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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

Debate: arguments for and against baby slings?

52 replies

shellki · 26/04/2009 19:34

I am pregnant with DD2 due next week and have a 2.5 DD1. I have bought a baby sling and gone to lessons on how to tie it etc and am keen to use it once the baby arrives. My DD1 was/ is a terrible sleeper and quite a cranky baby, so the arguments I've heard about baby slings helping to make the child more tranquil are very appealing! I'm interested to know about your experiences - does a sling help to keep them calm and composed and mean they settle better when you do put them to bed, or does it make them dependent on being carried and soothed to sleep?

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spottypushedherbabyout · 26/04/2009 22:41

DS1 no sling - shite temper & shite sleeper

DS2 lives in sling - shite temper & shite sleeper

Go figure

ScummyMummy · 26/04/2009 22:43

lol, spotty!

muppetgirl · 27/04/2009 10:03

btw I had a hugabub and although fiddly at first within a couple of days I was a pro in tying it. Was great as I could wear it while driving and take ds 2 out quickly for the school run, nipping into shops etc.

With ds 1 we had a bjorn thing and it was very uncomfortable and dh hated it from the word go. Hugabub suited us both and ds 2 loved it.

The closeness was great for me as I really loved him being so close to me and actually getting some comfort from me (ds 1 I had severed PND and at times I couldn't bear him near me ) Yes he loved hearing a heartbeat but if that made him calm and happy then why the heck not? I had had a previous screamy baby that I wouldn't wish on anyone, why would I want to help the next to be happier and if it helped me also then that's a bonus.

I do think it's a case of 'you're doing things differently??? Does that mean I did it wrong' I think it shows people's insecurities if they can't 'let' you try something new, or at least understand why you would try something new.

Sorry to hyjak but I'm having a c-section this time and wondered whe I can use a sling?

Anyone know?

McDreamy · 27/04/2009 10:11

I have a pouch sling (hotsling) and a wrap sling (moby). Use them both, love them both as does DD (11 weeks). DD is a very contented baby,

I have no rod in my back, she will ride in the pram on the odd occasion I use it. She sleeps at night. I have 2 hands free and we have loads of cuddles.

You might find you get lots of lovely comments from people when out and about - which I quite like as DD is seriously scrummy!

A lovely lady came up to me yesterday while I was shopping and said "Now that's how babies should be carried. Lovely" Oh and it's sooooo much easier to shop with a baby in a sling!

mrsgboring · 27/04/2009 10:21

muppetgirl, my sister took her sling into hospital and wore it immediately post-section. It can be done, though I guess it might not be for everyone. Not had a section myself so can't comment directly, but I would have thought that once the initial recovery period was over, a sling would be better, as you can have the baby more ergonomically positioned than in arms or being picked up and put down all the time.

Re the OP, IMO babies get used to what they experience. If it's being chilled out in the sling, they'll get used to that. If it's screaming their head off in some kind of supposedly easier baby receptacle (cot, buggy, lean back chair etc.) then it will be that. I know which one I prefer.

Original poster

shellki · 27/04/2009 12:01

My DD1 was a real screamer and not a happy baby, probably because I was quite stressed. We had just moved here and I knew no one... So the idea of having a calm child sounds great to me!

OP posts:

steffibabes · 27/04/2009 17:44

I love my Kari Me. My DD is 4 months. It is great when out and about as it is a great 'sleep machine' and means I am not tied to the house. I also found it great when she got upset at her second lot of injections and she fell asleep in it on the way home sobbing but when she woke up she was fine.

I get loads of positive comments from people. I was a bit wary of wearing her when going to the local Sure Start centre thinking they would think I was a hippy Mum but everyone I meet says that it is a great idea and that DD is so snug inside it.

People are often intrigued by it and watch me when I put it on so if you might be a bit self-conscious about that then that is the only 'con' think of.

paisleyleaf · 27/04/2009 17:47

I used a tricotti and can't think of any cons.
There were a couple of occassions I walked into a shop from a cold day and thought 'I can't stay too long in here.....baby will be too warm' ...but that's it

bronze · 27/04/2009 17:49

dont think I have any cons . I currently have dc4 strapped to my front in a little ball of contentness.

claireybee · 27/04/2009 18:03

I carried ds in a wrap til he was 10 months, and alternated with that, a mei tai and a buggy after that. He was a very unhappy baby who cried non stop when he was awake. The difference the sling made was that I felt like I was still comforting him even when I was getting on with other stuff. Also in the sling he would cry down and would go to sleep, in the buggy/carseat/elsewhere he'd scream til I picked him up again and be really difficult to calm down.

