I just had my little boy last week, and he's tiny (a little over 5 pounds). I'd like to be able to wear him, but he won't fit into my Boba 4G carrier until he's at least 7 pounds. Any suggestions for a wrap or sling that might work? I've tried the Moby and really don't like it. Thanks!!!
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The best thing to do would be to talk to your doc and maybe a local babywearing group. There's some great ones online. I've heard them recommending against it if the baby is premature or has any health issues. I wore my DD in my solly wrap but she was closer to 7lbs. There is something called the sleep belt which you can use sitting for them to be strapped to you so your hands are free.
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I did not have preemies but my sister had a weego and it is for preemies (from 3lbs up). It's not a wrap...
http://www.weego.com/en/produkte/weego_preemie.php -
congrats on your little one!
Most carriers aren't approved for use before eight pounds. He'll get there soon!
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Thanks everyone!!
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I fully admit that I might have ignored the rules on this (I didn't even think to check that there are limits, honestly) but I wore my daughter (born at 4 lb 6 oz) in a Moby for the first few weeks and then in an Ergo with an infant support until she was about 10 months old. She didn't reach 7 lbs until probably 5-6 months old, and we never had any issues, I was just really mindful of making sure she could breathe and was as visible out of the carrier as possible. Don't take that as an official recommendation, I definitely wouldn't violate the regulations of the carrier, but that was my experience, having been completely ignorant to the rules!
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I did a ring sling and a wrap with my preemie and was just super vigilant about airway positioning.
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My twins were full term, but small. We started wearing them around a month when A was around 6.5 lbs and B was almost 6 lbs. I used the Moby. DH occasionally wore DD (the bigger twin) in the Ergo with newborn insert but it really swallowed her up, so I don't think I'd recommend that. I think ring slings might be a good option for a tiny baby, but I didn't try one out until my LOs were much larger.
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Either a ring sling or a wrap is great for tiny babies. If you have a local chapter of Babywearing International they are amazing, I would highly suggest checking out a meeting, and you can borrow carriers if you are a member.
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I'd go with a ring sling.
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I would ask your BWI group for advice and if they have a lending library, you can try before you buy.
I had plans to wear before 8 lbs (with a woven or a ring sling) but didn't find the time.
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I have a Solly wrap and Wildbird ring sling and love them both. I used the solly from day one, I'm in the fb group and I know a lot of people use them with tiny babies as long as they are healthy.
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My LO was bigger at birth, but I thought the Solly wrap was a lot nicer to use than the Moby (which I used extensively with my first). I had my baby in the Solly from the first week, but she was over 8 lbs at birth. It's thinner and less bulky and hot than the Moby.
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I bet a ring sling would be perfect for you!
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@CoffeeMom: lillebaby starts at 7lbs...I admit I used it a touch before that.
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@CoffeeMom: maybe the nuroo pocket could work. I'm planning on trying it this time but I'm expecting a big baby.
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I had a 5lb 12lb little guy who quickly gained weight for what it's worth.... I bet yours will too. I user the regular Boba all the time, I think when he was 6 lbs. He loved it! It was the fabric wrap thing.
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My friend has smaller babies than I do and swears by the Nuroo shirt.
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Thanks so much for all of your input! I'll definitely be checking some of these out. He loves to be held and hates to be put down, so I'd definitely be more productive if I can figure out the best way to wear him!
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LO was a six pounds even at birth. I loved the NuRoo until she was a bit bigger. The mom that passed it down to me had a NICU baby. It would probably be excellent in this type of situation.
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We loved the boba wrap!
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My girls came home at around 5.5 lbs, and I wore them for brief periods in (a) the Bjorn mesh air with the sides buttoned closed, swaddled in Muslin to keep them in groggy position or (b)the Ergo using the pillow from the insert that goes under the rear plus a muslin swaddle wrapped around them like the infant insert would be. The insert would have been way too hot.
As others said - just check with your pediatrician. My babies were just little, no health complications, so mine was comfortable with what I did as long as I had the babies' heads supported, was aware of their breathing, hips in proper position, etc.
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@Banana330: did you like the solly wrap? how long was your babe in it before you switched to something heavier-duty? due next month and I'm excited to try it.
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@LCTBQE: I loved it. I used it for about 4 months (April to August) and it wasn't too hot. We switched to a beco Gemini which we're still wearing now. The key with the solly is to tie it tighter than you think you need to as it relaxes a little while you wear it. Also we did a lot of pacing outside in it at the beginning she seemed to calm down better with the fresh air and movement. It's good to note she was a smaller baby (about 12lbs by 4 months)
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@LCTBQE: I totally agree with everything @BANANA330: said. DD2 is only 4 weeks. She was 5 lb 13 oz when born, but the Solly wrap has been amazing. Since she doesn't have any health issues, my pediatrician was okay with using it at 2wk when she was about 6 lbs. It took two or three tries to get it to right tightness, but it's actually much easier than I expected. I had the ktan with DD1 and don't think I had the right size. She never felt secure.
Not sure how long we'll use the Solly, but we'll switch to the beco gemini when it's time. I loved it with DD1 and used it until she was ~18 mos.
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@Banana330: @futuremama: awesome, thanks for this! I was going to ask if you had any tips but didn't want to be annoying
so thanks for the info about tightness/baby size. it seems like people only use this when they're tiny little infants and then move on to a structured carrier around 3 months or so, but I'm excited to have it for the beginning. can I ask both of you what you like so much about the beco gemini? I'm on the fence between that and the ergo 360. (I've heard good things about the lillebaby and tula but those two look insanely ugly and bulky to me.)
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@LCTBQE: the thing with carriers is they fit everyone different. I recommend finding a store that lets you try on (with the baby) or try a friends. I tired the regular ergo but it didn't sit right on me. I love the support I get from crossing the straps of the beco and that you don't need an insert, you can just snap the base narrower when needed. Other people find the buckles fiddly but I have had an issue. With the solly watch the videos. You can do legs out from birth now or froggy. My daughter liked legs out better. Also make sure their head is up high so you can kiss it and the fabric isn't over their face.
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@Banana330: ah, got it. I tried the ergo 360 in a store ages ago and liked it, but haven't been able to find the gemini yet (and now I have a huge, low-down bump so probably not the ideal time to test drive). maybe I'll just order both on Amazon and see for myself once he's here
I watched the solly lady's videos before I ordered it but will do a safety refresh for sure--good to know about the legs out!
so thanks for the info about tightness/baby size. it seems like people only use this when they're tiny little infants and then move on to a structured carrier around 3 months or so, but I'm excited to have it for the beginning. can I ask both of you what you like so much about the beco gemini? I'm on the fence between that and the ergo 360. (I've heard good things about the lillebaby and tula but those two look insanely ugly and bulky to me.)
I watched the solly lady's videos before I ordered it but will do a safety refresh for sure--good to know about the legs out!
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