Beco, Boba, or Ergo?

[bananapancakes]

Which do you have? Love it? Hate it? Other brands I should look at?

I think I want a k'taan for the teeny tiny baby stage and then one of these to take me into the toddler years but I'm not sure which one I should go with. Thoughts?

[carolinagirl831]

I had a Ktan when she was tiny, then when she was 6 months I bought a boba 4g. I love it, I ordered a becco, ergo and boba to test out from amazon.the boba was by far the easiest for me to snap and undo myself and the most comfortable for me.
I like for future kids, the boba 4g came with the newborn insert. I think I'll like it more ths the ktan

[ilikedonuts]

None of the above. Tula

The general consensus on my BMB FB group is that the kids outgrew the Beco Gemini much faster than everything else.

We have an Ergo Sport and I was fine with it until I tried a Tula and then it tainted me for all other SSCs.

[drink227]

I have a boba 3G but haven't used it yet. Hopefully I made a good choice.

[hymen]

We have a beco Gemini from DS1 that I liked a lot, but we didn't really use it much past 7-8 months. I'm planning on getting a baby k'tan for this baby though, because of being able to nurse with it (so I can stay hands-free for DS1).

[celiacmom]

I loved my ergo until my son was about 22 months and 19lbs 33inches... After that he wasnt in the right position. I just got a Tula and love it. They make a standard size that will work for a baby. I find it is a ton lighter then the ergo. You might want to check it out

[Brie]

I have an Ergo, a Boba Air, a BabyHawk Mei Tai, a Maya Wrap ring sling, a Lillebaby Complete, and a woven wrap.

If I had to narrow it down, I would want to keep the ring sling for the newborn phase and the Ergo for all purpose use.

[bananapancakes]

Feb 17, 2014 20:59:14 GMT -5 Brie said:

I have an Ergo, a Boba Air, a BabyHawk Mei Tai, a Maya Wrap ring sling, a Lillebaby Complete, and a woven wrap.

If I had to narrow it down, I would want to keep the ring sling for the newborn phase and the Ergo for all purpose use.

Wow, that's a lot of carriers. In which kind of situations do you use each of these? Like what would make you grab one over another?

[Jalapeñomel]

We have a ring sling and a Beco. I love them both, DH loves the Beco. But if I had to do it again, I'd go with a Tula.

There was a good post about the Tula's earlier if you search or scroll.

[Deleted]

I would really try to go to a store or group where you can try them on. The perfect carrier varies by body type and size. One isn't universally THE BEST.

I've got a mei tai (Freehand), Ergo Sport, and ring sling. I use them all. I like the ring sling for a newborn and then again for an up-and-down walker, as well as for quick trips (to and from the car). I need the Ergo for naps on the go - with the hood up, she conks out quickly. This baby won't nap in the car seat, so it's a life saver. And the mei tai was great with a newborn, too, for longer wears and early back carries.

I never got into wrapping. I'm considering trying it this time around, but we'll see. Wovens are $$$.

[rikki]

Feb 17, 2014 20:48:57 GMT -5 carolinagirl831 said:

I had a Ktan when she was tiny, then when she was 6 months I bought a boba 4g. I love it, I ordered a becco, ergo and boba to test out from amazon.the boba was by far the easiest for me to snap and undo myself and the most comfortable for me.
I like for future kids, the boba 4g came with the newborn insert. I think I'll like it more ths the ktan

This, word for word. I had way too much trouble with the Ergo.  I couldn't buckle it, even looking in a mirror.  My husband still uses it, but I much prefer the Boba.

[pacificrules]

I have a Moby and Ergo from DD1. I really liked both of them. (Moby for the first 4-ish months and then Ergo.) This time, though, I really want a ring sling and a Tula. I'm thinking: Moby for at home, ring sling for out/about, Tula once she gets older.

[Brie]

Feb 17, 2014 21:02:22 GMT -5 bananapancakes said:

Feb 17, 2014 20:59:14 GMT -5 Brie said:

I have an Ergo, a Boba Air, a BabyHawk Mei Tai, a Maya Wrap ring sling, a Lillebaby Complete, and a woven wrap.

