Baby slings

[VanillaIce]

Hi, has anyone used a baby sling in the past, or planning to use one with their new baby? I like the idea of them but wonder if they're comfortable/heavy/bad for the back etc.

Would be glad to hear any opinions before I impulse buy one!

[CMOTdibbler]

I used a sling from birth with DS, and still carry him at 3.3.

Good slings for tinies are Moby wraps, ring slings (like the Ellaroo lightly padded or Maya Wrap) or pouches (like Peanut shell

I love using a sling, and a well fitted sling is very comfortable and kind to your back

[BlueChampagne]

I used a Wilkinet from birth with DS1 till about 10 months. I have had back problems and found it fine. I got mine about half price on ebay.

[deepdarkwood]

I used a ring sling with dd from about 2 months ... and she still very occasionally goes in it now (at 3.5 years). Defn my best baby buy.
If you can, get to a local slingmeet,where you can try out some different ones to see what suits you.

[no1putsbabyinthecorner]

Hi I use a Moby wrap, custom made mei tai (sp?) and have tried the ring sling and peanut shell. I prefee the moby.
I suffer with back pain, and I find this one helps distribute the weight better.

Also great as when ds was born, dd was 18 months so I could do more with her, and bf in it too.

Ds is 1 and I still use it.

[pooexplosions]

If a sling hurts at all, you are either using it wrong or have bought a crappy sling.
Stay away from the BabyBorn, the Premaxx baby bags, and the infantino sling rider. You are much better off with something simple like a moby, a peanut shell, or a mei tai.
I can still carry a 5 year old or the 2 year old at 35 weeks pregnant in comfort. (I don't carry the 5 year old, I'm not mad, just saying I can if I wanted! )

[sorky]

Coorie for me

You can make one really easily (Soupy has a pattern I think) or I bought one as well from Brightsparkslings.

Agree with staying away from babybjorn and its ilk and the premaxx, both useless

[GoldenSnitch]

I managed about 2 outings with the BabyBjorn we were given before I ditched it for giving me a bad back! Horrible thing.

Will be getting a Moby this time I hope...

[Yorky]

I have a close carrier which DD(9mo) and I love, and DS (2.5yrs) goes in too when he's tired. Really comfy and easy to use
Have a coorie sling (another brightsparks) which DD slept in really well but I can't carry her for too long on one shoulder.

[MrsBadger]

I had a pouch (like the coorie or the peanutshell) and it was a lot easier than the wrap one I'd started with, but as it was one-shouldered it was less use for longer journesy once she was bigger.

[tostaky]

i had a stretchy wrap and a babybjorn until my DS was too heavy for it and now i have a mei tai and a ring sling.
what i did was to try before i bought. i went to a sling meet in my area and i tried on a few slkings from other mums. then i went online and bought the one i liked most.

www.slingmeet.co.uk/forums/

i bought my ring sling from www.thebabywearer.com/forum/

and theres also this forum which is recommended for great bargains
www.mamanatura.co.uk/

[jemart]

I have three slings - two are pouch types (Hotsling and peanut shell) which are really good for when baby is tiny upto about 3 months.
Also have a wrap type sling called a Sleepy wrap made from stretchy cotton jersey material. It is a bit tricky learning how to tie it on but definitely the best for carrying for extended periods of time, walking to town etc. very good support so you don't get a backache.

[Twowishes]

I used a Lifft sling from birth and loved it too! Its a pouch which is really easy to use.

[iwantapinkprincess]

I haven't used one before but plan to use a ring sling with ds4. Only way I will get anything done !!

[trellism]

Does anyone know how good ring slings are if you are a vv short and slim person?

I worry I'm going to look like I'm wearing a wriggly toga.