Baby sling for big guys

[GramlynWaitakere]

What sort of babysling (front carrier) would you recomment for a broad-shouldered Dad of 6ft 7 who lifts weights? It seems the ones he's tried have too-short straps.

Also, will he need one for when she's born and another as she gets bigger?
Not too keen on the style which spreads the little one's legs really wide, so 2 might be the answer. Thanks

Would he try a wrap? They’re perfect for differently sized couples because they’re so adjustable. Stretchy for newborn & newbie wearer, woven when baby gets a bit bigger & wearer more experienced.

Or custom made carriers can be ordered with longer straps.

I'd recommend trying a sling library, which is how I found my sling (I had to try a few out, I'm fussy about comfort!).

From birth to about 6 months I used a stretchy wrap which was great and my husband also found it comfortable, however they are a bit of a faff if you use them often (as I did) and I found that once my son got bigger/chunkier it wasn't as comfortable.

I now have an Integra sling and both my husband and I love it. We're completely different body shapes (he's broad shouldered and much larger than me, I am slim with narrow shoulders). My son is now 20 months old and close to weighing 2 stone and we still find the sling really comfortable!

The Integra Size 1 is suitable for front carrying from birth (there's an adaptor included) and can also be used for carrying on the back 'rucksack style' when baby is older! integrababy.co.uk/product-category/integra/size-1/

P.s. Just remembered your comment about the style that 'spreads legs really wide' and figure the Integra may appear to fall under this category... I had the same thought initially, however that's what the adaptor I mentioned is for! The sling will support the legs in the recommended 'M' position (for healthy hips) and it won't force them wider than it should (the same should apply for any carrier you use). More info on the 'M' position here: hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/prevention/baby-carriers-seats-and-other-equipment/

Thank you so much. I'm sorry I took so long to get back but I shall definitely be looking at wraps and the Integra ones and I'll follow that very useful link poppins
Thanks again.

'spreading legs too wide' is actually the correct position for the hips. The ones where they are suspended from the crotch is uncomfortable for baby and not great for their hips.

My husband likes our Tula.

Here is some information on correct positioning in a sling, which may be helpful: hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/prevention/baby-carriers-seats-and-other-equipment/

Your best bet would be to try some to see how they fit. You should look to see how your local sling meet is handling consultations at the moment. They may be able to bring some to you and do a socially distanced fitting, or just leave them to allow you to try some on.

Just from personal experience: a long woven wrap would be an option (they are usually sized by the metre, something quite long would fit), or we used an Ergobaby carrier. Dh is 6'5 and it fit him fine in a front carry. He is more slim and not a weight lifter type so you may have more issues with the hip strap, but you can buy an extender for those. You may also want to try a Manduca. I've been told they fit taller people better than the Ergo, but I can't personally say I've tried one.

Spreading the legs wide is how they should be for the babies development and means their hips are properly supported.

My best advice is to go and try some slings. We have a beco gemini which my H likes. He is tall but not mega broad and there is plenty of strap room left.

'It's a sling thing' are a company that do hire so you could try a few.

My DH is on the larger end of things and could use the same caboo close as me.
We both went to a local fling library with our newborn to try them out and borrowed one for a month before buying our own. You might not be able to do that at the moment but they might still be renting them and offering advice over email or the phone.
The caboo close meant we weren't constantly readjusting it each time we swooped.

Not too keen on the style which spreads the little one's legs really wide

As pp have said this is the only ergonomic way to carry a baby. If you don’t like how it looks, use a pram.

The other option no-one has mentioned is a meh dai. They are a structured carrier but instead of straps just have pieces of material - so you don’t have any issues with buckles in the wrong places etc. I wore it wrapped around twice around my waist and with the straps crossed under the baby’s bum twice, DH wore it differently as he’s bigger, but it is very adjustable while not being nearly as hard to get the hang of as a woven wrap.

Sheffield sling library (always a good place to look) has a page about them: www.sheffieldslingsurgery.co.uk/new-to-slings/types-of-slings/bei-dais-mei-tais/

Once again, many thanks for the suggestions

My dh is 6'3 and a 50" chest, and we carried ds in a meitai with XL straps. It was perfect as you didn't have to adjust anything between the two of us using it, just put it on