Recommendations for an infant sling/wrap/front carrier?

I would recommend the BabyBjorn over all the other carriers. I’ve now used it with two kids, and let me just say that it is the most versatile and easy to use. You can face them inward as infants, and outwards as they get older and want to see the world. The only downside is that when they get big enough, and they start kicking a lot, when positioned just right, they can deliver a fatal and swift kick to the nuts (for the male carriers). There is nothing more fun than walking along and suddenly doubling over in pain from a sneaky kick from an excited baby.

Now, because we live in San Francisco, we’ve also used the ErgoBaby carrier. The upside to this is that you can use it as a sling when the baby is tiny (you cannot with the Bjorn) if you purchase a cozy insert. The downside to this one is that there is no outward facing option. You either do sling, on the hip (sideways) or on your back. I’ve seen lots of people use this, but I prefer the Bjorn for simplicity and the outward option.

You should be aware that there is a learning curve to both. The Bjorn has lots of straps and stuff to connect and pull on, and looks kind of masochistic. The Ergocarrier comes with an instructional DVD to watch to teach you how to use it. Note, I never watched the DVD, so maybe that is why I don’t use the ErgoBaby.

Edit: I should add that we also briefly had like a Native American sling with our first child. He hated it, and we stopped using it after a week or two.

I agree that the Bjorn is great, especially for the front facing option. I really like the Ergo baby for as they get bigger.

Human arms

I have two children and used the BabyBjorn for both – and loved it! @shilolo is right, it appears to be a bit of a torture device, when you see it. The straps and all that crap really can be a chore, until you get used to it. The problem we faced is the size difference between my husband and I. He’s 6’5” and a big guy, I’m 5’2” and petite. Instead of adjusting things constantly, my husband bought his own – he needed the extensions for the it, anyway.

Neither of my children liked to use anything in the form of a sling – now I’m wondering if it was operator error. Quite possibly.

I’ve used a Moby Wrap http://www.mobywrap.com/ and a Playtex Hip Hammock http://www.playtexbaby.com/Products/ProductDetails.aspx?id=1042
I didn’t have the patience for the Moby Wrap, the Hip Hammock was great.

I think I’d go with an Ergo if I got another carrier.

Slick deals just came out with a great deal from Walmart:
http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/23029/Peanut-Shell-Baby-Sling-25
Only $25 for good looking slings.

I’ll add my vote for the Bjorn. I took my daughter EVERYWHERE in it, from cutting lumber at the Depot to playing piano Sad was the day we outgrew it

Thanks for all the advice. I went with the Baby Bjorn and it seems great. (The baby’s not here yet but I tried it on empty.)