to carry my child in a sling?

[princessglitter]

I have carried my 10 month old in various slings and wraps since birth. We occasionally use a pushchair, but she loves to be close to me, particularly when she's tired.

As I have a toddler and find double buggies somewhat cumbersome on public transport (I don't drive, so this is important)slings are also the ultimate in practicality.

At the moment I use a ring sling and a mei tai (square of cloth with four straps that can be used for front or back carries) and find them incredibly comfortable.

I have had lots of positive comments, but sadly do get stared at a lot (these types of slings are not usual round here) and today one old lady actually stopped and looked me up and down agressively before walking on. I assume because I had dd2 in the mei tai on my front, sleeping. I also had someone say 'That can't be good for that baby' when dd2 was happily sleeping in a hip carry in the ring sling.

I'm not the kind of person who likes attention of any kind and I'm starting to feel like an oddity now. I try to do the best for my children, as I know most parents do. I read to them, take them to fun places, feed them healthy food etc. I hate the thought that someone might be thinking that I'm a bad parent because I do something different from the norm. Surely its not THAT weird?

EffiePerine - I have a huggababy padded ring sling which I do like. Its pretty comfortable. However its sized, so is too big for DH (I'm a fatty) and DS's auntie who babysits, so if you want someone of a different size to share, I'd try an unpadded one

mamadiva - we used a hippychick from about 6m and it was fab. We stopped using it before he was 2 though, I think.

Downsides for us:

1. it's quite bulky to carry if you're not sure whether you'll need it
2. when it's warm you do get quite sweaty
3. the child isn't attached at all and sometimes I found it quite tricky to get the seat far enough back that it put the weight on my hip, but far enough forward to put my arm round DS

I had tourists pointing and smiling and taking photos of 15 month old DS2 snoozing in his Sleepy Nico the other day. I felt like a mobile Fringe show.

I have a brightspark ring sling which is great - comfy, not pricey and very small to pack away.

We've been using the ergo with their infant-insert since day one with ds - and it's been fantastic. He's just outgrowing the insert now (at 3 1/2 months) so we'll be trying him in it front-ways next week. My sister got me onto it, as she's still using hers with her 16 month old dd, and intends to do the same with the one on the way.

Back to the OP though, I think slings are definitely becoming more common - there are lots of 'sling-meets' around where I live these days, and I see at least on or two other sling-wearers every time I go into town with ds. Hold your head up high and just wait for your neighbourhood to catch on to the good thing you're doing.

Effieperine, i made mine using these instructions. it was very easy and i used broderie englaise (sp?) material in white and i have really great comments about how beautiful it is. I also put a pocket at the bottom of the sling, just big enough for a nappy a small pk of wet wipes and a nappy sack! don't even need to take the nappy bag out - and with a caribena (sp? clip (the ones the use for abseilling etc...) on my house/car keys, i can clip my keys to the ring!

I have a moby wrap too, which is ubercomfy!!!! i love all the positive comments i get - i have had a few where they ask if they are comfy or safe (what if he falls out?) and usually get lots of "what if you fall over"'s!

its much easier than a buggy esp when you have a 3yr old who likes running off. and i hate on the buggy when your walking and u accidentally step on the brake and the buggy stops, but you keep going (almost over the buggy! lol)

with re: falling over - I'm just not a stiletto girl while around town! lol and IMO its easier to fall over when not in a sling and not hands free, than to fall over whilst using a sling with both hands free.

Thanks for the tips . Not sure I can rise to making my own, but will have a nose at some sling sites.

smallwhitecat what sling are you using? It sounds like you need a different one.
I am very short and ds is 3 and I still carry him regularly

i've had one older man who served with the military in Korea be fascinated with me putting DD in a mei tai on my back. He saw that it worked on the same principle of a big army rucksack and was sure it was comfy and convenient. he asked where he could get one to carry his grandchildren. I caught he and his wife smiling and pointing at how easy it all seemed.

I carried my 30 lb toddler a week ago despite being 34 wks PG and suffering SPD. Carrying her in my arms when she wants 'a carry' is so much harder. Granted I don't have the stamina to carry her when I am not pg. Over Christmas, not pg, I carried her for 3 miles in the Peak Dist.

oops must proof read.

Granted I don't have the stamina to carry her like i do when I am not pg.

YANBU, I'm sitting here with dd2, 4 days old, fast asleep in my gypsymama stretch wrap. I can't wait to get out and about with her in the wrap. I carried dd1 lots in wraps as well.

smallwhitecat i will admit that ring slings even give me back ache as its a one shouldered carry. you might want to try something with a two shouldered carry instead. the weight is more balanced and supportive.
check out
slingjax for some ideas

effeperine go for a spb (sleeping baby productions), Kalea ring sling, storchenwiege ring sling, bbsling ring sling, angeltails. one of the more preferred bw recommended ring slings are better in general. you might spend a bit more but you will get it back when you sell it, the materials and workmanship is more considered and they are more comfy

I've just carried BabyDragon (2.6) around in an emergency sling made out of a sarong and no one batted an eyelid. It was in Antigua though so may be more common there but none of the hotel guests appeared to notice at all.

I'll be sad when she's too big to sling (it's getting that way... I can't carry her for long distances anymore). I have hack problems and it's not caused any difficulties whereas I can't carry her without a sling at all.

smallwhitecat - it's not normal for your back to hurt after just a few minutes of using a sling, and regular correct sling use should never cause back problems.

It sounds like you could benenfit from treatment for your back problems from a physio therapists - back problems generally only get worse unless you do something about them.