Newborns and baby carriers: help!

by Linda Lee (Subscribe to Linda Lee's posts) Feb 11th 2008 11:00AM

I kept my Baby Bjorn from when Riley was little, and now I also have a Mei Tei carrier and a New Native sling my friend loaned me. So far I've tried them all with Dylan and either he is too little, I am too paranoid, or I am just too dumb to figure out how to work a baby carrier.

My problem with all three is that his tiny 7.5 lb body slides way down inside the fabric and I'm afraid he's going to suffocate. He disappears inside the Bjorn altogether, and his tiny appendages seem too scrunched up to properly fit through the leg openings. The Mei Tei is far more comfortable (and easer to put on) but he's still so far down against my chest I can barely see the top of his head. The sling seems like it should allow me to position him where his face isn't covered (like the serene image on their website) but I must be doing something wrong: he ends up completely squashed in the bottom of the pouch, understandably pissed off and wailing.

Did you have trouble using a sling/carrier when your baby was brand new? So far the Mei Tei seems to work the best, but I can't help worrying about his face being all smashed against my body -- is this just paranoia on my part? I remember being much more comfortable using our Bjorn once Riley was big enough to position outwards, his little face peeping up over the top. But that's a few months from now, and in the meantime I'd love to be able to carry Dylan around the house and still keep my hands free.

Comments (35)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

mamacheryl 2-11-2008 @ 11:18AM

I spent a crapload of money on a sling to fit my plus-sized frame, only to realize that there's no way I can position my baby in there comfortably, especially when she was a brand new baby. Growl. The Bjorn fits her better now that she's a few months old, but she's not very comfortable in there either. I have high hopes for my new Moby Wrap. It's really comfortable for me, and there aren't any spots that dig on her.

Wish I had some advice for you. Just know that you are not alone in this struggle. :)

Cheryl
http://redpens-diapers.blogspot.com
http://skinnymeals.blogspot.com

claire 2-11-2008 @ 11:26AM

We have a baby bjorn, and I believe they recommend beginning to put them in once they're 10 lbs. Maybe he's still really just too small for that one.
I had one of those cheap pouch things when my son was newborn, and it worked fine. Perhaps it has less fabric than one of the fancier ones? http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2663262
I actually really loved this sling. It has a little velcro positioner that fastens around him like a little diaper and keeps him face up. I also liked it because no one knew I was carrying a newborn so I didn't have to worry about people crowding him or touching him or disturbing his little sleepy bliss. The only problem with this one was that he grew out of it really quickly.
Then I used the bjorn, and then I got a peanut shell just last month, when he was 8 MO. I LOVE it, and it's supposed to work from birth to like over a year, I think. http://www.goo-ga.com/
I have to say I was totally intimidated my the Mei Tei, but I know plenty who love it.
Good luck!

Jen Henry 2-11-2008 @ 11:54AM

I've found this site has lots of great resources. http://www.mamatoto.org/StartHere/ByBabysAge/tabid/67/Default.aspx

Yes, they too sell their products, which look similar to your Mei Tei, but they also have instructions so that you can make your own. They seem pretty specific on what to do with tiny little guys like your newest addition :)

By the time you figure out what to do he'll be ready for the other carriers :) The time will fly.

http://furoreandfrenzy.blogspot.com

Amy 2-11-2008 @ 11:51AM

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my adjustable pouch from KangarooKorner.com. I have a fleece one for winter and a mesh one for summer. It is so much easier than a ring sling. The ring always bonked my kids in the head. I had a bjorn, too, but the sling is much snugglier and more comfortable, especially for a brand new baby.

I still use mine almost every day, and my baby is 11 months old. They're $70, but well worth the investment. Sometimes they have certain fabrics and sizes on clearance.

With a tiny tiny baby, I find that the easiest position in the sling is to have the baby upright - that is, with her feet in the bottom of the pouch, and the her body between my boobs, and her head under my chin. That way I can be sure that her airway is clear at all times. They really seem to like the fetal position that this causes, too. It mimics the way they were positioned in the womb.

Amy @ http://prettybabies.blogspot.com

Uly 2-11-2008 @ 11:55AM

Roll up the bottom of the mei-tai. That will make the body shorter. Then he can fit better.

When you put him in, make sure that he's snug and upright, that his body isn't slouching. Make sure you tie the straps behind his back - this will help keep him upright until he learns to sit, and it will also close the gap on the side of the sling. Also, ensure that he's high enough that you can kiss the top of his little head. If you can't, retie.

So long as he's breathing, his face being against you shouldn't be a problem - the advantage of a carrier is that you can always tell if they're breathing. I have a horrific story about that that my grandmother tells, which I can only hope she made up because she's just like that.

You might try asking for help over at thebabywearer.com in the fora there - people just fall all over themselves to offer advice! And, unlike me, they're genuinely nice people. (I think it's a little weird, but it's a great place to hang out.)

rachel 2-11-2008 @ 5:32PM

I really second rolling the bottom of the carrier. You can roll it as many times as you need to to bring the little guy up to the level you're comfortable with.

Also visiting mamatoto.org or thebabywearer.com. Thebabywearer can be overwhelming, but there are tons of women on there who will bend over backwards to help you get comfortable with your carriers, and links to videos and step by step instructions.

If you roll the bottom of the Mei Tai and you're still not 100% happy check out the sites and see what they recommend.

Good Luck!!

