I totally get it. The idea is to have the comfort, support, safety, and cuddliness of a wrap, but easier to learn and faster to put on. I think this carrier successfully does all of these things, though it does lose a few wrap-qualities along the way.
The Baby Nest allows you to do a very well-supported and comfortable carry, with 2-3 layers of fabric over the baby, but it is not quite as intimidating as one huge 15-foot length of fabric…as they say, it’s a wrap-less wrap. Instead, it consists of 3 loops, two of which are already crossed together and the third, which is adjustable.
Advantages:
–the material!! This is the softest, greatest-feeling carrier, so very delicious to wear! It’s got just the right amount of stretch, less stretch than a Moby or a Sleepywrap.
–stays off the floor. One of the annoying things about wrapping is getting set up without dragging the ends of the fabric on the floor–or worse, adirty/wet/slushy parking lot. No such problem with the Baby Nest.
–The adjustable belt layer also has a pocket! Slip a diaper and some wipes in there, maybe your wallet, and that’s all you need to carry for a quick trip into a store.
–All the advantages of babywearing are here. Baby gets physical comfort and mental stimulation, while parent gets the use of both hands while still cuddling baby, plus easy exercise.
Disadvantages:
–Though it is easier to learn than a wrap, it is less adjustable than a wrap and you need to get the right size for you–and this can change as the mama loses baby weight and the baby grows. But because this is a stretchy fabric, that might not be too big of a deal.
–The number of carries you can do is limited. The carrier must be put on first, and then the baby put in it. I can’t imagine doing a back carry on my own withthis carrier; it would definitely take two people. The package also shows a forward-facing-out front carry, which is not something I recommend.
–The packaging claims the carrier is good for birth-35 lbs. I would disagree. In general, a stretchy fabric is less comfortable/useful as the carried one gets bigger. I tried it with my 30-lb 2 year old, and it was not supportive enough for me. But I can’t wait to use it with this next baby in May!
You can purchase the My Baby Nest baby sling at The Wardrobe in Hunt Valley.
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