Looking for Info Regarding Baby Slings

With my first, I found that the Bjorn was helpful for short times just to relax my arms...not that I could actually get anything done with him in it. It was also not good on an already bad back. For the second, I tried the sling because various people told me they had better luck with that, but I didn't like that either. I did find that the Eddie Bauer "bjorn" type carrier offered more support, but still only helpful for short amounts of time.

My sister actually sells the new native slings. Which is the only way I ended up with one. I wouldn't have thought it was for me, but it really does work great. When my daughter was younger I could carry her around laying down in it, and she would usually sleep in it where ever we were. Now that she is almost a year, and going through that needy stage, I am able to put her in it sitting up, so I don't have to use my hands to carry her around. She sits froggy style on my side. She is comfortable in it, and I can get stuff done. Puts a little strain on the back, but not a significant amount, if worn correctly. I think you can get the new native carriers through Pottery Barn.

I have a sling that I bought for my 3 month old, and it is fantastic!!! I've been using it since she was probably 3-4 weeks old. Not only do I think it's great, but so does she. Everytime I puther in it, she falls right to sleep, and stays that way until after she's taken out. The straps are also adjustable, so you can make it a size that fits you best. I also found it is a great way to keep all those strange people you run into in public places from grabbing and touching her!! When she's in her careseat, or I just carry her, people are forever grabbing on her. But when I use the sling we can actually shop in peace!! I would definately recommend getting one :)

hi M..
the ergo baby carrier is great!!!
i probably would have bought this right from the beginning if my friend did not give me her baby bjorn. i used a baby sling called the peanut shell when my baby was first born. it was a good product. held my baby nice and snug to me and was easy for me to put on and off, get baby in and out of. i then used the bjorn when she was about 2 1/2 months. i really disliked this carrier. she seemed very uncomfortable and it was very hard on my back which is why i decided to go ahead and purchase the ergo. my baby is 3 1/2 months now and i wish i had it sooner! check out their website. the cost is in the same price range as the bjorn and some other carriers, but in my opinion, the ergo is a far better product. good luck!

I wanted to second the recommendation for the slingling slings. My husband and I both have them (we bought two and got one free!), and we love them; I've been using them since my son was born and can use them with him and my 19 month daughter (with a hip carry). They wash well, too, and are easy to use. But you have to make sure you use them correctly (which is wierd at first). If you have any back/hip problems or don't have great posture all the time, you probably want to go with the wraps, though, not slings, b/c they distribute the baby weight better. But slingling is great and the customer service is fantastic.

My little peanut didn't like the Bjorn until she was quite a bit older and could hold her head...didn't like being facing me in it at all. I found what is called "The Ultimate Baby Wrap" and loved it. You tie it yourself and it can be a sling, a front (inside our outside facing) or back carrier and even a side carrier/support when they get bigger. It is really comfy (Feels like a T-shirt) and is easy on the back and affordable. My only recommendation is that you tie an extra knot after using the plastic loop for extra security. It looks confusing when you first take it out (it's basically a big piece of material with a "pocket" to show where the front is) but they have great instructions and a video as well. Once you get used to putting it on, it takes only a minute and my baby slept the day away in there while I got chores (or email! HA)taken care of. Bonus! My only regret is I didn't have it from the early days so she outgrew it sooner than I had hoped.

Good luck!

Hi M.,

Just wanted to throw my $0.02 in -- I would definitely highly recommend looking into getting a wrap. I've used a wrap since my daughter was about 3 weeks old, and now she's almost 7 months and still absolutely loves it. And the bonus is that you can wear her in lots of different ways (front, back, hip) -- which can accommodate lots of different activities for mom (changing the bed, folding laundry, going for a long walk, or just sitting and relaxing while the baby sleeps!). It's truly been a lifesaver for me and I can't recommend it enough.

FYI I'm very tall (5'10") but the great thing about wraps is that they can be sized to fit any height or body type. And, if you get really proficient and are feeling fancy, you could even wear both kids at once!! (Ok, I only have one baby, but I've seen pics of moms doing this so I know it's possible!!)