If I had to narrow it down, I would want to keep the ring sling for the newborn phase and the Ergo for all purpose use.

Wow, that's a lot of carriers. In which kind of situations do you use each of these? Like what would make you grab one over another?

Full disclosure, I got several of these carriers as a Mommycon VIP and wouldn't have bought them of my own accord.

I've had an Ergo since C was born.  He practically lived in it while I was on mat leave (in the infant insert), because it's the only place he would nap.  I upgraded to a different, cuter one and donated my old one.  If I had to pick one carrier, it would be the Ergo.  Pros are that it front carries and back carries easily once you get the hang of it, sleeping hood is great for privacy/shade, comfortable, easy to adjust.  Cons are that the hip carry is awkward (I never use it), it's not the easiest to nurse in until they have good control, it's bulky and doesn't fit in a diaper bag.

We got the Boba Air for travel.  We fly a few times a year, and it's basically an Ergo that folds into a tiny bag.  It has no padding, so it's not comfortable for long-haul wearing, and now that he's bigger it's less comfortable.  It's my H's favorite carrier.

Lillebaby Complete is basically an Ergo that can forward face.  It's okay, but for the price I prefer my Ergo.  But, if I had a kid that liked to face out, that would be nice.  It was Mommycon swag.

The Maya Ring Sling is great for hip carries now that he is older, and I imagine I'll use it a lot when I have another newborn as they're easy to nurse in and the tail makes a great cover.  I use it for things like waiting in line at the post office, when I want him contained quickly.  It fits pretty well in the diaper bag.  I like the padded shoulder a lot, some people prefer unpadded ring slings but I sold mine.

Woven wrap is a pain in the ass but super comfortable.  I'm debating chopping mine for a ring sling or buckle carrier because I'm just not a wrapper.  It's super pretty, and the fabric is very supportive and it spreads the weight out all over your shoulders so your kid feels super light.

Mei Tai is not super useful now, because I think C's too big for it, but I imagine I'll use it a lot more with a future newborn.  Very easy to nurse in, folds up small for the diaper bag.

[pacificrules]

I was just doing some research this weekend and ran across this post. I found the measurements comparison part really helpful.

thehappyhippiehomemaker.blogspot.com/2013/05/ergo-vs-boba-vs-tula-carrier-comparison.html

[magpie]

I have the beco and really like it. I tried the k'tan when she was itty bitty, but it just didn't fit right (might have been the wrong size though), so I returned it. I have a mei tai as well, which I liked for around the house when she was smaller, but now we use the beco almost all the time. I haven't tried a lot of others though.

[redheadbaker]

We have an Ergo and a Boba 3G. I prefer the Boba for myself (S.O. uses the Ergo). I have narrow shoulders and the Ergo straps were always falling down. I never tried nursing in the Ergo; was able to successfully nurse DS in the Boba.

Had the Moby for the newborn stage, which I LOVED; and also currently have a ring sling for short errands, when DS goes back and forth between wanting to walk and wanting to be carried. 

[CloudBee]

Boba Wrap - Just like a Moby. It was too long for me and just too much fabric to work with. I'm about 5' 1". A friend has it now.

Boba Air - Love it. Super thin, great for travel, easy to cinch the straps, baby seems comfortable and I certainly am. It folds up into a pouch the size of a cosmetic case.

Mai Tei - I own 2 and love them both. The Infantino Mai Tei Sash and a BabyHawk. The Infantino is just like the BabyHawk, the fabric is just slightly thicker. But it's $30 vs. $100+. I love these once he's on me and it's tied. But the straps are long so it's annoying to put on in public because the straps always drag on the ground/in the parking lot as I'm getting him situated. It really frustrates me. But once it's tied and he's on me, the fit is GREAT.

Ktan - I still use this around the house, and used it constantly when DS was tiny. It's like a pre-sized and fitted Moby/Wrap. Now DS rides in it around the house when he's having a rough day/evening and I need to get stuff done.

Ergo - I keep it in my car and use it when we're in stores and I don't feel like using the stroller or shopping cart, or when he's sleepy and I want to cuddle. I'm small and the straps slide on me. It's a little too big. I don't see us using this long term. I think I prefer the fit of the Boba Air and Mai Teis.

