Baby Things I Love: The Baby Carrier (Comparison: Moby Wrap, Snugli, Heart2Heart Sling)

If someone asked me what is the ONE baby item I think every mother should have, it is a baby carrier.  Baby wearing is beneficial to both mother and baby because in increases skin-to-skin contact, it is relaxing to baby, mom gets to snuggle, mom can get a few things done while also holding baby, it's easier to carry than a car seat, etc. etc. etc.

I have three different baby carriers (two were gifts, and one I bought for $10...amazing, right?).  I have a Heart2Heart sling, a Snugli, and a Moby Wrap.

The Moby is by far my favourite.  It can be a little difficult to put on at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's easy as pie.  Also, it is SO COMFORTABLE, and pretty easy on the back.  If I know I will be carrying her for a long time, I always bring the wrap (actually I usually wrap it on at home, then just wear it around for the day taking Peanut in and out as the day goes on).

However, I also like the Snugli.  I keep this one in my car because it is really great to have when I want to stop at a store and don't want to lug her around in her car seat.  It is fairly easy to get on quickly without the straps dripping into the mud (like the Moby Wrap tends to do).

I do not generally care for the sling as it makes my back hurt because the weight distribution is lopsided.  I do keep it in the closet at home though for those times when I only need to carry peanut around for a few minutes.

See the chart I've made below comparing my experience with each of these carriers*.

The first time Peanut went in the moby wrap.  Yes, there is a baby in there - see her sleepy little head on my chest?

	Moby Wrap	Snugli	Heart2Heart
Ease of Use	Easy with some practice	Easy once you know where the straps go	Very Easy
Comfort	Extremely comfortable.  Does not dig in anywhere.  “Straps” can be spread out to evenly distribute weight on back, shoulders and hips.	Fairly comfortable, but over time can dig into shoulders and make back sore.  Weight is distributed fairly well over shoulders and hips.	Somewhat comfortable for short use, but made my back hurt over time.  Weight is unbalanced over one shoulder, making posture lopsided.
Versatility	Extremely versatile.  Can be worn on front, hip or back.  Baby can face in or out when on front.  Can also be used for hands-free breastfeeding (though I have not figured out how to do this, and Peanut does not seem to enjoy this a whole lot).	Quite versatile.  Can be worn on front or back, and baby can face in or out when on front.  Cannot be used on the hip unless you get that specific version (and Peanut LOVES the hip hold).  Easier to get onto the back than the Moby, but less comfortable.	Not versatile.  Can only be used slung over one shoulder.  The baby can either be held in the cradle hold or upright position, but there is little room for shifting from front-back-hip.  However, I do like using this one at home when I know it will only be for a short time and I just want to carry Peanut on my hip for a few minutes while I put some things away or vacuum.
Peanut likes it	LOVES it!  She is always content when in the Moby, no matter what position she is in.  If she is grumpy, she will calm down, and if she is tired, she will fall asleep within minutes.  When she was a newborn, this wrap was a gift from heaven allowing me to get some rest in the recliner while Peanut had a nap in the wrap.  LOVE LOVE LOVE.	Likes it.  She enjoys riding around in the Snugli while we are doing errands around town.  However, when she is tired it takes her much longer to fall asleep and sometimes she does not sleep at all.  I think it is because there is nothing to hold her head in place, whereas with the wrap I can tuck her head in against my chest.	When she was a newborn she DISLIKED the sling a LOT.  When I would put her in it, she would just cry.  However, now that she can hold herself up, she enjoys riding around on my hip at home.

Peanut is so cozy in the wrap.

*Note: I am NOT PAID by any company.  Everything I say here is based on my own personal experience.

UPDATE: Peanut is now 11 months old, and I am still using all three wraps for different reasons.  The Moby Wrap is still definitely number 1, simply because it is SO comfortable.  However, I have learned that stretchy wraps are NOT SAFE to be worn on the back, which means that I can't do things like cooking with her in the Moby.  For that, I use the Snugli - once you figure out where the straps go (and baby has good upper body strength), it's like carrying the baby in a backpack!  I love it!