A great website you might want to check out is www.thebabywearer.com -- it's an incredible wealth of information and there are lots of videos of moms demonstrating how to tie wraps. And if you're in the city and want to check out different kinds of wraps, you could go to Metro Minis (www.metrominis.com) on Park ____@____.com that helps! Good luck to you. :)

hi, i have to agree you MUST go to thebabywearer.com it has all the information you will need.
baby bjorn, snugglie, ect are not highly recommended as they have the baby "dangling" with the legs versus in a more natural seated position. in general, you should steer clear of any front facing carriers. more info can be found regarding this on the site.
wraps(moby, girasol, hug-a-bub) are great for newborns but are extremely overwhelming for someone new. i tried a couple but they werent my favorites. pouches(hotsling, peanutshell) are nice and easy, but you have to be careful to have it sized correctly. although they are great for running in the post office, they will not give you support for any length of time.
ringslings(kalea, taylormade) are highly adjustable, easy to breastfeed in, and are available in many different materials. i could never get the quick ease of adjustability, and once again, one shoulder carriers are not going to be as supportive. but ringslings are very popular.
my favorite is a mei tai(babyhawk, mei tai baby, sachi), and yes you can use one for a newborn. they look more difficult to tie than they are and will probaly take 20 minutes to master it. this type of carrier is great as it will give you the 2 shoulder support and therefore will be great as the baby gets heavier. its also great for babies who like to be upright, or have reflux. i cannot tell you how happy i am with mei tais compared with the others. the baby is completely pushed against you with no fabric in between, easily hearing your breathing and heartbeat which puts my daughter to sleep everytime. i can wear her for hours, and still continue with TWO hands completely free.
join the babywearer, then at the top it has a "review" link and it takes you to reviews of all the different kinds. i have never bought any carrier without 5 stars. please look at this before making your decision so you have all the facts.
any carrier you get will help you in so many ways, i cant tell you how much it has made my life easier. just please please please do not buy anything at babies r us, there are so many better made carriers and many who start off with them are so put off, they stop babywearing all together thinking thats the norm. also, if money is a concern, you can find wonderful deals of used carriers. also, a used carrier from a reputable maker you can find of thebabywearer.com will retain some value and you will be able to sell it on the site after. store brand carriers do not hold the same resale value.
if you need any help, please do not hesitate to email me. i love carriers and just found my sister her first, and now she is a believer:) for my personal experience, i would highly suggest a mei tai baby with the adjustable feature option( meitaibaby.com ) or if you would feel more comfortable with buckles, a connecta
( connectababycarrier.com) both these carriers have been my favorite and can be used from day one. they are great because they will give you the option of having legs out if needed. i have had tons of carriers and these 2 have been my staple. and remember, you will be able to sell them for a decent amount if you take care of them, so keep that in mind when pricing them- although they are comparable to the bjorn. again, plmk if you need any help. i had no idea there were so many options available when i had my first daughter and had the awful experiences with the snugglie and nojo. good luck

oh and if you feel any strain on your back whatsoever, that means the baby is too low. the higher the baby, the less you will feel strain. and again, 2 shoulder carriers will be much more supportive than a one shoulder. lmk if you want to see pics of me with my 4 month old in them!!!

Love the Ergo. My favorites though are my Kangaroo Korner pouches. They are adjustable and easily washable. The work great as an extra blanket, burp cloth too! I have a fleece one for the fall/winter - it's great because it's so warm for the baby. I have a solarveil one for the spring/summer. Solarveil is UV protection - so once I got my babies to sleep at the beach in it, I'd lay them down and put the solarveil over them - it's really light weight - so it's nice for mommy too. I've also used that as a sunblocker over the stroller. You can also wear the solarveil one in the water - to swim or shower. And it dries really quickly. You can wear the baby in different positions in the pouch and it's REALLY easy to put on! Everytime I wear one, people approach me and ask where I got it. Unfortunately they are only available online, but they're great if you need to return for a different size, etc. www.kangarookorner.com
Good luck!

