I love to be able to snuggle up with my newborn babies and see them fade out into oblivion as they cuddle on my chest; thus, I greatly love the Moby Wrap Baby Carrier!
With my first baby, I dreaded the thought of a crazy wrap or sling! But as I have grown in my mothering and learning to enjoy the simple things of life, baby wearing became more appealing. It’s so easy to get things done while soothing a fussy baby, that’s for sure!
I love the full support this carrier provides for my little one while keeping them perfectly snug and secure against my body. It’s just like I am pregnant again! My hands are completely free to do the tasks necessary around my home. This carrier has been particularly handy while juggling a teething little guy (yes, Titus has been teething away this past week – alas!).
With our first baby, we used the infant insert with the Ergo Baby Carrier when the baby was a newborn. Honestly, I think that infant insert is a waste of money. It makes the carrier awfully bulky and sticky out from your body, thus making it very difficult to wash dishes and the like. Plus the material on the insert is very thick, making it very hot for the baby. The Moby is made of thin stretchable fabric, thus giving alot of breathability. Although the Moby can be used up to 35 lbs, we love the Ergo for when they get a bit bigger (as it gives excellent support as they increase in weight), but the Moby is much easier and wonderful for these small stages.
CON’s: There is definitely a bit of a learning curve on this one. The methods of wrapping it are rather easy to learn, the most difficult thing I found was trying to get the fabric wrapped tight enough against my body so the baby isn’t sagging down. Guarding against getting the fabric from getting twisted on my back has been another challenge. You have to just take it a little slower. There are many helpful videos online (utube and such) that will introduce you to the wrapping process.
The material is rather long and can be awkward to put on in outside settings without getting it dirty. If you are going to be out and about doing errands, put the carrier on at home so it is easy to slip the baby in when you get to the store! This carrier is much better than hauling around an infant car seat in the stores let me tell you (especially if you have another little one or two in tow). It can definitely get stretched out with wear, but is also fully machine washable and the dryer gets it back in shape.
Even with all the con’s, this product has been a lifesaver and we highly recommend it! Moby’s are actually relatively cheap. Brand new they are around $40, but you can also find them on craigslist (like us!) for $15-20.
Read my friend Mandy’s excellent thorough review here.
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I also loved the Moby D. It is a great wrap…a bit more expensive than the Moby though. I took my baby overseas with me at three months old. I decided that the Moby D was much too hot to take along though I loved it. Soo…. I made a similar version with lightweight material that was four feet less in bulk and it worked fine for the rest of the summer. Afraid she is too big this year to fit into it, but then she is mobile now and prefers to be down anyway. The Moby D cost me $60; to make mine it cost $6! MYO!
I LOVE my Moby! I’m a baby wearing fanatic, and love sharing with others the many benefits it has to offer! I also own a ring sling, that I enjoy using as well…I think they can each be beneficial.
As to the teething…Your not alone! My little guy (born the 9th of March, so very close in age with yours) started teething lately as well! Hyland’s Teething Tablets have been working pretty well, but I am considering getting an Amber teething necklace (Among other things, amber is a natural analgesic (pain reliever) and anti-inflammatory.)…I try to avoid drugs as much as possible!!
My husband isn’t too keen on our little boy wearing a necklace, but if nothing else, I figure he can wear it when we’re at home (which is 90% of the time).
Here’s a website, (recommended to me by my sister) that sells them…
http://hyenacart.com/inspiredbyfinn/
BTW, I just recently stumbled accross you site, and have been so blessed by it! Thank you soooo much!
Quick question: what is the trick to making sure you wrap it tight enough so that baby does not sag?
I’m loving the moby wrap with my 3 week old but that is the one thing I cannot master yet.
Thanks!
I found it starts with making sure the wrap is tight when you are first wrapping it around your stomach and up your back. I start with laying it bunched up tight right at my belly button (not below as they recommend) and pull it tight as I wrap it around my back. It takes a little time to figure it out but you will get the hang of it, I promise.
I absolutely love my Moby! I’m bummed that I didn’t discover it until my 3rd baby, especially since my second was particularly fussy/needy. It’s amazing how connected you feel w/your children, even my husband enjoys using it!
