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Original poster

Baby wearing

43 replies

Prequelle · 14/03/2019 16:30

Just wanted to see if people would share their thoughts/experiences on it

Would you/have you done it? If you wouldn't why not?

Any recommendations of good slings etc?

Thankyou!

OP posts:
EssentialHummus · 14/03/2019 16:32

Go to a sling library and try on different types.

Original poster
Prequelle · 14/03/2019 16:36

There is a sling library? What?! I have a feeling there won't be one in my area but I'm willing to travel. I'll Google. thanks for the suggestion.

OP posts:
anniehm · 14/03/2019 16:44

It wrecked my back!

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Families
Greatbigwhoooo · 14/03/2019 16:50

I don’t like the term ‘baby wearing’ but found carrying dc3 in a sling an absolute lifesaver in many many ways - hands free, convenient whilst baby feels safe & secure close to you. Can get stuff done whilst baby sleeps even if they won’t be put down!
I bought a stretchy wrap for dc1 but felt too nervous about using correctly and stayed in the back of the wardrobe. By the time dc3 arrived we had a sling library locally which I could actually get to. A proper demo of how to tie it gave me the confidence to use it. I’d recommend getting to a sling library to try a few types out and for advice on how to use - once someone talked me through it seemed a lot less complicated! Close caboos are also popular for newborns as pre tied but there are other options too like ergo with an insert. We also used a ring-sling and a connecta 6-18 months ish.

Original poster
Prequelle · 14/03/2019 16:52

I don't like the term either tbh but didn't know what else to call it!

These sling libraries sound amazing. Really hope there's one not far from me.

Ah annie I hadn't considered that. My back is already pretty bad

OP posts:
GummyGoddess · 14/03/2019 16:54

I have and am doing it. Dc2 currently uses a woven sling in a hip carry. I've carried both of them in stretchy wraps as newborns and then into a woven. Usually hip carries but also on my front and occasionally back.

Usually I have a backpack to carry their things. It's easier and quicker than a pushchair and both of mine dislike being in a pushchair. I can also feed when using the slings which is great as I can continue with what I'm doing.

Arewehumanorbones · 14/03/2019 16:54

Slings absolutely saved my sanity. And still even now sometimes carry the monstrous toddler on my back in a mei tai Grin

Arewehumanorbones · 14/03/2019 16:55

Slings are much better for your back than lugging your child on your hip all the time

IsItBiggerThanTheBoxItsIn · 14/03/2019 17:00

Absolutely loved it! Well worth travelling to a sling library and not buying anything until after baby is born. Also worth considering second hand, there are FB groups and sling libraries can help. There are so many different types no one can tell you what the best is because it's unique to you and your baby. I have a very tall DD and have loved a stretchy wrap (much to my surprise - I thought they looked complicated), a DidyTai (a type of mai dai) and loathed the Stokke my carrier which DH loves. Happy slinging!

BackseatKnitter · 14/03/2019 17:08

I used a stretchy and found it really useful when DD was small but once she reached six months it started to kill my back. I bought the buckle carrier recommended by the Sling Library (a £125 Boba X) and feel like I wasted my money.

DD is much happier in a pushchair where she can see what’s going on and have a bit more movement than she would in a sling.

Others I know really rate them but I don’t think it’s for me.

GummyGoddess · 14/03/2019 17:12

They shouldn't be in the stretchy for that long really, so might be why your back hurt?

If it hurts it isn't tied correctly or that carry isn't the one for you.

Meet0nTheledge · 14/03/2019 17:21

Absolutely hated it. The baby was always in the way, it made me too hot, I couldn't get anything done around the house with a baby attached, had to carry shopping etc instead of popping it under the pushchair, took ages to get on and off. It was useful in the very few places you can't take a pushchair but definitely not as an every day thing for me.

