MEI TEI (MT) What is it? A mei tai is a large piece of squarish fabric with 4 straps you tie on. It can be worn on the front or the back and since it ties on, there is less issue with sizing than a structured carrier and it's easy to share this carrier since there is nothing to adjust. Variations include XL straps, a taller toddler-sized body, a contoured body, pockets, toy straps, a headrest or a hood.
Recommended companies: BabyHawk, Kozy, Wrapstar, Beanslings, Bamberoo, Dream Carriers, Two Momma Designs, Ella Belly, Happy Slings, Catbird Baby, Freehand
Similar carriers An onbuhino (onbu) carrier has top straps that loop through two rings or loops on the bottom so there is no waist strap. Companies that make onbus: Two Momma Designs, Happy Slings A podaegi (pod) has a longer blanket that has top straps. The blanket it tucked under the baby's bum and the straps give support. Companies that make pods: Zidee, Shiny Star Designs, Wrapstar A wrap conversion (WC) is a mei tai made from woven wrap (see below) and has straps similar to a wrap so you get the best of both worlds. Companies that make WCs: Wrapstar, Obimama, Bamberoo, Dream Carriers. I have also heard amazing things about Kindercarry from across the pond.
NOT recommended: Buying random cheap WAHM carriers off ebay/etsy. This is one carrier you just can't skimp on. Sellers who advertise $30 MTs are using subpar materials and are not sewing carriers properly. First check the list of carriers to avoid. If it's not on the list check to see that the carriers are made with bottomweight material, multiple internal layers of support (batting is NOT enough,) and straps sewn in with X boxes, not double stitching. If the listing does not say, ASK. And if you still don't know or don't feel comfortable, feel free to send me a link and ask me. I'll be happy to check it out for you. Also be sure to check reviews on TBW. There are some with less than stellar customer service like Boutique Bella Bambini.
Instructions for wearing can be found here, here and here.
DIY? Yes, but a moderate level of sewing is required. Remember to select bottomweight fabrics such as denim, canvas, twill or corduroy and use internal layers and X boxes. Tutorials can be found here, here and here.
SOFT STRUCTURED CARRIERS (SSC)
What is it? A SSC is a carrier with buckles that you clip on rather than tie. It can be worn on the front or the back and hip (although it is not the most comfortable hip carrier.) Because of the waist padding found on most brands, this can be worn hiking or for long periods of time since most of the weight is distributed on the hips rather than the shoulders. This carrier is more difficult to choose since the comfort and fit are based on your size and shape and it is harder to share since you have to readjust the buckles but it is very dad-friendly!
Recommended brands: Beco, Ergo, Boba, Oh Snap, O&A, Angelpack, Action Baby Carriers, Dream Carriers, Bamberoo, Two Momma Designs, Kanga carriers by Bloo Kangaroo, Ella Belly Click, Pikkalo and Patapum
NOT Recommended: Pretty much anything you can buy at a big box store. Things are changing and some stores are starting to carry the good carriers listed above but stay away from Bjorn, Infantino or anything similar with a narrow crotch which is uncomfortable for both you and your baby (see below for more info on crotch danglers.) I also get asked about frame carriers and I usually say no to those too. If you are a serious hiker, then OK but you'll take someone out with that giant thing most other places. Plus what do you do with it when you aren't wearing it? I can roll up my Beco and toss it in my diaper bag. You can't do that with a frame carrier.
Instructions for wearing can be found here, here and here. A great comparison chart can be found here.
DIY: Yes but a moderate level of skill is needed and you need to be sure your buckles and webbing are strong enough and weight tested to withstand the pressure of babywearing.
WRAPS
What is it? A wrap is a long piece of fabric wound around you and the baby. There are a ton of different lengths, types and ways to use this wrap. It is the most versitile carrier you can buy but it also has the largest learning curve. There are two main types: stretchy wraps and wovens.
STRETCHY WRAPS are just what they sound like; they are stretchy. These are usually about 5 meters long and although some manufacturers claim they can be used for babies up to 35 pounds, this really isn't practical. They do not have the support needed to wear a larger baby and they are never to be worn on the back (except the Wrapsody.)
Recommended brands
Wrapsody Bali Stretch: This is the superman of stretchy wraps. They are thin and soft and uber supportive. These are strong enough to support a heavy baby or toddler and an experienced wrapper can use these for back carries.
SnuggyBaby: These are a great WAHM brand that are also supportive enough to carry a heavier baby. These are made with a dense weave french terry that is not as stretchy as most wraps and it has a pretty center panel.
Anaju by 3 Tree Designs: These are the softest wraps on the market. Made with %100 bamboo, they are light and cool and perfect for a summer newborn. They come in solid colors and lovely hand dyed patterns.
Sleepy Wrap: These are also French terry but it is thicker and more stretchy. They are wonderfully snuggly but not the coolest wrap around. They come in a wide variety of solid colors and are very affordable and easy to find.
Moby: These have moved back to my recommended list after trying one again recently. I think they must have changed fabrics since the ones I have tried in the past were thick, dense, hot and saggy. A new mom friend of mine has one and it is lovely, soft and breathable. They also no longer have back carry instructions so I am happy to include them on this list especially since they are the easiest to find in mainstream stores.
NOT Recommended: K'tan (too expensive and too stretchy to be useful for more than a few months), Lovey Duds (I have moved her off the recommended list for promoting back carries in a stretchy which is dangerous especially in such a thin wrap!)
DIY: YES! I highly recommend buying 5 yards of stretchy fabric and doing this one yourself. Look for a thick stretch cotton or blend that does not fray and simply cut it down the width of the fabric. You don't even have to sew it!
WOVEN WRAPS are long pieces of woven cotton, linen, hemp, silk, or cashmere. They can be worn on the front, back or hip and with newborns through high school (just kidding!) There are many different brands, weaves, fabrics, and ways to use them so it's maybe the most overwhelming of choices. I recommend a 4.6 meter cotton wrap for someone new to wrapping.
Recommended brands:
Didymos-lots of different weaves and fabrics including cotton, silk, cashmere and linen. Didys have their own sizes too. These are available in the largest variety of sizes and prices. They also make ring slings.
Hoppediz- Hopps are notoriously wide and have contrasting rail colors that make tightening the rails much easier. These are thick dense woven wraps and are harder to break in. There is also a "light" version that is much thinner. These have a pocket on one end that sometimes makes it harder to tie. These make huge knots and I find the width difficult to use with a small baby. These are great to learn to do back carries with a toddler though. They come in four sizes and are relatively cheap new. They also make ring slings, a buckle carrier, a stretchy wrap and organic wovens.
