Hi girls, hope you don't mind me popping in here but I'm expecting my second daughter soon and desperately want to baby wear with her.

With my first, my parents bought us an awful sling from Mothercare which went over one shoulder and kept covering her face - it was useless and was VERY uncomfy to wear!

As she got older, I found out about Mei Tais and loved the look of them but didn't get one as thought she was too big by then (she was about 1yr but very tall for her age!).

Anyway, this time I really want to babywear from newborn and I really don't like the thought of wraps - no offensive to anyone at all but it's soooo daunting, they look kinda clastraphobic and I'm put off by the learning curve - I know my DH will simply not bother "learning" and he's usually the one who will try and take over with pushing the pram/carrying lol.

I'm looking at the soft structured baby carriers as they seem more newbie friendly - especially for DH but even with these, there are soooo many options.

Is there one that stands out above all else as being the best for newborn / small baby? Once she's old enough to walk, I'm not too fussed, I really want one for newborn - 18 months.

TIA - I've searched the forums for over an hour and keep finding new carriers to research and I don't really know what I'm looking at!

Loads of people swear by the ergo carrier - and you can get an infant insert for the newborn stage. We've got a rose and rebellion, which is prettier than an ergo but I don't think it's suitable for newborns. There are so many to choose from aren't there?!
Try websites like natural mammas to get an overview of different ones? Or look for a sling meet near you to try before you buy

I have a manduca and it was great with my son (I can still carry him in it) and now OH carries my daughter in it. It is similar to an ergo. The manduca has a newborn insert built into it for carrying tiny babies. The ergo also has one, but I think it is sold separately. OH uses it more though - I am pretty much a FT wrapper with this one!

I have a manduca and it's brilliant, i never got the hang of wraps unfortunately x

I got our Boba from Slumber Roo. If you are happy to wait until your baby arrives, you can hire one from them for 2 weeks and if you don't like it they will refund all but the £10.99 hire charge and postage.

we have a connecta and a rose and rebellion. love both!! the r&r is only suitable from 3 months though. both are buckled. i still comfortably wear my (BIG!) 2 yr old at 35 weeks preggers!

I am very much tempted to sell my storch (since I'm not getting the hang of wrapping) and treating myself to a R&R. The hubby won't like it. His fault for choosing a boring patternless Boba though...

Boba 3G all the way! The Boba 3G can be used from 7 lbs to 45 lbs, has pockets, a sleeping hood and lots of adjustments. My DH and I can carry both our kids in them. It is my go-to carrier when out and about (I'm also a wrap girl, but you said no wraps )

Ergo, wilkinet, babyhawk, connecta are my faves from newborn, but now Tom is oder we just use the Ergo x

I saw a nasty accident a little wgile ago a mom stepped off the bus an lost her footing she fell straight on baby was in papers next day baby ended up with fractured skull and brain damage and died the morning after