I've used several carriers/slings - BabyBjorn, Hot Sling and Ergo. Although I loved the sling for when the babies were little, I have loved the Ergo baby for my now one year old. Unlike the Baby Bjorn, the Ergo supports his bottom and creates more of a seat. He seems more comfortable as a result and has even fallen asleep in the Ergo. I have found the Ergo is more comfortable for me too because the waste strap and the padded shoulder straps seem to take the pressure of my shoulders and back. I would highly recommend the Ergo. With the ability to front or back carry, the Ergo really works in a lot of situations too.

I agree...the Ergo is the best!

We love our Moby Wrap and we also love our Luckybug Baby Carrier super affordable, Mama-made, alternative to name brand carriers, that we found here- http://www.etsy.com/people/luckybugboutique !

I have tried many, but I do love the Maya Wrap for newborns and use it until the baby is a few months. The newer styles has a light padding on the shoulder and are quite comfortable. Once the baby can hold her head up pretty well I switch over to the BabyHawk. It's quite versatile and does a good job distributing the baby's weight equally on your body and is comfortable.

Love soft structured carriers like the beco. I used a beco 4th gen and butterfly when my daughter was smaller but she has since outgrown them.

We now have a couple Bamberoos, an olives and applesauce, and a kanja xt. Love them all and they are sized for toddlers and preschoolers.

We still use them almost on a daily basis. We went to the beach yesterday (walking from the car down a steep slope to the sand) and it was so easy just to strap my daughter onto my back and not have to worry about her running away while I had my hands full with stuff.

My daughter is now 2 1/2 and still loves to be carried.

We are using a Manduca (http://www.manduca-baby-carrier.eu/ with our new baby girl). We also use a carrying scarf (http://www.jeportemonbebe.com) we already had for our son. Both are great, comfortable for both the children and us, but pretty warm for the summer.

I was really excited about babywearing when I was pregnant. Unfortunately, my daughter HATES it! She loves to be carried in your arms and finds being in her stroller very relaxing but throws a fit when I try to wear her. So far, we've tried (and failed!) with a maya sling, moby wrap and baby bjorn . . . sigh. Oh, well.

With my last baby, I used hot slings and the beco butterfly. I did NOT like the slings when she was tiny--it was hard to get her positioned in a way I felt was safe, so that her head wasn't collapsed forward onto her chest. We did all sorts of maneuvering with towels, etc., but it was just too hard--slings are supposed to be easy. I DID like the sling for a quick run into a store once she was older and would stay awake and I could wear her on my hip.

I have also loved the Beco Butterfly, from infancy up to about 18 months (my daughter is very big for her age--you could probably wear most babies comfortably in the Beco well past their 2nd birthday). It is sturdy, comfortable for me and the babe, and stylish. I wore her in it while hiking, sightseeing all day on vacation, running around the airport, walking the dog, etc. From what I can tell, it does everything the Ergo can do, but is way more attractive. I would recommend it to anyone.

For our baby on the way, I just bought a Sleepy Wrap. The concept is the same as the Moby Wrap, but I have heard from many people that the fabric is nicer, and doesn't sag or stretch too much so that you can wear the babe in it all day, and even pop him/her in and out without having to take off the wrap or readjust it. I'm hoping this will be a better option for my newborn than the sling was, and also be more hands free so that I can deal with my toddler at the same time.

I have several carriers, and I liked all of them for different reasons. I really loved the Moby wrap when my son was a newborn: it does have more of a learning curve, but once you figure it out, nothing felt cozier for me and my son. As he got older, the Ergo became our carrier of choice, and my husband will wear it too. Our other carriers I use only in certain circumstances: Hotsling in the diaper bag (for unexpected baby-carrying needs and hip carries), Babyhawk (for when baby is small, or for tying on overtop of a coat). For my next baby I am going to try out a ring sling.

I adore baby wearing. I am happy to see your post with some of the option, because when I had my first (now on my third!) I had no idea there were more options beyond when one saw at BRU. I found the Snugli and the Bjorn to be terribly uncomfortable for me (at 5'11" not enough adjustability!) and baby and I gave up until my second came around and I found www.thebabywearer.com/forum. Such a great on-line resource for all interested in babywearing! There are so many more options for wearing babies then you can even imagine!

If we are talking mainstrain baby carriers, my favorite for new babies is the Sleepy Wrap (think Moby Wrap but a nicer stretch and easier wrap, IMO). You can snuggle the little ones close and it's a great place for baby to take little catnaps.

