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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to think it's impossible to do most things with a baby in a sling?!

95 replies

Aberforthsgoat · 09/05/2020 11:23

Everyone I know with babies says they just pop baby in a sling and crack on as normal
Am I the only one who doesn't seem to be able to manage this?
I can't easily bend down with him attached to me, can't move normally due to having to protect his little head from getting whacked or bumped, can't really spray cleaning products around as they'll be all around his head...the only.thing I manage to do is a quick tidy and hoover...
Also now he's a bit bigger at nearly five months my back is killing me. How people do it when they're even older I have no idea!
He's in a jersey stretch sling at the moment, we have an ergo which is better for my back and protecting his head but he hates it because he can't see out easily.

I'm having one of those days where I'm finding it hard to have a baby attached to me 24-7 can you tell?

OP posts:
WindmillsofmyMind · 09/05/2020 11:24

I think I did pretty much everything with my second in a sling as she wouldn’t be put down. Have you tried different types of carries and/or slings?

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 09/05/2020 11:25

No to be honest just this stretchy one and the ergo. I was going to go to the sling library but coronavirus put paid to that!
What did you use?

OP posts:
TheHumansAreDefinitelyDead · 09/05/2020 11:29

Yes, slings did not work for me

I thought my baby to just sleep on his own instead

Then I had my hands free

Much better imo

cravingpistachiocake · 09/05/2020 11:29

I did everything with her in the sling. We used a half buckle type carrier which I found very comfy, and she could see out of easily.

Have a search for sling libraries offering postal hire and zoom consultations

ParsnipToast · 09/05/2020 11:30

I couldn’t with a stretchy at that stage, I never could keep it tight enough. It was easier with a woven sling as I could get a tighter hold. But even then, I have a shortish torso so found the baby was just in the way a lot if it was anything that required bending. Back carrying allows for much more freedom as they aren’t constantly in your face.

hammeringinmyhead · 09/05/2020 11:31

YANBU. I had a tiny baby at 5lbs8oz but by 3 months he was a great big chunker and quite long, so I had to support his head in a carrier. I tried a wrap sling and an ergobaby style one with buckles.

JohnLapsleyParlabane · 09/05/2020 11:32

Back carrying is the way I found worked. If you have an Ergo, there's some good tutorials on YouTube or your sling Library may do online sessions.

PinkyU · 09/05/2020 11:33

Once they get a little bigger and you feel confident, popping lo up on your back is perfect for getting things done.

I also found a side carry really good for my lo who is disabled and so wasn’t safe in a back carry.

I exclusively used slings, my youngest only started using a mobility pram/wheelchair at around 3 years when it just wasn’t safe to carry her any more.

CaryStoppins · 09/05/2020 11:34

Put him on your back.

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 09/05/2020 11:35

I might give the ergo another go.
I have a short torso and a long baby! He was tiny when born but we did his measurements the other day and is on the 98th centile for height - takes after his six foot two dad not me for sure! So I feel like he's in the way and awkwardly positioned on me IYSWIM
He loves the sling so goes to sleep in it straight away so don't want to stop the baby wearing - he has an afternoon nap in his basket and morning one in the sling - but I'm getting frustrated with my lack of mobility even when wearing it

I didn't realise sling libraries were doing online consultations

OP posts:
StoppinBy · 09/05/2020 11:36

Stretchies aren't great for doing other things, for that you need a structured carrier. Once he is able to be back carried (never, ever in a stretchy!) it will take the strain off your back.

If he is hurting your back badly in a short time then your stretchy may not be tied tight enough, he should be firm against you (while still being able to breathe and having a natural c curve in his back) and close enough to kiss. If he is too low or too loose this will add strain to your back and also make it a dangerous carry.

weepingwillow22 · 09/05/2020 11:36

I know what you mean OP. I went to a sling library and bought the most comfortable one but found pretty hard to do much other than walk around and do things at face level. Any bending e.g laundry, emptying the dishwasher the baby would get in the way.

Also the baby got upset if I vaccumed with him in the sling or if I didn't keep moving (I think he got bored unless the view kept changing).

He napped in the sling but only if I was in a dark room with white noise on so it was pretty hard for me to be productive. It was good for walks though and food shopping.

Original poster
Aberforthsgoat · 09/05/2020 11:36

I always worry about him smushing his face into me on my back and me not realising 😳 can you tell he's a PFB?

OP posts:
rainylake · 09/05/2020 11:36

Ring sling for a hip carry is your friend. Takes seconds to put them in and out and then you can cook or carry things much more easily.

If I really need total hands free and mobility, back carry (I use a woven wrap for that) but that is more of a learning curve.

WrongKindOfFace · 09/05/2020 11:36

I agree. Back carrying works better - well it would have done except I had a child who despised a back carry and just screamed.

StoppinBy · 09/05/2020 11:38

Also if you do want to continue carrying have a look at non stretchy ring slings for short carries, great for a side carry and small enough to fit in your bag. I loved my ring sling, our youngest is 3 now so no longer doing any carrying but I really enjoyed it.

StoppinBy · 09/05/2020 11:40

You can get retractable mirrors for baby wearing, I used mine all the time to check on mine. They are about $25.00 from memory, well worth the money.

Fairylillie · 09/05/2020 11:40

My baby is 11 months and will fall asleep instantly for around two hours when I put him in his fabric sling but I feel the same as you. I can't cook or chop vegetables with this big lump on my belly, can't lift my older child or pull him around on his bike or clean or do anything physical. I also have the Ergo but the thick straps annoy me and baby feels heavier. I prefer the fabric sling but I find it drops and I get the feeling baby is going to fall out if I move around too much.

StoppinBy · 09/05/2020 11:41

Like this... www.nurturenest.com.au/product/lillebaby-retractable-mirror/

CaryStoppins · 09/05/2020 11:42

@Aberforthsgoat he's 5 months old, he's pretty unlikely to deliberately smother himself Grin

When you back carry you sit the baby up really high - I do the waist strap right under my ribs, so it's on your actual waist rather than your hips. The baby is high up at your shoulder not half way down your back.

Malysh · 09/05/2020 11:43

Not sure why you'd need to carry him/her 24/7, if they're sleeping leave them in their cot, if they're awake on their play mat. Problem solved. Getting them used to being in your arms all day long will just make it harder later on to get them to play/sleep on their own and serves little purpose.

Obviously you should also cuddle and hold and all that but not all day long...

mynameiscalypso · 09/05/2020 11:43

I'm totally with you. I pop DS in a carrier to go for a walk or do some specific post natal exercise routines but that's it. I tried to do my make up with him in the carrier once and he got covered in it.

userabcname · 09/05/2020 11:48

Yeah I don't get the sling thing either....I can pop ds2 in it for maybe maximum an hour and do minimal, waist level stuff (wipe down sides, tidy up clutter, fold laundry, make sandwiches) but I can't bend or cook or clean really (maybe vacuum as long as I don't need to empty it). I also can't really wrangle the toddler any easier in it - it's much easier to put the baby down to do that. It's not been the dream I had hoped!

devildeepbluesea · 09/05/2020 11:50

DD lived in the sling. She went on my back at around 5-6 months, in a Rose and Rebellion carrier. It has a little support for the head, worked a dream for us.

Yurona · 09/05/2020 11:51

You need a sling consultant. You can do cleaning, cooking etc easily with a sling if you have the right sling and it is adjusted properly!
Mine were crawling at 5 months (and walking at 9 months) and would cry to the point of vomiting when put on a play-mat, so they spend a lot of time in slings to keep them safe.