Mumsnet Talk

Just found out that I'm pregnant. I was already looking for a back carrier or back pack because DD is almost 10 kilos and too heavy for front carrying. But now that I got the happy (albeit shocking) news of the next baby coming, I think that a carrier that somehow presses on the scar of last c/s wouldn't be suitable... What do you say? Thanks!

A woven wrap would deffo do the job, but they do have the steepest learning curve of all slings. The advantage is they can very easily be tied well away from both bump and scar and are very supportive right into toddlerdom.

Easier to get the hang of would be a mei tai; you can tie the waist band above your bump with the knot off centre so nothing digs into the bump as it grows. Then the shoulder straps can also be kept well clear of both bump and scar. And your DD will have a great view of the world over your shoulder as this will perch her quite high up

Congratulations

Yes, a wrap or a MT that you can tie wherever is most comfortable is the way to go. There are some pictures of wearing while pregnant (mostly wraps) here, if you want inspiration!

Thanks Loopymumsy and Puddock I'm warming yo the idea of the wrap instead of a framed backcarrier. It's only that I'm afraid I might be rubbish at learning to tie it and it might take ages everytime
I loved the pictures! I have to see if all this MT are the same or there are some easier to put on.

All MTs stick to the same basic design: a rectangle of fabric for the carrying panel, tied with waist straps that come out horizontally from the bottom of the rectangle and shoulder straps that come out vertically at the top and are much longer.

But there are hundreds of minor variations on the theme... size of carrying panel, padded straps, padded waistband, curved panel, sleep hoods, seat darts, part buckle (so you don't tie one or both sections though this is strictly then a "soft structured carrier")... And then there's choosing your favourite fabric ...!

Ohhh it's like entering the world of fabric nappies for the first time. Then I need to do a little research to see what particular variations are best for us. What do you think of the wilkinet?

It's comfy, it sits your LO in a good position (froggy legs rather than dangly), and IIRC the instructions are pretty good which makes it fairly easy to get to grips with.

Didn't like having to tie the baby into it first (awkward) and found the long straps really annoying (and that's by the standards of a woman who now wraps/mei tais every day!). Plus found it basically rubbish for back carries; DD2 would always slip down really easily and end up no longer froggy legged.

Is there a slingmeet near you? If you join and post before the meeting you plan to get to that you want to try as many different mei tais as possible then with any luck you would get a few to have a look at, and may even be able to borrow one. Us babywearers tend to be quite keen to lend out in order to convert other Mums !

Then def. the Wilkinet is not for me. I couldn't find a meeting nearby I'll have to find a model and just buy it. You are doing a very good job at converting me I'd like to get it second hand, from here or Ebay...

There's a yahoo group UKBabywearingswap which is a very good place to pick up second hand ones - and to sell on anything that doesn't work out for you. It is considered perfectly acceptable to ask what you paid for a sling when you have only used it once or twice

The fastest moving place to buy second hand though is the natural mamas FSOT board. Be warned, most people advertise by brand name so you may need to spend a bit of time reading around the forum to get the idea of some brands to look out for.

You can also post an ISO on both forums if you have a bit of an idea what you would like. And you never know, you might encounter a friendly babywearer in your area over there too ! (I love it, does it show?! I carried DD2 right up to the day I went into labour with DD3 (even tandem carried a few times) and am still carrying DD3 daily now - she is 2.2

Thanks. I'm completely converted! The MT is the way fwd. I saw a video and it doesn't look too difficult after all. I suscribed to the UKBabywearingswap group, awaiting approval. I´ll check now the other one. It´s midnight and I´m still here , too enthusiastic!