Melane, My cousin is a nurse and a lactation consultant, she had recommended to me THE ULTIMATE BABAY WRAP. I was skeptical at first, but I bought it. At first it was intimidating and I wasn't sure if I would figure out how to use it, but it comes with a video and after watching it twice I had it down. The great thing about it is that it doesn't matter what size and shape you are, it works on every body. Also you can use it from birth on up. And there are so many wearing options. The only draw back I have is that my husband refuses to wear it, he says it's for women and not men. That's him though. I also bought a native baby, or native mother sling, but never got to use it due to it being to long, (don't measure for a sling while your prego) lesson learned, I never sent it back it just sits in a box somewhere downstairs. Hope this helps.

I loved, loved, the over the shoulder baby holder! You can get a smaller size since you're short ~

It distributes the weight evenly across your body, and is padded on the part that touches your shoulder.

You can carry your baby in it's natural 'tucked in' position, and then later, when he/she wants to sit up to see what's going on in the world, you can position him/her sitting up. Even piggyback, if the baby's cranky, & you need to be at the stove.

I carried my son in it til he was almost 3 ~ it was wonderful! Easy to get on, then if you want to lay the baby down after he/she falls asleep, it's so easy to loosen the strap & lift it over your head to lay them down...

Try the Ergo Baby Carrier. We love it.

I just wanted to put my vote in for the Ergo carrier too. We have used it almost every day since my daughter was born. (she is almost two and a half now) It is so comfortable, I have worn it for as long as 8 hours in a day. We used it with the infant insert first, now she rides mostly on my back but sometimes still wants to be on my front. She is still nursing and is able to nurse and ride which has come in handy especially when we travel. Everywhere we go people ask about it. When I was taking care of a friend's son full time I was able to hold one baby in my arms and wear the other in the ergo and still carry things out to the car. With out a doubt this is the best piece of baby equipment we ever bought.

Hugamonkey.com I have one of their organic slings. It is so versitle and easy to use. It goes from infant to toddler too. I carry my 13 month old around in it still. She can sit up now and I don't have to use my hands. It doesn't hurt my back like other slings did. This is my fourth child. So I have been through the gammet of slings.

The only one I ever thoroughly liked was the bjorn. I'm short too and it was a lifesaver! I love how baby can face either way. i love how comfy it is. I love how easy it is.

I had a snugli sling. My daughter loved it, I did not. The ad vantage was that she slept in it very well. The disadvantage was that I could not do much bending over (I liked to clean with baby in sling), it got way way way too warm for her. I couldn't use it on a warm day or she'd overheat.

I tried the eddie bauer front/back carrier that is similar to the bjorn. Hated it. Hated it. You need a ph.d to figure that thing out. Actually, my hubby has a ph.d and he couldn't even figure it out. Too many straps, too many mistakes to be made that would seriously compromise baby's safety. Also it is very hard to use it on your back if you are alone.

I have also used a framed baby backpack for outings. Big and bulky but cool for baby!

A.

My son HATED the sling. I found the Bjorn awkward too. I always managed to hit his head when I went around a corner or reached for something. It was awful! I used neither. When he was 5 months old I discovered a hip sling (Infantino - I think at Target) that saved my life and my back. He's 16 months now and still fits into it. All slings and all babies are different. Turns out the one I had (also by Infantino) was recalled. I have friends who used that long piece of cloth that you somehow wrap around yourself, and they LOVED it. It looks way better than the pre-made ones that look like a milk pod. Good luck!

As if you don't have enough opinions on this already - here's one more - I love my baby sling - It's just a circle of fabric, nothing to adjust, very comfortable and easy. We've used it with our newborn and our 4-year-old. The company is great - Delivery was about three days - size was a little too big - they took it back and replaced it at no cost to me, again in about three days. http://www.slinglings.com/. Again, it was a mom who wanted something better than the carriers. Good luck and lots of joy with your new baby.