Thank you for publishing this review…it proved very timely for me. I found a new Moby Wrap (Olive color) in the Target “As Is” section for $4.96. The package had never been opened, that was clear: it was simply a return from target.com that was brought to a store. I’ve found that when that happens, they clearance the items out to get them sold quickly. Hurrah!
Yes, I’m very big on baby wearing- even in the grocery store. I’d much rather my 21-month old be on my back than in the cart. I got into making them when my daughter was smaller, then I bought a Ergo when she got to be too heavy for my home-made wraps. I’ve never thought of mixing them with two kids. I love that, although my little girl will be too big once we do have another.
My cousin just forwarded me your site, and I LOVE IT. Thank you for the great info! I have a Moby and used it much more when my son weighed less. But I loved it then and will use it again!
My babies are 16 months apart and I wear them exactly like you have yours in the pic: my 9 month old son in the front in the Moby and my 2 year old daughter in the Ergo in the back. It is alot of weight (my 2 year old is only around 26 pounds, but my 9 month old is around 21 pounds), but I wear them for hours that way. I shop that way and take walks. The only caution is being seriously top heavy…I’ve tipped over and had trouble getting back up when I’ve been on uneven ground. The Ergo is definitely my favorite and quicker to use, but it is less bulky around the shoulders and waist, I think. I’m a big babywearing fan!
The Moby was my FAVorite when baby was little. I’m so glad you found one. I use a ring sling now, but I bet my back and hips would be happier if I had an Ergo…
I hear the moby is fabulous. But I have a sleepy wrap. Sleepywrap.com it’s wonderful! It’s material is the same as the Moby wrap and it works the same but the material is stretchy which is super duper comfortable! Love it! My boy will fall fast asleep in it! Especially if we are away from home and he is really sleepy and there is no where to put him down!
I had a lot of trouble with my first child and sling/wrap/carrier use. I had purchased the “Ultimate Baby Wrap” but never felt comfortable because it was stretchy and the baby hung too low. Now, after the birth of my second child five weeks ago, I have pulled it out again and am enjoying it! I sought out some videos on Youtube and discovered that if I can keep the around-the-waist parts of the wrap up higher, even above my belly button, carrying the infant is MUCH better. I also am trying to make sure it’s tighter, but keeping it all up higher has made a world of difference. I am a longer waisted person so it really makes sense why I was so uncomfortable beforehand. Hope this makes sense!
I appreciate the comments on the ERGO infant insert – I love my ERGO and was considering an insert for the next baby. I may have to borrow a MOBY from a friend before purchasing – all my newborns have hated ring slings.
I loved my Moby wrap when my daughter was little. I have a Beco Butterfly I now that I use almost everyday. We live in Eastern Europe and I have to use the public buses to get around. I have to wear my one year old so I can help my 3 year old onto the bus. I get the funniest looks from people though! No one wears their kids around here- well, except me! I plan on wearing my daughter in the Beco until she is close to 30 pounds… we’re at 20 something now and I still feel like I’m carrying nothing!
I had a moby with my daughter and I loved it, and you totally get the hang of wrapping it without bunching it. I did transition to a woven wrap (I got a didymos and a bebina) which are better for a heavier baby. I really don’t think a Moby would be good for much beyond 15 lbs, it will stretch out too much. When he’s a little older you can use a shorter woven wrap for hip carries and back carries, they’re really versatile.
I also would reccomend a beco over an ergo a thousand times over. Ergo is a mean company and is trying to hurt the smaller ones, plus becos are way prettier and I think much more useful. They have infant inserts built in, but aren’t bulky, they hold your baby closer to you, which helps your back, they have a longer back so that older babies are safer. And on and on….
I absolutely love my Moby as well!!! And the Ergo now that my baby is bigger!! Recently a friend came over with a very whinny 3 month old and she was completely exhausted. I had her try on my Moby and put her son, the silence was immediate and her face lit up! She went home and bought one immediately
Yay Moby 
I seriously could not say enough wonderful things about our Moby if I tried!! I have loved it so much. My only real complaint is my own fault – I got a sage green one, and I wish I had gotten black or chocolate brown.
I do have a question if anyone has some advice to offer. My daughter is still waaayyy within the weight limit, but I have found that my original Moby gets really stretched out while I’m wearing her, which necessitates me pausing (if we’re out somewhere like the zoo or aquarium), to re-tie the entire Moby. This can be tricky if my hubby isn’t with me, and I’m keeping track of the 3 and 1 y/o all by myself!
