Best newborn sling for large-of-nork mum?

[PacificDogwood]

That's it, really! I am a 36 F/G when BFing.

Expecting DS4, due in a couple of weeks.

I have had a BabyBjorn - not that keen, although DH prefers to use it as opposed to other slings
Also have a ring sling, just find it a bit unsupportive at times and feel I still need one hand on baby if doing anything
Also have an Ergo which I really really wanted to love with DS3 but in reality only used rarely as I found the central chest/back buckle awkward to do up on my own.

With all carriers I felt my boobs were in the way - not sure there is a solution to this, now that I have written it all down [

So, Moby?? Seems an awful lot of material to get to grips with...
Peanut shell?

Anyother generously endowed ladies with sling experience?

[PacificDogwood]

Nobody?

Oh no, I am a freak!!

[DorotheaPlenticlew]

Posting to watch avidly for the same advice.

I was thinking of getting an Ergo this time around after recommendations on another thread but I see you've found it a bit awkward. Was the awkwardness related to your nork size (am in same boat as you) or just general?

DS was big and heavy and I am expecting DD to be the same, hence Ergo recommendation because apparently they are good for enormo-children.

[TigerFeet]

I use a wrap sling

They can be tied to fit so allow for large norks and out of proportion waist / hips - I have big norks and fat arse wide hips with a proportionally narrower waist (not actually a narrow waist sadly)

It took a bit of getting used to re getting the baby in/out but I have the hang of it now so its fine

Mine's a Calin Bleu, got it 2nd hand for £20 from ebay

[PacificDogwood]

Hm, how to explain my Ergo problem?

The central chest/back clip which prevents the shoulder straps from slipping off your shoulders is quite high up.
Which ment if baby at the front the clip was high between my shoulder blades and I found it difficult to reach - if you are double jointed, no problemo !
If baby was on the back (and I did perfect the Santa-swings-sack-on-his-back-swing) said clip again is quite high and in order to keep shoulder straps from slipping needs to be quite tight which causes boob squashing - not uncomfortable, but a bit sweaty and as I am prone to blocked ducts/masititis something I'd really rather avoid.

Other than that Ergo is v well made, v comfortable to carry heavier baby/toddler.

I have always envied willowy people even before I tried to carry my children...

[PacificDogwood]

Oh, thanks, tigerfeet, x-posted with you, I am off to google.

[BertieBotts]

Wrap sling (Moby etc) are not too difficult to get to grips with, as you tie it first and then slot the baby in, which means that a, you can practice without the baby (or before it is born) and b, that you can re-tie it as many times as you need to get it perfect. I'd say it's about as complicated as tying laces, and less fiddly - if you can do that you should be able to manage it. Once you have done it a few times it's really easy.

I don't have big boobs though so can't advise on that area - though I think it would work, it would be nice and snuggly for the baby anyway

[oopsandbabycoconut]

I am a 36K when BF and again my Karime was invaluable. DD was in it from the day we came home from hospital and still (at 18months) tries to persuade me to carry her in her nest (her words) She is just too heavy now.

[PacificDogwood]

Thanks, Loopymumsy, kari-me looks indeed v tempting. Not too dear on ebay either, hm...

Have not tried a Mei Tai yet - I think I need to make an effort to go to a local Sling Meet.

[funtimewincies]

I've got a Sleepy Wrap for ds2 (now 3 months) and I'm small of chest but large of nork (FF normally and H cup breastfeeding).

I love it and wish I'd had it for ds1!

[RhinestoneCowgirl]

Another vote for stretchy wrap. I'm fairly ample and DD was v comfy in her kari-me, she pretty much lived in it for the first 3-4 months. Having had a baby bjorn with my first, it is much more comfy as you can adjust to your shape.

I also have a babyhawk (a kind of mei-tai) which I mainly bought because it was in a lovely fabric which I found much more comfy for front carry than the ergo (know what you mean about straps). Oh, and I even managed to bf in it once or twice.

Now she's 1 yr+ tho, the trusty ergo for back carrying all the way...