[CloudBee]

Feb 17, 2014 21:19:59 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

We have an Ergo and a Boba. I prefer the Boba for myself (S.O. uses the Ergo). I have narrow shoulders and the Ergo straps were always falling down.

I'm happy to hear I'm not the only one with this complaint. It makes it really uncomfortable for me. At first I thought I wasn't adjusting it properly. But after using it again a few times last week in an effort to perfect the fit, I realize it just doesn't fit me right.

ETA: And hey, my comment above about the Boba Air fitting better is in line with what you say.

[Jalapeñomel]

From a dude's perspective

www.organicbabyatlanta.com/ten-reasons-i-love-my-beco-carrier/


EDIT: I lied, it just has a picture of a dude.


But the Beco has crisscross straps which I prefer over the straight straps.  I was afraid they'd slide down.

[CloudBee]

Does anyone have experience with the Boba 4G and the Tula? Which fits better in the shoulders for someone who is small? Snaps easier?

Does the Tula really have a shorter shelf life?

[Deleted]

For small shouldered women, my local guru recommends the Catbird Pikkolo: catbirdbaby.com/index.php/shop/pikkolo.html

The straps can cross in the back, which eliminates any falling-off-the-shoulders problems.

[curbsideprophet]

I will also recommend trying to find a local group or store where you can try out carriers. My group lets you borrow the carrier for month so you get a good chance to really try it out.

Of all the carriers we have I would say the Ergo is our favorite. Debating getting a toddler carrier but have not done it yet.

[atarianna]

We have a ktan and Becco Gemini. Ktan was awesome until the baby hit around 15lbs, then it really strained my back. I love the Becco and actually got an Ergo as a gift but opted to keep the Becco.

[spidervain]

I have a Beco Butterfly II that I love. I am not little and I still love it. I did not love our Ergo a Sport. Never tried the Boba. If I were to check out another it would be the Tula based on all the feedback I hear.

[Deleted]

I love our beco Gemini. I dont use it a ton but when I do I've taken to wearing dd in the hip carry position and I think its awesome.

I picked beco because it was more comfortable to me than the ergo. And it was awesome to be able to wear dd facing out.

[browneyedgirl9]

I'm still new to this but i have a Boba stretchy wrap, so far i really like it!

[niki]

Ergo. For the infant stage, I just rolled up a receiving blanket and shoved it under his butt. We just mastered the back carry; it is awesome.

I also have a Babyhawk Mei Tai and I pretty much hate it. Spent way too much on it, too. It hurts my back something awful. I also have a Moby and used it a handful of times before I discovered the awesomeness of the Ergo.

[Velar Fricative]

We weren't crazy about the K'Tan but we love the Beco Gemini. No infant insert needed! I know the weight limit is less than with other brands but I won't care to carry her past a certain weight anyway.

[chickens987]

Feb 17, 2014 21:14:32 GMT -5 Brie said:

The Maya Ring Sling is great for hip carries now that he is older, and I imagine I'll use it a lot when I have another newborn as they're easy to nurse in and the tail makes a great cover.  I use it for things like waiting in line at the post office, when I want him contained quickly.  It fits pretty well in the diaper bag.  I like the padded shoulder a lot, some people prefer unpadded ring slings but I sold mine.

You still using your RS? I haven't in a while because I couldn't tell is she was too heavy. But if you still think it's doable I will try again!

[Deleted]

Feb 18, 2014 6:21:08 GMT -5 chickens987 said:

Feb 17, 2014 21:14:32 GMT -5 Brie said:

The Maya Ring Sling is great for hip carries now that he is older, and I imagine I'll use it a lot when I have another newborn as they're easy to nurse in and the tail makes a great cover.  I use it for things like waiting in line at the post office, when I want him contained quickly.  It fits pretty well in the diaper bag.  I like the padded shoulder a lot, some people prefer unpadded ring slings but I sold mine.

You still using your RS? I haven't in a while because I couldn't tell is she was too heavy. But if you still think it's doable I will try again!

Make sure you get her right on your hip, and just use the RS to replace your hands the way you would carry her without it.

It's not good for more than a few minutes, but it can be helpful as a restraint for those few minutes. That can be useful.