My small baby doesn't like her legs far apart in front wearing carrier

[SusannaAndSue]

My baby is small for her age. She's 20 weeks and about 11 lbs. I used a Close Caboo when she was smaller but it was tricky to alter and she didn't like it once I had to adjust it and couldn't get it right!

Her legs don't go around my body like a frog like all the photos of babies in carriers. I think it's because she's small. Plus its so warm and she easily gets hot. I worry about her hips being forced into a position that's not comfy for her.

But the sling library ladies told me she's too little/young to face out.

Basically are there any carriers that hold their legs in more of a seated position. Facing in or facing out. She's happy sitting facing out on my hippie chick but I still don't have both hands free! I'm sure other people with small babies have had similar experiences?

[LilyMumsnet]

Hi @SusannaAndSue,

We're just giving this a bump and moving it over to chat for you.

[TheJoxter]

Ergo carriers have an insert for small babies which means they don’t have to spread their legs right out

[yiskasha]

Second for Ergo carriers. I nanny for a baby who was really small for his age and we used the insert for the Ergo and it worked much better for him.

[Stillterrified]

I’ve found ring slings the best

the legs only have to go as far as is comfy, it can be used with the legs in or out

You sit the knees higher than babies bottom so the weight is on their bum. Completely adjustable too so should easily get it fitted right with just a few tugs

[Fibbke]

Do they still make the old fashioned wilkinet? Best sling ever (i had an early baby who was tiny and two older kids so needed hands free!)

[Bluebelltulip]

I used a wrap sling for my daughter until she was over a year old. It wouldn't force her legs any further than she wanted.

[OhWifey]

Another vote for the ergo insert which has them slightly more sitting with legs bunched up rather than spread round you

[spiderlight]

Another vote for a ring sling.

[SusannaAndSue]

Brilliant thank you. I found some ergo and inserts on eBay. I'll definitely give them a go. I tried a ring sling at the library and it was ok but I found it a bit awkward to get right. I think I'm too impatient!

[crustycrab]

Don't have her facing out, it's really not good for her hips. Does she need to be in a carrier rather than a pram?

[TuckMyWin]

Noooo not ebay for an ergo! It'll likely be fake- it's the most faked carrier out there, and if a fake, won't be properly safety tested. If buying an ergo second hand or on eBay please also ask to see original proof of purchase. I wouldn't even trust an ergo on Amazon, tbh....sorry. It is a good carrier for littles though!

[Needcoffeecoffeecoffee]

Be careful with ergos on ebay there are lots of fakes.

Can i just check when you say 'her legs don't go round my body like a frogs' are you expecting her to sit in the carrier with her legs wrapped around your waist?
If yiu think of it like an M rather than a frog that may help - so bum is the bottom of the M then the carrier fits into babies knee pit and is above the bum so there is a bide deep seat and the knees are the top of the M then the legs hang down.

I've probably not explained too well but she shouldn't have her legs stuck straight our round you or straight down (like with a narrow carrier)

I think all carriers or wraps will take a little time to get right initially but then can be done quickly. So even ring slings, woven wraps. A buckle carrier can be quick but you still need to make sure baby is in a position that is comfortable and supports h e TICKS guidance

[InterestingShipNames]

You can use a hairband to make the base narrower, until she grows into it. But if you can, go and get some hands on help from your local sling library. It’s so much easier to fix these things in real life than online!

[SusannaAndSue]

Thanks. Yes I've been to a library a couple of times. We get her legs in the proper M but it still seems too spread. But maybe I'm not giving her enough chance. She always seems so relieved when I take her out!

I won't buy one on eBay after all your advice, thank you. I didn't know there were lots of fakes

I own sheep and push a pram across bumpy fields twice a day. It can be quite gruelling 😄 An occasional trip in a sling instead would be good!

[VenusClapTrap]

Not all babies like slings. One of mine much preferred the pushchair.

[DoctoraNova]

I recommend an unstructured soft sling (eg Kari-Me). Agree not to force hip abduction.

[NanooCov]

There's a really good Facebook group called Affordable Baby Slings for Sale or Swap - they're very good at weeding out fakes on there so you'll be pretty safe.

[BunnyTeapot]

Use a stretchy 😊

[Whyismycatanasshat]

We have an ergo, a baby who started off small and livestock.
The Ergo has been amazing. TK Maxx often have them on offer online.
They’re completely machine washable too, it makes such a difference when they’re being licked and chewed by goats as well as the baby!

[SusannaAndSue]

Great! Would you recommend the Ergo 360? There's a few types

[Fantababy]

The Ergo360 is great. My 11 week old DD has just outgrown the insert but she spends a lot of time in the Ergo.

[WhenZogateSuperworm]

I’ve got an Ergo 360 and my 12 week old has just stopped using the cushion part of the insert but is still in the shell for neck support. She had mild hip dysphasia when born and so we had to be careful about making sure her legs were always in the front position.

[Trixibell79]

Once you get used to tying a wrap this would seem to be best for a small baby’s legs. You can leave it on you under a coat and if breastfeeding some people feed whilst they are In it. I didn’t like ring slings either but I loved the stretchy soft fabric of this sling. I used a Moby one - similar to Close I think for 2 of my DC. My son especially liked the newborn hold position for a good few months as it allowed him
to tuck his legs/cross them which is a position he naturally adopted.

[Trixibell79]

PS I used the Moby for a good 10 months- baby around 50th centile

[Trixibell79]

www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk/products/moby-classic-wrap-black