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Behaviour/development

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Original poster

Best sling/wrap/carrier?

20 replies

ToonLass · 12/10/2014 10:52

I know there are a few similar posts on this topic but wanted to get a more up to date view!

I am 38 weeks pregnant and for months have been trying to decide on the best way to carry baby from newborn when not using a pram.

I like the idea of a wrap but have heard they are hard to master. The slings look good, especially for bf, but don't seem that supportive - and I like the idea of a carrier as DH is more likely to wear it but it's not practical for around the house.

The ones I have been toying with are the ergo carrier with newborn insert and the moby wrap. What are your thoughts on these and others similar?

My main use of it would be out for walks as I have a dog who, although is good on the lead, tends to walk from side to side which will be very frustrating!

Thanks for any advice....time is running out!

-----------------

Hello!

We've noticed that this thread is quite old now, and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks researching and testing baby carriers for newborns and beyond. Here is the best baby carrier 2019.

Hope this helps!

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Patienceisapparentlyavirtue · 12/10/2014 10:57

If you're sharing, the Ergos are great as they are easily adjusted - my DH loves the performance one, as it's got curved shoulders that make it a bit more comfortable on the tall and wide backed. The manduca or Tula are also good structured ones that don't need you to buy an extra insert - but when we borrowed a mandua DH found it a pain to share, as there are so many more adjustment options plus the hood wasn't as comfy for naps, so the ergo suited us far more.

For me, I loved the soft moby wrap in the early days, it does take a couple of practice tries but once you get the hang of it it's so comfy and snuggly and you can wear it under a jacket if it gets chilly

If you're really keen on babywearing and have the spare cash id suggest getting both.

Patienceisapparentlyavirtue · 12/10/2014 10:58

And if your baby doesn't like it right away, don't worry to much, it's normal to take a few goes - DH got much keener once I did a few feeds with him loosely snuggled in the moby

callamia · 12/10/2014 10:59

Do you want it to last for ages, or just the newborn-6mish? I've ised an ergo since DS was tiny and I still use it pretty much everyday (he's one). The ergo is pretty much the best money I spent on baby equipment.

If I was to have another baby though, I'd probably get a close caboo for the newborn period - they're so cosy and snuggly, and easy to use. You can buy them second hand for about £30.

I've just got into wrapping, I didn't find it straightforward, but I wish is started doing it earlier. Many places have sling meets nearby - you could go along and try out a bunch of things to work out what you really like. You can usually find them on Facebook.

Original poster

ToonLass · 12/10/2014 11:09

I have to say the ergo is probably my favoured choice right now, but really love the idea of the closeness a war would give you.

I would say it would be from newborn to maybe a year old I would use it, so although I need something that would last it doesn't need to be a 4 year investment.

I live in a really small down, hours away from any sizeable inhabited place, so unfortunately do not have the use of a sling library which would have been ideal!

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Artandco · 12/10/2014 11:14

Boba 4g. Can use from newborn without an insert, adjusts easy between parents, and can easily be used well into toddlerhood ( handy if you fly and land somewhere at 1am with sleepy 3 year old and no pram as don't usually use anymore).

It has great support, and dh who has bad back said it's comfier than the ergo. I also tried ergo but found too big as quite small

Original poster

ToonLass · 12/10/2014 11:16

That's handy to know as I am quite small bit DH is 6' so would need something which was fit us both (although I think I will definitely be the primary user!)

OP posts:

Artandco · 12/10/2014 11:19

Toon - yes I'm size 6, 5'4. Dh is 6'2. The boba 4g works for us. Have a look on YouTube at the slings as very helpful to see actually how they work/ adapt

cogitosum · 12/10/2014 11:48

I found the stretchy wrap invaluable when ds was tiny and now he's a toddler I've got a woven. It takes a bit of practice but within a week I was putting it on in a matter of seconds. The advantage is that they're so versatile as you can do pretty much any carry and they fit all sizes.

nannynome · 12/10/2014 11:53

We have used a close caboo with DS from newborn, very easy to use, soft and comfortable for both myself (5ft 6") and DH (6ft3") however DS is now 9 months and we are looking at getting a Boba 4G as the caboo is now not supporting as well with DS the same size as a 1yr old! It depends on how long you are planning on using it for.

PurplePidjin · 12/10/2014 12:03

Different types suit different people - your best bet is to go to a sling meet and have a trained consultant show you what's what, then possibly hire something (I think It's A Sling Thing do postal hires if you can't get to a meet?)

