When I see someone wearing their baby in this town, it’s usually in an Ergo. With Pooky, I had an organic denim Ergo and, as she grew out of the newborn stage, it was definitely our go-to carrier because it was so convenient, supportive, and sturdy. Once I was able to do back carries with her, life with a babe became so much easier. I got things done around the house, didn’t need to lug around a big stroller, and kept Pooky nearby and happy.

With Bugsy, we upgraded from the denim Ergo to the most current style Ergo in black with green trim/hood. Some people complain about the bulkiness of the Ergo, but I actually found it very lightweight compared to the denim version. When it’s really hot out, it can be uncomfortable, but I think you’ll find that in general with any baby carrier.

PROS

• wonderful weight distribution means effortless carrying for long stretches without shoulder or back pain
• convenient pocket that’s great for storing wallet, keys, diaper change
• easy on and off for both front and back carries
• sturdy fabric that doesn’t require delicate treatment and can potentially last through all your children
• adjustability means most caregivers will be able to share the carrier
• great investment since the carrier can be used for a long time (newborn to toddler)

CONS

• although Josh and I can both wear it, it’s not as great of a fit on Josh as it is for me (he’s 6′, I’m 5′2″)
• not ideal for carrying a newborn. We started using it once Bugsy was able to spread his legs out around the carrier (about 2.5 months old)
• wide waistband is super supportive but makes it awkward to sit down when carrying in the front

We reviewed an older version of the Beco a while back and, since then, this baby carrier has gone through a number of different changes to arrive at the most current version known as the Beco Butterfly 2. I’ve been searching for a carrier with the convenience of buckles and ability to carry both a newborn and an older baby, so I decided to give the Butterfly 2 a try.

The Beco Butterfly 2 has a removeable infant insert that attaches to the inside panel with velcro. It allows newborns to be carried in it froggy-legged without being swallowed by the carrier and before they’re able to spread their legs out. I was really attracted to this feature. After a few times wearing Baby Brother using the insert, I realized that he was actually already large enough to go without the insert. This was back when he was about two months, weighed 10-11 pounds and measured just under two feet. We still carry him froggy-legged (legs tucked in at his side in the carrier with weight on his tushy) and were glad to be able to remove the infant insert because it was actually a bit of a pain to try to get him into it unless you actually had the time and space to insert the baby into the carrier before putting the carrier on.

As I mentioned above, the infant insert that I was looking forward to turned out to be not so convenient for quick in and out, but what about the rest of the carrier? Once the baby is in and adjustments have been made, it’s a very comfortable carrier. The padded waistband transfers weight to your hips and the lightweight material is sturdy without being bulky. I love how easily the side buckles adjust (just pull to tighten and lift the tab to loosen) and the sleeping hood is large and useful for supporting baby’s head as well as providing shade from the sun. Both Josh and I can wear the Beco comfortably, and the ease of adjusting the side buckles makes it much simpler to switch the carrier back and forth between the two of us and adjust for our different sizes.

Although the Beco is stylish and comfortable, there’s just too much to it. It’s more complicated than I think it needs to be. I miss the simplicity of the older versions of the Beco. The Butterfly 2 has a lot of buckles and a Y-shaped panel that’s not removeable (baby sits between this Y-shaped panel and the outside panel). The buckles and panel make it a hassle to put on and get the baby into the carrier. I’m always having to untangle the carrier before putting it on because it gets all twisted with the many different parts to it.

I really thought I would eventually get used to the Butterfly 2 and all the things that bothered me about it wouldn’t bother me so much anymore, but unfortunately, that’s not the case. A buckle carrier should be quick and simple, and this carrier isn’t. It’s a shame because it comes in great fabric and color options and is very comfortable once you actually get the kid into it. Price: $140.

The folks at Rockin’ Baby sure know how to create hip and stylish baby carriers. The fabrics they use for their ring slings and pouches are to die for! I’m not sure if you’ll find more beautiful fabric combinations anywhere else. This is probably one of the reasons why celebrities like Gwen Stefani make sure their babies are carried in a Rockin’ Baby carrier.