Storchenweige- Storches have two weaves, Leo and stripes. The stripes are stiff at first but after breaking in are really soft. These are workhorse wraps and will last forever. These come in 5 sizes. They also make ring slings.
Girasol- There are two weaves, old and new. If you buy an old weave used, it will be thick and blankety with a right side and a wrong side. The new weave is much thinner and has the same pattern on both sides. You can also get these with fringe. There are lots of standard colors of these and lots of retailers have exclusive colorways. This was one of my first true wovens and they will always hold a special place in my heart. They are very soft even new and come in 5 sizes. Some mamas do not find these as supportive with larger babies.
BBSlen- These are highly underrated wraps so you can sometimes get great deals on these used. Some colors are thicker than others but most are pretty thin. These are also pretty wide like the Hopps and are also sturdier than most other brands. They come in 4 sizes and carry one of the longest sizes on the market. They also make ring slings.
Dolcino- these are super soft and snuggly and would make a great wrap for a newborn. I found them to be pretty supportive for an all cotton wrap. They come in 2 sizes. Dolcino is distributed by Moby so sometimes people think this is a Moby brand wrap.Easycare- These are also underrated and not as well known. They are super thin and become very soft and would be great in warm weather. They only come in two sizes.
Ellevill- Ellevill has several weaves including Zara and Jade in cotton, organic Karma, and silk or wool Zara. These have very narrow tapers and unhemmed edges which some mamas don't like. They used to be hand woven but now they are machine woven. They also come in lots of sizes and there are tons of new ones coming out this year.
NatiBaby- These have become very popular recently with several new colors, patterns and fabrics. These come in cotton, wool, silk, bamboo and linen. They are beautiful but in my experience, they are not as supportive. They also make a stretchy wrap.
Bebina- I have not tried these but I have heard them described as soft, smooth and thin. They have a unique series of zodiac prints as well as a nice rainbow and other colors.
Ellaroo- These are super thin but are not as supportive over about 25lbs. They have solid black as well as gorgeous colors and all come with fringe.
Gypsy Mama/Wrapsody Bali Breeze- These are gauze wraps rather than traditional wovens. They are very thin but very supportive and are some of the best warm weather wraps available. The vibrant colors are unique and amazingly beautiful. These are a bear to break in so you might want to find one used. Some mamas find these much harder to wrap with so I don't recommend them for tentative beginners. But if you are adventurous and patient or an experienced babywearer, these are great! These are sized in yards rather than meters. This company also makes water wraps.
NOT Recommended: I can't think of any wovens I don't ever recommend. I don't recommend Vatanai or Ellaroo for heavy babies. I don't recommend Storch or Hopp for hot weather.
DIY? I don't recommend it. I know moms who make DIY gauze or osnaburg but for the price by the yard, you'd do just as well buying a real woven used. Some sellers try to market DIY wovens. Just because a wrap is made from woven fabric does not make it a woven wrap. A woven wrap is designed to carry a baby and there is nothing else like it.
HOW TO BREAK IN A WRAP
Use it!
Wash it (according to the directions--silk, wool, and cashmere should not be put in the washer/dryer)
Put it in the dryer on no heat with an old pair of sneakers or tennis balls.
Iron it.
Sit on it.
Sleep with it.
Braid it
Use it as a swing.
Pull it back and forth through your crib bars
RING SLINGS
What is it? A ring sling is a long piece of fabric worn over one shoulder that is threaded through a set of rings used to adjust the sling. They come in padded and unpadded and I much prefer the unpadded because they are easier to adjust and they are safer.
Recommended brands: SweetPea Ring Slings, Sleeping Baby Productions, Kalea Baby, Babyette, SnuggyBaby, Comfy Joey, Sakura Bloom, UpMama, Zolowear, Maya Wrap, Taylormade
NOT Recommended: Balboa, Premaxx, SlingEZee, any other heavily padded ring sling with a large pocket or elastic rails. Watch out for slings made with shiny or welded rings (even reputable brands if you are buying used--some old ones used to use them and were recalled.)
Instructions for wearing: I love Zolowear and Sakura Bloom videos. Here is a great tute from Erin of Wrapstar as well.
DIY? Absolutely! Here is a tutorial page and check out this page for info on choosing fabrics. Do NOT use craft rings, hardware rings or rings from tack shop. Only aluminum or nylon sling rings are lightweight and strong enough to be used in carriers.
Pouches
What is it? Pouches are simple loops of fabric folded and worn over one shoulder like a ring sling. The baby sits in the folded pocket section.
Recommended brands: Hotslings, Karma Baby, Gorgeous Baby, Peanut Shell, Lucky Baby, Slinglings
NOT recommended: Seven Slings are much too thin and even with the "free for shipping" codes are not worth it especially since the shipping costs over $10. They are not worth the $10, trust me! These slings are paper thin and rough. It is probably safe enough but it's sure not comfortable at all.
Instructions for wearing: The Hotslings videos are awesome! Also check here for positioning info.
DIY? Not the easiest one to make since sizing is such an issue but here is a tute.
CARRIERS TO AVOID
These carriers have been checked out by me and my fellow babywearers. They are not reputable sellers and I do not recommend buying a carrier or anything else from them. If you find a carrier that you are concerned about that I should add to the list, send me a comment or an email. Thanks! (updated 4/2012)
NEW LISTING!
BOUTIQUE BELLA BAMBINI
This has been a long time coming. I have seen too many mamas post that they regret buying from her so I feel compelled to list her here so no one else is fooled. I know I recommended her at one time but that was before her customer service went in the crapper. Although most of her carriers are safe, her oldest version of her ring slings (which is a bad knockoff of Zolowear) is not safe according to the guru of sling making, Jan of Sleeping Baby Productions. But even though the carriers are relatively safe, I will not recommend her because of her horrendous customer service. I am working on a separate post and will have that ready soon to give more details. Bottomline: If you have one, fine.If you find one used, fine. I just warn against buying ANYTHING from her directly.
Rhiamon on etsy: She is selling ring slings with small stainless rings rather than aluminum sling rings. She says "The rings are stainless steel and hold up to 200lbs. They are smaller than traditional rings, making them stronger and safer." Also I am concerned about the fabric she uses as most of the ones listed look like one layer of thin cotton which is not strong enough to hold a baby comfortably and safely. The kicker though is she is not even wearing the slings properly in her photos. I have a hard time trusting a carrier maker who can't wear her own carriers properly.