[PacificDogwood]

Right, I've done some (on-line) research now and am a bit as to the difference between makes of stretchy wraps ie Kari Me, Moby, Carlin bleu?? Is it just a personal preference, ie material/colours etc?

Also is the Kari Me in Red actually Red as in pillar box red or more burgundy? I am watching a couple on ebay .

Thanks for any replies.

[vnmum]

Hi, I was a 36 GG when breatsfeeding and i used a Didymos wrap and a babyhawk. The wrap was useful in positioning baby where you wanted ie, higher up on my boobs

[christmasmum]

This is a bit cheeky but I have a karime and am hoping to swap it for an ergo - would you consider that?

I was very happy with it for my DD but I was given a close carrier as a gift and can't not be seen using it iykwim! I am hoping to swap DS into an ergo when he's a little bit bigger.

[PacificDogwood]

@ christmas - I do not think it cheeky, but I am not quite ready to give up my Ergo as it is good for carrying my heavier toddler. I just need a lovely assistant .

But just out of curiosity, what colour is your Kari Me?

[christmasmum]

No worries, worth a check! It's a black one that I've got.

[puffylovett]

Another stretchy vote

I am large of nork too. Don't find boobs a problem (except that DS2 always aims for my cleavage when sick - the trouble with wraps is that you nearly always get a burp out when you first put them in

Moby - tis fantastic

[zgaze]

I've become obsessed with stretchy wraps because they've worked so well for me & my DS (incidentally I am also huge of nork, 34HH before I even got pregnant, dread to think what I am now).

I have in my possession a kari-me, a moby, a combicotti, a tricot slen and a sleepy wrap...out of these my favourite is definitely the sleepy wrap. I find all the others slightly less stretchy and so marginally less comfortable. I like the way with the sleepy wrap you can literally tie it as tight as it will go and then pop the baby in whereas with each of the others I have to tie leaving a tiny bit of slack and then tighten around baby. Still carrying him comfortably in them at 6 months and nearly 18lb. I have other slings such as a connecta, a close carrier, a peanut shell, a didymos woven wrap and a ring sling - none have worked so well as a stretchy when trying to juggle baby and gigantiboobs, although I'm sure will come into their own when he's finally too big to carry in a stretchy.

Good tip is to lay a flat muslin across your chest before you tie the wrap on, on several occasions I have had to clear vomit out of my cavernous cleavage, not pleasant.

[sasamaxx]

Do you know that the chest strap on the ergo can be moved up and down?

I don't like the ergo for front carries simply because it is so chunky and rucksack-like and prefer something streamlined on my front - definitely keep it though as it is a great carrier, really keeps its value and works really well for bigger babies/toddlers.

Stretchies are a great idea because although they have a short carrying life, they are cheap to buy and you can sell them on again for practically the same. They also 'train' you for wovens. I had a hugabub which I loved!

I'm not particularly 'large of nork' but I think that thin carriers will be more comfortable for you - not heavily padded straps like with the ergo, patapum or similar. I suspect the yamo is quite chunky too.

[PacificDogwood]

Oh, wow, all the stretchy wrap fans are coming out of the woodworks, thanks !

zgaze, 'Sleepy Wrap', hmm? Will have a look at them. And yes, I can see how a muslin square can be a good idea (memories of warm toddler vomit in bra after particularly bumpy plane landing...)

sasamaxx, yes, I've got the strap up as high as it will go with DS3 (almost 2). TBH, he is not particularly fond of being carried now (too independent) and I never really got to grips with the newborn insert thing. I will also check 'Hugabub' now.

[thefatladyscreams]

Delighted to find this thread!

Off to digest the comments about stretchy wraps...

But I had been thinking of a BabaSling or Baby Bjorn Active.

Anyone got any experience of these?

Thanks

[AppleAndBlackberry]

I had a Close baby carrier which was fine for me but I wasn't able to breastfeed in it, which I think you are supposed to be able to do with smaller breasts.

[thefatladyscreams]

Thanks AppleandBlackberry - that's good to hear.