The Rockin’ Baby Pouch is reversible and adjustable. The adjustable zipper feature means that you can get the right fit most of the time, and other people who aren’t your size can also wear your baby or toddler. Unlike some other pouches out there, this pouch is made with a deep seat which is perfect for getting your newborn in and settled easily. I did find, however, that the deep seat pocket also meant that there was a lot of excess fabric when carrying a toddler in the hip position. For the most comfortable wear, make sure the fabric around the shoulder area is spread out wide.

If you’re interested in being able to adjust the fit of your carrier even more, a Rockin’ Baby Ring Sling may be perfect for you. You can get the perfect fit every time by adjusting the fabric around the rings, and you’re also left with a flowy tail of beautiful fabric (which is great for discreet nursing). It comes in only one standard size which will work on everyone, but if you’re a shorty like me, you may want to hem the length a bit depending on how long you’d like the tail. I didn’t find the ring sling shoulders to be as comfy and supportive as others I’ve tried. If you end up feeling the same way, I’d recommend seeking the amazing service of Jan at Sleeping Baby Productions who can redo the shoulder style into one that’s super comfy (my favorite shoulder style for ring slings). Jan can also shorten the sling for you if needed (and all this for only $13).

If there’s a store around you that carry these carriers, I’d highly recommend seeing them and trying them on in person. I think they look even better in real life, and the weight of the fabrics used for each carrier design can vary quite a bit. Price: $92-102 for Ring Slings and $82 for Pouches at Rockin’ Baby Sling.

Special offer for Googababy readers: Through Aug 31, receive 10% off your order at Rockin’ Baby Sling. Mention “Googababy” in checkout.

I don’t “wear” Pooky as often these days as I used to when she was less mobile. There are still times, though, when she wants me to carry her while I’m trying to get things done around the house or when she has trouble going down for a nap, and those are the times when I’m really glad I have some baby carriers around.

I’ve discovered Mei Tais to be one of the comfiest of baby carriers, and they’re great for both back and front carries. Babyhawk creates beautiful, comfortable Mei Tai carriers for babies and toddlers (Toddlerhawk). They have an overwhelming variety of stylish fabric options to choose from, and ordering a Babyhawk or Toddlerhawk is like designing your own custom baby carrier. Give yourself plenty of time to gawk over their fabric options, choose the strap colors, and add options such as a reversible fabric, pockets, toy ring, and minkee (so soft) lining.

My test drive with the Babyhawk was a very positive experience. The padding on the shoulders are perfect for comfort, and the stiff headrest allows Pooky to fall asleep and lean back without dangling her head in the air. It doesn’t give me any shoulder or back pains even when worn for an extended period of time. I think I prefer a Mei Tai where the design fabric isn’t “framed,” but other than that, it’s a wonderful baby carrier and would make a great baby shower gift. Price: $80 and up at Babyhawk.

Pooky’s been sick a lot since starting daycare a month ago. She caught her first cold two weeks in, and we’re now battling with a second cold. It hasn’t been fun. She wants to be held a lot when she’s sick, especially in the late afternoons and evenings when she’s feeling worse. I’m so grateful for baby carriers at times like these. Putting her right next to mommy or daddy in a carrier always soothes her and keeps us from going nuts because we still have our hands free to do what we need to do.

Ellaroo makes Chinese-style Mei Tai Carriers that are comfortable for both the baby and the babywearer. If you’re not familiar with mei tais, they’re basically a piece of cloth with waist straps and long shoulder straps that you can tie in various ways to hold your baby securely next to you on your front or back.

The shoulder straps on the Ellaroo Deluxe Mei Tai are very lightly padded which I think I prefer over others that have more padding because it’s not bulky at all and still feels comfortable. I do find that it’s most comfortable when the straps are pulled away from my neck and as far to the edge of my shoulders as possible. The Deluxe has a convenient headrest built in that’s great for sleeping babies, and it can be folded over when not in use. The body of the carrier is also lightly padded which makes it very supportive. They come in various fabric designs that reverses to solid organic canvas, and I love that their black straps don’t attract lint. This is definitely one of the most comfortable baby carriers we’ve tried. Price: $89 at most online stores.