I didn't use a sling because my best friend (who had a 10.5 lb baby) insisted that the only carrier that wouldn't eventually cripple me was an Ergo baby carrier. I did end up purchasing one and it has worked very well. It can be used with a young infant (with the infant insert) in a sling-type position and later either in a front or back position. They even have a video on their website that shows you how to use it. I would really recommend it. BTW I am only 5'2" and my friend was closer to 5'8", yet it worked well for both of us. My husband also uses it with ease. HTH

http://www.ergobabycarriers.com

skip the sling and go for the ergo carrier - ergo stands for ergonomic, so it's great for both their spine and yours. it looks sort of like a backpack with both hip and shoulder straps but you can wear the baby in the front when they're small, then on your hip if you like and finally the back when they can sit up and support their heads and such. my daughter is 16 months and sometimes I wear her while I make dinner or clean up or whatever. it's wonderful. I have several slings too, but this is way better. good luck.

my first son loved the baby vbjorn and was small so it was great but my second is so heavy and too big for it and I bought the peanut shell sling from recommendations through this website and love it. I got it through baby adventure gear just do a google search and make sure to watch the demo on you tube to see how to use it so when it arrives you can just put it right on and your baby in it. Carries 5 different ways , order according to your size, lots of styles and patterns and best of all fits in diaper bag. My boy is almost 20 lbs now and I had him in it yesterday when he was getting fussy in store. good luck!

check out www.mybabynest.com These are absolutely the best carrier on the market. I used this with my son almost everyday for the first 6-9 months of his life. I also buy this product for every baby shower I go to and every mother has loved this sling. This sling will work for you whether you are short or tall - just check out the sizes they have. I swear by this wrap!!!

I used a wrap with my third child and I was upset no one had let me in on the secret...lol! I had the regular carriers prior and my kids fat legs would get pinched really bad by like 6 months. It was really a hassle. I ended up buying a wrap and it was great. It helped with breastfeeding discreetly while going for a walk and keeping my baby safe! I would HIGHLY recommend it. The one I used was The Ultimate Baby Wrap, by: Parents of Invention. They sell it at babies r us and its about $40. IT washes well and super convenient.

I really liked the ergo baby carrier. It has an infant insert for the first two months or so and then you just use it alone. I used it from the start and I still use it and my daughter is 7 months now. You can also switch it to the side and use it on your back (friends with 18 month olds still use it on their backs). I am also on the shorter side and I found it to be very comfortable and easy to get on by myself. It did not put a strain on my back until she reached about 16 lbs so now I only use it for shorter distances. But up until she was about 5 months I could have her in it for an hour or more without strain. They don't carry yet at the bigger stores (e.g., babiesrus), but most of the smaller stores in the brooklyn area where I live carry it.

I have also heard good things about the Moby (sp?) wrap for small babies/newborns. Its relatively inexpensive.

Hi M.:

With my first child I used a both front carrier and a back carrier and it was wonderful for both of us .... when he was sitting up i carried him in a frame back carrier so he could see over my head. My second child was much more into attachment parenting so when she became to long for me to be comfortable with her in the front carrier in the house, we switched to sling. I tried various brandds, but the one i like the most was the one i made. It was sooooo easy to make ... I just found material that I liked (I chose a light flannel cuz we live in the northeast) and tied it together over my shoulder. My daughter was still sometimes in it until she was 3!! I cooked with it on, shoppping, even maneuvered throught the airports with her sleeping in it.

Good luck!!

Hi, M.!
Congratulations on being so close to being a mommy again! You must be very excited (and probably ready to be done with things, at this point, huh?!).
Sounds like we have a lot in common--I am short (5' 1.5", to be exact) and I have had a bad back for years. I started out w/ my daughter in a Baby Bjorn b/c all my friends used one & it killed my back by the time she weighed only about 12 lbs!!! At that point, I had more friends using slings, so I revisited the idea & actually started making them myself. About 4 1/2 years later, I have my own baby sling company called THING-A-MA-SLING and specialize in custom-made slings that I feel, are extremely comfortable.

