell as well as those she does. You can also send her a personal e-mail for info that pertains to you in particular. (I'm sure she won't mind my volunteering her for info!!)

D.

I used something called a Mayan wrap which is essentially a really long piece of fabric that you wrap around your body in a certain sequence and then you can slilp your baby inside. Its very comfortable on back and shoulders and I think since you are adjusting it to your own size would work for the chest. We got ours as a gift, but I think if you search on line you can find it. Good Luck!

Hi, I wear a 40D, and have tried a few carriers. Sadly, I didn't find any I was comfortable in. Maybe I just don't like them in general, lol. I have also tried the Hip Hammock, which was nice, but is for older babies. I bought a Maya Wrap (3 babies ago) and I love it. Completely adjustable, comes in longer lengths, lightweight and easy to use. Check them out at their website, or go to ebay. There was a baby mag out last month that had reviews of sliongs, but I'm not sure which mag it was. I know, helpful. I hope you find something you like!