Thanks to help from some of you, I am more and more intrigued (sp) by slings. But I have so many questions!!!! Can you breastfeed while wearing one? Can you carry your newborn all day in one?? I am looking into the mei tei. It looks really comfy but the legs dangle. is that ok for a newborn? i also have a maya wrap but i have never used it. any tips would be great! Thanks!!!

I had trouble working some of the other slings, but I LOVED my Maya Wrap. Yes, you can definitely nurse them in the sling, and you can definitely carry them most of the day- as long as they're happy and you're happy! My Maya came with a great DVD that explained how to do all the different carrying positions. Since mine were 1 year old, I've used the Hip Hammock, and I still use it, even though they're at 30 pounds.

One of my friends made me one. I'm still learning how to use it. I watched a video online that showed how to do it, but I still need some help with it. ~embarrassed~

From what I've heard, yes, it is entirely possible to breastfeed while your baby is in a sling. I've tried it once, but had to support him still a bit to get him where he needed to be to eat. I tried adjusting the cloth,... but I just couldn't seem to get it right.

I only got a sling when dd was born, but I LOVE it. My sil makes them, the one she gave me is very similar to the maya. Yes, you can nurse with baby in them, but I never did figure that out. You can carry them all day, but I would suggest switching positions/which shoulder the sling is on (if yours is reversible) a couple of times throughout the day to prevent sore muscles in the beginning. (yours) Once they are able to sit on their own, my favorite positions to carry them were on my hip and piggyback style! : ) Even my son loved getting a piggyback ride now and then at 2.5! As for instructions on how to use your maya, I never had instructions. I just kinda figured it out. Hopefully someone else will have more help for you there, but in the meantime, I can send out an email to my sil and see if she can send me any to pass on.

Here are the videos I mentioned:

http://www.mayawrap.com/u_maya_wrap_101.php

Umm, please check out the link I posted in "Picks of the Day." It is a warning from the Maya company that was posted this afternoon. : (

Legs do NOT dangle with the MT. The fabric is up under their bottoms and forms a seat. That's what is so great about the MT versus the other carries such as the Baby Bjorn and the ever popular Snugli. : )

You can nurse quite easily, so I hear, in the ring slings or wraps. I never did though.

The ring slings didn't work for me because it put pressure on one shoulder which caused problems in my lower back. I chose the MT and am wanting a wrap so I can spread the pressure across the back on both shoulders.

I think I mentioned all this in our PMs, but anywho ... : )

Stretchy wraps like the Ultimate Baby Wrap and the Hug A Bub would be good options for a newborn. Gives you the versatility of a wrap, with more stretch. Without the big learning curve of a full on wrap (open ended piece of cloth). I'm thinking the UBW and HaB looks rather like the ring sling, w/o the rings, and slips over your head/arms ?? Not entirely sure.

Well with DS we started with a Snugli. UUUGGGHHHH!!!! A couple weeks later I purchased a Rockin Baby Sling and we BOTH were happy. It had a long tail (with pocket) that I threw over my shoulder when I nursed him to give us privacy. In fact I nursed him while WALKING at the Zoo and he fell right to sleep (although weird because my breast was hanging out under the cover! gol) Anway...

DD HATED the sling so I purchased a Mei Tai from Hollies Hobbies (again...mooches to Tara here). She LOVED it! A bit trickier to nurse in but...Baby was happy. The learning curve is slightly lower than the ring sling types but there are TONS of sites w/ instructions. And her legs DIDN'T dangle. As Tara said the material forms a "seat".

I plan on using the Mei Tai for the new Goober (unless he hates it...gggrr...) but also have purchased a Snuggle Bug (from yet another WAHM) wrap. I like these better for newborns than all others. Stretchy ones are great. The learning curve is LOW on these (wear like a sash). And easy to nurse in since sometimes ya never know if a baby is IN there becasue they can ;ay naturally in them! ;)

HTH! If you are able to try a few out prior to purchase that is always great! Take care & blessings!! ~Kerri

I haven't tried the Mai Tai or the wraps but I would LOVE to! If anybody can tell me how to make one, please do! : ) I am SUPER interested! I just don't want to shell out the cash for one...

I had the Bjorn carrier for my first two, and HATED them... using the word *HATE* here... ugh. Then when we were expecting the twins, I found out about Slings, and my hubby made us TWO of them... and we love them! I never had the need to nurse with them, but I have put a baby in it when they are fussy and wear them around the house... We have taken them everywhere... and we used a lightweight material to make them so we could use them in summer time in Florida, even. I would LOVE to try the wrap or the MT.

I have links to instructions for the MT for ya Jen...

Hold on...

http://thosemartins.com/bmt/index.htm

and

http://www.bradley-etheridge.com/MaeMeiTai.htm

and

http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/asian.html

Not that difficult. I mean, you have that curve to sew along, but, if one can manage the pleats around the ring, I think one can manage the MT.

Also, check www.thebabywearer.com It's a baby wearing forum with LOTS of info and helpful (/obsessed!!) gals (heehee).

I have just purchased a Moby wrap, it's got no rings or anything, you just wrap it around you about fifty-zillion times and that baby aint going nowhere....LOL. And I'm probably gonna buy a Mei Tei for when Micah is a bit older as I think the wraps are better for newborns than the mei tei.