Strawberry Baby: [THESE ARE CURRENTLY NOT LISTED FOR SALE.]
There are two styles, regular and fleece and both are unacceptable from the small bit of information I am able to get. The regular mei tai is made with bar tacking rather than X boxes which is OK if industrial sewing machines are used which I doubt in this case. The real problem though is that the straps are attached to a tiny tab sticking off the body of the carrier and there is not way that is going to hold up in the long run (you can sort of see this in the blurry cell phone photos on the regular link above). The body of the carrier is only 2 layers of decorator fabric which is also unacceptable. The fleece carriers are all one piece with a fabric panel added. There is no way a mei tai with one layer of fleece is strong enough to hold a baby. I contacted the maker of the carrier personally after being alerted to some serious drama on Facebook and she has now said she is no longer offering them for sale and her Facebook page is gone. I have to apologize to the owner of eLeMeNo Pee for posting that I had contacted her before. I thought I was talking to the owner when I first posted this review but later learned she was just a rep for the company. I have edited those statements out now that I have more info. Of course they ARE still up for sale even though the carrier maker told me she wouldn't offer them for sale anymore.
4bebella: Makes MTs, RSs, and wraps. I have contacted this ebay seller directly to ask a huge series of questions. There are TONS of red flags on these carriers. For both carriers, she outsources the making of the carriers to India and refused to answer if she used fair trade practices to pay her workers. Her RSs do not use the proper rings or the proper fabric. She said they are weight tested but could not tell me how that test was done or if it was the rings or the fabric that was tested. In addition to that, in just about every photo advertising her ring slings, she is using them incorrectly. For the MTs, she refused to answer what weight cotton was used, or how many layers she puts in the carriers, but she does admit that she only has double stitching on her straps which is not good enough. Her wraps are simply hemmed cotton fabric, nothing special and not worth the money. She does offer a money back guarantee but you have to pay return shipping and a 30% restocking fee. There is nothing good to say about ANYTHING this seller produces. UPDATE: A mom on my message board took one of these MTs apart and it was garbage. It was simply 2 layers of lightweight fabric. There was a small bit of cotton batting but no inner layers and no bottomweight fabric. In addition, the straps extended less than an inch into the carrier and were simply sewn in using the topstitching of the body fabric. Avoid this at all costs!
UPDATE #2 The maker of this carrier has posted on my message board saying that this review is unfair. She has claimed that I have never contacted her. I have found the email that ebay sends when you get a message and I am happy to try one out for myself but from the information I currently have, I am not convinced that this carrier would be safe to carry a chihuahua much less a child. I stand by this review and I feel obligated to share that with y'all!
AnnaCarrieBaby MT: strap are not attached with X boxes, just triangle stitching and they do not extend far enough into the carrier to be safe. There are not enough layers in this MT and only decorator fabric is used. On etsy & ebay
AnnaCarrieBaby also sells under the screen name Sweetfrogy. You can see the same carriers listed under both names. This is the carrier my friend Trish redid and saw firsthand how horribly this was made. This is one of the worst on the market and she equates it with being the equivalent of a doll carrier.
Bundle with Love: Makes pouches, ring slings, stretchy wraps and mei tais. Fabrics for RS and MT are much too thin, RSs do not use the correct rings, MT straps are much too narrow where they meet the carrier. Unknown if this seller uses X boxes. Plus it drives me nuts when carriers are advertised being used incorrectly and she uses the name brands Maya and Native to describe her carriers. On etsy & ebay
Cuddling Baby: This is one of the worst MT makers I have encountered. First the carriers are not well made. She advertises that she uses 4 layers of material and batting and uses X boxes (which has not always been the case--she only changed when people complained) but she is just using a thin poly/cotton blend fabric which is not strong enough for a baby carrier. Also if you look at the photos of her carriers, you can see how narrow the straps are where they meet the body and who knows how far those straps extend into the body of the carrier. X boxes or not, this isn't as safe as it should be. She admits to making 60-70 of these a month and common sense will tell you no one can do that and still take the time needed to make a safe well-made carrier.
In addition to all that, this seller's track record is spotty at best. Her ebay reviews speak for themselves (including the retalitory feedback left for her unhappy customers) and she has a disclaimer on her website that she was in the hospital so she could not complete some orders quickly. However, she continued to take orders that she knew she could not fill and lied to her customers about it. Moms had to file with Paypal to get their money back. Then she also told a mama on my message board that the delay was due to a house fire which was another lie because a local mama checked with the fire department and there was no fire. Local mamas also report that she is posting on Freecycle that she has carriers available right now even though she has jilted her ebay customers. She also had a series of deaths in her family that delayed shipments. This woman must have the worst luck on the planet!
Also operated on etsy under the name Beeba but that account is now inactive (it was opened in Nov 2009 during the time she was supposedly in the hospital and took orders through Dec 2009)
TBW reviews as a vendor and for her carriers and more info here, here, here and here. Photos here. Notice that anyone defending her carriers is not really very experienced based on feedback and post counts. Also look at her own personal responses.
UPDATE: One of the moms on my message board took one of these carriers apart to demonstrate how unsafe it is. It was actually worse than I thought. See here for more details and to see how bad a bad carrier can be.
This carrier maker is out of business but she has been popping back up on esty occasionally under variations of the name BeeBa. This is the current one. Beware. As soon as she gets some bad feedback here, she’ll close this username and open a new one.
Flrtnfairy: [UPDATE! THIS CARRIER MAKER ALSO SELLS UNDER THE NAME mysecretgardenboutique and she has a facebook page with photos of her water slings that are a total ripoff of Boutique Bella Bambini's ribbon detail. She also has an account on etsy.
These were put on the list last summer. I got a message from her that said she used craft rings because the other rings were too expensive. I tried to help her understand that the only safe rings to use were aluminum sling rings so she started SAYING hers were Sling Rings even though they weren’t. A mom on Babycenter bought one of these last year and it was made of stretchy swimsuit material which is NOT supportive enough to hold a baby. She is back again this season with more ring slings. Some of her listings look like Sling Rings but some still pictures shiny, thin craft rings. Avoid this seller like the plague. For not much more you can get a water sling from Bella Boutique Bambini, Taylormade or Sleeping Baby Productions and know you have a safe sling from a reputable company.