Comfy Joey pouches are some of the fanciest baby pouch carriers out there. They’re thin, lightweight, and fold up super tiny. The Comfy Joey reversible line consists of beautiful, complementary colors, and although they’re a cotton/poly blend, they look like a raw silk fabric. If you’re really wanting to impress, their Hunur line is made of stunning Indian silks with intricate embroidery.

I love doing the shoulder-flip (to bring baby closer in) with these pouches because the outside and inside fabrics look so great together. It’s a baby carrier that’s perfect for those dressier occasions, but it also looks fabulous with a pair of jeans. Every time I’ve put on my Comfy Joey embroidered pouch, it gives me the feeling of being dressed up without being over-dressed which is very nice since we rarely get dressed up these days to go anywhere.

I’ve only had experience with pouches that have padded rails and a bit of stretch, but even without these, I found that the Comfy Joey pouch was just as comfortable for both me and Pooky. Plus, no padded rails means less bulk. The thin fabric also makes it perfect for those warmer days.

Comfy Joey also makes toy pouches, and once Pooky starts walking, she can start carrying her stuffed animals and dolls around in her very own pouch. Of course, just because she’s not walking yet didn’t stop me from trying it on her – so cute! Price: $37.50 for reversible pouches, $65-95 for Hunur pouches, $12.50 for toy pouches.

Special offer for Googababy readers: 15% off at Comfy Joey with coupon code: GOOGA. Give yourself plenty of time to choose which ones you want to buy; they’re all so beautiful!

It’s all on The Inside Scoop.

Mom to 5 year old Zoie and 2 year old Quinn, Kristen is a fashion junkie and music fan. She lives in Dallas, Texas.

>> Hotslings Website

How did you become a babywearer?

My daughter was a high-need attached baby. I originally saw a sling in action on an old friend and said NO WAY. It was a big, bulky padded thing. I wouldn?t be caught dead in it. I bought a Baby Bjorn and it killed my back. Then I bought a Maya Wrap. I remember typing my order in online and choosing black as my first and second choices. My second sling was an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. I was never happy with adjustable slings. When I saw a fitted sling in action at La Leche League I knew I had found the one. I sewed one up when I got home with my new sewing machine. Then I created a hybrid of the bulky, padded sling (our original leg padding) and the sleek, fitted sling. This Hotsling took off. I couldn?t make ?em fast enough.

There are many different types of baby carriers. What are some of the benefits of your type of carrier – a pouch?

Pouches are fast, hip, sleek, and fold down to nothing. They are available in the hippest prints and take you in comfort from newborn to late toddlerhood.

What can we expect from your Hostlings line in 2007?

We have 6 new prints coming out! We are expanding our everyday and designer lines to include some gorgeous and trendy new stuff. Lots of pinks and creams, neutrals and graphics with a pop of color. Our colors/patterns are forecast right out of the fashion industry for 2007.

What are the biggest challenges you’ve encountered in running your own business?

Becoming a businesswoman. Setting up systems. There is so much to running a business, and with a teaching background, I had nothing to go on except instinct. There have been times when that has been just fine and other times where I have had to call in consultants and experts. Now as we?re growing, we?re having to learn how to be savvy about our revenue so we can maximize our investment potential while drawing a salary for a family of four.

Aside from Hotslings, what are your 3 favorite baby/parenting-related products?

I was an avid cloth diaper mom and highly recommend Fuzzi Bunz diapers. We also couldn?t live without our Miracle Blankets during the early baby days. And I should also send a shout-out to my favorite nursing bra – the Bravado.

List 5 things you love about being a mother.

1. the challenge of a true purpose in life
2. having two little people to cuddle
3. the smell of your baby?s head when it?s under your chin while baby?s in the sling
4. motherhood has revolutionized my diet. My concern for their nutrition has bolstered mine
5. being turned on to so many great things in life, home birth, breastfeeding, etc.