At the risk of pimping myself too much, I design mine so that the fabric gently cups your shoulder & spreads accross your back to maximize weight distribution & increase comfort. I also design them w/ 3 built-in pockets so that there's plenty of room for wallet, keys, cell, sippy cup, etc...! And of course, everything is machine washable & dryable (even my "mommy chic" brocades!) since it's, quite frankly, dumb to have something that's NOT washable when small children are involved! :-)

I am in the process of re-designing my extremely outdated website, however, you can still visit it at www.ThingaMaSling.com if you'd like some more info. To get an idea of some which I currently stock, you can look on www.Shop.ThingaMaSling.com and if you don't yet have plans for Sunday, I will actually be at the Mothering & More Birth Network's Birth & Family Festival in Sinking Spring, PA (near Reading). If you think you might be interested, the link is http://www.motheringandmore.org/home/events.html

Now, in general (this is where I stop pimping my business!), I like slings b/c I think unpadded ring slings are not only extremely comfortable, but extremely versatile as well. They generally last from bith to 35 lbs & can be used SO many ways! They're also a lot more adjustable than something like a pouch is & therefor, grows with your child & can often be used with different caregivers.

Some people don't like how one arm is somewhat restricted (but that can be remedied as well by moving the fabric that cups your shoulder onto just your shoulder, which my husband prefers to do when he wears it). Some people also don't like that you can adjust it b/c they feel it's too much work (but really, it takes a second!).

Ok, I hope I haven't rambled too much & that I haven't sounded too much like a sales person or anything! Please feel free to email me if you have any questions at all! You can also call me at 1-877-SLING-99 if you'd like to.

One last thing--I'm offering a special on Sunday for $5 off the purchase of 2 slings & $15 off the purchas of 4, and even if you're not able to make it to the festival, I'd by happy to honor that for you as a Momasource'r.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your pregnancy & have a wonderful, beautiful birth!
Blessings,
A.

A simple tip, no matter WHAT front carrier you choose: SUCK IN YOUR TUMMY. At first it's impossible, especially after a C-section. Then it's just hard. But your back will thank you - for years to come! I found this tip when my daughter was about 12 months old - long after I had retired the sling and the Snugli. I was using the Hip Hammock by then, and my back was just screaming for relief (I am very short too). When you're ready - pilates would also strengthen your back, and extend those baby-wearing years.

have you looked at ergo baby? i have heard wonderful things about their carriers. they are expensive, but well worth the money. you can check them out online, just type in ergo baby in the search engine. i was at a field trip with 2 moms that had the ergo baby carrier and we were there for around 3-4 hrs. and their children were in the carrier the whole time and they said it did not hurt their backs at all. i was very impressed, for these children were not small, they were both toddlers. i hope this was helpful.

I just had my first 11 weeks ago, so here is what I've learned so far:
- it is much easier to try different slings once you have your baby! Being pregnant makes the fit weird, and you never know what type will work best for you and your particular baby.
- make sure it fits right, the baby should sit fairly high up. It will feel strange at first, but if they are to low you may again have strain on your back. The fist one I had was too big and my lower back really felt uncomfortable.

Are you in Manhattan? Bump to Birth on 9th avenue at 49th street has a good selection and they can help you put them on. There is also a store on Houston called PS NY, but I don't know how affordable/knowledgeable they are as I have not been yet.

So far I've been happy with a "peanut shell" (thepeanutshell.com) which I got at Bump to Birth. But I am tall, so I can't help you with height issues. I really have found the sling invaluable - it had gotten me through many days and nights and 2 plane rides already when nothing else would work. It is cozy, and that is what most newborns seem to crave (understandably).

M.,

My third son, 9 months now, loves to be worn! When he was a newborn, I had him on constantly. I only had a Snuggli in the beginning though and it was awful! If he fell asleep, I'd have to take the carrier and him off and lay him down in the carrier because he was impossible to get out. Plus then I started to hear about how carriers don't protect newborn spines so I definitely didn't want to use it anymore.