Little Rubi: Makes MTs, pouches and RSs. Judging from some of the close-up picks on ebay, the stitching is not very straight. Her carriers are very close to looking like either Kozy MTs with a rounded top or BabyHawk MTs with padded headrests and I hate copycats. I think for the price, I would rather have the real thing. These might be better than I think but there is no proven track record on TBW and she is not wearing the slings properly in her photos either. The copycat idea aside, I worry about the safety of the carrier.
Milky Baby MTs: These are very similar in quality to the 4bebella and AnnaCarrieBaby carriers. Also the straps are not angled and that is not a design that will be comfortable to wear even if these were made well. How much can you trust a carrier for less than $20? UPDATE: Another mom I know took one of these apart and like similar carriers on this list, it has no support, no X-boxes and only lightweight decorator fabric.
UPDATE #2: I have corresponded with the owner of Milky Baby recently. She claimed that the carrier is safe but said that she is using decorator fabric as support, batting for the guts, and triple stitching for the straps. I explained how to make the carrier safer and she promised to start using x boxes and extending the straps further into the carrier. This is great news but until she starts adding more layers and uses thicker fabric, I will not be able to take Milky Baby off the list.
UPDATE #3: I just checked on Milky Baby on ebay and she's still using the same photos and description so I am not convinced that she has strengthened the design of her carrier. :(
UPDATE#4: I got to try one of these in person (Thanks Cat!) and it is garbage. The straps and back are made with thicker canvas type fabric but the straps are only one layer. They are hemmed around the edges not doubled so they are very very thin and narrow. The straps extend less than 1 inch into the carrier at the waist and the shoulders. The body itself is made of just three layers, the thicker strap fabric, a thin layer of batting, and a VERY thin layer of cotton. It is uncomfortable even with my tiny peanut who is about 13lbs. Still not recommended.
Sweetfrogy: Another screenname for AnnaCarrieBaby. Avoid at all costs unless you are looking for a doll carrier.
The Loving Bean (on etsy) Blog : She might be done selling slings but just in case I am listing her. She was selling slings with craft rings and tried passing them off as aluminum SlingRings. She had two listed and a fellow babywearer linked me after she convo'd her and asked about the shiny craft rings she was using. The seller told her they were Sling Rings but there is no way because the ones pictured were very thin and shiny, not thick and dull like aluminum rings. Then she sent a pretty defensive message to my friend about it accusing her of harassment (she just asked for a better pic of the rings) but then she told me she had sold it locally. I don't want moms being harassed but I don't think that was the case here, especially since she has also accused me of harassment as well. UPDATE: This mom convo'd me several more times (for a total of about 10 times so who is harassing who?) and now has resorted to the foulest language I have ever seen a mother use! Plus she has admitted to sending all her friends to harass me as well. Etsy has gotten involved since this is against their policy. If this is the way she treats customers who ask questions, I would not buy anything from her! Be safe, buy only brushed metal rings!
PLACES TO BUY
To buy used
The Baby Wearer: Must be a member (it’s free!) and to sell on the FSOT board, you must be a member for 30 days AND have 30 posts. This can be a little overwhelming at first.
Diaper Swappers: Must be a member (it’s free!) and there is no post minimum to sell. You do have to have 10 posts to add photos though. You will find the occasional crappy carrier here but there are lots of great deals here too.
BBC Babywearing Swap: must be approved to join the group. I am a group leader of the babywearing message board here.
Ebay (do you really need a link?) Just be wary of non-name brand slings. Do your homework first. When in doubt, shoot me an email with the listing and I'd be happy to check it out for you!
To buy new
River Bugs
Jessica carries Moby, Sleepy Wrap, Ellevill, Ellaroo, Didymos, and Bebina wraps. She has the super cool Boba and Oh Snap by BabyHawk and Ellaroo and Comfy Joey ring slings. She also has highly coveted dye spots with DyeHard custom dyes. Her store is ever expanding and she is a sweet mama to boot!
Zerberts
Ruth has free shipping to the lower 48 states and discounted shipping everywhere else.
She carries AngelPack, Action Baby Carrier, Oh Snap, BabyHawk, Eden MTs, SweetPea Ring Slings, Kalea Baby Ring Slings, Hoppediz, and Wrapsody.
Sweet Pickles Now know at The Blueberry Tree (You can still get there through the old website though)
(there are 2 different links to the regular site and to Hyena Cart)
Susan carries these wraps: Colimacon & Cie, Didymos, Girasol (including exclusives!), Natibaby, Storch, and Wrapsody (including exclusives!) plus
Catbird Baby MTs, Pikkalo, Olives and Applesauce, and sometimes SBP ring slings. She also carries lots of other cute baby stuff!
Frogmama
Lorene has killer sales on Becos and other great carriers!
She carries Angelpack, Beco, Oh Snap, BabyHawk, Didymos, Storch, KarmaBaby, Slinglings, plus lots of other cool natural mama and baby items.
PaxBaby
Jillian is one of the coolest mamas I know but she looks way too good for a mom of 5 and one on the way!
She carries Sakura Bloom, Hotslings, Kozy, BabyHawk, Beco, Ergo, Oh Snap, Olives and Applesauce, Pikkalo, Wrapsody, and BBSlen. She also does super cute custom Beco and Wrapstar carriers with matching drool pads! She has just acquired "Pimp My Carrier" and can now help you make your babywearing experience even cuter!
Bebewearing Mamas
Naomi carries Slinglings, Comfy Joey, Kalea Baby, Eden MT, Catbird Baby MT, Sleepy Wrap, BBslen, Didymos, and Ellevill.
Metro Minis
This NYC retailer has just about everything you could possibly imagine from carriers to about a million other baby products! They have some of the best Girasol exclusives as well!
MTs: Kozy, Napsack Baby, and Mei Tai Baby
RS: Upmama, Pslings, and Sakura Bloom
SSCs: Ergo, Beco, Oh Snap, Angelpack, Pikkalo
Wraps: Girasol, Didymos, Barabarn, BBSlen, Ellevill, Storch
Quirky Baby
Kozy, BabyHawk, Hotslings, Ergo, Beco, Oh Snap, Angelpack, and Wrapsody, plus this is also a retailer of Babylegs
McKinley Kid Baby Gear
This Alaskan retailer sells Beco, Ergo, Pikkalo, Catbird Baby, Ball Baby Overall (discontinued but so great!), Sakura Bloom, Storch, Ellaroo wraps, KarmaBaby and they have killer sales!
Heavenly Hold
This shop carries Ergo and all the possible accessories, Beco, Oh Snap, BabyHawk, Slinglings, and SleepyWrap as well as lots of other great mama/baby stuff.