For bigger babyhood/toddlers I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Beco Butterfly II. So comfortable for me and baby, adjustable and easy to use. I have big kids and the back support is fantastic.

Ergo all the way, baby!
If I only had funds for 1, it would be the Ergo, no question.

If you have funds for two, or can borrow from a friend, I'd recommend Moby for newborns, Ergo for once they're a little older.

RING SLING!!!! Had mine through 2 kids -they are the best.

I have a Sleepy Wrap, Ktan, ring sling, and Boba. My favorite, by far, is the Boba! My boy is a bit on the big side, and he and I were both uncomfortable with the softer carriers. The Boba is specifically designed for big/older kids, and we have been happy with it since the day I bought it. I used it every day. Even though my baby usually rides in the cart at the store or in the stroller on walks, I use the carrier to walk him to and from the car and whenever he's not feeling well. Lots of support and so quick to put on a take off!

Oh how I miss babywearing! Things were soooo much easier in those days. No strollers. No running toddlers or preschoolers!

I love my Beco 4th G and I know that my nearly 4yo would fit in it fine, even though he's 35lbs and in the 90th or 95th percentile for height. It's just that good of a carrier. Also they're made in Los Angeles and I feel good about supporting them. Plus their fabrics and color choices are lovely.

While I know a lot of parents love the Ergo, I can never recommend them in good conscience. They have literally threatened many small manufacturers of soft structured carriers (or buckle ties) with lawsuits claiming they created the idea of the SSC. Except the Chinese did that centuries ago with the mei tai and Baby Trekker in the last 20-30 years. Many companies have chosen to close or change their carriers completely (Beco is one of them) as they can't afford to litigate against such a large company with their Made in China labor. They've also taken away the ability for smaller online and brick and mortar shops to sell their carriers if they don't sell a certain amount per month, even though these smaller shops are the ones that MADE the company. Obviously I'm passionate about this issue! You can read more by Googling 'ergo business practices' or looking at the merchant forums on www.thebabywearer.com.

I'm pretty petite (5'1") and have occasional neck and lower back pain. Should I assume that babywearing won't be an option for me, or do some of the carriers really distribute weight well enough to make it possible? I don't think I'm going to be the person who can carry her 2 or 3 year old around, but I'd like to be able to carry my infant. Also, what's the word on baby carriers and safety with newborns? I thought I read something about risk of suffocation, but I can't remember the specifics.

I use a puj sling with my 8 month old, and I love how simple and uncomplicated it is. I even use it at the grocery store.

Me three on the Moby + Ergo! If you figure out breastfeeding while the baby is in either one, such a recipe for baby bliss.

I don't like Ergo's practices much. I bought a Beco last year and my daughter's head lolled and she had a buckle in her cheek whenever she slept. We started using an Ergo someone gave us and it's just better for sleeping.

The Moby is heavan on earth. We paid a baby wearer consultant the lactation center knew $20 to show us how it worked when our baby was a week old. Just heavan...at 2 1/2, my daughter will still drag it out.

Slings, however - we tried three and it never came close to feeling right.

For the commenter with the back problems - the Moby distributes weight around your whole torso, it never bothered my bum neck even when she was big and we were hiking. They are kind of molded into your body like they were when you were pregnant.

Long comment. But we love our carrying (can you tell)!

We loved our Ergo, and I'm hoping my second baby will love it just as much as our first.

FrogsPet's comment about Ergo's business practices is so disappointing to read. I haven't followed the link yet or done any additional research. But it's unfortunate that Ergo seems to be a bully in the market. I may be less willing to shout their praises after digging a bit deeper.

Mei tai's were a big hit in our house, as were hotslings.

It is my understanding that Bjorns don't support babies appropriately when they are worn facing outward, and can cause hip dysplasia.

I'd also like to point out that it's very important to make sure that newborn babies are never worn in what's called a "C position" where their heads are allowed to curve down toward their chests, as they can suffocate. This was a danger of some bag slings (Infantino Sling Rider and Wendy Bellissimo) that were recently recalled. Basically, you want to carry a baby in a carry that mimics an in-arms hold - if you wouldn't hold your baby in that position, it's probably not a good idea to wear them that way. :-) Mothering magazine has done several fantastic articles on babywearing benefits and safety.

Depending on where you live, you may be able to find babywearing meetup groups that are often happy to welcome new parents and provide opportunities to try different carriers and get coaching on how to use them! :-)

I second both the Manduca (hugely popular here in Hamburg, Germany) and the Ergo.
Both are extremely comfortable for both parents and baby.

