Moby or Maya?

Updated on June 15, 2009
S.C. asks from Bowling Green, OH
15 answers

I am expecting baby #2 in early August. I'm definitely into baby wearing this time around. Mostly, for the freedom it is going to give me. I am at a loss as which product to buy though. I've looked at Moby wraps and they look great, except for the fact that I'm only 5ft tall and they are REALLY LONG! I'm worried that it will be way too much material for me to deal with by myself. Then I looked into Maya slings, but I'm worried that it won't distribute the weight enough for comfort. I'm not looking to wear my baby 24/7, but I would like the option. I also like the concept of being able to put the baby in the sling or wrap and nurse. I have a two year old little girl and I know that having my hands free is going to be a must! If I can nurse on the go, well..I can't even begin to explain on wonderful that would be for me! We're also hoping to avoid buying a double stroller. Has anybody used either of these products? Is there anyone that knows of anyone locally that makes them? The name brand ones are so incredibly expensive! I did try to use a Snugli with my daughter and my hubby and I both HATED it. It was uncomfortable and HOT HOT HOT! So, I'm definitely NOT looking for a product like that. Thanks ladies! :)

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S.E.

answers from Cleveland on

I have a Maya and never felt comfortable in it. It was so nice when my boy got big enough for the bjorn. I know you tried the snugglie and said you didn't like it. Bjorn is better. My husband liked the Maya.

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H.G.

answers from Columbus on

can't say enough good things about a local columbus store: sprout soup (http://www.sproutsoup.com/) they are located on Indianola Ave near 315/Henderson exit. If that's close for you I would highly recommend going and checking out their array of carriers. there are so many more types out there and they are great to help you with fit and any questions you have. as a bonus they sell several different types of cloth diapers!

my personal favorite style of carrier is a structered soft carrier. i have a beco butterfly (among a few others) but i prefer this one because it distributes babies weight more evenly and i carry the bulk of it at my waist vs. shoulders. im not a wrap girl-too much material. and when running errands i prefer the quickness of the buckles etc. plus it allows for back carries once baby has more head control, a life saver since my 3 year old still rides in shopping carts/stroller.

if you can't make it to sprout soup, you might consider checking out another forum http://www.thebabywearer.com/ a great resource of info on different styles etc.

good luck and positive birth vibes to you!!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.L.

answers from Toledo on

I love my Beco now that my son is out of the newborn stage, it's so comfortable and easy to use. The only drawback I've found is that it's not easy to nurse in. When my kids were first born I loved using slings because of the ability to nurse and wear. I haven't tried a maya or moby though, so I'm not too much help :)

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C.N.

answers from Cleveland on

I used the Moby wrap when my second son was born 1/08 and absolutely loved it! At the time my older son was 18 months old and still needed lots of attention from me. Having my little one in the Moby wrap was so helpful... he spent many hours in it as a newborn and even took naps in it while prepared meals and ate dinner! I still have it and although I haven't used it in a few months (my little guy is now very much into exploring now that he is walking) I am trying to figure out how to use it to carry him on my hip so that I can still have both hands free. I feel it is a great product and well worth the $50 or so.
Good luck and enjoy the arrival of your second little one!

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C.T.

answers from Cleveland on

I had my third daughter in Jan. The moby was a lifesaver! She was a pretty fussy baby and had to be held for the fist 2 months almost 24/7--I would put her in the moby and be able to get things done around the house or go out for a walk. It is really nice because they are secure enough for you to feel confident to use both of your hands (instead of always having to have one hand on the baby)
The moby does shrink a little after being washed and if you have too much length based on your height you can wrap it around your waist an extra time.
I like that you can position the baby in several different ways. It is extremely comfortable and easy on your back.
If you choose to buy this product- you will not be disappointed! Good Luck--

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D.H.

