The Sling Lady

Dear SlingLady,

I’d like to buy a baby carrier for my friend’s daughter, who is due next month. We didn’t have all these options when my kids were small, and I’m a little confused about what to get her. I don’t really know her very well. Can you help?

- Marja, Washington DC

Dear Marja,

A baby carrier makes a wonderful (and often unique) shower gift! It’s certainly harder to buy for someone else, especially if you are not certain of their tastes and preferences (sometimes you may not even know their size!)

My sure-fire recommendation for a great baby carrier for a first-time caregiver of an infant is either the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouch or the Pikkolo baby carrier. Both are easy to use, not too intimidating and have a look that appeals to a broad range of people.

The Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouch is my first choice since babies can cuddle in it from day one. It is sleek, simple in construction and its adjustability makes it easier to size than other pouches. A place to start: most women take a Medium (unless they are tall, larger or very thin/petite) and most men take a Large (unless they are under 5′11 and thin). I find the fleece to be the perfect material for a sling (fleece has just the right amount of stretch but is still supportive) but for warmer climates, the all-season material is a good alternative. Living in Napa, CA, I use the fleece for three seasons out of the year.

The Pikkolo is another great option for your situation. It is pricier but very appealing to those who are used to the mainstream appeal of other front packs with buckles. The Pikkolo can also be used from birth but, unlike other widely available front packs, it can also be used on the back and with older children. And it’s more ergonomically correct, both for the baby and the wearer. Plus, it comes in cute fabrics! The Pikkolo is my first choice if the mom you are giving this to has any back and shoulder problems.

And don’t forget, Carry Me Away (and most other retailers) offers a return/exchange policy good for 30 days after the birth of the baby. So the mom-to-be can always exchange her carrier for something more suitable.

Originally published 7/24/08

For those of you who celebrate the holidays, it’s that time of year again: time to start thinking about presents!   Carry Me Away stocks many wonderful gifts for new and seasoned babywearers
alike. If you’re the kind of person who buys throughout the year and is already one with your shopping, we congratulate you! For the rest of us, the Sling Lady has put together her list of favorites.

For the babywearing newbie with an infant:

So you want to introduce your friend/sister/co-worker to babywearing. She
is pregnant or has a new baby but isn’t yet using a carrier, or perhaps
has the Baby Bjorn. You’d like to give her something snuggly, easy-to-use
and helpful for breastfeeding.

The SlingLady’s Top Pick: Kangaroo
Korner Adjustable Pouch. Easy to use (even for frazzled new moms), super cuddly (especially  in fleece!) and easy to size for someone else due to the adjustability in sizing. Styling also appeals to dads. Can be used well into toddlerhood and beyond.

Runner Up: Moby  Wrap or Bali  Baby Stretch wrap. Also easy to use and hard to misuse. Provides great two-shouldered support for parents who carry their babies for several hours a day.

Best Stocking Stuffer: The Detachable Pocket, which clips onto any pouch or  wrap to create a nifty pocket for stashing keys, cash and maybe a lipstick.

For the babywearing newbie with an older child:

Your friend/sister co-worker already has an older child. S/he used the Bjorn when baby was younger, but they’ve outgrown it.

The Sling Lady’s Top Pick: The ERGO  Baby Carrier. Easy to use and comfy
for almost everyone, the ERGO makes even heavy kids feel wearable! Styling
appeals to both dad’s and moms, and there are lots of great accessories to match. Can be used for front or back carries, and side carries as well.

Runner Up: The Scootababy. The most comfy hip carrier we’ve ever seen!  Comes in cute fabrics, too.

Best Stocking Stuffer: The Peek-in-Back Mirror or the ERGO front pouch (works with Scootababy, too).

For the seasoned babywearer:

So your friend/sister/co-worker already has a couple of baby carriers but is still growing her stash.