It’s been a while since I’ve used a pouch carrier. When this Slinglings carrier arrived in the mail, I was excited to try it out now that Pooky is big enough for a hip carry. I’ve been wanting a carrier that’s small enough to pack in my handbag and convenient enough to easily get her in and out of when running errands. I’m happy to report that we’re quite happy with our new Slinglings pouch.

This particular fabric is so purty. It’s their signature paisley fabric, a stretch twill that has just the right amount of stretch. It also has leg padding to prevent red marks on baby’s legs. Unlike some of my other carriers, this pouch folds up super tiny, and as a result, I’ve been taking it everywhere with me.

I do find, however, that it can be a bit tricky to find just the right size in a pouch carrier. I used the sizing suggestion on the Slinglings site when picking out my size but found it a little too big when it arrived (It was perfect, though, when worn over my thicker jacket). After a couple warm washes and brief toss in the dryer on low, it came out just the right size.

Slinglings offers a ton of fabrics to choose from. Prices are $34.95 for a sling without leg padding and $44.95 for a sling with leg padding. You’ll want to stock up on a few because when you buy 2, you get your 3rd one free!

The world of babywearing is filled with so many different types of baby carriers. I got carried away for a few months purchasing one carrier after another to “try out,” and admittedly, I got a bit caught up in the madness of being a part of an online community group (in this case, babywearers). Josh was not so understanding, and I can see his point. I mean, how many baby carriers does a person really need?

Well, although I don’t need them, these DivaBabe Couture carriers from DivasNBabes are definitely wanted. The “Reese” Mei Tai above has a panel made of silk dupioni and silk brocade with slightly padded shoulder straps. Mei Tais can be worn in the front or in the back.

This “Alyssa” Ring Sling is bold and stunning. I definitely can’t pull something like this off; it’s just too dressy for me, but if you’re wanting to impress, this will definitely do it. Plus, half the proceeds from this particular ring sling goes to the UCLA AIDS Institute.

Special Promotional Offer for GooGaBaby Readers: Receive 15% off with coupon code GGB15.

Visit the DivasNBabes site.

I love babywearing. I had a sling (also known as a pouch) that I wore Pooky in when she was younger, and it was so nice to have her snuggled up next to me. Joanna Butenko, creator of Heavenly Bundle slings, is a work-at-home mom with two daughters. Her slings come in numerous fabric choices and have leg padding and a pocket.

Slings are quite versatile and can be used for newborns as well as older babies. Check out all the various ways you can carry your baby in a sling on the Heavenly Bundle site.

One thing I learned from my sling wearing days is that sizing can be tricky, and it’s very important to get the correct size so that it fits you properly. Joanna has a page devoted to helping you figure out your correct sling size.

Heavenly Bundle customer Olga from Utah had this to say about her sling:

LOVE Joanna’s work! We got the pouch before our baby was born and it was so beautiful, I couldn’t wait to start using it! The quality is superb and I love the fact that the pouch is reversible and I got to choose the fabric it was lined with/reverses to. And we get lots of compliment on it too! A lot of strangers come up to me and ask where I got such a beautiful carrier! Get one, you won’t regret it!

Special Promotional Offer for GooGaBaby Readers: Receive free shipping by using the coupon code: googa (valid through November)

Visit Heavenly Bundle

We’ve had our Beco for a couple months now, and it’s wonderful! What’s a Beco? It’s a better alternative to the Baby Bjorn. The Beco supports babies the way they’re meant to be carried, with their knees up higher than their bum in a, well, sitting position. It has padded shoulder straps and a wide waistband that shifts the weight to your hips, and this makes it oh so comfy. It can be worn on the front or the back. I’m wearing Pooky right now on the front while I’m typing this, and she’s fast asleep. The best thing about the Beco is that it’s lightweight and comes in beautiful fabrics or you can send in your own fabric. Josh is an avid crossword puzzle fan, so I got our Beco in a crossword puzzle fabric.

We still use the stroller every now and then, but nothing beats the convenience of the Beco for grocery shopping and other errands. Gabby, the Beco creator, is also a work at home mommy with great customer service. Each carrier is made to order, so there’s usually a four week turnaround time, but it’s worth it.

Here’s a link to Ecobabies for more information.