Hm, just read that bit about Ergo not being a too friendly company. That is disappointing.
Saying that all midwives here recommend the Manduca anyway so that might be a good reason to buy that one.

THANKS for this post, I've been wondering. I've heard that these can be so baby/wearer specific you just have to go try on a million, which is much more effort than I was anticipating, and am not sure the stores will totally appreciate my opening up all their packages. Hopefully I can find a group like pumpkinoodle suggests.

another vote for ergo. we used the ergo from the beginning, with the infant insert (which props baby up and provides support for the head). it works great for us -- we like that both my husband & i can use it & that it will last for so long. a little on the pricey side, especially when you include the insert so hopefully you can get one from a friend or pass one along when you're done.

@ichiban, i'm only 5'3" but i haven't had any problems with the ergo. when baby is older, you can also use it for carrying on your hip or on your back. she's over 20 pounds now & i'm still carrying her in front with no trouble.

ichiban, I'm 5'3" and have used a ring sling, Moby, and Ergo. Both Moby & Ergo distribute weight really well (evenly across back and hips). The suffocation risk is very, very low as long as you use your carrier correctly. In the Moby, as long as you position your baby upright (rather than in a cradle position) and make sure that the fabric doesn't cover baby's face, you'll be fine.

http://www.togetherbe.com/productDescriptionFreeHandBabyCarrier.aspx

I have a freehand baby carrier. It's not as cute as the Ergo, but you can do an out-facing front carry. And the maker of the freehand is a local business.

I have a Beco that's had a lot of use and I love it. I ended up also getting a Pikkolo carrier which fit my large waist a lot more comfortably after baby #2. My husband prefers the Beco because of his larger shoulders.

There is a wonderful web site called The Portable Baby and the webmaster has posted comparisons of some of these carriers here (http://www.theportablebaby.com/carrierfeatures.html). The measurement information is very helpful.

I too agree with FrogsPet...I did love my Ergo with my first 2 babies (6-8 years ago), but once a baby carrier small business owner friend of mine informed me of their business practices, I got rid of mine...and found the Beco 4th gen before it was off the market (bad ergo!). It is wonderful, and I love the fabric options so much more than ergo's! And honestly, it was more comfortable as well...

For my infants, I did really like the pouch sling, and also I like the Moby too...but the Beco is the one we've gotten the most usage of!

We like the soft-structured carriers best; we also tried wraps and slings, but for ease of use a soft-structure one can't be beat.

We had an Ergo with our first and it did us well for two-plus years. I know some people complain about their business practices, but other than them enforcing their own intellectual property rights, I've never heard of what they do that's so nefarious.

My new baby wasn't loving the Ergo for some reason, so I went to a store and tried on several with her. I've found most stores in my area to be very helpful about this, and often have "tester" models on hand as well. We ended up purchasing a Beco, which is quite similar to the Ergo, but I can tighten more to really hug her to my body, which she seems to really like. It also has lots more colours and patterns, which is kind of fun. It is a little harder to nurse in due to the Y-shaped thing.

The crotch-dangling ones like the Bjorn get a lot of bad hype for supposedly cause hip problems, but again I've never seen any solid evidence that they do other than assertions on various baby-carrier websites. I have many friends who used those carriers happily.

I think some babies (like my first) are pretty happy in whatever carrier, but others, like my second, are very particular, so it's calling around to a few stores to see if they're okay with you testing a few out with your babe.

Also wanted to add, time of year makes a difference. With my first, a fall baby, we wore him in a wrap all the time as a newborn and loved it. With my second, a late spring babe, the thought of putting on a wrap and walking around in this sweltering heat makes me feel kind of sick!

I've tried several...

- Moby: I loved the idea of it, but I couldn't get the hang of the wrapping and tying. Even with tutorials from friends, I couldn't get my son positioned correctly. This was rough, because I knew a lot of other first time moms who loved it and used it all the time. They looked so sweet and cozy. I think the same thing that made it feel cozy to others made it feel binding to me, though.

- Peanut Shell / Hotsling: Liked the speed and ease of this type of sling, but it hurt my back.

- Maya Ring Sling: Liked this even better, but it still hurt my back.

- Babyhawk: This worked well when our son was small. Easy on, easy off, baby loved it. I love the mei tai style of carrier... soft, but structured... no buckles, simple ties. Unfortunately, the waist and should straps really needed to be padded. After one washing they kept twisting up on me, which made it less comfortable to wear. I still own it and may pad the straps. I think this style of carrier is totally awesome with padded straps.

