Help with baby wearing vs prams

Wow, that sounds like a lot to take care of alongside a baby! No way could I have managed a once-a-day dog walk when DD was small. She was a sick baby though so maybe I have a messed up idea of what babies are like.

When you take the dogs for a run, do you run? If so, you need a stroller because you'd shake the baby badly in a carrier. I have a mountain buggy and find it great for rural roads/farm tracks but a massive beast for taking around shops in malls. Supermarket would be ok though, but I've not tried it there. It's definitely not flimsy - try lifting the darn thing

For around home, and the supermarket, and malls etc, I much prefer a baby carrier. I prefer wraps or the manduca to the slings I've tried because I'm really comfortable having my hands free (with the slings I felt I needed a hand to keep tabs on DD in case she moved but I might have been using them wrong). I also prefer those that spread the weight over both shoulders and the waist because I baby wear for a long time.

Ultimately though, you will need a decent space for bub to have floor time - how else will he/she learn to crawl/walk?

I was out walking and running from when Alex was 2 weeks old. Daily unless it was pissing down. I have a phil n teds. Its great for running.

good points..

Bubs will be a summer baby,

so phil and teds seem like the best option for a pushchair..

what type of slings do most people prefer? or are there any websites people can reccomend?

thanks so much

I would agree with having both. I like the option of being able to run or go out in rainy weather with the stroller, but the frontpack is best for lots of other things (shopping, hanging out etc).

Definitely try and go try some different carriers at a meeting if poss. Mei teis are a cheaper option and very snug. I've been using a baby bjorn cos I was lent it, but not sure the spine support is good enough. Have a manduca coming next month cos I got a good price on it so will wait and see on that one.

We've got a mountain buggy, which I love. I probably prefer it to the Phil and Teds, but then again, I'm thinking of trading in for a Phil and Teds since No 2 is on the way and the Phil and Teds double version looks better.

I'd totally get both too. Although I'd go to a baby-carrying meet of some kind and try out a carrier before I bought it, just in case!

We bought a Phil and Teds and DS absolutely hated being in it, so its never really been used. It now sits in the garage and I would quite happily sell it, if DH would let me.

So for me, having a carrier (or four!!!) has been a godsend, DS is "high needs" and so it is something I've used on a daily basis since he was born, a great investment.

I have a P&TV Explorer and am very happy with it. Love the follow the sun shade and easy to use brake. Find it great for jogging in - even has a handy pocket for the ipod.

Also, I can't recommend the ergo enough! It was the best purchase I have made for the baby.

I find the stroller too big to get in and out of the car for supermarket and shorter shopping trips whereas I leave the ergo in the car and pop baby in it from the carseat for short and longer shopping trips. Because the ergo carries the weight on your hips you can wear it for a decent length of time and you don't get sore shoulders.

I have both but honestly the stroller rarely makes it out of the car where it lives. I have a manduca and love it but agree that different wraps/slings/carriers suit people different so get to a slingbabies meeting if you can. I never used a wrap as DS was a Jan baby and it was too hot.

If you are going to run you will NEED a stroller can't run with bubs in carrier you'll shake them but from personal experience walking a dog with a pram is a pain, though my dog is a bit of a menace and likes to pull etc if you have nice calm well behaved dogs it might be alright!

Supermarkets i use the carrier - the logistics of pushing a pram and a trolley at the same time boggle the mind, unless you use a basket..? Besides most have those little seats on trolleys so technically you might not have to use either!

Oh and i got the manduca when DS was about 3 weeks and it was a life changer, i think you said you'll be in dunners and your partner in chch for a bit? Think about how you'll hang out the washing and make toast if bubs wants to be held...its a bit tricksy. I'm a single mom and had no one to 'just hold him for a second' while i got a glass of water but in the carrier he'd just chill out and i was more independant. Previously i had been 'couch bound'.

Heres a pic of me and DS on an adventure in the carrier, was 4hours worth of hard tramping, he was around 8kg and i didnt feel his weight at all, comfy as. I think i should get a commission for selling carriers.

I have a moby wrap & a pram that I can put a capsule in. Cause it's the middle of winter... we end up driving lots and going to the mall. We use our stroller more...

I think you would be best off with a wrap/front pack or something. But then an el cheapo or second hand umbrella stroller in the car (that can recline fully), it will not cost much and is all you need if popping out places.

Actually if budget conscious I would do this... hire a carseat and base from baby factory (i think $50 for 6 months?) then hire the wheels that go with it (i think $50 for 6 months)... then you have an umbrella stroller when they get older.

We are TTC this year so i've been researching all the baby gear I want. S far i've already purchased a Moby Wrap, they are good I think for newborn to 6 or 9 months. However they are a bit stretchy so may feel the need to keep a hand on bubs i';m not sure yet!

I'm going to also get a Manduca which will be great for wearing on walks and around the house while doing housework as it's completely "hands free"! Also I have a dodgy back & Manduca's have a good reputation for being comfortable & distributing the babies weight evenly. Plus they are supposed to be one of the best for keeping babies spine alligned. They are also super easy to adjust from me to hubby's height.

Lastly i'm also getting a Mountain Buggy Urban Jungle as they are good for running but MB and Phil & Ted's seem to be the most popular brands by far. Definitely go to the shops & have a play with all the stuff though. I keep a keen eye out for the sales too... only way I can afford all this stuff!!!