I've heard good things about that Moby. So you liking it Eva?
That's why I want a wrap...just 'wrap it around you fifty zillion times and that baby ain't going anywhere' LOL
And no, the MTs aren't so good for newborns. I keep wanting to think 3 months is a minimum age on those. I could be wrong. I know it's listed on some MT site somewhere haha

I've heard good things about that Moby. So you liking it Eva?
That's why I want a wrap...just 'wrap it around you fifty zillion times and that baby ain't going anywhere' LOL
And no, the MTs aren't so good for newborns. I keep wanting to think 3 months is a minimum age on those. I could be wrong. I know it's listed on some MT site somewhere haha

I actually haven't gotten it yet. I just ordered it online a couple days ago so I'm waiting for it to come. A friend let me borrow a kari-me wrap to try out and see if I liked it, it's similar to the Moby. I can't wait til my Moby comes!! I'll let you know how it is when I get it. I'm pretty sure I'll love it though *wink*

Yes, please let us know if you like your Moby Wrap when you get it, Eva! I've really enjoyed reading all the posts on this thread. Thanks for all the input, ladies! After looking through several different websites and different types of babywearing things, I think I would like the Moby the best. I have neck/back issues and the one shoulder variety would hurt me I think.

I got my Moby yesterday and I absolutely LOVE it! It's very easy to put on and it spreads the weight evenly over your back and shoulders. I would definately recommend it!

Yea! Good to hear Eva. How about fabric weight? Do you think it would be a good 'all-weather' sling? And what about the stretchiness as babe gets bigger..do you think it will stretch and give too much? Or hold even a 25# snugly?

I mean, I know ya just got it and all and your Micah is still a wee one, but, ya know...initial thoughts?

Hmmmm...I think it would be a good all weather sling. The fabric is quite thick. Um, as for the stretchy-ness, I was worried that it would stretch and give too much. I don't know if throwing it in the tumble dryer would shrink it back a bit. I think it would stretch and still hold a big baby snugly, but my concern was getting it back to the smaller size for other babies. I have noticed that when I put Micah in it, the piece that holds his head is a bit stretched out but I don't know if it's just bcuz I'm not tying it tight enough, I've only worn it a few times so it's possible that I just haven't gotten into the groove of putting it on tight enough. I have a friend who has one and I'll ask her what happened when her baby got bigger.

cool...thanks eva!
that's what I was worried about, stretching...but staying ; )

I read on one of the Moby Wrap websites (don't remember which one...) that if you wash it and dry it, it will go back to it's original 'shape'. Not sure if this is accurate since I don't have one...just sharing what I read!

I read on one of the Moby Wrap websites (don't remember which one...) that if you wash it and dry it, it will go back to it's original 'shape'. Not sure if this is accurate since I don't have one...just sharing what I read!

That's what I was thinking would happen. Except we don't have a dryer so not sure what I'll do, heehee.

Any more updates on likes or dislikes, Eva?

Nope, still loving it! And Micah loves it too! He falls asleep as soon as I put him in it. If only I could wear it at night, maybe I would get a better sleep....LOL.

How long did it take you to 'get the hang' of it? I tried a Moby wrap this morning at our moms bible study with another mom's baby and it was really loose. Can you put it on by yourself? I didn't have the directions with me, but I could remember them from online. Maybe they give better instructions when you purchase one?

thanks Eva!

It didn't take long to get the hang of it. Mine isn't loose at all but then Micah is only little and hasn't stretched it yet. I tied it loose the first time I put it on cuz I didn't know how tight to tie it, but now I know how tight to wrap it around so that Micah's head is supported. Was the one you tried on used on a bigger baby?? That's maybe why it was loose. That's my only worry with the Moby, that once Micah outgrows it and we have another baby that the wrap will be too stretched out for the new baby. But I wonder if putting it in the dryer will shrink it back to be tight enough for a new baby. Anyway, that's my only concern with it, but guess I won't know that until I have another baby....LOL. Oh, and I was actually thinking about getting a Mei Tei for when Micah is a bitty older so that might not stretch my Moby out too much. I have seen people carrying children over a yr old in the Moby, but I think I'd prefer the Mei Tei for an older baby. My personal thoughts....the Moby is great for a newborn and then switch to a Mei Tei for an older baby. HTH!

Eva...I share your thoughts...without having ever used a Moby hehe
I have loved loved loved my MT since Boo was about 4 months ?? Can't remember now. Maybe a bit later by the time I actually made and started using it It all blurs together ya know ; ) LOL

But that's why I want a wrap this time. As soon as I have a few $$ I'm going to get the fabric, then hope I feel well enough to sit up and hem the edges hehe

I have the Eurgo but it is bulky so it is hard for me to use all day (great for hikes and DH LOVES it) So today I went out sling shopping! I tried on a wrap similar to the Moby, but it was made of hemp instead. It was pretty easy to put on and I loved how the weight was distributed very well. But Josh didn't really like it and started fussing in it within 5 min. (yes the stores where I live are great because they let you try on the product and play around with them) He felt really secure and very comfy but he didn't like it for whatever reason. I asked the store owner if she had ever heard of the wrap she sells or the moby stretching out so much you can't use it for sub sequential babies and she said she has never heard that and she knows of moms who have used it for multiple babies. I also tried the maya wrap (which I ended up buying) which Josh and I both love. I think the "moby" is more comfy for your back/shoulder but the maya isn't bad at all. I wore him in it all day and feel great and just LOVED it. The learning curve on the sling is easy and I love how many positions you can put your baby in. The "moby" (at leas the direction I saw) shows only 2 positions you can put him in front and hip. anyways thats what I have found.