Maya Wrap baby sling--opinions?

[honeygirl1971]

I wasn't sure which of the Moms' threads would work best for this question, so I'm giving it a separate thread. I know there are moms here who have used the Maya Wrap, so could those of you who have used it tell me what you thought about it (and which one you had--padded or unpadded)? I used the Ergo baby carrier for DS #1, and although I LOVED it from about 4 months on, I did not think it was the best carrier for a newborn (I did have the infant insert, but found the carrier much more awkward at this stage than it was later). So, I've been looking at other carriers for newborns for DS #2 and am strongly considering the Maya Wrap but would like opinions on it. I don't like the Baby Bjorns for me (nothing against them in general, just it's not a style that works well for me) but am open to suggestions of other slings/carriers as well.

TIA!!

[kcmo727]

I have a wrap called The Hiphugger that worked really well. We used it when we adopted our daughter (14 months at the time) and it was a huge help going thru the airports. I kept her in it for awhile we got home for bonding but she was too active to stay in it for long. I am not sure how it works with a newborn but it a sturdy and comfortable wrap. HTH!

Here is a link to the website:

http://thehiphuggeronline.stores.yahoo.net/faqs.html

*Just read that it is for older babies...sorry! I am leaving the post though just in case anyone is interested.

[Kerri]

I have heard really good things about newborns in wraps...so I ordered one! I wish I could tell you more if it worked or not, but for the price, I think it is something to try. With the wraps, you just have to have the confidence to give it a try. Maybe see if there is a local vendor in your area, or NINO group, to help you with it at first. The ergo was our favorite as well, but I am concerned it will just be too hot for the summer.

[honeygirl1971]

Kerri, did you use the Ergo when your baby was an infant? I had the insert and everything, but I found it hard to get him positioned just right. I had a much easier time wearing it the "normal" ways once he was old enough--facing me or on my back. I even got really good at getting him on my back all by myself! And it was a total lifesaver for travel. I totally plan to use it again, but am thinking of getting something different for the newborn phase. Like you said, it was also quite warm and since we're in CA now, that is definitely an issue with a baby that will be an born at the beginning of summer!

Which wrap did you get? The Maya or another?

kcmo, yours does sound good, and I'm sure someone else can use the info. :) But for us, since we like the Ergo, we'll probably just stick with that when DS #2 is older.

[Kerri]

Honeygirl - No, I didn't know about the ergo when James was a newborn...I wish I had. I used the bijorn at first and James hated it! I did buy the infant insert for this one, and am disappointed to hear that it is not as easy as it sounds! Oh well. The wrap I got is a Moby Wrap. We have a NINO group here, so I bought it from a vendor through them. The one I want is on back order, I hope it gets here before the baby does. When James was a little older and I was really into babywearing, I just bought some cloth at WalMart and made a wrap. It worked pretty well, but I just wanted something a little more secure for a newborn. You could always try that...just buy some fabric and if you like it, then invest in a Moby if you still feel like that is what you need.

I have also tried a ring sling with a newborn (not mine) and that seemed to work pretty well. The wraps just seem more versitle and better for on the go nursing...although that is hard to picture actually working!

[mst]

As I type, my newborn is in a tentoes click. (www.tentoes.com). I also love my moby wrap, and my kangaroo korner pouch.

I always recommend checking out thebabywearer.com. It is the CLBB of babywearers. Those women know everything!

[DanaSD]

I had a maya wrap and didn't like it but there are other people who love it. When DS was an infant I felt like it was squishing him and bending his head when I put him in the laying down position (he was a long baby). Also, I was always afraid he would slip out if I was moving around trying to get chores done. I much prefer a mei tai type wrap (I had a baby hawk) but I didn't use it until he was about 4 months old - would have earlier if I had known about it.

I loved my ergo but use it when DS was older and used it only on my back.

[greta]

Hi Honeygirl,
Congratulations on your pregnancy!
I use the Moby Wrap for my Sami, and I love it!!! I like the versatility of holds. I started using it when he was about a week old, and am still using it at the almost 4 mo mark.
Good luck with your search, Greta

[gertdog]

I have an unlined Maya wrap/ring sling and didn't care for it- too much extra fabric flopping everywhere. For something that's so simple in principle, I felt tangled up all the time.

I used a Hotsling with DS and quite liked it. No adjusting, no extra fabric- you order one to fit your specific measurements (they tell you how to measure on the site). Pretty fabric options, too!

http://www.hotslings.com/

[honeygirl1971]

Thanks ladies for all the good recs and ideas. I am going to check out those other wraps you mentioned...Maya was the one I had heard of most often before, but some of the others sound really good.

Kerri, you might like the Ergo. I will use it if I don't find anything else or until I get another if DS #2 comes early (which the doc thinks will happen :eek:--not preemie early just 'we're not ready yet' early). I think it worked OK, but comparing the newborn way of using it to how I used it later, I just thought it was harder to get the baby positioned right etc.

I really appreciate all the feedback! :)

[katygirl]

I was a hotsling baby wearer and loved it. I ordered directly from the website, there is a size finder on it which worked perfectly for me. I THINK you can now get them at Target in a limited selection of sizes and colors. But part of me thinks part of the fun was being able to pick from the great selection online. One thing I liked was that people (strangers in stores) were less likely to be hands-on with my newborn since she was in a sling. Not that I mind people ohhhing and ahhhing over my kids I just didn't want them touching them!

[lbd]

Can I piggyback onto this thread?

I have an Ergo but didn't buy it until DS was over a year, basically when he got too heavy for me to keep carrying in the Bjorn (minor lower back pain). I was happy with the Bjorn until then, and know we were using it as early as 10 days old with DS. So my question is, should I get the Ergo infant insert for a couple of months or just stick with the Bjorn until then?

I tried using a borrowed sling (Native American carrier? something like that) and wasn't real happy with it. I maybe just didn't give it enough time because I know lots of people love them, but that was my experience. The sling just didn't feel stable enough.

[honeygirl1971]

lbd, my response won't surprise you, but I would say that if you LIKE the Bjorn, then you should probably just use that for your new baby. I don't like them, so I would rather use the Ergo with the insert even though I'm not totally satisfied with that either, but if you already have something you like for those infant months, then I think you'd probably be disappointed by the Ergo with the infant insert. If I were you, I might try it once your baby can hold his/her head up, though, since I really loved the Ergo from this point on. :)

I still haven't decided which one to get, but I really like some of the suggestions here. I'm glad to know about these other options! :)