J 2-11-2008 @ 12:08PM

I used a pocket sling with my 7lb newborn. We didn't have a problem with it. We just put him in face up, sort of cuddled up against us, and he loved it. I have heard other people say that it was an issue with a tiny newborn, but I would say to keep trying. My sling's directions show that you can put a newborn in "backwards." So that his head is on the opposite side from your sling-shoulder, if that makes sense...I don't know how to describe it any better! Check out www.starslings.com to see the picture. I think it is on there.

Uly 2-11-2008 @ 12:17PM

That's called a nursing hold. You can also use the sling to carry a baby like you would if you were burping them (this requires a hand!), or sitting up with their chest to your chest (this is called a tummy-to-tummy, but that's not totally accurate), which has always been my favorite way to use a ring sling.

Jill 2-11-2008 @ 12:20PM

I never got the hang of it with my newborns, but after a few months my sling was indispensible.

Uly 2-11-2008 @ 12:21PM

Also, if your child is really slouched in the bottom of your pouch or ring sling - or any carrier! - that's a real risk. That will cut off air circulation.

New Native sells pillows to help position your baby in the sling when they're little. I would suggest you invest in one, or makeshift one out of a rolled up receiving blanket, or avoid that sling until your kid is sitting up in it instead of lying down.

Eva 2-11-2008 @ 12:22PM

I don't know, we did really well with the New Native from birth. But then she was 8.5 lbs. And then at, I don't know, four months we started using the Baby Bjorn. Maybe try stuffing a little blanket in the sling to situate him better?

cheyenne 2-11-2008 @ 12:28PM

I have a moby wrap (and think it's the cat's ass) and used it sling-style when my baby was 1 week or so (7.5 pounds too). I put some padding under her so she wasn't so scrunched up and a bit higher in the sling and she would always fall asleep promptly. Now she's 1 month old and can sit upright in it; I pull the fabric up over the back of her head to minimize flopping.

Laurie 2-11-2008 @ 12:30PM

Have you tried an Ergo carrier? The carrier is great for a bit older babes and it has an infant insert (http://www.ergobabycarriers.com/babycarriers/category/infant_insert/). I think the sling is probably your best bet and you've got some great advice so far on how to make it work. Good luck!!

Linda 2-11-2008 @ 12:41PM

Hey, this is all AWESOME advice, you guys! Thank you! Uly: thanks in particular for mentioning that New Native pillow, I will look into that.

Uly 2-11-2008 @ 9:08PM

You managed to hit upon one of my favorite subjects, is all :)

mamaloo 2-11-2008 @ 12:56PM

Uly said everything I was going to.

I used the mei tai with the bottom rolled and the sling with baby upright, tummy to mummy. I made a moby style carrier with cheap jersey that was good for a couple of months.

One trick if you are doing a cradle hold in a sling or pouch with a very small baby: fold or roll a small towel or receiving blanket and put it under baby to give the baby a little height in the carrier.

Great to hear that you have lots of carrier options! I just ordered myself a new, fancy mei tai and am getting a pouch (my sewing skills suck, even if I had an hour to sit and do the sewing). I have a handmade (me) ring sling without rails and a friend has lent me a NN style sling with rails. We've just grown out of the Bjorn completely and my old mei tai has just seen better days (but boy wer they good days!).

Chaya 2-11-2008 @ 1:01PM

The Moby Wrap is great, as is the Ergo. There's a little bit of a learning curve with a tiny newborn, but if you practice with positioning him you'll be able to keep his head from falling into your armpit. Definitely check out thebabywearer.com if you need help, and there are also tons of videos on YouTube that might help you figure out the best way to wear Dylan. Once you get the hang of it it's great- our baby was pretty much either swaddled or in the sling as a newborn, and I was so happy to be able to get things done while holding him. Also, if you have him on you and are getting all cabin-feverish, you can throw a hat and blanket around him and walk around the block (assuming it's not too cold). Good luck!

darah7 2-11-2008 @ 1:55PM

My best advice is find someone in your community who can help you out. I watched so many videos and read so much, but I wasn't confident in wearing my newborn until someone gave me some hands on help.
Also, my daughter was never a fan of the cradle hold when I was wearing her (she adored it with my husband. I think it might have had something to do with my ginormous boobs, but whatever) so I almost exclusively wore her upright and used a stretchy wrap so I could keep her head against my chest, but form it around her head so she could breathe just fine. And I could look at her adorable face!
The other nice thing about wearing her upright is that I knew there was no way she could inadvertently hit my c/s scar as she did a couple times with the cradle hold as I was doing housework or whatever.

AndreAnna 2-11-2008 @ 2:05PM

I realize you're gonna have 500 people telling you 500 things, but when I came home with a six pounder who cried all the time unless I was holding her, the Ultimate Baby Wrap saved my sanity. Truly.

http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Baby-Wrap-Navy/dp/B00009VE6W

ksmilligan 2-11-2008 @ 3:59PM

I have an Ultimate Baby Wrap and my teeny little newborn (2 1/2 weeks old, maybe 7lbs at most) fits it right now. It has already been a lifesaver, I spent 3 hours with him attached to me yesterday and actually got things done, which was a Very Good Thing for my sanity.

My only complaint with the UBW is that it is incredibly stretchy. I'm wondering if maybe a Moby wrap would be less stretchy? I haven't gotten to try one yet though.

Anyway, HTH!

Sarah