FWIW most people I know have different carriers for different occasions. I had a stretchy type (like the moby) for when ds was tiny as they're fab for babies up to about 6 months, then moved to a woven wrap when he got stronger and could push away from me/could go on my back to see more. I now have a long wrap which is very supportive for longer trips, a short one that I wear as a scarf and can be used if he gets tired, and borrow dp's buckle carrier if it's peeing with rain and I don't want the wrap to get mucky! DS is nearly 2.

Victoria Sling Lady was the brand of stretchy I had, can be bought on ebay for under £20, so you might find something like that as well as a buckle type suits you. Although fwiw, despite knowing many many people who swear by their Ergos, I find the brand quite uncomfortable. It's just down to body shape :)

LostMySocks · 12/10/2014 18:38

I used a caboo close carrier until DS was 4months. It was lovely and snug. But he sat very early and kept trying to throw himself out. Tried lots of carriers and found ergo most comfortable. They are expensive and lots of libraries do postal hire. Definitely worth trying as 4 other semi structured slings were really uncomfortable. If you have a tiny baby then you need to think about minimum weight for sling. Wraps are good if baby is very small.

Original poster

ToonLass · 12/10/2014 19:18

Just had a look at 'It's a sling thing' - what a great website! Will definitely use it to try out a few different options.

My favs so far are the ergo, boba 4g and Tula....they all look very similar so will be good to try them out. My only issue is none of them are forward facing :/

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Artandco · 12/10/2014 19:25

You won't want forward facing anyway. When baby faces you their weight kind of sits of your hips and they hug into you, so everything more balanced. Forward facing baby just hangs off you so feels very heavy and uncomfy as you then have their spine straight against your chest. If that makes sense

PurplePidjin · 12/10/2014 20:01

Forward facing isn't inherently harmful to babies (despite what some people might say) but there are quite a few things you might like to consider before deciding whether it's something you want to do or not. This article www.boba.com/blog/2011/10/11/nine-reasons-not-to-carry-your-baby-facing-out/ is a good read with well-researched arguments :)

TBH the majority of carriers suitable for using front-facing aren't as supportive to either the baby or the wearer as the ergonimic types that aren't designed for it. It's also harder to follow the TICKS guidelines for safe wearing when the baby is facing out www.nct.org.uk/parenting/sling-safety

Patienceisapparentlyavirtue · 12/10/2014 22:27

I agree with pp about front facing -when they are really little it's better to have them calm and snuggled into you ant way and as they get older they can easily turn to look around, and get to heavy to carry forwards anyway.

If you're really set on front facing there's the new ergo 360, but it does look v weird facing forward with wide hips!

olivesnutsandcheese · 12/10/2014 22:48

Ergo every time. I got mine late - wish I'd got it earlier.

Try a sling meet then you could sample a few.

Good luck with the birth

tmae · 12/10/2014 23:47

I used a ByKay wrap when DS was little and I looked daunting but after a couple of goes it was simple. Now I use a connecta and it is lovely and not that expensive.

I've only ever carried my son facing me as he was very sensitive to noise so often needed the option to snuggle in towards me and he is heavy and I'd heard forward facing puts more strain on your back. I think ergo do the ergo 360 which allows forward facing though if you want that as an option.

Original poster

ToonLass · 13/10/2014 09:18

Thanks folks, will look up ergo 360. It was more for when bubba was a bit bigger to have him/her facing outwards to explore the world as the pics make it look awkward with the children trying to look over their shoulders. I will do some research though

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sometimesyouwin · 13/10/2014 17:17

I would highly recommend the Beco Gemini! It's brilliant and carries in a hip healthy way. You can carry facing you, facing out, hip carry and back carry. It's super easy to put on and adjust and is suitable from newborn. My husband has always been happy to use it too. I bought it for DS1 and used it daily and am currently using it for DS2 so we've had our money's worth. My DS2 had hip dysplasia and the consultant said it was ideal for carrying him from when he was born. I love it!

LaPetiteCoccinelle · 13/10/2014 17:26

We all love our connecta - me, DH and my DM! (DM hated our baby bjorn with DS1 but loves the new sling with DS2)

Very light, very easy to use, very easy to adjust to different people. Im in France and its not well known at all but loads of people gave commented on how comfy it looks.

I got the solarweave so it wouldnt be too hot in summer. Now its getting colder I find it easy to judge how many layers to put baby in as the sling doesnt add much heat iyswim

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