[PriLou]

My DD was born at 34+4, and is now 4 weeks old. She has been home for a week and I'm now getting used to life with a newborn and a 2-year old. Would love to wear my DD, but my BabyBjorn is for babies weighing 3.5kg.

DD is now 2.6kg. Can anyone recommended a carrier?

[bluedragon]

Get a stretchy wrap of some sort. The most common is the hugabub. I used a baby K'Tan (less tying because it is sized). Others are moby wrap and closer carrier.

I bought mine here http://www.tinylittleelefants.com.au/brand-baby-ktan

[Tesseract]

Agree about the hug-a-bub type wrap, they are completely flexible on sizing (of both baby and you). Baby is held to you very close, rather than hanging from the crotch and leaning back as can happen with a baby bjorn. Just a word of warning about the baby bjorn and other 'crotch danglers' as they're called, most physios etc don't recommend them, a hug-a-bub style or ergo style is much better for both your back and the baby's.

[Bluenomi]

I'd get a Bubba Moe. So much easier to use than a hug a bub and much more useful in the long term.

[aphraell]

I had a 33 weeker who was home at 3 weeks (36 gestational) and used the ABA Simplicity Sling which was recommended by a friend who had a 34 weeker. It is a similar style to the Ergo. DD loved it from day 1. I also got a baba sling when she was a little older and found it useful for BF and a cradle type hold during witching hour. When DD was about 4 months we started using it forward facing for short trips(frog leg position) so DD could look around.

Have just bought an Ergo and it is fantastic - not sure if it would be suitable for a tiny prem though even with the insert.

I don't like the baby bjorn, as it is only forward facing and there is some evidence it can cause hip issues which premmies are especially susceptible to.

This post has been edited by aphraell: 24/01/2012, 01:08 PM

[Bek+3]

I have a 5 week old 32 weeker that we just brought home on the weekend. He fits very snug and comfortably in the Ergo with Heart to Heart insert.
I also have a Hug-a-Bub from DS2 but it's been so long I've forgotten how to wrap it so it's still in the draw!!

[tamjk]

Get a wrap carrier, they are SO snuggly and comfy! I have a hot pink Sleepy Wrap brand one that I purchased for my daughter and it was the BEST $40 I ever spent on a piece of baby equipment. I'll be buying a Moby Wrap for baby number three as I found the pink one tended to clash with some outfits and Sleepy Wrap is no longer in existence.

[blessina]

Hi there,
It's great that your LO is home now

I have worn all three of my babies using a variety of different carriers. There are pros and cons to each, but I just wanted to share some information I was given by a paediatric physio about wearing premmies.

Prem babies miss out on some muscle development as they don't get to spend the last weeks in utero "curled up" which helps the flexor muscles develop. For this reason physios with prem baby experience will show you different holds and carrys that will best promote correct muscle development.

As much as I love my hug-a-bub, it doesn't easily lend itself to flexed carry positions for newborns. I used a baba sling instead (my original sling!) which the physio was happy would be suitable. If you are unsure, perhaps you can contact the physio attached to the unit where your baby was born for more information, as things will still be a little different for your prem than for the average full-term baby.

Apologies for the essay,

Cheers
V

[PriLou]

Thank you for all of the replies and info. It's a relief to hear that people have been able to wear or are currently wearing their prems. As there are a few different options I'm going to the shops tomorrow to check out as many as I can.