Baby carrier

[charley3005]

I am looking for a baby carrier for my 6 week old baby, we already have a wrap sling but I just can't seem to get on with it, really struggle with it! Is there a carrier on the market below the £40 that you have found and loved?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

You really should get yourself to a sling meet/sling library in your area. There is nothing to beat RL advice with a sling, especially something as tricky as a wrap sling. They're virtually always free, and the librarian may well show you how to get on with your wrap, or let you borrow an alternative (at a tiny charge) to see what you prefer before outlaying loads of cash on something else that might not work. This is by far and away your cheapest and best solution!

[anametouse]

Mothercare own is £28. It's taken a bit of getting used to but I'm not good with these things. DS likes it

[charley3005]

elphabathegreen I'd love to get to a sling library but unfortunately there aren't any in my area, I've looked into it before, hence my coming to MN thanks though x

[PamBagnallsGotACollage]

Connect as are brilliant.

[FaithAgain]

Have you considered a ring sling? Within your budget and good for tiny toys but more structure than a wrap.

[PamBagnallsGotACollage]

**connectas

[charley3005]

Faithagain I have seen the ring slings but I just thought hey were like the wraps??

[ElphabaTheGreen]

OK then, fair enough.

YY to Connecta, but at 6 weeks you'll probably need to cinch the bit that passes between her legs using the chest strap that comes with it, as it will give her too much hip-spread and go past her knees. You'll probably need to do this until 9-10 weeks, depending on her size. It will last you well into toddlerhood, however, so you get your money's worth. I could still show-horn my two year old into if up until a few months ago and he's huge.

The other go-to, which is the nearest you'll get to mimicking the position you're aiming for a wrap, without the human macrame, is a Close Caboo. They're not much good past 4-6 months, however, so while the positioning is probably better for a newborn than the Connecta, you won't get quite as much bang for your buck, although re-sale on them is pretty good.

The £28 Mothercare sling mentioned upthread doesn't give the advised M-sit position at the hips, so I'd steer clear of that one for ergonomic reasons. The sling should extend from knee-pit to knee-pit securely under baby's bum, and for the full length of both thighs. If the sling doesn't do that, avoid.

Since you've not been able to visit a sling library, I've attached TICKS for safe babywearing in case you've not come across it before.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

X-post - ring slings are total Marmite. People either love them or hate them, but they're very hard to get right without RL guidance. I'd go for more structure since you don't have that.

[charley3005]

elphabathegreen thank you that's really helpful!
I am looking for a sling which offers the M positioning of the legs which is why I'm finding it pretty difficult I think, I have seen this which looks similar to the Cabo you mentioned, am I correct in thinking that?

Bebamour Cotton Baby Carrier Backpack 2 in 1 Comfort Baby Sling Wrap (Black) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MEGXVQR/ref=cmswwrcppapi_glFHybAN6D1PT

[ElphabaTheGreen]

That one looks like a cheap knock-off of a Tula to me, and it doesn't look like it gives enough support around the thighs. The positioning also doesn't look great on the model (that back-carry is horrifying!), so you can be pretty sure it won't position brilliantly/easily IRL. In the absence of guidance, you want something pretty idiot-proof, and that one doesn't shout out to me.

I think a Connecta is probably your best bet, and I'd highly recommend a Solarweave. It doesn't come 'pretty' like other slings do (three or four block colours only) but it's extremely light weight, so it's great in summer, and you don't have to worry too much about it being an 'extra layer' in winter, so can just layer your baby up according to the weather rather than factoring in the sling. No bulky coats or snow suits under a sling, though - they can get far too hot and affect how tight you can get the sling. Solarweaves also scrunch up brilliantly into a changing bag or footwell of a car - waaaaay easier than a pram!

Remember that if you get a good sling, you'll get a third to a half of it back on re-sale, so if you can stretch your budget to £50-£60, you'll get a good sling, but still, essentially, within your budget. Try eBay or search Facebook for second hand sling groups first as well. There's loads of them!

[Heirhelp]

I thought I would love a connecta and I thought it was OK until I tried the manduca. Slings are so personal. Is there a baby group near you where other people use slings so you can have a go?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

Connecta was never my favourite - it was always my 'make do' sling, and I was never mad keen on it for back carries, but since the OP doesn't seem to have a 'try before you buy' option, I think her best chance of improving on her current sling situation is the one that most people get on with one way or another, which is the Connecta.

I did not like the Manduca at all, so yes, I agree slings are highly individual. Currently happy with my four and two year olds in a toddler Tula, but wrapping or a half-buckle Mei Tai was definitely my preference when they were smaller, so preferences change as your child grows.

I sold my Connecta to a friend when her baby got too big for the Close Caboo, and she's happy with it. Quick and easy to get onto a screaming Velcro baby!