Suggestion for an inexpensive baby carrier?

[Hollynesss]

Hello!

I am currently pregnant and am due in just 8 weeks I am looking for suggestions for a good quality carrier that doesn't cost a ton. I know everyone is crazy about Tula carriers, and eventually I would like to get one, but after everything we've spent just getting everything that baby girl needs as a newborn, this isn't something that we can spend $150+ on at the moment. I would love some suggestions for some good carriers under $100, even under $75 would be great. When she's a bit older we will buy a better quality one, but when she is tiny and light I just need something to carry her around the house.

Thank you in advance!

 

[jessmke]

I bought a used Ergo off Kijiji (like Craigslist) for $50 and I love it. I've used it with DD since she was 6 weeks old.

 

[DannaD]

Baby K'tan 60$, just used it for a trip downtown with 4 months old and it went great

 

[Rainbow82]

A stretchy wrap? I have a bykay that cost £40( $57) but my eBay stretchy is just as good and only cost £20 so under 30 dollars. A hoptye mei tai can also be cinched really narrow at the bottom and may fit a larger newborn. I'd stay away from second hand ergos as there are so many fakes, unless the person you but from gas the original receipt of course but if you buy new a lot of people love the ergos, I also love my connecta which is in your price range, I used from about 4 months with a small baby but could have used earlier if I'd pulled it in more at the bottom, I've seen people use them with newborns, pulling the bottom narrow and rolling the waist band. Enjoy carrying your baby when she arrives I still love carrying my son now he's 12 months.

 

[george83]

I brought an own brand one from our local mother care shop for ds1 and it's been brilliant. When I had ds3 I had a small ish age gap between him and ds2 so planned on using a carrier much more and brought a really expensive ergo carrier and only used it once it so difficult and uncomfortable. Can you pop into a local baby shop and try a couple out?

 

[MindUtopia]

If you want something you can use initially, in say the first 6 months, I would really recommend a moby wrap or similar stretchy wrap (there are a number of brands, all of which are similar to moby). You might also look into a mei tai, again there are loads of different brands and many wrap brands will have a mei tai version made using the fabrics from their wraps. If you are looking to potentially invest in a more structured carrier later on, I would focus on finding something that is specially suitable for a newborn. In my experience, the soft structured carriers (like Ergo) aren't the best and most comfortable for a very new baby. They're great when they're a bit older and bigger, and we still used our Ergo through last summer with a 2.5 year old. But when she was a baby, the moby (stretchy) was the best. I could move around in it, she didn't get too hot. I could do things around the house, bend over, get up and down off the floor, sit and eat at a restaurant, etc. comfortably with her in it. I can't personally do that with any of the buckles type carriers as they are just too stiff and the buckles dig in a bit when you're sitting. But the moby was amazing and it was literally the best purchase we made out of everything we got planning for our daughter's birth. They're also pretty affordable. Probably about $50 USD new and you can also find them second hand for less (just check quality before you buy).

 

[Hollynesss]

Thanks so much ladies! I would love a stretchy wrap. I'll have to check out one of the local shops and see if I can try some out

 

[WantsALittle1]

I second the suggestions about the stretchy wraps/Moby. They are the cheapest and most versatile option. My personal favorite buckle/strap carrier is the Baby Bjorn--it's expensive, and we only have one because someone gave it to us. I don't think we'd have ever bought one for ourselves. Ergo never worked for our kids, so we really relied heavily on the Moby. We have even used it to take DD on hikes until she was nearly 3 and it has worked really well.

 

[noon_child]

There may not be one in your area, but a sling library is a great way of spending very little and being able to try out loads of different carriers to find what suits. It also means you can change type as LO gets older.

Natural Parenting forum will have lots of carrier recommendations too and there might even be someone wanting the sell one on there, or on the wanted/selling forum.

 

[DaisyDreamer]

I bought a Boba wrap for $60 (not sure what that is in UK)

It's great especially to use right away. I put Z in it at 5 days old. You can wear it as a top and nurse in it, and if baby is just in a diaper then that's a bonus because skin to skin

 

[Hollynesss]

I bought a Boba at Target for $40 Thank you for all of your input ladies!! It is greatly appreciated!

 

[Bevziibubble]

Stretchy wraps are great at first. I used a moby wrap until he was a few months old and now I use a mei tai which I LOVE. We get so much use out of it. I rarely use the pushchair for him as I just wear him everywhere; it's so handy and convenient.

 

[Fizzyfefe]

I bought a Boba at Target for $40 Thank you for all of your input ladies!! It is greatly appreciated!

How did you get it for $40?! The price here is $129.

 

[Hollynesss]

I bought a Boba at Target for $40 Thank you for all of your input ladies!! It is greatly appreciated!

How did you get it for $40?! The price here is $129.

I got this wrap: https://m.target.com/p/boba-wrap-classic-baby-carrier-purple/-/A-17275094

 

[DaisyDreamer]

What a steal! I love my Boba. It's great for the closeness and as they get older they can move their head around and see the world

 

[Tegans Mama]

I have two stretchies but I'll be honest I don't really like them. I did before a tried a woven wrap, and now I won't ever use stretchies again i don't think! I'd look on eBay or similar sites that are local to you I wouldn't go for a baby bjorn style one as they're not very comfortable and not great for babies hip development

 

[Twag]

I would highly recommend a stretchy wrap I got mine for £20 and I love it as does my baby girl once you have mastered it, it is SO easy to use and from newborn

I also have a Lillebaby which she isn't as keen on but my DH uses it with her and my son also can use it as it takes from newborn to 4 nice and comfortable buckle carrier

 

[babyjan]

I posted in natural parenting but no replies... Can anyone in the UK reccomend a wrap and where you got it from? Are they easy to use? Nothing expensive please, sorry OP I hope you don't mind me asking

 

[babyjan]

I would highly recommend a stretchy wrap I got mine for £20 and I love it as does my baby girl once you have mastered it, it is SO easy to use and from newborn

I also have a Lillebaby which she isn't as keen on but my DH uses it with her and my son also can use it as it takes from newborn to 4 nice and comfortable buckle carrier

Only just read this but where did you get your £20 wrap if you don't mind me asking ?

 

[Twag]

I got mine off Amazon it isn't some fancy make just a stretchy wrap but it comes with instructions (youtube also helpful) but I find it so easy to use for DD and my Mum & sister also use it now for her when they are babysitting