To think whoever says babyslings are comfortable is a fucking liar.

[Ionlylikeitwhenitrains]

Cuz they ent.

Bastards.

[INeedThatForkOff]

I really can't believe how much sling 'addicts' spend on this, that and the other model. If they're that hood, why do you need more than one?

I also find the judgy comments about the Baby Bjorn really patronising. I used one with DD and it was fine for both if us. I intend to use it again with DS. And there's nothing 'unnatural' about my parenting.

[RosannaBanana]

I am interested to hear that others with back/pelvis problems have used slings without probs. I have a bad back, knee, and lingering SPD and haven't been able to use any type of sling for long periods, despite getting help on how to use them.
Would any sling devotees say that some people just can't do slings, or do you really think there's one out there for everyone?

[Lastofthepodpeople]

The Baby Bjorns have a lot to answer for. They put a lot of people off slings. I stopped using mine when DS was 6 weeks because it was too painful for my back and shoulders, on the other hand I used my Rose and Rebellion carrier comfortably until he was 2...

[Rockchick1984]

Ineed baby bjorn do serve a purpose and some people do find them comfortable, however there are slings available which are much more supportive which is why people are sometimes derogatory about them. To see what I mean, stand up and raise one leg. Support it by holding your leg near the crotch where a bjorn supports a baby. Now move your hands down and support your leg from the back of the knee. It is far more comfortable in the second position. Also google baby carrier hip dysplacia if you want more evidence of why a knee to knee support is better for a baby.

Roseanna I don't personally know anyone with all the issues you have stated. My DH has a bad back and can happily carry our 19 month old, 2 stone toddler in a Rose and Rebellion as the weight is supported by his hips rather than shoulders/back. I think with knee problems and SPD you would need to try a few, or try different types of carries with a woven wrap (I can do about 6 carries with mine, but only 2 which I will actually use as they are the only ones I find comfortable) :)

[RainbowsFriend]

I don't need more than one, but they're pretty, go with different outfits, and some I don't mind getting (very) muddy, some are short and fit in a bag etc,....

I do truly believe there is a sling for everyone. I had bad lingering SPD and a sling helped as it meant I carried her centrallyy. DP has a bad back and carrying DD regularly in a sling has actually strengthened his core muscles and helped his back... but some people do need to build up to it as you are using muscles you might not be otherwise

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

YABU
there is something for everyone
I am about as far from a lentil weaving attachment parent as it's possible to be but am quite evangelical about the sheer practicality of slings.
the hard bit is finding out the one that's best for you, due to the massive variation between people and babies.

i carried our 98th centiler in a kari-me, but went through a bjorn, ring sling, an erog, and a wilkinet before finding that one. try out as many as your friends will lend you, and buy off ebay - I don't think we spent more than a tenner on all but the ergo, and we sold that for more that we bought it for.

[BananaramaLlama]

With stretchy wraps you need to have the material really snug against your body. You need to use the stretch of the fabric to put your wee one in. People tend to have them too loose

[BananaramaLlama]

Oops, posted too soon - if it's too loose you will sometimes lean back to compensate which can make it sore on your back.

If you have a sling moment nearby you could get some help with it. Or a sling library might help - you could try on a few.

Hope you can find something to work.

[BananaramaLlama]

Sling moment?? Sling MEET.

[PropertyNightmare]

Yanbu. I have tried loads. Not one comfortable one did I find. My back is a bit of a rwat though so perhaps that's why I can't get on with them.

[BertieBotts]

Sounds like you might have it too loose, and/or a different style of sling would suit you.

With a stretchy one, you need to first put it on without the baby in, tie so there's no slack, and then let the stretch of the material take the baby's weight rather than leaving room for them, or tying it around them (like you would with a woven sling) - the stretch will get looser as you walk, so ideally you need to start out with it a little bit too tight.

Also, preferably as few layers of clothing between you and the sling as possible, so have it under a coat definitely, maybe under a cardigan/zip top/fleece/whatever as well.

If you have a sling meet or sling library near you you could go and get some pointers and try a few out. I know sling meets get a bit of a hippyish/bad rep on here, but this is the exact situation they were invented for, and you wouldn't have to carry on going if you weren't keen - they're happy for people to stop in for advice and never come back

[Climbingpenguin]

I think with the Kari-me, you really need someone in RL to show you the final adjustment to make it work,

I'm 5'1 and was a C cup and loved it for both my LO's but with my first I had to take her and the sling to a sling meet to get it to work. 10 mins later and i never had a problem again.

My connecta otoh is alright now that DS is a year but I don't fully get on well with it.

[ReshapeWhileDamp]

I think there's lots of helpful advice on here, OP. I would also say, try to get to a slingmeet (or La Leche League meeting if there isn't a slingmeet locally but there is a LLL, loads of them are baby-wearers ) and have someone show you how to put it on properly. Tight like a tight t-shirt. Youtube has loads of tutorials too, have a look. You may just find that a wrap, stretchy or otherwise, isn't for you, but try a buckled soft-structured carrier (SSC) instead - a Connecta or mei tai. The forum Natural Mamas has lots of help and also a great source of used slings for sale.

[Dellarama]

For all those with baby b's and have found them uncomfortable why not have a look at

Www.slingguide.co.uk for an idea of what's available and then
Www.slingmeet.co.uk and ukslinglibrarynetwork they can direct you to your local slung library, where you can try out a good range of carriers that support babies weight and hip and spine development by holding baby knee pit to knee pit.

I comfortably carry all my children when they want/need it. I have didymos, girasol, NATIBABY and all sorts of woven wraps, buckle carriers ( buckles) such as a wompat, Madame goo goo, kinderpack, nubigo, opiati, softai, kitten creations.... So so many....

So why not try some out?

[OxfordBags]

OP, wraps and carriers really are 'suck it and see' (except don't suck them or you won't get a refundm haha). We have a Manduca and it is brilliant. Try and find a slong meet to go to, they are brilliant for helping fond the right one for you and baby.

Onward, I chuck my 19month old Ds over my shoulders to get into our carrier and he loves it. If I'm too knackered for that, I get him to do 'horsey' and put his arms around my neck from behind then wrangle him into place. It's a bit nerve-wracking at first doing it by yourself, at home or in public, but it soon becomes second nature. You just have to be intuitive about it.

Roseanna, I have physical disabilities and lingering SPD and I carry my 2stone, 2 ft 8 toddler in a back carrier. It actually helps me walk in a more aligned way, is hard to explain, but it is doable, I promise. But if you don't feel up to it, don't force yourself x

[OxfordBags]

Slong meet? Sounds even more fun than a sling meet...

[Pongwiffy]

I love my caboo (close) hybrid sling, easy to use, comfortable and DD loves it. I went through a karime and peanut shell before it. I also use a mei tai as a back up incase I forget the caboo! It's amazing and I've got the cocoon for it which is a waterproof outer with a hood.