A question about slings/ pushchairs/ buggies

[TheCountessOlenska]

All being well, I'm expecting DC2 when DC1 will be a month off 3. I REALLY hated my Quinny Buzz last time - I live in a small house, have a small car, use public transport a lot, and live in ye olde worlde town where the shop doorways are tiny and usually up/down stairs.

I do like my McClaren pushchair which I had DC1 in aged about 5 months (having sacked off the pram).

I don't want another massive pram basically. Would it be feasible to treat myself to a new McClaren AND get a sling - then have new baby in sling, DC1 in pushchair. Then when new baby is a bit bigger, put it in McClaren and DC1 will then be able to walk everywhere (at 3 and a half)?? I walk everywhere, very rarely in car.

Oh, and which sling!?

Thanks!

Thanks all! Yes I've got my eye on the Maclaren XT - will get head hugger thingy etc.

It's just which sling to choose! I'm trying to look for local sling meets but the slingmeet.co.uk website is not working at the moment. I was thinking Baby Bjorn only because it looks easy - the wrap ones look a bit complicated!? - but I will look at all suggested on here!

I love my ergo. Used it from newborn and ds in it for hours sleeping without me getting a sore back. Also it is so easy to put on and adjust by yourself. Tried close baby but too hard to fit by myself and never felt secure. Also tried tomy one former structure but so uncomfy and hard to put on. Ergo is best thing u have bought for second baby.
I originally bought a double buggy but have hardly used it as the slims do good.

Search on facebook - "sling meet" and your town or area. Most seem to be on there now, rather than slingmeet.co.uk.

Wraps look complicated, but if you can manage tying shoelaces it's only about as complicated as that, it's just on a larger scale. Once you've done it 2 or 3 times you won't need instructions any more. And stretchy wraps are great because you tie it before you put the baby in, so you can redo it if it's wrong or too loose or something, rather than tying the baby in and then having to disturb them or worrying that you've tied them in unsafely etc. Bit more of a learning curve with them, stretchy wraps I found really easy - and you can practice before the baby's born, even if you have a bump. Easier when it's smaller of course, but it still works if you're not putting anything in the sling!

If you want an "idiot proof" sling then any soft structured carrier will do the job - you might want to look at the Beco Butterfly as it has a separate harness for the baby similar to the baby bjorn etc. That will last you longer than the bjorn though and be more comfy.

I just think that the bjorn is a lot of money for something which is essentially badly designed for most women. I think they must have been designed for men, TBH, because men have more strength in their upper bodies so having weight on their shoulders isn't as uncomfortable.

Dc2 will be born next week, Dd is almost 2 and these are my travel options:

Ds in sling (have bought a close on friend's reccomendation, will prob get an ergo when he gets heavier), Dd in pushchair or walking.

Ds in graco travel system, Dd on buggy board - haven't tried it out yet.

That's the plan anyway, congrats and good luck!

I've got a 2.5yr gap and used a lascal buggy board which has been fab. I don't really like slings or baby carriers (I get too hot and back aches after a while)