Jinglejanglefish · 14/03/2019 17:24

We use a sling and a baby bjorn but often use the pushchair too depending on what we’re doing. Dd doesn’t like the baby bjorn on me but is fine in it with dp, I must be uncomfortable!

MyBreadIsEggy · 14/03/2019 17:24

Only way I could get anything done.
I had two babies of the Velcro variety 17 months apart, so carrying them in in slings is the only way I could do anything resembling any housework/cooking/laundry. They both screamed if put down in a Moses basket or prom, so they were pointless in my house.
They are 2 & 3 now, and I still tandem baby wear when the situation calls for it (youngest on the front, eldest on the back). I’m pregnant with DC3, so don’t carry them as much anymore, but I’m pretty certain this baby will spend most of its first year in a sling, same as the others did Smile

MyBreadIsEggy · 14/03/2019 17:26

Gummy you can use a stretchy as long as you want to, and baby/toddler is in there securely and it’s comfrotable for you both. I still use a stretchy for my 2 year old - it’s all about the tie, and picking up the slack of the elastic as you tie, same as you would with a woven wrap Smile I do prefer a woven for him, but he’s a snotty toddler and often saturates it in various gross fluids Confused

Queenfreak · 14/03/2019 17:29

I still use my connecta with my nearly 2 year old.
I've got a woven I use too.
Love my slings.

GummyGoddess · 15/03/2019 00:48

No matter how tightly I tied or retied it, it just sagged after such a short amount of time. DC1 is 91st percentile for weight though, he is not a tiny petite child and DC2 looks to be just as chunky (weighing almost the same as my friends 2 year old at 9 months) but even taller.

I also used a hip seat for DC1 when DC2 was a newborn as DC1 only started walking when I was 7 months pregnant and wasn't quite used to it.

MaderiaCycle · 15/03/2019 01:18

Loved it. Great if you get the right carrier for YOU and YOUR baby.

glitterdayz · 15/03/2019 01:43

There's a name for it? Wow you learn something every day!
I love carrying my ds, he's one and it's hard finding a new suitable sling for him, as the one I have doesn't have any extra support for my shoulder.
It's a great way to get things done and keep the ds occupied.
Mines just a basic sling I bought 14 years ago in Brighton for £49, it seems the price has gone up. Luckily I was given one by a family member, my first didn't like it until he was 3 months ( which is when I lost it and had to buy a replacement), ds 2 didn't like it at all and ds 3 loved it straight away. I wouldn't spend too much because it depends on the dc too.

happymummy12345 · 15/03/2019 02:20

I don't like it at all. I'd never ever do it. It seems so dangerous to me. What if you fall for one? Right on top of your baby? That's what prams are for.

PRoseLegend · 15/03/2019 02:37

I bought a cheap carrier and it works wonders during shopping trips as I can use a regular trolley and baby isn't fussing in the pram.
I've also just tried to make my own out of some old t-shirts. Surprisingly it works really well! Here's a tutorial pic.

Baby wearing
Hugtheduggee · 15/03/2019 02:39

If you fall, at least you have your hands free to stop your fall. Much worse to be carrying navy. Or falling when pushing a pram could push it into the road, down a slope etc.

In answer to the OP. I love them, and much prefer carrying my nearly 2 year old on my back than in a pram, and she likes the hugs!

dizzycatdance2 · 15/03/2019 03:16

All my 4dc lived in slings, I LOVED them.

I found wearing a fairly heavy back pack helped my back loads, sort of "balanced" me. And with any baby / toddler there's as always enough to fill a back pack. I even added in a bottle of water if it didn't balance me out enough.
Good v luck !

MutantDisco · 15/03/2019 05:56

Yes, with both DC, for years!

Manduca and Ergo were my favourites.

SharkSave · 15/03/2019 06:22

Yes I have. Not all the time but on the occasions where a buggy wouldn't work(on the beach for example). I used a connecta from birth.
There are postal sling libraries where you can try before you buy. It's a sling thing is one of them.