Granola Babies/ Piece of Cloth
Giselle sells lots of different brands of wraps and other carriers. She has just branched out into cloth diapers and other natural baby stuff.
This is a store that is recommended by the owner of It's a Preemie Thing which I LOVE so I checked them out and decided to add them here too. Katy carries Sakura Bloom ring slings, Pikkalo SSCs and several brands of mei tais and wraps. She is a fellow preemie mama as well and has a great buying guide found here.
65 comments:
great info, mama!
Thank you for making sure this didn't disappear. I am lurker on the BBC babywearing board and have looked this over several times just in the past few days. Very helpful!!!!
Hey! Thanks for posting this, but I was wondering what you think about the Balboa Sling??
I second that - i bought a Balboa Baby sling prior to all the recall mess and while it isn't cited, I'm concerned! Please review!!
I found your post in the baby-wearing group so totally helpful. I got confused when I tried referencing it to several friends who had similiar questions. I'm so pleased to find this here, and thank you very much for taking so much time to a) research, and b) thoughtfully write it all up.
You're a treasure, thank you. : ) Also, I heart my Ergo!
I can understand why this post might have not been welcomed at other boards. It kind of comes off as you pushing particular brands, insulting all WAHM type carriers, and assuming all DIYs are dangerous. It also comes off a bit classist.
Babywearing has been around much longer than many of these brands you endorse have been around. The people in Asia, Central American, South America, and Africa don't typically go pick up a Beco in the stores. Most of them are made at home. These people survived centuries carrying their babies without these brands.
Not everyone can afford to buy five different $140 slings either. So not saying that all WAHM products are wonderful and great, but if a person researches a buyer or seller off of ebay and etsy, they can get a great carrier at a more affordable cost. I will also say it seems a bit irresponsible to point out specific Ebay vendors based not upon feedback or your own experience, but pictures.
To say that you must have a certain brand or style of carrier or doom and gloom are inevitable can be a bit off putting. I've been babywearing for a relatively short amount of time, and I find on the internet there seems to be some people who are using baby wearing as a status symbol vs. people who just want to practice attachment parenting.
I am all for learning new information and getting reviews on carriers, but I don't think your reviews are all that fair and seem to paint whole groups of people with one brush.
Many of the carriers that you listed came from what started as WAHMs businesses. Should they have never gotten a chance simply because they are WAHMs?
Before any assumptions are made, I am not a WAHM or vendor, I just as of late have been put off by some in the babywearing community for shunning people trying to make a living.
I think people should do their own research beyond looking at pictures or where the vendor sells their product to make a determination on their carrier.
Wow...I purchased a Moby and have had some stretching problems. I had no clue all of the options I have, thank you!
I'm all for people trying to "make a living," just not at the risk of injuring my child. Thanks for all of the great info!!
As a WAHM I LOVE to support WAHMs but I'm very very careful about the safety of my baby. I highly recommend WAHMs with ring slings if #1-they sell on HYENACART or you know them personally/have seen and tried their work
#2-and this is the biggy-they ONLY use Sling Rings. I absolutely will not use a ring sling that uses anything except Sling Rings (www.slingrings.com).
I highly recommend Swanky Baby Gear. I bought one of her slings and it's the most comfortable ring sling I've ever tried and it's gorgeous. The fabric is light weight but heavy enough to support my toddler.
I appreciate the comments about the WAHMs to stay away from though. I didn't know anything about Cuddling Baby besides the Etsy reviews and I thought with just a couple bad reviews I'd be safe. I have been OK with the Mei Tai but it doesn't have near the padding that she claimed to have on it. I also was very disappointed in her business practices with lying about the ship date by over 2 weeks. As a WAHM myself that's unexcusable especially when I emailed her and couldn't get a response for over 2 weeks. Rant over but thank you for the post.
Also a shout out for Squishymommy-she rocks! I know her and love how much she's helped me with babywearing. She's made it very fun (and addicting :) ). I highly recommend her videos-I ended up having her make me one for a ring sling or pouch sling for Kangaroo carry because I couldn't figure it out.
Siditty, I'm sorry you found this information classist and pushy. I can't control the rest of the babywearing community but the purpose of this post is to explain all the babywearing options out there beyond the Bjorn, which is the only type of carrier many moms know about. I never said that anyone needs to buy five different $140 carriers. I have listed slings starting at less than $25 in some cases. I also highly recommend buying used and link to several places to find used carriers. You can get a whole stash of baby carriers for less than $140 total if you know where to look and I totally advocate babywearing on a budget. I personally have bought very few carriers brand new and even then, I wait for sales so I rarely pay full price.
I am absolutely pushing certain brand over others because I have tried them myself and I have found them to be both safe and comfortable. If I haven't tried them myself, other moms I know and trust to be experienced babywearers have tried them and given their recommendation.
I don't see how I am insulting WAHMs and DIY carriers though. The majority of the brands I recommend are either WAHMs making slings themselves or they started out that way and are now contracting out the sewing. I also posted links on how to make every single type of carrier here so I don't understand how I don't promote WAHMs or making your own carriers. My first wrap and my first MT were ones I made myself.
You say I am irresponsible to point out faults in carriers off ebay and etsy. To be fair, I have not tried the carriers on that list. But moms who buy those carriers will also have to go off photos when choosing them. I can tell from photos and descriptions what features are lacking in the carriers I have listed. In many cases I have contacted the sling maker personally to ask about their construction before adding them to the list. In addition, moms I know and trust have taken several of these apart and have proven how unsafe they are.
I think it would be irresponsible NOT to share brands I believe to be unsafe based what is universally considered standard in the babywearing community, the answers I get from the sling makers and my personal experience. I am not recommending a sling I know is made from craft rings and cheap Walmart fabric or is being sewn improperly and I am not apologizing for that. Several of the WAHMs on the list flood the market with these cheap carriers making the good ones harder to find. Several WAHMs have sent me carriers to review and in most cases, I have added them to the recommended list so the list of WAHMs is growing.
I am perfectly aware that people in other countries have been babywearing for centuries with simple pieces of cloth. But you want to talk about classist? Many people in those countries now associate babywearing with poverty since people with means buy strollers as a status symbol.
I agree that babywearing has become trendy. I agree that many moms who are not practicing other aspects of attached parenting are babywearing. But I don't see the problem in that if it brings moms closer to their children. Are you saying only moms who do attached parenting should babywear?