The Sling Lady’s Top Pick: A Hotslings  Pouch or Pikkolo in  a fabulous fabric that she’d never splurge on for herself. Or, read about the Perfect Pairs to find a carrier that perfectly complements the one s/he already has.

Best Stocking Stuffers: The Peek-in-Back Mirror (perfect for use with any mei  tai or buckle carrier) or the Detachable Pocket.

For a big brother or big sister: It’s always thoughtful
to buy a gift for big brother/sister, especially when there’s a
new baby in the house.

The SlingLady’s Top Pick: a Child-Sized Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch. A must in any babywearing household, this is the best doll carrier
we’ve seen, because it’s easy for kids to use by themselves. And oh so sweet
in cuddly fleece.

Can’t decide? A gift certificate always matches!

Whomever you are buying for, don’t forget a cute babywearing card, and gift wrap.

O, Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch, how I love thee! Let me count
the ways…

1. Fleece is the perfect fabric for a pouch – soft & snuggly yet supportive.

2. The depth of the KKAFP works for a newborn and also for a toddler. I’ve used my KKAFP on a near-daily basis with Maddy (now 3.5 yrs) since the dayshe was born!

3. The adjustability of the pouch is so forgiving – I gained 50 lbs during my pregnancy (yikes!), lost it afterwards (eventually) and used the same pouch the entire time. Plus, it fits over sweaters in the winter.

4. Fleece is great for not overbundling baby. I was able to dress Maddy lightly and yet keep her warm and cozy next to me.

5. Dads love the KKAFP, too! My husband, JJ, a former Bjorn-lover, became a pouch convert after I got him his own KKAFP. The sporty styling appeals to guys who don’t want a “girly” baby carrier.

Trimming the Christmas Tree with Jack (6 mo)

Truly, I could go on and on. The Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouch was my entree  to world of all the fabulous carriers now on the market. Before my first child,  Jack, was born, my sister-in-law told me I must have a Baby Bjorn carrier.  I duly registered for, and received one, and it worked fine for us. Jack was  a big boy, though, and around 5 months, the Bjorn was no longer comfortable  for me, with baby weighing 17 lbs. But I’d gotten so used to the convenience
and ease of using a baby carrier that I couldn’t imagine only having a stroller  at my disposal. And Jack certainly wasn’t about to give up getting carried by  mom! I  was  determined  to find something to take the place of the Bjorn.

When a friend told me about  the KKAFP, I ordered one online, and found babywearing nirvana! The KKAFP was so much snugglier than the Bjorn! I could carry Jack in a natural  position on my hip, and he could look around at the world or snuggle down  into the carrier to sleep, depending on his mood. I could nurse with him in  it, while pushing the shopping cart at Target, and no one was the wiser. My  pouch was so easy to put on that I didn’t mind him wanting to get up and down  constantly. It  folded up easily into my diaper bag, and went everywhere with us.

	Laurel with Maddy (3 wks) in the KKAFP

Jack’s sister Maddy was born 9 days early, which isn’t early at all, but of course I was completely unprepared. I had planned to work another week and had loads of unfinished material. I knew I wouldn’t be able to relax into our babymoon if I didn’t finish some of it up and spend a bit of time training my replacement.  Not that I recommend this to anyone (I think I was riding high on the excitement of a smooth and easy labor and delivery and a beautiful baby girl), but on my first day home (two days
after her birth), I drove to the office, popped her into the KKAFP and spent a few hours finishing up and showing Andy (the guy taking over my caseload) around the office.

I eventually found other carriers, like the ERGO, the Kozy carrier and the BBO, but I always return to the KKAFP for it’s comfort, ease of use and snugliness.  I give KKAFPs to all of my friends who are having new babies, and it’s been a hit every time.

Now that Maddy is almost 4, we don’t use carriers so much anymore – she’s  a big girl now. But the KKAFP comes out on mornings when she doesn’t want to walk to big brother’s classroom. And when she’s crabby and needs to get away from it all.  And when she’s sick and wants to be held, like last night, when she was up at 1 in the morning with the flu.