A lady at school had her baby right around the same time as me and one day I saw her get out of the car, put this thing around her waist, put the baby in, put her arms in the straps, snap and go! I stopped her immediately! I wanted something that easy!

It's called Ergo Baby Carrier (http://www.ergobabycarrier.com). It's similar in price to the Baby Bjorn but you would also need an infant insert (+$25) for the first 4 months or so. That thing is amazing! It's easy to use and comfortable plus I could nurse him in it while shopping or hanging out at the soccer game.

I would never use anything else and it lasts through toddlerhood!

HTH,
L.

http://APerfectMoment.MyArbonne.com

Hi there,
I used the sling that you kind of for m yourself. Once you figure out how (they ebven give you a DVD to figure it out) it's not so bad. When my baby was little, I think he would of enjoyed it, I only used it once. Now he is bigger, and supposedly should still be comfortable in it but after 10 minutes he wasn't happy. If I use it again, I think I will get the one that is already "made." I also think if I was more consistent with it when he was a newborn, he might have liked it.
Good luck! Hope this helped

I loved (and more importantly my daughter loved) the MOBY wrap. I also recently purchased the ergo baby carrier because my daughter is now 17 months. There is a great site: quirkybaby.com that sells both of these carriers.

Both are easy to learn, very comfortable for the baby, and SO comfortable on the mommy's back.

Hi M.,

Congratulations on you new baby's soon arrival!
I used the Baby Bjorn when my daughter was born, but I did feel a slight strain on my back as you mentioned. I also thought that it could be too hot in the summer. My daughter loved it and was used to it.When I tried the Mayawrap sling (she was about 2-3 months old), I thought it was difficult to figure out and awkward to put on. I also have a short torso and thought she sat too low on my body. My daughter HATED it too. The fabric irritated her face and gave her a rash and she hated being tucked in so that she couldn't see anything. Even as a newborn, she hated being swaddled, so I think that it was too restrictive for her. I then got the Ergo carrier and we both really liked that one, but I still felt a little strain on my back and it could also be a little warm (but not as warm as the Baby Bjorn). I'm sure there is a perfect sling out there, I just haven't found it yet. However I would not recommend the Mayawrap.
Some of the slings that other posters mentioned look interesting and I will look forward to checking them out when we have our second child.

All the best,
B.

hello M.
I bought my sling online at www.bebes-ecolo.com.
This sling is a long cotton strip ,it doesn't take room in your bag.
i'm very happy with it because it's very comfortable for the baby and for the carrier(my husband and I ,we never had back problems after hours of carriage)
The texture of the sling is very important.Don't take a sling too elastic otherwise the baby's weight won't be distributed well on your body.
I used to carry my newborn almost all day against my chest.She was sleeping so deeply listening my heart beat.Or sometimes,I was puting her laying down like in a craddle so she was nursing and sleeping on the same time!around 5 months she was more curious and wanted to face the world.At the stage of walking,I used to carry her on my hip .When we were hiking,we put her on our back .Even now she is 3 years old and she likes to be carried in the sling sometimes!
I can tell you that I'm a fan of this sling and if you need some more informations,please contact me.
Enjoy your family and soon your new baby!

I used a mei tei from www.kiddiecradles.com and I loved it. I now use a ring sling from them too since my son is older. The other great wraps particularly with a littl baby is a maya wrap...I didn't use one personally but know a lot of people who have and loved it. Good luck and enjoy your new baby!!

I'm big into wearing my babies. I have a 2 year old boy and a 6 month old girl. I bought a beautiful sling at mamasmilk.com The pro's - it's beautiful. People are constantly stopping me and asking me about it. Also, my daughter loves being in it. And when I was pregnant with my daughter, on occasion I would put my son in it (carry on the hip). The cons - it was expensive and the company has this terrible return policy so that it costs like $30 just to return it if you're unhappy. Another con is that I can only wear it for like 45 minutes before it starts to get uncomfortable.

I also own another sling that has the adjustable ring that I'm not too fond of just because it's so incredibly bulky. I forget what it's called. Like a BoJo or something. It has this long adjustable peice that's annoying.

