Sling recs for heavy babies? Nicki/HH/Lotty?

**clementinexyz** · 03-07-2008, 08:50pm

Anyone?

I think I might need a back carrier but of course he can't really support himself too well as yet. I find him too heavy in the moby wrap on the front now, it hurts my shoulder (which makes me

as I just adore carrying him in it and he loves it too)

I have used the moby as a back carrier but he slides down quite low and it is a real faff getting him into it.

He weighs about 9kg/20lb atm, Any thoughts?

ETA he holds his head up perfectly but cannot sit yet.

**lucypede** · 03-07-2008, 08:52pm

How about a Mei Tai? I started using a Babyhawk from about 4-5 months with Penny, they are incredibly strurdy to wear and but still quite snuggly.

And they look so purdey!

**Bert2e** · 03-07-2008, 08:53pm

How about a woven wrap like the Calin Bleu gauze? I know that stretchy wraps (the Moby is stretchy isn't it?) got uncomfortable as ds's got bigger as they didn't support their weight - they just sort of sagged.

**clementinexyz** · 03-07-2008, 08:56pm

Purdy is always good

I will peruse Nicki's site in a sec, thanks for the quick responses.

Lucypede I love your new pics

**nickimacrae** · 03-07-2008, 09:05pm

Clem I've got a vid I did a while back of putting a smallish baby into a mei tai back carry if you want me to dig the link out? I think K was about 3m at the time. I'm sure I also have using a mei tai for a front carry too somewhere...

I was going to say the Moby will sag as he gets older - thats the one down side and why I always say great for up to 6-9m max. Obviously its a very individual thing though when you reach that upper comfort limit. I don't really like them for back carries personally, I find I want something a bit more supportive / less stretch.

I agree, front carries shouldn't be out of you want to csrry on with them - you just need something more supportive. Likewise though, if you feel brave, over the coming weeks as he gets good stregnth int hose back and neck muscles you can think about back carries. They do balance a babyes weigh better as they get older, plus you suddenly have the advantage of being able to do more with your arms!

I would think about going down the route of either a mei tai or a woven / non-stretchy wrap for definite

as you could use those right away. The only other option would be a soft structured carrier of some sort (Patapum, Ergo, Connecta, Beco, Yamo... there are tons of them to choose from out there), but quite a lot of those are from 5-6m upwards, so you might be in a bit of a nomans land for a few weeks with that until you hit the age range (As I say, depending on what make you were looking at).

Just of to make DH some flapjacks, but I'll be back if you want that link or anything...

**clementinexyz** · 03-07-2008, 09:14pm

Yes please to the link Nicki, and can I have a flapjack too please?.

I do want something I can use straight away but although he is only 4m he is really strong (I know every mother thinks their baby is advanced but mine really is

) he never lost his step reflex so he can hold his own body weight on his legs, has held his head off the ground at tummy time since he was 2 weeks old, you get the idea, he's a freak of nature really, so even is something is suitable from 5/6m I think he'd probably be fine now.

that said i don't want anything too structured, we have one of those backpack style carriers which Dex loves but isn't hugely comfortable to wear, I thought something closer to the body would be better for us. he likes to be able to see out and I love having him on the front but as you say the back carry is a bit more versatile. I guess with a woven wrap I have the option of both, but with a mei tei they look a bit easier to manage alone, am I right? and I am a little dubious about a woven wrap after the moby (which was a total Godsend for the first few weeks btw, so thank you for that

)

**Chickpea** · 03-07-2008, 09:17pm

If you're wanting comfort, but aren't too fussed over looks I'd really recommend the ergo

**nickimacrae** · 03-07-2008, 09:45pm

OK, I'm with you - basically treat D as a 5/6m old then!

Well these would be the relevant mei tai back carry links (in three parts)...

A front carry with the mei tai is so so so easy. You simply tie the waist straps around your hips / waist, grab baby, hold them agaist your torso, pull the body of the mei tai up over their back, flip the shoulder straps over your shoulders, put a hand round to your back ad grab them both, cross them, then most people bring them back to the front under babies legs and tie them off under their bum. I'd do a vid tomorrow if you want it as I can't for the life of me find one now.

As far as the more structured carriers go, they are still a whole world away from the framed backpacks and the like

They are a bit like mei tais, but with a bit more shape in the body and buckles instead of tying the straps with knots. Don't be put off for sure. Just for fun, here's a pic of DH and K last weekend at the local gala in a Patapum...

**nickimacrae** · 03-07-2008, 09:47pm

Jeeze Louise I look gormless there in those stills, I want to say that looks like me but alas....

**Hungry Hippo** · 03-07-2008, 10:15pm

I never got on really with the stretchy wraps. Heavy baby and my short body just didn't seem a very good mix!

I've always got on well with the Ergo. I also used it earlier that 6 months but of course I made Nicki check my pics first. I'll look up the thread and see how old he would have been. You're more than welcome to have a go with it when you're here next week. Although I've never tried a Mei Tai I think that would work well for you too.

I also get on better with a back carry. It feels more comfortable plus if I have Will on my front he obscures my vision!

ETA. I just checked and I did use the Ergo from about 3 months old.