I’ve been thinking about getting a more toddler-friendly wrap. I really prefer a wrap to a rigid carrier, and I prefer the versatility with a wrap over a ring sling. A friend strongly recommended the Didymos to me, but they’re quite out of the question on our budget. Any thoughts or suggestions? I do sew, and I now own a serger (thanks to Craigslist!).
I purchased a BabyHawk Mei Tai for us when my son got too heavy for the Moby and stretched it out everytime I had him in it…. he’s a BIG boy!! I love the Mei Tai. And you could probably make it yourself. It is made out of material but heavier duty stuff. I can wear him on my back, front, or hip, and I can do it all myself. My son is almost 20 months old, and 31 lbs, and recently I traveled with him alone and had to change plans in an airport. I did not want to bring a stroller, so I just brought the Mei Tai and after we got off the plane, I put him on the front, had a back pack on my back and off I went walking from gate 4 to gate 78… a LONG walk! I was so thankful I brought my Mei Tai! Hope that helps you!
Lauren, I’ll try to make some suggestions based on my knowledge and experience, and hope this will be helpful
I have no idea what budget limit you have… If you want something in the same price range as Moby, then your best bet would be osnaburg fabric(or osnaberg, same fabric) that I mentioned in comment #23.
If you can afford something for under $100, then you should try looking into buying used (often well cared for, and softer than new wraps) either on ebay or http://www.thebabywearer.com (For Sale or Trade subforum, you’ll need to complete a quick registration). The following brands can often be found in the $75-85 range, and maybe even less, depending on size, condition and color (and how fast the seller wants to sell it
– BB-Slen(or BBSlen), Bebina, Nati Baby, Dolcino, Girasol(new weave is more supportive, just ask the seller if the wrap has a ‘wrong’ side), Hoppediz (Hopp). I had personal experience with all but one, and they are all wonderful alternatives to the much more expensive Didymos. If you get too confused by all the choices on that subforum, you can just post your criteria for wraps you’re looking for in the “In Search Of” subforum and wait for someone to offer you a wrap that will fit your bill better.
I also highly recommend checking out the following collection of links, which has a somewhat overwhelming amount of useful information that can be a huge help when you’re learning to wrap, wanting to know more ways to wrap your baby and need to decide which size will work best for you:
Wrapping Instructions Links (Favorite links for wrap instruction, Wrap instruction videos, Secrets to successful wrapping, Wrap instructions chart)
Choosing a Wrap FAQs(Sizing charts and metric conversion, Budget minded wrapping, Good Wraps for Hot Weather, Why are wraps so expensive?, The Length of Wrap for Different Carries)
Hope you can find something that will help you carry your toddler comfortably
I love my Moby! There is a bit of a learning curve, which I am still in, but it’s well worth the extra time it takes to learn to use it. My son loves to be in it too, which is wonderful – we had an Infantino carrier and he hated it. The Moby looks less industrial and I love that I can put it on before leaving the house and just put my son in as soon as we arrive at the store – no more carseats to lug around!
man i am really liking that moby! dont have one yet! love the black;) i love my ergo and new native carriers-but i really love the fit and snuggliness of the moby from the looks of when you were wearing titus! plus baby is due november, so the warmth of the moby would be lovely!
I have been enjoying the benefits of wearing my last 2 babies and can’t imagine how I would get anything done without a baby carrier, since my babies come into this world extremely high needs and with serious reflux. There are many baby carrier types out there, not to mention brands. I love to use Ring Sling in hot weather or for quick shopping trips(least amount of fabric, easy to make), buckle carrier or a Mei Tai for long hikes with my 3 year old. I love how easy it is to use a stretchy wrap with a newborn (never had a Moby, but I love Wrapsody/Gypsy Mama stretchy wraps, they are very lightweight and supportive even with heavier kids, without much sagging).
My most favorite and versatile carrier, however, is a woven wrap. They are more expensive, but the support and comfort is better than any stretchy wrap I tried. I can comfortably wear my 3 year old for extended periods of time on my back in Neobulle and I also love how thin and supportive Girasols and Zaras are. If you want a truly supportive sag-free wrap, then it has to be a woven wrap. If you are on a tight budget, then you could try buying some osnaburg fabric (Joanns or Walmart, about $2.50 a yard) as I heard many moms find it very comfortable for using it as a wrap, I bought it recently but haven’t tried it yet.
