Can I carry dd in a sling from a newborn?

[butterflylove16]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could please help me. I'm 24 weeks pregnant with my first, and really want to carry her in a sling. I have looked into slings and all of the wonderful benefits for us both, and it just feels really natural to me. But a little while ago while talking about it, fil told me that when he and mil went to a group before their eldest (bil) was born 27 years ago, they were told that mother's can't carry the baby for a few weeks as it damages their back, so only Dh will be able to carry dd when she comes.

It's been playing on my mind if this is right, and I tried googling it but didn't really find an answer. For anyone who has used slings or knows more about this than me, will I be able to carry dd from a newborn myself? I'm looking into buying a stretchy sling, but will hopefully find somewhere to test different slings out before she arrives. I really hope I can carry her, and will understand but still be disappointed if I can't. Thank you.

Oh yes - I don't have or have ever had any back problems!

[NoodieRoodie]

File that little nugget under "strange things they thought in the old days" ☺. I've carried DC2 and 3 from being a few days old and not encountered any problems.

A stretchy is fantastic for the early days but definitely try and go along to a sling library to try a few things out, this should help you find a local one www.babywearing.co.uk/local/

[spacefrog35]

Of course you can carry her, unless for some medical reason you're not allowed to lift, like maybe if you have a c-section.

There's loads of good websites with advice on baby wearing. Just make sure you know how to carry a newborn in a sling so her airway is kept clear and her legs/ hips are in the right position.

[ispymincepie]

A stretchy sling holds the baby in the natural way you would hold them. I'd imagine a basic sling 27yrs ago would not provide anywhere near as much support!

[Daffodil1210]

I've never heard of this advice. Ensuring the safety of your baby, yes, but never heard of issues for the mother. I carried my DS in a stretchy wrap from newborn and it never did me any harm. Plus the advice was 27 years ago... Not sure I'd rely on it.

And also you'll have carried your baby 24/7 for 9 months so I'm not sure why it's suddenly going to be bad for your back once they're on the outside.

[butterflylove16]

Thank you both so much I was sure that unless I had a c section or something I'd be able to, as it's not like I'm going to be doing anything too strenuous at first anyway, but just wanted some reassurance. Also because mil used to be a nurse I thought maybe they knew more about this than me.

I'm definitely planning to go along to a sling library, as well as ensuring I'm carrying dd safely. To be honest (other than a cousin I don't really know), I've never known anyone that uses slings so it all feels a little overwhelming and confusing at times!

[butterflylove16]

Thanks for the replies! I thought that - I would have been carrying her for 40 weeks anyway, it's just a natural progression.

I also agree that I don't think they had the variety of slings as readily available back then, they seemed surprised that I wasn't looking into buying a more structured carrier which mil said hurt her back. Before we had prams our ancestors would have used slings, as does a lot of the world today.

[Ughnotagain]

If you're going to a sling library you'll be in good hands we used a stretchy wrap for DD from her being about 2 weeks old. She's 9 months now and we still carry her everywhere, the buggy barely gets used!

[butterflylove16]

It's so lovely to hear of other mums using slings. I feel like no one other than Dh and I seem too positive about it, and think they are dangerous. I see it as I would have been carrying dd for 9 months, always with me, so I don't want her to suddenly be away from me a lot.

[Ughnotagain]

Absolutely

Plus, on a practical level - it gives you your hands back, baby will probably sleep in it a lot (especially when very little), so you can get on with stuff! If you get on a bus you don't have to worry about space for a buggy. You don't have to queue for lifts in shops or arse about trying not to bump into stuff.

I am a bit evangelical about slings

[butterflylove16]

Haha, it's just nice to hear some positivity! I'm very grateful for the responses and the ama wrap is definitely the type of thing I think I want.

I just keep hearing the baby will be too clingy, what if you fall over while carrying her etc. So it's really reassuring to hear positivity and that I can carry her early on.

[happy2bhomely]

I've carried all 5 of mine from newborn. My 4th son was 11lbs at birth and I had suffered terrible spd from 8 weeks pregnant, and I still managed to carry him comfortably. I did it every day for the first 6 months for all of them and then less frequently until 2 years. I used a stretchy moby wrap to start and then a woven wrap after.

The comments I have received over the years have been...

You are going to hurt yourself.
You are going to hurt your baby.
Are you sure the baby can breathe?
If you fall you will kill him/her!
You will regret doing that!
They will never get used to being without you.

My children now range from 15 years down to 3 years and not one of those things has happened.

[AnnaMarlowe]

I have twins and my DH and I had a sling eachwhich we used from new born (and I had a c section).

We progressed through a variety of slings and backpacks right up until they were physically too heavy for me to carry that way at about 4 years old. It was very useful on holidays where a double buggy was difficult.

[butterflylove16]

That is so lovely to hear happy2bhomely, especially as I'm hoping to do the same kind of thing. I know that there can be dangers using a sling, but as long as I make sure I've had advice and know what I'm doing, making sure dd is comfortable and her airways are clear, I think they are a wonderfull thing.

I also personally see no issue in my baby being 'clingy' to me, it seems only natural and doesn't mean she won't be independent when she's older. Not to mention, I honestly can't remember the last time I fell over! Even if I did, it would be my natural instinct to protect dd from getting hurt.

[butterflylove16]

Wow that's amazing you were able to use them after a c section, and so reassuring. I always think slings look as though they can actually give you more freedom in doing things, especially housework or going out somewhere. I feel so much more positive hearing the lovely stories

[ZiggyFartFace]

Follow TICKS guidelines and you'll have a lovely snuggly time
TICKS

[butterflylove16]

Thanks Ziggy! Very helpful

[sandylion]

Aw stretchy sling it's so cosy and comforting for both of you! You'll love it!

[ispymincepie]

With regards to different brands of stretchy wraps, my local sling consultant recommends either Hana or Boba as these have a 2 way stretch as opposed to the Amawrap or similar which only stretch in one direction. Not hugely different but makes for a more forgiving wrap job as they will be a tad easier to tighten and stay tight without having to readjust throughout the day.

[butterflylove16]

Thank you for the advice, I know I want a stretchy one as like pp said they are so comforting and help me and baby to be close, but I'll definitely try some different types out.

[GeoffreysGoat]

Ds1 was 26 hours old. I knew better second time round, ds2 was 5 hours old - I remembered to put it in my hospital bag! Born at 1:30am, we had a doze, some milk, bit of a cuddle then off we went to fetch mummy a brew from the kitchenette :o

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

I carried my babies from newborn and my first was over 23 years ago, never heard anyone suggest a mother couldn't carry her child.

[JeremyZackHunt]

I had a lovely 2 band stretchy sling that I used with my refluxy youngest from about 2 weeks (and they were prem) until 18 months. Snuggled across me to start with, upright and snuggly for a while and then upright and facing the world with me keeping them warm. :)

[butterflylove16]

That sounds so lovely GeoffreysGoat

I had never heard it before fil mentioned it. He said that mum's shouldn't carry babies for a few weeks as it damages their backs. Perhaps it was just the person who lead the groups opinion, as you never heard the same advice only a few years later. Also mil has had a bad back in the past so maybe that's why they were more concerned, but his could be as she was a nurse for many years before having her children? I'm not sure.

[butterflylove16]

I'm feeling really excited about using a sling now, they do sound lovely! Hopefully dd likes them haha.