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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Baby slings

49 replies

Fortheloveofbaths · 10/05/2019 15:21

Hi all!
I Abu for posting on here I just have no clue what I'm looking at! First baby 😱

Just sat looking at baby wraps/slings online :-) we have no sling libraries in our area :-( and i have no idea what to get tbh!

I'd ideally like one that isn't over complicated as I'm terrified I'll tie it myself and baby will fall out or something 🙈 also I think from what I've read that frog leg position is best? Is that right?

I'd like one we can use from birth and my parents have given us £100 to get one :-)

Any experienced sling parents out there? Haha thanks in advance!

OP posts:
Original poster
Fortheloveofbaths · 10/05/2019 15:22

Sorry meant to say I don't think they are £100 from what I've seen but that's our rough budget :-)

OP posts:
MooBaaLaLaLa · 10/05/2019 15:26

I used a Hana wrap for newborn and loved it but I was too scared to do it on my own until a friend showed me how to wrap it correctly. A sling library could also show you, once you get the knack, they are awesome.
I liked the Baby Bjorn for when DS was older and felt a bit heavy for the wrap.
Go to a library and try a few out maybe?

redbedheadd · 10/05/2019 15:26

I liked a material cloth one when DS was little, it was nice to have him close and feel cosy. The tie with material takes a little practice but you soon get the knack of it. I think you can get them pretty cheap as it's just a huge long piece of stretch fabric.

When he reached 2 months he started to get quite big (very large baby) so I decided to upgrade to an Ergo Baby 360 - I really like it. Again, a bit of practice to get him clipped in but there are so many YouTube tutorials. It has 4 positions, facing in, facing out, on back and on hip depending on the size of the baby.

Hope that helps!

firstimemamma · 10/05/2019 15:28

I bought mine from Tesco for £30 and loved it!

It was one of those long piece of fabric style ones but after some YouTube tutorial led practice it felt easy Smile

Roundtoedshoes · 10/05/2019 15:30

We have a Connecta which really works for us - I was lucky enough to try one out at a sling library and then got one on eBay when I knew it was right for us.

Like you, I didn’t want one that was complicated, and this couldn’t be easier. Baby loves it as they are snug and secure (and it means I can shop hands free). They also come in a lot of colours/fabrics.

TheRealHousewifeofCheshire · 10/05/2019 15:31

The caboo close to me is a ring sling. I found them easier to tighten and fasten than a length of material. Essentially its still a stretchy soft wrap just in place with a ring for ease.

Natural baby shower sell them for about 50quid.

For when baby is older I recommend lillebaby. But the lillebaby can also be used from new born because you can carry them in a foetal position although i have never tried it x

Siameasy · 10/05/2019 15:31

We had the Ergo and later a Tula. I did struggle at first but that is more caused by brain fog due to sleep deprivation

suziedoozy · 10/05/2019 15:34

Like PP I had a cheap fabric one from amazon - about £20 for when baby was little but after about a month she kept kicking her legs out of the bottom.
I bought the Ergobaby 360 (about £150) and I love it - baby is almost 8 weeks and I walk 3-4 miles daily walking the dogs and it is super comfy and easy to put on - this was my main concern after borrowing one from a local sling library that needed 3 hands to get on safely!

You literally clip it on the waist then pop baby in and do one clip up on the back it is also suitable for multiple positions as baby grows. Seems well worth the money😊

Original poster
Fortheloveofbaths · 10/05/2019 15:48

Thank you all! Having a google now 😊😊😊😊

OP posts:
Rarfy · 10/05/2019 15:52

Probably depends on what you're using it for but we have a baby bjorn original. Got it in Aldi for £45. Great for a quick walk round the woods. I could probably wear it whilst doing housework if needed but I never have. It's easy to get on and off alone. I've not tried any others we will only use ours occasionally.

Boom45 · 10/05/2019 15:53

Are you on Facebook? There are some really good sling groups on Facebook - if you can find a local one then you might be able to find a sling library that has a postal service that other people have used. There's also a good second hand sling sales group on there.
I had a Beco which had buckles so was easy to wear and could be used from birth to (large) toddler. Loved it. I also had a lightweight connecta which was great for the summer and it folder small to shove in the change bag for emergencies.

Custardandnoodle · 10/05/2019 15:57

I absolutely love my lillebaby. It's so easy did my eldest until she was almost three, currently using it for my one year old. There's a Facebook buy sell swap group where you can get used (but immaculate) ones. I'd thoroughly recommend having a look.

DappledThings · 10/05/2019 16:02

Beco Gemini. My DC were a little small for it right from birth but was great from about 6 weeks. Still using it 3.5 years later. Three easy clips to put it on, does front and back carry.

TheRealHousewifeofCheshire · 10/05/2019 16:07

I just wanted to say how much I love my lillebaby. I literally never use my pram its so comfy. I used a postal sling library to try one out.

Several friends have bought them on my recommendation. It's easy to fasten and has lumbar support.
I tried others like beco and connecta but wasn't keen. The connecta hurt my neck and shoulders.