And I agree that parents should do their own research before buying a carrier. Parents can use this blog as a starting point and then check out the ones on my list and others to see what is right for them. You should do that with ANY baby product especially since different products work better for different people. I am in no way the end of your search.
You don't have to agree with me. This is all just my opinion and the opinion of my friends. Frankly there are plenty of moms that have been babywearing a lot longer than I have. But I do know more than the average Bjorn wearer and I think that I have something to offer moms who are just starting out.
Many bloggers would have deleted a comment such as yours but I appreciate you sharing your thoughts. It gives me an opportunity to explain where I am coming from as well.
About the Balboa sling, I don't recommend it for the following reasons.
1. It is heavily padded which makes it too difficult to adjust and increases the risk of suffocation if used incorrectly.
2. It has a closed tail and a strap like a messenger bag and that makes it hard to adjust and very uncomfortable to wear since you can't spread the fabric across your back to distribute the weight.
3. It is way more expensive that some of the better slings out there.
The only good things I can say are that they are easy to find in comparison to other slings and the fabrics are pretty.
Ashley, I appreciate your comments and thank you for the recommendation of Swanky Baby Slings. I have never seen these before and just took a look when I read your comment. Her slings are lovely with the pretty contrast stitching and because she uses SlingRings and high quality fabric, I would deem her safe as well. She uses a hotdog style shoulder which is totally different than the ones I have pictured. I wonder if she'd let me try one out! :)
Oh and I have set this up to email me next time there are comments so I won't miss anything. :)
Actually many of the brands that have been recommended on this blog ARE WAHM's.
Just wondering if you have ever checked out WAHM Li'l Peeper Keepers. I have ordered two wraps and a sling from her. She does a great job of cautioning the ups and downs of different wrap fabrics (woven versus stretch), and I find her slings to be very well constructed with high-quality aluminum rings. She also includes a very well-put together DVD with safe baby carries. I'm impressed with her attention to safety.
Do you have any information about the Patapum Toddler? I saw it on theportablebaby.com, but I am trying to get more information/reviews. I am debating between that and the Ergo for my husband to wear to carry our 1 year old. Thanks!
What is so bad about a WAHM woven wrap that is hemmed around the edges?
Rebecca,
There is nothing wrong with a piece of woven fabric hemmed around the edges. It is safe if you are using something other than quilter's cotton. But having tried that myself, I know it is not the best or the most comfortable option and I certainly wouldn't buy that from someone else when I could make one of my own. With the cost of that much fabric, I could just search and find a good one used. I have paid $30 for a woven wrap before and it is hands down a better buy than hemmed cotton. Plus German woven wraps are made specifically for wearing babies. The weave is thicker and dense and is much more comfortable and supportive. It is not the same as plain woven cotton.
Puppylove, a toddler Patapum is a good choice if you can find one for a good price. It is very similar to an Ergo from what I hear but I have not tried one personally.
KirbeeLee, I have not tried Li'l Peeper Keepers. But from what I see on her website, I agree that her ring slings are probably very safe and her linen wraps look different from any of the DIY wovens I've seen. :)
Would love to see Kanga and Kinderpack mentioned here! :) Thanks for the work that went into this!!
Kanga is good, have you heard about the Bahboo Baby Wrap 3 in 1? It's a Kanga but has been designed with straps for all the mamas that steer away from Kangas because of lack of straps and has 2 different looks. It's also a nursing cover and can be used as a baby blanket. I ordered mine when I saw a lady wearing one, and love it!! The lady that makes them (she is african)makes them well and they're so cute. They r 2 layers just fyi
Totally bummed about the Moby since I got one for my 2nd baby. Also I didn't see anything about the Nojo Baby Sling - I got one with my first son when he was 5 months old, I did not end up using it that much.....
Thank you so much for posting this! At first, it made my head spin. But as I started watching videos, browsing the BBC babywearing group, and browsing diaperswappers.com, I really started to find my way through all the information to an option I think will really work for us. I'm excited to let the babywearing begin anew for us!
I also want to say that I was able to accurately determine that a WAHM MT which was for sale on DS was unsafe, thanks to your in-depth information. I asked the seller how many layers of fabric, how wide the straps were where they join the body of the carrier, and how they were attached. Sadly, the carrier was only two layers, so I said no dice. However, I was able to score a catbird for the same price from a different seller, so hooray for me!
Have you had a chance to look at the Baby So Smart RS & MT? I'd like to know what you think. I have to admit I love mine and I'd be really disappointed to find out there are issues with them. I have a Deluxe MT and a gorgeous duponi silk RS
I have not personally tried a Kanga or a Kinderpack but I know mamas that have them and they say they are wonderful.
Another mom I know has met the maker of Baby So Smart and she was very impressed and has several custom carriers of her own now. They are safe and well made but I have not personally tried one.
I do not recommend the NoJo sling.It is thick and heavily padded. I have one and there are much better ring slings. If you want a padded one, I highly recommend Posh Papoose.
Wow!! What an awesome resource :-) I'll be passing this on to any new moms I know asking about babywearing! I have worn both my kiddos extensively (in a WAHM stretchy wrap, a 4th Generation BECO and a GMBB) and often get asked for info and recommendations - I usually point them to thebabywearer.com but this this an awesome succinct article.
Thanks so so much :-)
Awesome awesome resourse for parents who are in the market for a carrier but don't know where to start! Thank you, I am sharing this everywhere ;)
I am a WHAM and I didn't percieve this as pushy or insulting at all. Parents need to know how to choose a safe carrier for their child and makers who don't know how to make one shoudln't be selling them! (can't wait till the standards come out!)
I had a couple of comments though.
Bali Baby Breaze is a great carrier, yes (learning curve and all) but then you don't recommend buying a woven from WHAMS or making one. I do agree, really(because I've tried ;) and it was a waste of my time and resourses) , but not when it comes to gauze. Gauze is gauze whether it was hand batiked in Bali or not. Any mother can make a gauze carrier for her baby or get a professionally finished one from a WHAM.. No?
Again wouldn't compare it to Didymos or other 'real' wovens but it is a great alternative for warm climates and tight budgets. Would love to hear your thoughts on that ;)
And a question.
I've heard great things about osnaburg wraps - again something that any mother can try to diy, but I don't have any experience with osnaburg - how do these wraps compare to gauze and to the 'real' thing?
wanna add Boba to the ssc category? i found it to be better then ergo and beco b/c of the wider seat, taller back and incredibly adjustable waistbelt(i'm plus-sized and it fits with a bunch of space to spare, and i cant wear the ergo without the extender, but it also fits my skinny hubby too :P)
Tanya, thanks for your comments!