A friend of mine recommended a Mei Tai Sling, which I ordered from Target.com and should come in a few weeks. It distributes the weight of the baby on both shoulders and throughout the back, so it shouldn't pose as much of a pain. My friend loves it. But I've never used one before. What I like about it, is that it also has some little compartments - which is helpful b/c I use my slings whenever I go food shopping.

I hope this helps. Good luck!

Moby wrap or Hug-a-bub are GREAT!!!! You can carry you little one for hours without feeling it. I had my daughter in it up to 2 years. I'm petite--5'2". Enjoy.

The New Native Carrier is a sling, it is wonderful, I loved it, so simple to put on and use, no clips, no nothing. My son really enjoyed being inside it. When he was really small I put a little towel or tiny pillow under him at first, to keep him positioned properly; after he got bigger it was not necessary. It is the most adorable sling, and your baby is hidden and protected from the elements and proddy people. The Baby Bjorn which I also used, but very little, because it was a pain in the $#% (so many clips, etc) and it's not good for kids spine/hip development anyway. You can order online at NewNativeCarrier.com.
Best of Luck,
NB

I purchased the Boppy brand sling and did not like it. The baby was lost inside it and I couldn't see her without pulling the fabric apart. I intended to get another sling, but was given the Bjorn and ended up using that instead. I've been using it for close to two months and my three month old loves it. It puts her right to sleep and keeps her calm when she's fussy and nothing else works. Since you already have the Bjorn, maybe you can try it out again? I'm also short and have back trouble, but it doesn't bother me. A few other people have used mine (including my husband) and told me that they have back pain too - maybe it's adjusted to my body. Have you tried adjusting it?

Hi M.,
I am very excited to respond and write that I LOVED my sling. I tried 3: New Native, Over the shoulder baby holder, and hotsling. I ADORE my hotsling. It was the best I found. Here is why I loved it: I'm 5'3" and I found that most slings didn't fit my torso, they were too long. This one is sized specifically for that. You have to measure across your torso (cross shoulder to hip). The fabric, or at least the one I chose, is a stretch fabric. So, baby stays nice and snug and high enough up on you that it is isn't straining your back adn shoulders. You can use it from baby to toddlerhood, up to 35 lbs. My daughter is still using it. When she wants to be carried. I slip it on. There is a padded part that goes behind her knees (built in), and basically it's like she's riding on my hip as usual, but the sling is also around her and keeping me from being exhausted. It's REALLY easy to use!! Not hard to figure out at all. It's really compact, so it is very easy to travel with, or throw in the bottom of a stroller. It's fashionable. I felt like myself in it. I picked a style I loved, and it feels like any other piece of clothing I'd wear. you can go to www.hotslings.com for a store locator. There are quite a few in the NYC area. I think Buy Buy Baby sells them now. I ordered mine online from babysnazz. That is the other thing, shipping can be quite a lot if you try to order through hotslings. But, you can easily find them on other online baby stores.

not sure if anyone mentioned Nine In, Nine Out to you yet but it's a babywearing group, and there might be a chapter in your area. if you are close to princeton, there is a woman who sells many different kinds of baby carriers that you WONT find at BBRU, and she will let you try them out before buying. she also has a website so you can see what i'm talking about, and you can contact her through the website. www.quirkybaby.com. it's nice to be able to "try before you buy".

for what it's worth, i have a Maya ring sling, a Moby wrap, and an Ergo backpack, and they are all incredibly useful for different situations. i bought my ergo from Jane at qurikybaby, and she was AWESOME at helping me decide what carrier was right for me, then teaching me how to use it safely and effectively.

Go to www.mayawrap.com I love them! If you nurse, it's great for that too, and the wrap/sling 'grows with the baby.' Highly recommend.

Hi,
Congrats on the baby coming. ! I have tried nearly every carrier. I too have a spirited child. I found the ERGO good, you can wear it on hip/front/back. Go to www.myfavoritebabycarrier.com. They'll refund your money no problem if you don't like it. Very comfortable to wear.
good luck.
N.