Looking for a Good Baby Wrap or Sling.

It sounds like you already know about baby wearing so forgive me for stating the obvious, but I would definately stick with a two shoulder carrier. I am using a MobyD and love it. I like the verstility of being able to do almost any carry with one carrier. You can do Forward facing out, forward facing in, hip carries and I think also back carries. For an older baby a Mei Tai may also be good. Baby isn't held as snugly and can't do hip carry. However, you can find easy DIY instructions on-line. I have made five of them for friends. Have a great trip!

I use the New Native Baby Sling (bought it on-line) and love it! Keller is almost 2 now and I still use it when I have to hold him for a while!

I found a MayaWrap at a resale store and it has worked very well for varous front and side carries (except sitting up facing me on the fron). The material holds up well and it's breathable. My son is a year now though and more active and I wanted a back carry option. After getting advice on MamaSource we bought an Ergo carrier. It's pricey, but worth the investment. It's soft and breathable and has a sleep 'hood' to support his head. It also goes up to 35 pounds. We've tried to front and back carry and we love it (although getting him in the back carry position can be tricky on your own). Haven't tried the side carry yet. He can see waht's going on, he seems to be comfortable, it's pretty comfortable for the wearer and I think we'll get a lot of use our of it on a long term basis. I considered betting a Moby, because it appears to have the most options, but I am hot blooded and so is my son and the idea of having all that fabric wrapped around us just seemed like it would be too much. Good luck!

I have a brand new Maya wrap, never used, for up to toddler age. I paid $60 for it and will sell for $25: It was never used, as my son hated it-he's a free bird. There is the instructional video and paperwork still with it. It has earth toned stripes and has beaturiful colors. Feel free to contact me or my husband.
Therese: ____@____.com
Keith/cell: ###-###-####

Hi S.,

I just posted this to another mom last week:

I purchased the New Native Baby Sling with my 3rd child and love it! I couldn't use anything else because I always got too hot and sweaty, and this is a lightweight, breathable material. I even used it on my older son who was just 2 at the time. It holds up to 35 pounds, I do believe. Here is a link to the New Native site:
http://www.newnativeinc.com/?gclid=CPn97ojOmZMCFSYBkgodF0...

but you can also look around on other baby product sites and purchase it a little cheaper. I did, but don't remember which site it was...it was almost 2 years ago. They come in different colors and they also go by the size of your bust so it won't possibly be too big or too small because you choose your size. They send you instructions and pictures of all the different ways you can use it, too. I LOVE IT!! It's one of the less expensive ones I've seen, too.

Hope this helps you out,
Liz.

i recommend going to mamatoto.org to see the different choices.

i had a maya wrap, but now have a plain wrap. its just a piece of cotton gauze fabric that i cut myself (5-6 yards). its more versatile (back, front, hip, two shoulders). there are fancier versions you can purchase that might be slightly easier to use. the site shows the different ways to use it though.

also at babywearer.com there's a st louis group. they meet first monday of the month at the central library on lindberg, ###-###-#### am. they discuss things and also show how to use the wraps.

I bought a CatBird Baby sling and it is fabulous- you can manipulate it to wrap in several different ways, but they are also super cute and fashionable (if that's important to you). They have a website and are very reasonably priced.
I highly recommend this. It is so easy to use and both of my girls love it.

Kangaroo kids in Glendale has a sling that you can use to sling any aged child.
They'll teach you how to use it to put the baby in different positions (hip and back).

http://www.kangarookidsonline.com/

It's basically just a big piece of cloth so it's easy to fold up and have with you...

I'd also suggest an Ergo. I loved my pouch sling, but the Ergo is truly hands free and you could wear her on your front or back, depending on what you were doing. It is a little pricey, but weight can go up to 40lbs (so it should last this baby awhile) and it's very very very comfy!

I too shopped for a sling for my older baby and after trying many (some very expensive) I ended up with the Playtex Hip Hammock. It is great!! All the weight it on your hip, not your back, it's totally adjustable and it has a special form for your shoulder so it doesn't ride up onto your neck like most. My son is completely content in it and I have 2 hands free to shop or do whatever! And it's only $30--hard to beat that price compared to many others. I got mine at Target, but I think Walmart has it also.
http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-###-###-####-###...

I had an ERGO with my youngest. It was easy to wear in the front or back. He even would fall asleep comfortably in it.

There is a store in South County called Cotton Babies. The girl who owns it has children and is fabulous help. You can also check out her website, cottonbabies.com.

Have a great trip!
T.

Some of our church members are currently living in Africa and they have two small children. They always use a sling but I don't know what kind it is. You could e-mail them if you want. ____@____.com

Best wishes!

My friend makes slings and other kinds of baby carriers. She can custom design one that will suit your needs. Her website is www.magicsling.com and her name is Missy. Good luck!

Hi S.. The two you mention aren't really suitable for older babies, especially the Peanut. By the time my kids were 9 months old, we moved on from the wraps and slings to a structured carrier, namely the Ergo. I really think that will be your best bet -- it is the best carrier out there in my opinion. Have a great trip!

I am in a MOMS Club in Shawnee and there is a stay at home mom that is starting a business making really cute slings. Here is her contact information ____@____.com. I hope this helps!

M. Oberle

I have used a Rockin' Baby Sling and loved it. Good for little ones but really good for older ones, too. They are kind of expensive (www.rockinbabyslings.com) and the one I have is not the one w/the ring, its the other kind (maybe called "pocket", but not sure). It has been wonderful. If you are in or near Kansas City and if you're not going away for too long, I might even lend it to you :)

Shelly K.
Kansas City Metro
Mom to Lucy & Lola, 2+

There is a new store downtown Lee's Summit called Happybottomus. They have all kinds of slings you can try on and they are very helpful.

For hands free long term wearing, I really like the mei tai style or a wrap. I use these for my nearly two and half year old daughter. You can wear them in a lot of ways, but if I need to get things done, I prefer on my back.

My daugther was too old when I learned about wraps and slings, and wouldn't have any of em. That said some good friends of mine have used theirs even with their toddler. The ones that I hear them raving about the most is the adjustable tube style sling. I made a Mai Tai type, but I believe Kangroo Kids in Glendale carries slings. I've also heard target is now carrying them too.

I love my wrap for older kids. I just got a long piece of gauzy fabric, too. Check out wearyourbaby.com and they've got great tutorials for how to wear all sorts of slings. I have used a mei tai and liked it, but it doesn't seem as versitile. Enjoy your trip!

K.

Try an ERGO. My sister has one and I love it. I'm going to start using it for my son who is seven months old. It is so comfortable. The only thing is they are kind of expensive.