I can't wait for the standards to come out too. I am worried that it could push some good carrier makers out of business so I hope the standards aren't as driven by big business. Infantino is the last company who should be involved in setting the standard!
I don't know what is different about the Bali Breeze gauze but it feels different to me. Maybe it's the process of batiking or there are different grades of gauze but the stuff I can buy at the fabric store is not even close to being as good. I would imagine the WAHMs that make "woven" gauze wraps have similar fabric available to them but the Bali Breeze gauze just feels different (better!) to me. It doesn't sound logical since gauze is gauze but that has been my experience.
Osnaburg is an organic cotton muslin. I have a ring sling made from it and I know several mamas who have made wraps from it with some success. It is certainly not on the level with Didymos or other wovens but it's better than DIY gauze and better than plain cotton. It is thicker than gauze not easy to find though.
Laughterhugs, I hear FABULOUS things abotu the Boba. I need to get my hands on one to try! I am shifting from word of mouth to only posting recommendations for things I've tried since some people feel me taking the word of others is biased. (I disagree but I want to be fair especially to the WAHMs I recommend)
Have you checked out the Tinokis? it's a stretchy...
To all my readers, I have switched this to moderated comments because I am being stalked and harassed by someone from the avoid list. It is very disturbing and a little scary. I asked a simple question about sling rings and warned against using thin craft rings and this mother has sent about 10 messages in 24 hours with horrible language and telling me she hopes I die. Hopefully this is temporary but I hope you all understand. Thanks! <3
Hi... I'm new to this baby thing (not due until late January). I registered for the baby belle. Can you tell me why this isn't recommended?
I am constantly referring people to this page for information on baby carriers. You did a FANTASTIC job of giving people a platform with a lot of resources from which to jump into their own babywearing experiences!
And I hope you can get your hands on a Boba soon, because I absolutely LOVE that carrier, and the fact that it's so simple and not as bulky as some of the other SSC. Maybe you could get someone to donate one to you.
Thank you again!!
I have a Beco Butterfly 2 (bought it only 2 months ago) but I find that the padded part of the shoulder straps are not long enough, so the unpadded part cuts into ny underarm. The waist strap keeps sliding up onto my lower back, so that the weight is all on my shoulders.
I am considering a mei tai. Do you think it'll help? Is it hard to learn to use? Also, which would you recommend?
S,
A mei tai would likely solve the problem of the straps rubbing but most MTs have less padding than a soft structured carrier like a Beco. I would recommend trying another brand like Ergo, Boba or Oh Snap. I have the same problem with the Ergo but I love the Beco. It is really just what fits your body best. You can also rent them so you can figure out which one works best for you before shell out the money. In the Where to Buy section, check out PaxBaby, Granola Babies, and Heavenly Hold for rentals and Frogmama has a carrier trade-in program where you can trade in your old carrier for a new one.
Ok, I'm sold on the mei tai. I found 2 used ones in my prices range... which do you prefer? Baby Ball Overall or Baby Hawk?
Meagan, they are both nice. I prefer the BabyHawk because it has a headrest and narrow padded straps. The Ball Baby Overall has wide, unpadded straps and no headrest or hood. It is a very nice carrier, just not my personal favorite. If you need to spread the weight out across your shoulders rather than having backpack like straps, the BBO will be better for you.
Thank you for this very helpful post!! I love knowing there are so many options and the details you've shared are so helpful for trying to sort it all out.
Two questions, if you have a chance to answer them. I'm looking at an Ergo, mostly for it's Dad-friendliness. Do they work for Newborns or is there a general age/size they start working well for? Also, they looked like a crotch-dangler to me. Did I miss something in the picture? Thanks!
Do you have any info on the mei tais made by palm&pond?
http://myworld.ebay.com/prapassben/?_trksid=p4340.l2559
It looks like the straps are stitched with an X and it doesn't look flimsy in the pictures but it's really hard to tell.
Hi! Thanks for the info. As a new momma with a natural desire to babywear, I had no clue it was so popular and there was so much to it until recently. I noticed a previous comment about lil peeper keepers wraps and slings, but not a response. Has there been any reviews over this? Very interested in this since the prices of them fit my tight budget.
Thank you!!!!
I have recently invested in a Boba. I love it. So does my 7month old daughter. I love that she is able to snuggle into my chest when everything gets a bit too much for her and the hood thingy is great. I went walking in the wind and rain the other day, and she slept the whole time.
Do you have any opinions about the Wallababy solarweave ring slings? They look safe, they seem to try to educate about safe babywearing, but maybe I overlooked something. I don't see any mention of water slings or water wraps in your blog. I'm especially confused about what the difference is between the different types of water fabric and if all of them are safe.
Thank you for the wealth of baby carrier knowledge! I'm due mid-august in CA where it will be HOT for the first couple months but then will cool off. What are your recommendations for a stretchy wrap-Wrapsody, SnuggyBaby, or the Anjanu one? I already have a peanut shell pouch and an Ergo from my first. I was considering the Beco Gemini b/c I like a front carry option, but I see you don't recommend it? I just know with the Ergo I started to feel limited once my daughter got older because she didn't like to be smashed into my chest all the time and wanted to look around more, so I felt like I could only put her in it when she was sleepy...thoughts?
Thank you again!
Infantino seems to have some new products that appear to be much more comfortable for baby and wearer, similar to the Ergobaby. They are the Balance carrier, which I think is made of cotton, and the Union carrier, which is a sporty version made of polyester. You can check them out on their website. I was wondering what you might think of these carriers as a less expensive, seemingly high quality alternative to an Ergo, Beco, Boba, etc? Thanks!
Hi! First of all I wanted to say thank you for your blog, it is very well contructed and was very enlightening!
I was wondering if you could give me feedback for a couple slings I found on ebay:
Native Baby Pouch Sling (seller: For baby and you)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Native-Baby-Pouch-Sling-FREE-Ship-CANADA-USA-/300539905022?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&var=&hash=item8bb38686d0
the second one is:
Little Star sling (seller:the baby sling shop)
http://cgi.ebay.ca/Baby-Sling-NEW-Pouch-Style-Carrier-8-COLORS-XS-L-/270742110516?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&var=&hash=item84b7c995b5
I would appreciate this so much!
Thank you very much!
LOTS of questions and I am way behind on answering them!