I LOVED my wrap! I went to mamatoto.org to figure out how to use and make my own and it was definitely worth it. I made mine for about $12 dollars and no sew!!! I recommend baby wearing to everybody because of all of the awesome benefits and how happy it made my little guy. With my first, I tried a commercial carrier, but it just didn’t stay comfortable. My wrap though was totally comfortable, and I was even able to wear him on my back as he got older. That helped a lot with household and shopping stuff with three little ones
I love the photo of both children wrapped up. I’ve done that with two pouch slings, but like you said, it didn’t last long, they get very heavy
I love the Moby wrap! When my son was young, he HATED strollers and he woudn’t do the traditional sling. I heard about the Moby and was scared to try it due to it being a wrap, but after a few tries, it was the perfect match for both me and my son. I would take him on walks with it and to the store and he loved it. And so did I, because it was very comfortable on, and carried the weight proportionally across my body. I’m pregnant again and will definitely be using it again soon!
I agree, the Moby wrap is fabulous! When our son was soon to arrive we started investigating wthe world of wraps. I loved the idea of having my little one so close AND my hands free. There were many options, but after talking to someone over a weekend retreat who was using a Moby, I decided this looked like the one that would fit us best. Simple…few parts. Yes, some steps, to master, but not too difficult to scare me. AND easy to use anywhere…even in Maine in the wintertime IF you suit up the moby under your winter coat. I knew this wrap was going to be perfect when I took my newborn son to the grocery store for the very first time and kept him nice and snug with me. AND later that week took him to church work day where again the Moby kept him happy and close.
Great review! I kinda cracked up when I read though, because I just commented on my love for the wrap I have on my “favorite things” post today!
http://thedraystoday.blogspot.com/2009/06/these-are-few-of-my-favorite-things.html
I’ve been looking into a wrap-style sling for our little one who is due in September. I LOVE my Ergo but you are right, it works better for older babies.
You mentioned the Infantino Sling Rider Baby Carrier (linked to it on Amazon) in another post. Do you like this Moby Wrap better? Seems like the Infantino isn’t hands-free…
Yes, I need to update that post. I much prefer the Moby now. The sling carrier was huge and I ended up not liking the way it would crunch the baby’s neck. The moby is far more hands free.
Thanks for posting about this, Lindsay! I am expecting our 5th baby this summer, and I’m looking for a better carrier this time. I started out with a homemade ring sling (which I never cared much for), then used a couple of other brands I got from a thrift store, which also didn’t work well. I tried the Ergo, but I’m really too short for it to be comfortable (I’m 5’1″, and I noticed it said on the website that usually it worked better for taller people. I tried it anyway, and it just wouldn’t fit my body!). Last time we used a Baby B’Jorn, but that had disadvantages, too. I’ll have to look into this one!
I’ve read that the Beco Butterfly II is often more comfortable for shorter people than the Ergo. It is a soft structured carrier a little similar to the Ergo, but it does tend to fit differently than the Ergo. I personally think the Beco is more comfortable for me (the way it sits on my hips/lower back) than the Ergo. However, I do like the Ergo too.
S.K.,
Thanks for this advice! I’ve never heard of the Beco…I’ll have to look into that one, too. Thanks for your help!
I’ve also read that the Pikkolo is good for petite women but will also fit husbands!
Thank you, Lindsay! How great to see a picture of the ergo used with the moby-I was just wondering if that would work the other day.
Sorry to hear that Titus is teething. 
I have not used a stretchy wrap, but I love my woven wraps! I’m still using them with my 19mo, and they are so unbelievably comfy! We’ve gone to the zoo twice this spring without a stroller! When my LO was 3mo, I bought a mei tai, and it was a huge lifesaver! I was able to attend to my infant while potty-training my 2yo AND babysitting a 9mo. I am a huge advocate for baby carriers now, and am always glad to lend various styles out to others.
I counted this weekend, and I have 7 different styles – the soft structured (like ergo) is the only type I don’t own.
Annie – for a LO over a year, I’d say go with a German style woven wrap! They can be expensive new, but are so useful & multi-talented.
