This week is International Babywearing Week, so we here at Mama’s Worldwide thought we’d bring you a couple posts on babywearing.
As a practicer of Attachment Parenting, I’m pro-babywearing, as it has a lot of benefits for mother and child (Maria’s going to write about some of these tomorrow), unfortunately, I’ve also got a very bad back, making babywearing difficult for me.
While still pregnant, I bought a Baby Bjorn Active. According to the company’s description, the Baby Bjorn Active is good for back support. It’s adjustable, so my husband and I could both use it, and I’d also read in many reviews that husbands are more likely to use a Baby Bjorn than other types of babywearing.
It’s pretty easy to get into and adjust, but I was never able to find a really comfortable fit and found myself constantly readjusting the straps during use. Even when Oliver was small, my back would start to bother me after a while. Add to that the spinal stress it puts on the baby, and I knew I needed another option.
I was a little nervous about going to a wrap or a ring sling, so I chose a pouch-style sling, the Hotsling. I like the Hotsling, and it’s actually a lot easier on my back than the Bjorn was. I transported my 15 month old through the Munich, Amsterdam, and Washington Dulles airports on my recent trip to the States in the Hotsling without my back getting too uncomfortable. I like that you can easily move the baby from front to hip to back carry. Oliver enjoys riding in the sling and I enjoy using it. The downsides to the Hotsling, at least in my opinion are that breastfeeding in the sling is difficult (I can’t manage it, but I’ve heard it is possible for some skilled mamas) and that it isn’t adjustable. Unless you happen to be the same size as your husband, you’ll need two different sizes. Additionally, I’ve lost 40 pounds since giving birth and had to buy another Hotsling (two sizes smaller) this past summer. My current sling is starting to get a little loose now, if I keep losing weight, it’s gonna be useless.
I think about buying another sling. If I did, I would consider the Mei Tai, or a ring or wrap sling, as they’re more flexible, but as Oliver gets older and heavier, I know my babywearing days are limited. My back is just not going to allow it, but maybe with the next baby I’ll feel the expense is worth it.
For more reviews, see Maria’s earlier post on Baby Wearing for her takes on the Mei Tai, Zolo Wear, Hotsling, Baby Bjorn and Baby K’tan.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I use Cybex I-Go, and I absolutely love it! It may seem a little gimmicky, but I was also very uncomfortable with using a wrap.
I used a Baby Bjorn until my son was like a little sausage stuffed into it. He loved being high up and facing out when we walked around the neighborhood. I liked having a safe way to carry him up and down the four flights of stairs in our apartment building, and not having to deal with the stroller, especially when we were shopping at stores without elevators or taking the bus.
However, if I had it to do over, I would have tried the Ergo. I’ve heard it’s much more comfortable than the Bjorn, it supports more weight so it’s useful for older kids, and I’d love to have the backpack option.
hi,
i used a baby k’tan with my little one and it was great.
you also have to buy it sized like the hotsling, but it’s 100% cotton so it is way comfier and not as restrictive.
you can also wear it in a million different ways and