answers from Indianapolis on

This doesn't answer your exact question, but if you can sew, this provides another alternative.
When my oldest (now 22) was a wee one, I took a strip of denim, about 24" wide and 6' long, sewed the ends together into a loop, and hemmed the edges. Then I held David next to me, and had my hubby take up the extra fabric & pin in a new seam to make it fit. Next, I gave David to his daddy, took the fabric, marked the new seam, stitched it, then folded over the extra fabric and stitched it to the loop (so there was a place with several layers of denim, sort of a pad).
Voila! Instant sling! I used fabric leftover from another project. It was sturdy, not too hot, no cumbersome hardware or thick pads that wouldn't stay where I put them. It folded up very small for easy storage in my bag. And the VERY BEST part? I used this sling from the time David was a small infant (8 weeks) and not sitting up, to a vacation when he was 2-1/2 years old! I never had to adjust it.
With my younger son, someone gave me whatever sling was popular at the time (I think it was a Dr. Sears), but I never liked it as much or used it as much as that first one.
Good luck!

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J.R.

answers from Columbus on

I tried a maya sling with my second b/c I too had a 2 yo to run after. I bought mine at a consignment sale in NC where we lived at the time for $11. It has metal rings and cotton fabric so, from the research I did, it seemed like a great purchase (a true maya sling, not a cheap knock-off). I could NEVER get it adjusted so that I felt comfortable and baby did too, much less nurse while wearing it. I tried several times, watched the video online, had 2 sling-loving moms help me and it never worked for me. (I'm 5' 8", don't think that matters but I'm a fair amount taller than you.) I'm glad I only paid $11 for it! I'm due in 4 weeks with #3 and will try it again as the theory sure sounds appealing!

K.P.

answers from Cleveland on

I had Baby Bjorn and I loved it!!! it was comfortable and let air in through the sides plus it came with a nursing cover that snapped to the outside and zipped away in the pocket on the back.. I think you can find them at target or online at www.babybjorn.com

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R.K.

answers from Dayton on

I have (and love) a Moby-style wrap (home made from fabric) and I recommend it highly. I am about 5ft 3 inches, so I doubt you would have trouble with it. What I love about it is that it's lightweight and also the weight of the baby is distributed over both shoulders and back. Very comfy and the babe slept well in it--she still does, and she's 18 months old. Good luck! Hooray for babywearing!

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K.J.

answers from Columbus on

My husband and I are getting a sleepywrap for use with our new little girl who is due the end of June. It is a lot like the other wraps out there but the fabric is a bit different and stays put much better than others...meaning you don't have to re-tie to adjust it like you do with others. The way it distributes your baby/child's weight is so much better than a sling. Their website is www.sleepywrap.com I believe they are like $32 so, not that much different than other carriers/wraps/slings out there.

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C.B.

answers from Columbus on

I went to Sprout Soup in Columbus and tried on all their wraps with my favorite being the Sakura Bloom wrap. EXPENSIVE but I splurged and got it anyway since I've bought everything else used or on clearance.

I considered the Moby wrap and have heard good things about it but really liked the Sakura Bloom one better.

If you like the Moby but are concerned about the heaviness of the material and the length of it, go online and search for how to make your own. They are really simple, super cheap and maybe you can find a lighter weight cotton to use. http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=121

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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Check out Dr. Sears' slings http://www.askdrsears.com/store/Slings.asp I love that man lol. His 'Baby Book' was my 'baby bible' with my daughter. I actually read it so much it fell to pieces.

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J.R.

answers from Toledo on

I used a Moby a little bit wth my third baby when he was about 2-3 months old. I will tell you if you are avoiding HOT this could be an issue with the Moby, because you will literally be covered in cloth. I had some trouble getting it to fit both me and my baby correctly, which I am not blaming the wrap, just me. I did find a YouTube video on putting the wrap on very helpful.
I have not used the Maya. Good luck and enjoy your new little one :)

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A.C.

answers from Cincinnati on

this website tells you how to make your own baby carrier. It also has a lot of great info on safety, different ways to carry, how to wrap, pros/cons, video how-tos etc.

http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=198

Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.S.

answers from Indianapolis on

I first bought a wrap similar to the Moby and I absolutely hated it! I too am short and it was way too much material to wrap around my body to secure my baby. It was too much work! I got a peanut shell sling that cost around $50 (expensive I know) but I wish I had it sooner, I got it when my son was about 8 weeks. It was so easy to have my hands free and have him close to me, plus it just slips over your shoulder and off you go! I used it for a good year before he got too big for it, but I LOVED IT! Good luck!

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