Especially since you already have the basics of wrapping down from using the sleepy wrap. Another option with an easier learning curve (especially for DHs) is a mei tai- still super useful & supportive. Go to http://www.slingsilove.com to see some different options (mei tais, wraps, buckle carriers, ring slings, etc) – Giselle is so sweet to work with!
Thanks for the website, I have bombarded Giselle with questions and am getting a short wrap. You are right, she is so helpful!
I was able to borrow a Moby wrap from a friend. I really loved the idea of it but since Aidan was such a big boy at birth (10lb 6 oz) it didn’t work for very long for us. Now he is 16.6lbs and just shy of 3 months! We use the Ergo and LOVE it! Love your website! Jennifer
I am a Moby Wrap lover too! I think your review is very accurate. I definitely agree with all of your cons. It is a great wrap once you get the hang of it. It was a lifesaver for me with a fussy baby who despised being put down… and not to mention grocery store outings! I look forward to being able to use it again in the near future with baby #2 on the way!
I love your site by the way. I have learned a lot from you!
I have heard several great comments about the Moby wrap and I’m planning on getting one with our next child. My son (12 months) loves the Ergo, what a blessing it has been for us. Prior to that we used the Bjorn, though not for long as my shoulders really took a beating.
We love the Moby-style wrap, too!
I made one last summer for $1.49: http://frugalgranola.blogspot.com/2008/08/frugal-friday-149-baby-carrier.html
Blessings,
Michele
This is exactly what we did as well…Moby for newborn and Ergo for older. LOVE both. My 21 mo toddler is too wiggly to be carried now, but until about 13 months, it was the ONLY way to get her to sleep! Tip for Moby- keep the fabric smooth and not twisted when you are putting it on. Once I figured that part out, I loved it!
I can’t believe Titus is teething already! Any new pics??
Looks like you’re losing your baby weight. Time for some new jeans.
they’re getting really baggy.
Smile…I think the weight of the carriers was causing my pants to slide down a bit…but yes, those ones already went back into the storage pile!
Love my Moby…I am due in less than 8 weeks and I can’t wait to pull it out again!!! And we love the Ergo as they get bigger too…the best baby investment ever.
I am with you. My son is a year and I still shop with him in the Moby occasionally. I just gave one away that I made out of $1 fabric at Walmart, but my real Moby is my lifesaver. I had given to me so many different kinds of baby gear for my three kids, but this is the only one that stuck.
I loved my sleepywrap when my daughter was a newborn. She’s over a year and too big for it now. Any recommendations for a carrier for a fifteen month old?
You may want to consider a Mei Tai. It can be a bit faster than a wrap which was a bonus for me when the boy started movin around.
Like a wrap it can be worn front or back, and easy to adjust for extended nursing. I used a Wrapsody (similar to a Moby) before he could hold his head on his own and loved it. There are some great sites to learn to make your own Mei Tai.
Thanks for the input!
I made my own Moby. I got some lightweight fabric (perfect for my summer babies) and made 3 for $15. I kept 2 and gave away one. I also loved my ring sling!
I would love to get a Moby Wrap if we are blessed again. I love my Ergo. I love that you wear both little ones. Blessings!
That was fun to read! My mom used baby carriers for years but I’d never heard of the Moby Wrap until a few weeks ago when a friend received one for a baby shower present. Moby Wraps look really neat. I like that they are supposed to provide more protection for your back. I’ve got back problems, so that’s something I would need to watch out for someday.
My Moby wrap was invaluable for Bethany’s first few months! I’ve done some research and next time I will use the Sleepy Wrap brand. It’s similar, but the fabric is a stretchy terry that doesn’t sag like the jersey of the Moby.
When you cross the Moby on your back just make sure the fabric is spread out wide, it does take some work to make sure it’s not twisted! Also, if you spread the fabric out over your shoulder it bears the weight better and is more comfortable (though admittedly not as easy to have full movement of your arms).
I am currently selling my Ergo (they’re great but not the best for me, and causing trouble with my hernia) and getting a Scootababy hip carrier.
Well, I have 3 kids 3 and under so I definitely love my wrap and ring sling! lol My wrap is made of crinkle cotton I got at the $1 yard table at walmart but I didn’t make the ring sling which only cost about $35 new. They have been invaluable with trying to wash dishes/ fold clothes and keep happy kids