Babywearers - talk to me about your babies

[LuluLulabelle]

I have noticed that when I have DD in the sling for long periods of time she is calmer (in and out of the sling), sleeps better and cries less (she usually cries when she's tired so before all naps and at bedtime except when she's been in the sling in the day).

Has anyone else noticed that their DC's behave differently if they're "worn".

I haven't had DD in the sling much to know that this isn't just cioincidence so I'd be interested to hear peoples views. I have googled it but only found something about crying less.

I only tried carrying her again recently as she hated the Close Baby sling, Baby Bjorn & Slingrider (I hated Slingrider) but after getting sick of going through motherhood with one hand I tried the slings again. Baby Bjorn is the winner so far but I am going to buy something new this week I think...

Yes, definately. Ds neverf usses in the sling. He is 10 months and has been carried since birth. (Ditch the babybjorn by the way- try a wrap ) He is now mainly in my back in the ergo. I have noticed that when he is carried he rarely even makes a sound, not even his usual coos and squeals. He is just taking it all in. In pushchairs it is much harder to calm hom down when he does get fussy- in a sling, it doesn't matter if we are half an hour late for a feed or a nap. In a pushchair, I feel every minute that we are late. Our pushchair is rear facing so it's not like he can't see me. The only thing I would say is that I'm not keen on him sleeping on my back- he only seems able to manage about 15 minutes at a time, and that's the only time I wish I had a pushchair with me.

I'd agree, my DD seems much calmer when she's out and about in the sling. I find the babybjorn works best for us - for some reason I just feel more secure with it than the wraps. At the moment she is still facing inwards (14 weeks) but she has learnt to turn her head to the sides when she wants to look at the world, and she's absolutely fascinated by it all, and then she snuggle up to me when she feels sleepy. I've also found that sometimes when we've been out for a while and she has fallen asleep, I can tip her gently from the sling into her crib and she'll carry on sleeping. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't - I guess it depends on how sleepy she really is!

By the way, she hated slings at first, and often still gets a bit grumpy when I first put her in it, but once I get moving she is fine.

You'd probably enjoy reading the Continuum Concept. It's about tribal societies who wear their babies constantly. Would put author name but I can't spell it

If you like the baby bjorn, a mei tai or a soft structured carrier like the ergo or wilkinet would probably be the best thing to move onto once LO gets too heavy to be comfortably carried in it. They are like the baby bjorn in that they have straps rather than having to be wrapped and tied and some have buckles so they are quick to put on but they are more supportive for older babies as they have straps around the waist to take some of the weight off your shoulders.

Here - just found an online article about the Contiuum Concept which is interesting.

The Importance of the In-Arms Phase

Sorry to take so long to reply - DD is going through a growth spurt.

Thanks for the link CherryChoc, thats really interesting.

Thanks everyone else for your replies. I really think DD is a different baby when she's been carried. I am going to buy my little sis a sling for when her DC arrives in September. No what to buy....