Does your infant prefer only one type of carrier???

Question

For dads and moms out there, do you use the same carrier with your little one or are there some who prefer to use different carriers? How many of you use more than one type, say one for home and one for outings?

I picked up an original baby bjorn for myself, but I'd like to pick up one for my wife, either an active bjorn (to help support her back more), but I know she'd prefer a mei-tei wrap type carrier instead which I'd really like to get her.

Have any of you experienced your infant to prefer only a single type of carrier rather than alternating, can baby's be that particular (at 5 weeks)??? Thanks.

Answer 1

Babies absolutely have preferences, even at just a few DAYS old! Not every baby enjoys being carried the same way as another. Some want to have their knees to their chest; while others would rather have their legs around the person carrying them. Some babies enjoy facing out, others face in. Some prefer being on the back, others chest to chest. It varies such a great deal!

Honestly, my recommendation for a carrier for an infant younger than 3 months old would not be the Baby Bjorn or any of the copy-cat models.
A baby still in what they refer to as the "fourth trimester" (first three months after birth) need to feel very secure, warm and safe. An ideal carrier would put the baby chest to chest with the wearer, where the baby could easily feel the breathing and listen to the heartbeat. Something where their legs were snuggled into the fabric, not hanging out lose to dangle (which can affect the development of muscles as well).

Personally, I think wraps are the most useful and versatile for babies that age. They come in all sizes, shapes, colors and patterns, and unlike Baby jorn which can only be worn 2 ways, can be worn 6 or 7!

Try to Google the MOBY WRAP to get an idea what I'm talking about. Another would be a standard sling (www.hotslings.com)

Answer 2

We have a padded ring sling and a mei tai, both locally made, and a 'Bill Amberg Papoose' (leather and sheepskin front-pack), and the Bjorn original.

The Bjorn was the around-the-house workhorse and total crystopper up until about three months. We still (just 3 1/2 months, now) use it, but not nearly as much. It works, but it no longer has the same magical powers.

The sling was a washout up until three months. IT is now the 'workhorse' and 'crystopper.'

We got the mei tai at around two months and I really wished I'd had it since birth. No problems going between the Bjorn and the mei tai.

The leather-and-sheepskin is our on-the-town, posh carrier -- and the winter carrier, what with the warmth (though my daughter still goes under my coat more often than not). She falls asleep in it in no time. Warm and cosy is good, apparently.

I wish I'd gone with the 'active' Bjorn instead of the original. But if your wife wants a mei tai, get her a mei tai. Especially if she's going to be using it out of the house a lot. We had no problems alternating, and I love that it packs so easily into my bag. The Bjorn's ugly and takes up a lot of space...

Answer 3

Our daughter prefers to be in a Baby Bjorn. I also have a Cuddly Wrap and I tried a sling. She HATED the sling. She is okay in the Cuddly Wrap for short periods of time ... but the favourite is the Bjorn. She is very active, with arms and legs moving all the time and she always has to see what is going on. I love the Bjorn too. We have gone on several mountain hikes with her in the Bjorn and it was great. The Cuddly Wrap needs to be adjusted often because she moves so much!

Answer 4

I tried 5 or 6 different types of slings/carriers/wraps when my daughter was an infant. I found that she really didn't give a hoot what kind of carrier she was in. She did prefer to be in a more upright position, but that was about it.

So, go with what is most comfortable for the person doing the carrying. The more comfortable and easy to use it is, the more it will get used.

Answer 5

We have black bjorn and both my husband and I use it, my husband more than myself. I have pink and brown baby sling- called Peanut Shell that I use a lot for around the house or just running into a shop, it is easy to slide on with no straps, good for little babies. We also have a brown adjustable sling/ wrap style one for longer walks with me. We also ....( I know we have a lot) have and Ergo Baby for our son who is 18 months. Great for hip hold and back pack style. He loves it!
As you baby preference, my son loved the Bjorn but hated be tightly bundle in the Sling, my daughter is the opposite, thus us having to buy many! My advise is to get both!

Answer 6

To each their own. Me & my husband used the same Bjorn for our infant & he sure didn't mind. It's cool that you want to get different ones though so you won't have to adjust the size back & forth.

Answer 7

At five weeks, I'd use a pocket/pouch sling. (I use mine until around 1- 1.5 yars, depending on the baby's growth.)