Conference moira::parenting_v3

We had the "Evenflo" (Aviator) "kangaroo pouch".  Unfortunately, Juli never
liked it!  As an infant, she preferred her swing or prop'd on a pillow.

The Graco front-pouch sounds alot like the Evenflo one we had (adjustable).
Not sure why (price?), but Snugli's seem to corner the market.

When Juli graduated to "toddler status", we invested in the
top-of-the-line Gerry back-pouch (she tolerates it, but prefers her
stroller).

Of all our baby products (carseats, swings, playpens, walkers, portable
crib ...), we've been happiest with Graco.  They just seemed more sturdier,
better quality, extra features, had a good re-sale value ... and always
took the abuse.

I favor Graco!

Dottie

I think that with front/side/sling carriers, more than any other item, the
fit for the particular baby and parent are critical.  I would start by having
you and any other users try them on and see how easily they adjust to your
body sizes, if you can reach the clips, etc.  You might even try it with a doll!
But then I would try to keep them till the baby arrives and see what works - 
maybe s/he has chubby legs, is very tall or short and that will influence your
selection.  Check the catalogs and stores for other models, too.  I noticed
the Snugli is very large for a newborn - mine is the Gerry top of the line model
and it worked very well.  The "entry-level" Gerry they gave me at the hospital
just didn't fit at all - I could have easily decided Alex didn't like a
carrier if I hadn't experimented.  And of course there are the ultimate in
adjustable carriers - the long pieces of fabric used in African, South American
and other cultures.

IMHO, front carriers are a great way for the baby to transition into the 
outside world while mom and other caregivers can have their hands free and
still be close to the newborn.

Ah, the trials and tribulations of consumerism.

=ss

    I second Sharon's suggestion.  Different people have different
    builds, postures, habits, and so on.  I feel almost as strongly
    about Gerry products as Dot does about Graco, whose products
    generally haven't matched my needs and lifestyles.  This isn't a
    comment on the relative quality of either product, because both
    are fine in that department. It's a matter of finding the styles
    and features that suit you.  
    
    We used the basic Gerry front pack, which Sharon mentions that her
    son didn't like.  Both of mine liked it because they could see out
    and have their arms free.  I gave it to my sitter for her new
    baby, and she passed it on to a friend of hers who just had a
    baby.  So lots of people find them useful.  I had loan of a Snugli
    for a while but I found it far too large -- I'm only 5'4" and I
    got lost in it. 
    
    Our Gerry aluminum-frame backpack is on its second kid -- I had a
    similar one when Kat was small that let me pack her around until
    she was about 3 or 4 years old (40 lbs or so).  I find it far
    superior to a stroller because it lifts the child up where they
    can see, but keeps them out of reach of things on shelves, etc. 
    and makes it very difficult for them to jerk something off a
    counter onto their heads.  
    
    --bonnie

We used a Snugli.  My advice would be to get one that will grow with your 
baby.  The first one we had was too small for Michael when he was still 
little (I don't remember exactly when he outgrew it, but it was long before 
we were ready to stop using it).  We then bought a Snugli that's rated up 
to 35 pounds.  Michael is 16 months old now and weighs 25 pounds.  He's 
much too active for the Snugli most of the time, but he still sleeps in it 
on planes.

Steve

BTW, the front pocket is nice, but I wouldn't let that be a deciding factor 
on which one to keep.  Also, having 2 bibs is nice but not really 
necessary...