He was rocked to sleep for a long time, but did always seem to sleep better when he had been held a lot in the day. TBH I don't really believe that carrying them will cause them to rely on you, so much seems to depend on their individual personalities

BeehiveBaby · 27/04/2009 20:18

Very of bronze .

hazeyjane · 27/04/2009 20:26

The only cons i can think of are

a) Im not sure all babies like slngs! Dd1 hated being in any of the ones I tried, she was very colicky, and I was desperate for anything to help her settle. She just screamed whenever she was in one (mind you she screamed when she was swaddled, cuddled, picked up, put down etc etc)

b) dd2 loved being in a sling (thankfully!) but it used to give me chronic backache.

Otherwise they are fab, especially for 2nd children when you have a toddler to run around after.

Good luck

no1putsbabyinthecorner · 27/04/2009 20:39

I love mine. I agree they have been great especially freeing up hands for toddler.

My dh however seems to think that ds is more mardy and clingy because he is carried a lot.

My ds is 8 months,loves being carried.
My dd is 2yrs and also loves been carried occasionally. I have moby d, ring sling and peanut shell.
Moby great for long hours as it distributes weight more evenly.
I tend to put dd in ringsling if out on my own with her and she gets tired. I have back problems and find if dcs are carried in a sling I am ok, If I put my arms in front to hold/carry them without a sling I am in pain instantly.

Good luck with whatever you decide

EyeballsintheSky · 27/04/2009 20:40

I used a hug-a-bub wrap sling when DD was little and she loved it for round the house but wasn't that keen when we were out and about. So I progressed onto a Baby Bjorn and she preferred that when out.

But, I found she just got too heavy and I haven't got the strength or engery. Plus it's very difficult to hang all your shopping bags from a sling

bronze · 27/04/2009 21:03

Sorry Beehive. To make it even worse hes just woken up and looking at me with big indigo eyes
I'm a wee bit infatuated

Poppity · 27/04/2009 21:07

I didn't discover them until my 3rd, I loved mine, I'm sure it helped my dd settle, and it certainly helped me manage with the older dcs.
I used a baby bjorn with 1+2, and that was harder on my back than my sling.
I had an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder, and a special wedge cushion thing to put underneath her when she was tiny.
Looking back I'm so glad I did it, the closeness can't be matched, especially if you co-sleep too

Orangesarenottheonlyfruit · 28/04/2009 15:07

Had a Hug-a-bub from 6 weeks, brilliant and totally changed my life. Bought a didymos when dd was about 11 months and am still using it 9 months later. In fact, I have just been shopping with DD happily singing horsey horsey, clip clop on my back. Am totally hands- free and able to get on with everything.

Downside: not able to try clothes on when shopping without it being a bit of a faff.

tostaky · 28/04/2009 18:23

www.naturalmamas.co.uk has got lots of ressources about slings and also check out www.slingmeet.co.uk if you want to try before you buy

nadssss · 29/04/2009 10:41

novice question for pro slingers: if you wear the baby in a sling a lot during the day, doesnt that mean she will sleep too much in the day time and then not sleep at night???

McDreamy · 29/04/2009 12:17

I haven't found that to be the case. DD seems to sleep for as long as she needs and then has a period of time watching the world go by while being carried.

Poppity · 29/04/2009 12:41

Nadssss, I didn't find that either. We did co-sleep as well though, so never really had any problems.

dinkystinky · 29/04/2009 20:40

Nadsss - my DS2 tends to fall asleep in the sling but only for around an hour at a time, so I make sure he doesnt spend all day in the sling. Its a great way to get him to go to sleep when he's having a baby hissyfit for no reason.

ijustwant8hours · 29/04/2009 21:23

Hate the 'rod for your own back' type conversations / intrusions!

Had a good one the other day. At playgroup, took dd out of her woven wrap (easily my best sling btw) and put her on the floor. Someone starts a isn't she too clingy conversation, dd calmly stretched out, yawned and put her self to sleep.

misdee · 29/04/2009 21:26

nadsss, dd4 is a cranky monster, in a sling she is happy and relaxed and drops off to sleep easily. she doesnt sleep long either in her crib or her sling, but wakes up happier in the sling.

she still sleeps at night (badly, but no worse/better, than before we started slinging her)

she spends 2-4hours i na sling, and sleeps maybe 1 hour of that time.

Original poster

shellki · 01/05/2009 19:09

Thanks for all your advice and comments. Today is my due date and am very excited about trying out sling, but could well go seriously over due (was 40+12 with dd1). I'm a bit of a sado and have been practicing the different ways of wearing the baby with a teddy. Am terrified about getting the teddy onto my back, not to mind a baby! Anyway, we'll see how it all goes - just need to get through the next few days/ weeks... grrr its time to come out now!

OP posts:

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