Try a postal sling library

MRex · 10/05/2019 16:09

I loved the close caboo in the early days, really easy to use after a couple of goes and the baby is attached to your chest. You can also breastfeed in it when you get some confidence. Structured carriers are nice later when the baby gets too heavy for the caboo, our Lillebaby is still working well at 27/28lb.

rachelfrost · 10/05/2019 16:09

I tried lots!

I didn’t like the long bit of cloth ones because they were a pain to get on. Not difficult but you feel all tied up and if you’re not in the house the ends often drag on the ground as you get it on which is a bit gross. Also if the fabric is elastic and baby is heavy you have to tie it tight or have baby bounce, neither of which I found comfortable.

The Bjorn type ones where baby is clipped onto your front baby’s love from 3-6 months but because they’re kinda sticking out and on your front they feel super heavy. Plus they can grab everything.

My favourite was the ergo, which has backpack type straps and the new ergos have lots of different positions. Comfy because baby is close and straps onto you around hip and chest. You can use them (with inserts for the old type) from birth and keep on using them until about 3 years. Downside is baby gets hot in summer because presses right against you.

The hip seat ones I think are pointless. You have to hold baby on with an arm.

The proper back pack type hiking ones are huge and hard work because there’s a gap (for air circulation? Winter coats?) between yourself and baby which makes baby seem heavier.

mynameisMrG · 10/05/2019 16:11

I also had the caboo which both my sister in laws have now too. I watched a YouTube video a fair few times so I felt confident using it.

thebirthlyhallows · 10/05/2019 16:13

Love my connecta!

mumtobabygilrl · 10/05/2019 16:23

Check out the Tula slings! My DD loves hers and they do from birth too although we have the 6m+ one

SO easy to use

Boom45 · 10/05/2019 16:26

And, if you plan on using it a lot I'd avoid a baby bjorn or similar without a good waist strap - i found them very uncomfortable to wear for any length of time and they're not good for babies that have any hip/joint issues. My eldest had low muscle tone and hyper mobility, which was diagnosed when she was 3 years old - she HATED my baby bjorn and i couldn't work out why but her physio said they weren't good for babies with any physical issue which explained it.

DaisyAWhoops · 10/05/2019 16:27

I love my Hana wrap. The only problem I have is that my baby is fairly heavy and I have to tie it super tight in order to stop her drooping. My sister lent me her Izmi carrier and I like it but my SIL lent me her i-angel seat carrier and it is brilliant!

I realise that this is no help and also that I am apparently a bit of a sling whore...

randomsabreuse · 10/05/2019 16:34

With my first I loved a close caboo, got used to how it worked and then preferred a stretchy wrap up to about 6 monts when I got a Manduca which we used until she got strong/impatient enough to walk if we were.

With my 2nd I'm loving a woven wrapbut wouldn't like it as much without having gone through the caboo and the stretchy process first.

DH doesn't like wraps but has liked the Manduca from birth. It has a built in newborn seat and is good for back carries later on as well.

Mrsducky88 · 10/05/2019 16:36

Stretchy wrap is brilliant when newborn or close Caboo. You can often find a caboo second hand for £20-£30. Usually comfy until baby is about 6 months.

Avoid baby Bjorn (or most in this style) as they don’t hold baby in the right leg position - the base cover baby knee to knee and ensure a frog leg position. Connecta, integra, Tula , Lenny lamb and manduccas are great. If facing out is essential to you (still not recommended for long periods of time) try the Ergo 360.

You can get some brilliant quality second hand ones- i have got a couple off Facebook selling. If you can try them out before you buy particularly for when you move out of a newborn one when they weigh a bit more. Different people suit different carriers. I carry my 2 year old daily and don’t get any back pain etc. I borrowed them from a couple of friends to try out before I got my own and regularly lend mine to friends to try out too.

ScreamScreamIceCream · 10/05/2019 16:38

OP you see there are a 101 suggestions. We've used 4 and are still using 3 of them. Only one the Tula is new. We had another one which we never used as DD was too small to use it as a newborn so I got used to using a cotton wrap.

The cotton wrap I found great for using while shopping and in the house. However as my daughter likes to lean to the side once she got to 3 months it has been difficult to keep her in it so me I only use it around the house.

The baby Bjorn she grew out of at 4 months and I personally found it uncomfortable to use but my DP was fine with it.

I currently mostly use a Beco Gemini and my DP a Tula.

Do you know absolutely anyone who was pregnant before you who may have a wrap or carrier?

The reason get get a hand me down or use a sling library is they may not suit you or you may have a birth injury which means you can't use one. Also loads of stretchy wraps aren't really suitable past 3 months.

orlawhirl · 10/05/2019 16:39

I used just a long fabric piece from Amazon, about £20, for DD until she was maybe 6 months. Also had a Close Caboo (hurt my back once she got past 3 months old, I wasn't a fan) and a Sleepy Nico. People rave about them but to be honest I wasn't that keen. Used it till DD was 12 months on and off but to be honest I'd just use the fabric wrap.