Loni--that second link looks OK. The first one is on my "carriers to avoid" list (Bundle With Love.) I would buy directly from their website though since they are cheaper there. I wish they had more pics of their actual slings in use instead of celeb photos. http://www.littlestarboutique.com/100-cotton-baby-sling-clearance
Anonymous and Thais, I would not buy an Infantino ANYTHING. Infantino is directly responsible for the deaths of several infants because of their negligence in pulling the Sling Rider off the market sooner. Then they have ripped off designs of good carriers like Catbird Baby for thier newer stuff but they use cheap overseas labor and subpar materials to cut the price. While they are better than the Sling Rider of course, their quality is still questionable and because this is a company whose business practices killed children, I will not ever give Infantino a dime of my money, nor will I ever recommend them. I know Ergo and Boba and Beco seem so much higher priced but I promise, they are worth the extra dough.
Anonymous: I recommend the Anaju stretchy wrap for you in CA in August since it is the coolest option. If this were your only carrier, I'd say go with the Wrapsody since you'd get more use out of it but since you have other carriers, I'd go with coolest option. As for being smushed in the Ergo, did you try a back carry? As your little one gets older, that may be more comfortable.
Christichiwa, I can't find any information about a Wallaby Solarweave sling. Do you have a link? The only one I could find was something called Mama Wallaby which I DO NOT recommend because she uses thin craft rings instead of aluminum sling rings.
Kristen, Lil Peepers Keepers makes safe quality slings. I have not tried one but I feel confident of her construction based on conversations I've had with her. :)
Mark, I don't kow anything about Palm&Pond MTs. They are pretty cheap and that makes me nervous. I am not paying that you HAVE to buy an expensive carrier for it to be safe but I can't imagine how they are turning a profit on a $30 without skimping somewhere.
Kitty, Ergos are not crotch danglers because the seat is very wide. A Bjorn-type carrier has a very narrow crotch area causing the baby to dangle. The wide seat puts the baby in a seated position. Yes, it can also be used with a newborn. There is an insert available but I just swaddled my newborn instead. It was cooler and cheaper than the insert.
Can you please add Strawberry Baby to your list of Do Not Buy? She makes Mei Tais with the straps not sewn into the body, does not use Xboxes, often uses fleece as the main body portion and when questioned repeatedly about the safety refuses to admit her design needs improvement. Here are a couple of pictures https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150101809998071&set=pu.268867353070&type=1&theater
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150166042778071&set=a.429143033070.231378.268867353070&type=1&theater
Allison, thanks! I agree.
Hi. Thank you for the great list. I wanted to see if you've ever heard anything about the okkatots baby carrier. I'm pretty new to babywearing and could use all the advice I can get.
Hi everyone, I just wanted to thank you so much for providing all this wonderful information. I have a 3 month old hypersensitive baby and her ped advised us to practice attachment parenting. Honestly, my husband and I went out and bought a bjorn, and first thing I thought was that it looked super uncomfortable, not to mention she cried her head off when we put her in it. Thanks to your blog (and that we still have the receipt!) I'm returning it right away and am going to try the beco instead!
I did buy a sleepy wrap when I was pregnant and she loves it, but during the summer she sweats her butt off in it! So I'm looking to purchase something that is lightweight and breathable.
I also agree that babywearing is becoming super trendy, however, I think that's a good thing! Babywearing is natural and healthy, so if that's considered cool now, well, even better for us and our babies :)
Hi,
I'm looking for a sling for my first baby, due in early August. This will be my first experience with babywearing and I plan to nurse her in the sling. I think I have it narrowed down between a Sleeping Baby Productions sling and a Hot Sling. Any reason to go with one over the other, or would you recommend another brand entirely? I'm 5'4", pre-preg weight was 120. Thanks!
Kitkat, I own both and love both but if you want to nurse in it, I'd get a ring sling over the Hotslings. The adjustablity makes nursing in a sling SO much easier. Congrats on your new little one! :)
Hi Mandy!
I love this site and found you through the BBC Babywearing board. I was wondering if you could look into the cotton gauze wraps made by a local WAHM here in Statesboro, GA and tell me if they are safe and worth buying or not, please.
www.wombfruits.bloodspot.com
Thank you so much for this info I had done so much research on what kind of carrier I wanted and once I decided it was really reassuring knowing that the brand and place I was getting it from were both on your approved list!
Do you have an opinion on the water wraps sold by gobabygoshop.com & waterwrapcarriers.com? (they sell the same wraps)
Would you recomend buying from The Blueberry Tree?
Hi, thanks for all your great info! I almost bought one of your not recommended slings from flrtnfairy. I noticed too she has a new name on eBay, mysecretgardenboutique. Just an fyi so no one will make the mistake I almost did!!
Great post! I'd like to say that the Maya Wrap (ring sling) has a tutorial on their website for making on that's SUPER easy. I used rings that are actually for horse saddles and they work great!
Lots of great questions to comment on!
Brii: The Wombfruit wraps look fine. Since they are gauze, they are OK for back wraps.
Okkatots has some great features but it is still a crotch dangler so no recommendation from me. The fabric must extent from knee to knee. Those straps used to let the baby lean back for interaction are only held up by velcro. My little one can pull velcro off by herself. That scares me a little. And HOLY COW! It's $100! Do yourself a favor and shop around. You can find a Boba or an Ergo for that easily! They carry Ergo at some Costco locations for only $80!
Go, Baby, Go water wraps look great! I wonder if they'd let me try one so I can put them on the recommended list...
The Blueberry Tree is the new business name for Sweet Pickles which is on my vendor list. They are HIGHLY recommended!
Dana, THANKS! I have updated my listing on the red list to include that information!
Adventures: I don't recommend using rings for horses. They are bigger and heavier than rings made for slings and there are two main problems with them. They retain heat which can burn your child especially if left in a hot car and since they are more slippery than sling rings and are too large, some fabrics can slip through them. They can also break if they have a weld point. I do not recommend using them.
Thank you for the great info! :)
Well done! I'd love to see Kanga and Kinderpack recommended here. I really like both of mine (and I've tried a lot of carriers!).
Hi,
Thanks so much for the information. I was wondering if you had tried out the Manduca - I have read some reasonable reviews of it.
Cheers
Babyette has woven wraps too, they are beautiful! Maybe you could try one and add it to the wovens area.
Thank you so much for this post, I refer back to it alot and give out the link to anyone who asks about babywearing.
Huge public service, mama! Essential details and incredibly useful product recommendations, but not so in depth as to overwhelm a new babywearer. This is my go-to article when I want to provide someone with an introductory guide to babywearing options. Thank you!
Post a Comment