SLINGS **How, why, when to carry your baby** - an online course!

[Papillon]

Promoted by the arrival of our 2nd child, the sling is now back in our lives. I have found the use of a baby sling so beneficial and really want to share with others my experiences and would love to hear the experiences of others who have used slings or baby carriers. As my sister says "Sharing is Caring"

We found using a sling with our dd to be practical, easy and vital to enhanced peace and harmony indoors and outdoors.

If you are interested in buying a sling, most of your local midwifery centres will either sell them or direct you to where you should be able to buy a sling in your area. Hopefully your local hospital will also have information. My local hospital even has a Sling carrying course.

I found that practising with a large stuffed toy, like a bear or rabbit helped me gain confidence before I ever attempted putting my baby in the sling.

Some benefits in my experience:

Use of both hands
Bonding
Baby loves it - the baby is with you for increased periods of time
Diversity of sleep habits
Warm, safe environment
Do Household chores while baby is in sling
Extended carrying time (years) over a baby carrier
Outdoors - Toddler keeps the pram whilst baby is in sling
Outdoors - 1 child - ease of mobility

Here is a good link with some illustrations and tips on how to carry your baby / toddler.

Baby sling tying tricks

If you find the price of a sling unaffordable then perhaps you could try to sew one. After all it is just a long rectangular piece of material. Get a breathable material which is as natural as possible. If you live in a hot country, then I recommend you get a strong, light weight material to make the sling.

Sew your own sling

Thats about all I can think of for now. Will be back tomorrow to try and answer any questions you may have

If anyone else has some good ideas, stories or thoughts - please post!!

MIstletAOU I had a borrowed baby bjorn first time around. Foolproof yes which was great when I was a new mother and had worse than two left hands!
Did find that dd who was not a big baby got too big for it past 6 months. Then I took a deep breath and got our the sling. The main thing is that she remained close to me and the sling ensued that closeness would continue.

beartime you will have to shop around online to see price comparisons. I don´t know offhand, but my sling was quite expensive at CHF170 (swiss francs). But when I think of how much use it has had.. it seems not to crazy a price now.

Carrying baby on back
I found what worked for me was putting the child on the centre of the sling on the bed

• then sitting down with my back to them
• then lifting each side up till I could draw them to my body in one go.
• Then tying the sling to me pretty much according the link in my first post on this thread.

I know a women who put the child on the ground then would just draw them up like the stork carrying the babe and swing the child around onto her back. She was sling expert extraordinaire!!! One day Paps, one day!!

thanks for the help and links everyone - I think i will wait for my slingeasy and see how it goes - it may tick all the boxes for me too

Kellymom - Baby Slings - Why, How & Where? - this site and page is fantastic - lots of links to pictures and instructional videos like this site for example.... Front Wrap Cross Tie On First and video links etc - so browse away!!

Hey here's one for you - can you tie a slingeasy so he is over your shoulder, cos mine loves that position.

Don't know I'm afraid beartime, but this is exactly the sort of question you see all the time on the message boards at the babyweraer.com, so why not try joining up and posting a question? (I've definitely seen a question about doing that exact carry, but I think it was using a wrap and I don't think a slingeasy is a wrap is it?).

no I don't think so. I have joined it, so will have a look, thanks

this is a tying technique for the front that I have wanted to show - and have now found pictures and instructions for.

It is popular here in Switzerland and I think offers extra support for baby.

this

Just wondering if you sling knowledgeable folk could help me choose a sling specifically for breastfeeding? Have a demanding 2 year old so would like to be as hands free as possible and also like the thought of discretely bfing in public. Am currently thinking a huggababy but was wondering if anyone had any other ideas? Also I don't know if it makes any difference but I am not what you would call petite!

i bought a Maya ring sling and ds hated being in it as a newborn......thought it would be better when he got a bit bigger and i could carry him more upright, but he still doesn't like it. it seems to give him belly ache every time i've tried using it. am hoping it will be ok for when he is bigger still.........i have found though that it's not as easy to use as the dvd makes out as far as adjusting it...i have painstakingly followed the instructions but it still gets twisted and is awkward to adjust.

I use a couple of different slings. The ring sling I find best for short periods such as doing dishes or for carrying my daughter around in at Tescos. For longer walks I much prefer a woven tie on sling, my storchenwiege is just wonderful, I mainly use it for carrying on my front.

As my daughter has gotten bigger I have experimented with carrying her on my back and hers and mine favourite right now is my homemade abc (asian baby carrier) sling. It was surprisingly easy to make and it's really comfy to carry her in for long periods of time.

I've tried a regular sling such as baby björn, but I just don't find it all comfortable.

sill carry my daughter who is over 10kg on my front and 2 years old

bought a wilkinet from an mnetter and it's the bees knees!!! dd2 can nurse in it.

Becky is just over 8 kgs and ok on the front but it's starting to feel a bit heavy. But I have a bit of a bad back so that probably doesnt help.

I am looking to get a friend a sling. She has newborn 10 day baby and a 15 month old. She fancies one for carrying 15 month old on hip - any recommendation for best buy?

coories are pretty cheap and good for both kids, I carry my 19 mother in mine. I have also heard good things about the mei hip carrier, but it is only good for 6 months plus babies.

Otherwise a ring sling is good for both too - ellaroo lightly padded one is great. Kangaroo corner adjustable fleece pouch also ace for hip carries and all other carries too.

hmmmm gone on a bit there.... no honest I don;t have lots of slings at all....

don't obviously. stupid fingers.

sassafrass: I use my ergo carrier on the front with dd who is 7.5kgs. she can nurse in it too. you'll carry her weight is on your hips rather than shoulder and back so I (only 50 kgs myself) find it v. comfy.

As she gets older and heavier, you can then start to wear her on your back in true backpack fashion with her wt on your hips.

I also have a maya sling which I alternate to hip carry.

i'm thinking of getting a bright spark sling in addition to the wilkinet for ease of nursing and carrying.

well done on nursing in a sling already, epis. sound like an expert already

she's nursing in this wilkinet RIGHT NOW, but i'm thinking it might go better in the bright spark b/c here in living room i can just whip out my whole boob .

i used a pouch sling when my dd was tiny. i found it v. comfy and dd slept really well in it too. go for it. I think it won't be a waste of money. I intend to get another pouch sling the one I've got is too small. .they are really easy to use .... and this time I will try to make my own over the hols...

if you google you can find lots of patterns for making your own and some dont need sewing at all

I've just ordered a Coory and Carry from ebay for this babe. Need to get the hang of hands free nursing now!