They say you never forget your first love, and that is certainly true for me and the KKAFP!

Okay, so you’ve only got one or two handbags and you only want one or two baby carriers. You don’t care about your carrier matching your evening wear or being usable in the shower. You just want the minimum number of carriers that will allow you to comfortably and easily snuggle with your little one while going about your life.

Is is possible to have just one carrier that will last from newborn through toddlerhood? Absolutely. A woven wrap or a mei tai are my recommendations for the one carrier that will see you through the years from birth to 4. Both carriers can be worn in a variety of positions, can be used for breastfeeding and will be comfortable for short as well as longer outings, even as your child grows. The ERGO baby carrier is a good option for a single carrier also, although I find it a little awkward for newborn use.

So yes, you can use just one carrier, but in general, I find that most families wind up with at least two: one for quick, easy on/off carries and another for longer carries where the support of a two-shouldered carrier is key.

To help you find the perfect pair of carriers for your family, I’ve created an easy chart. Just choose one carrier from the right column and once carrier from the left, and you’ll be set as far as always having the right carrier for convenience, ease of use, and comfort for both you and your little one. Whether they will match your purple and yellow striped sweater, well, thats another issue altogether

Click on the links to read more about each carrier type.

Got questions? Don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment below.

New babywearers often ask me for recommendations for one carrier that can be used from birth to toddlerhood, that can be used in any situation for any length of time. They say they only want to buy one carrier, so it needs to last.

My answer? Baby carriers are like handbags. Yes, it’s entirely possible to own only one bag, which you use for every outing and any activity. But the chances are, you own at least one other handbag in addition to your daily purse (or diaper bag). Perhaps it’s an evening bag, that goes with your little black dress and is just big enough to hold your cell phone, lipstick and credit card. It might be a gym bag. Or a backpack for when you need to take a lot of gear and you want something big enough to hold all of it that won’t tire your shoulders out. Some of us own handbags in every possible shape and color, so we have the perfect bag for any outfit and any occasion.

Baby carriers are much the same way. It is entirely possible to own only one baby carrier and use it for every outing and occasion. For some people this is a pouch or ring sling, others prefer a two-shouldered carrier like a mei tai, buckle carrier or wrap. Which carrier is your go-to carrier varies so much from person to person, just like handbags do.

Say you start out with a pouch with your newborn. Pouches are easy to use and you like the simple, no-fuss aspect of them. This works great for you for the first several weeks, but you are finding that your little one needs to be held ALL THE TIME, and you are starting to get some soreness by the end of the day, especially as your little one gets heavier. So you get a Moby wrap, and it is heavenly! Super comfy and supportive and you can breastfeed in it hands free. Plus you can wear it for hours with no discomfort at all.

As your little one gets older and you move out of the honeymoon phase, you start getting antsy to get more things done. You’d like to be able to put him on your back, and plus, all the fabric of the Moby is driving you a little nuts in the parking lot at Target. So you get a Kozy carrier mei tai, so you can put little one in a high back carry as well as a front carry. The Kozy is super supportive and less futsy than the Moby.

As little one gets older and starts wanting to be up and down a lot, you go back to using your pouch more often, for the simple, fast hip carry it provides. Then you have a wedding to go to, your pouch doesn’t go with your dress, so you get a ring sling in a fabulous color to accessorize your outfit.

Then you take up hiking and don’t want the straps of your Kozy dragging on the ground, so you get an ERGO baby carrier. You love how fast it is to get on and off, and how it takes the weight off your shoulders and puts in on your hips.

And just like bags, it’s always nice to have a baby carrier just right for the beach and pool (water wrap or mesh pouch) and one that rolls up compactly that you can leave in the glove compartment just in case (Hotslings pouch). Not to mention one that doesn’t clash with your purple and yellow striped sweater!Coming soon: But seriously, how many carriers do I really need?