Attached to Baby

Hi!

All I own is a Moby wrap, which I love, but I'm so curious about the other sorts of carriers, too. So I'm trying to budget to buy one more, but have no idea what I want-- a pouch? Sling? Other?

My dear daughter is 6 months old, but her size is more like an average 9-month-old. I'm small (5'3" and about 115 pounds) but with a 34F bra size.

We normally wear the Moby in a front carry with her facing out.

I really don't understand the difference between the types of carriers, and would love a synopsis-- is there a FAQ or something that I haven't seen?

Thanks!

Slings and pouches are non-shouldered carriers in which the benefits are super fast to get baby in and out, as opposed to your Moby Wrap. Pouches are the simplest, least fabric, easy to stash in a purse. Ring slings are more adjustable and have a tail, if you nurse, its easy to breastfeed in public and have the tail cover for protection.

I think you need at least one sling or pouch. :)

If you love the Moby, you might be interested in another two-shouldered carrier like a Mei Tai  or ERGO/Patapum carrier. Basically the same concept, you can wear these on the front or back and be totally hands free. Super comfortable, yet not as versatile as a wrap. As your daughter gets older, a woven wrap provides the ultimate support.

My current favorites for my 25 pound almost 3 year old are the Mei Tai and ring sling. When she was younger it was the wrap and pouch. :)

Thanks so much, Angela! Your avatar photo is gorgeous, by the way.

What do you mean by "non-shouldered?" The ring sling and pouches carry the weight somewhere other than the shoulders?

I am unreasonably excited about the idea of getting a new carrier. I've been thinking about it all day. Would be awesome to have something easier to slip her into and out of. We love the Moby, but it is a bit of a pain to squish her legs into, and no way can I get her out quietly if she's sleeping.

Lol, I meant "ONE-shouldered"! :)

Super easy to pop in and out.

Ha! Okay, that makes more sense. ;) Thanks so much.

Me again, being a pain in the butt. ;) Okay, a few more questions:

What's the benefit (if any) of having a tail if you're not nursing? (I'm an exclusive pumper... lucky me.)

Are pouches mostly for young babies?

And sizing is confusing me. I seem to be "mixed" in sizing because of the bra size. I wear a medium shirt size, so I'd think I'd be a medium in carriers, but according to other measurements (like weight, body frame, etc.), I'm a small. Which should I go with, do you think?

Thanks in advance!

Benefit of a tail:

In ring slings, you can adjust the ring sling to get the perfect fit! Or, multiple babywearers can use the same carrier.

Tail comes in handy when using as sun protection or when baby is sleeping and you want to give her privacy.

I also use it as a quick leash, loop it around my toddler, cinch it up, and I have a pretty little baby harness, lol! That way she can't dart too fast away from me.

Pouches:

I still use pouches for my almost 3 year old, and that's my carrier of choice in the airport. But I do like the sling for its versatility. :)

Sizing:

I'd use the Hotslings sizing chart and go from there. If you do end up with a size too big or too small, we can help you trouble-shoot and offer free exchanges. I'd give most focus on the measurement from shoulder to opposite hip and bra size, upper body size... All pouches have different sizing too. Let us know if you need more specific help, we've got the Live Chat, email, phone...