- Beco: I borrowed one of these for awhile and liked the fit, but I felt like the buckles took too long to unsnap. I didn't give it a full chance, though, because my son was going through an anti-carrier phase when I tried it.

- Ergo: This worked the best for us. We're still using it at sixteen months. The fit is pretty good, my back never hurts, and it's fairly quick to put on and take off. If I knew about their business practices, I likely would have went with the Beco instead, but I didn't at the time of purchase. I'll be using this with the infant insert for our next baby.

I might check out the Sleepy Wrap for Baby #2 and see if that's any easier for me than the Moby.

I need it the most because I am a mother of two twins....
Muscle Morph

Although many carriers passed through my home- loaners to try, etc... the two that I used the most were the BabyHawk & the Hotsling. The Hotsling I used when my daughter was tiny, but the one shoulder carry was quickly outgrown. BabyHawk was perfect, because I had one made with a print for my husband on one side- and HE liked the look and feel of these. Perfect. Love the fabric choices! We've also used the Oh Snap! for a padded, snap carrier- and liked that as well.

I did ALOT of research on babywearing when I first got pregnant and decided on the Sleepy Wrap over everything else out there. So glad I did. It works miracles for my little man. He's 9 weeks old and we've had 6 weeks of intense colic. This is the only thing he will sleep in during the day. It differs from the other wraps in that its soft with a bit of stretch to give it a bounce that soothes his weary spirit. We LOVE it in our house.

I also bought the Baba Sling for when I want to quickly nip out to the corner store or when its too hot for the wrap, but we can't get comfortable in it. Its not user friendly and the instructions are unclear. When I called their HQ they offered to send somebody over to demonstrate but then I hadn't heard anything back. So a waste of money in the end.

I'll be getting a Boba when my son gets a bigger cuz I've had such good luck with the Sleepy Wrap (same company). I like the design features of the foot straps and rain cover.

I've had the Baby Bjorn, Ergo Baby, Infantino Front to Back Carrier and a Kelty carrier. Now with my first baby, I knew nothing about carriers and so we registered for the Baby Bjorn because that's what was recommended. We may have used it for a couple of month or so until we learned about the Ergo Baby. We love our Ergo Baby. I am always recommending it. It's GREAT! Now you're probably wondering why we have a 3rd carrier (the Infantino). That's my husband's carrier (as he likes to call it). I've never used it but he's likes it. Now for the Kelty, that was for really long walks but my husband didn't like how he'd always be leaning forward because of the weight of our son. So that didn't get much use out of it. Now that we are expecting our second, maybe we'll use it more when the baby is much lighter.

I started out using a homemade ring sling and loved it for the first few months. We also have a Bjorn Air, which my husband and our baby both really like but I never found that comfortable. I mostly switched to using a Beco after we got around 15 lbs. We recently bought a Scootababy, which is great for doing a hip carry. At 5 months old, always looking towards me was getting boring for the baby & so being able to look out and around in a hip carry seems fun for him.

K'Tan (or any other stretchy carrier) is really not a good idea to wear on your back. I'm surprised they allow it at all; Moby used to but no includes that in their instructions.

Another vote for checking to see if there's a babywearing group in your area. They can help you use the carrier you have or let you try out a new one without the (considerable) cost of one that might not work for your body and your baby.

Ichiban, you should totally try some carriers out! Look on thebabywearer.com forums for ideas on what to start with for a petite mama.

--moiety, friendly neighborhood sling librarian

I loved the Moby for when they are smaller...It is very comfortable. Hard to figure out how to wrap but once on it's easy to wear it all day and just slide your baby in and out, no need to carry a bucket seat into the store! When they got heavier the material would stretch and they would end up dangling around my knees...so on to ergo we went. I loved the ergo for front carry...It had a handy pocket for my stuff and felt like you were hugging your little ones the whole time. Back carry was a struggle for me though...I had to try to get a very wiggly and often protesting 1 year old back there. He could also arch his back and it felt like he could fall out. I switched to a Beco and never looked back. Higher back and I can have him step into it like a pair of pants and then swing him up like a backpack...which he loves. My son is 2.5 and we still use this carrier. :)

I don't think trying when you're pregnant can help you choose...my preferences as a new mom were not what I thought. Borrow when you can and buy used!

Ring slings are the best! I love my Little Hipster, and so does my daughter. It's fast to put on, the pocket is super convenient, and I love the lightweight organic fabric. I can wear her all summer long (in Florida!) without breaking a sweat. I've tried just about every carrier and this is by far the most comfortable and the easiest to use.