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Parenting

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Original poster

Can anyone recommend me a REALLY good sling for a super clingy baby?

37 replies

RooneyMara · 04/01/2013 18:20

I've had various slings over the years but tbh never found one that was very easy or comfy - most came from NCT sales or charity shops but I think I might need one this time.

Ds is currently tucked inside my stretchy long t shirt and seems to be happy and I have my hands free - but it's not a great solution!

He just doesn't like to be put down so far, at all, though I guess he was only born yesterday so maybe it'll change.

But is there something really great available in the way of a sling - I do need it to be quick, without long wrapping processes, if possible. Mainly for around the house I think.

Thanks so much

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backinaminute · 04/01/2013 18:24

I don't have any useful suggestions but watching with interest. I'm the same, had been given them in the past or bought them because they were cheap but not really got on with them. Ds2 is 5 weeks old and wants to be held all the time. Not so easy with a 20 month old to chase after too. I'm yet to find the best way to deal with them both out the house and thought a decent sling might help. I think trying to find a sling library might be the answer.

JeewizzJen · 04/01/2013 18:24

I've had quite a few different kinds, but the easiest to use for me was my Rose & Rebellion soft structured carrier (SSC). You basically put it on like a back-to-front rucksack (for front carries). I found it really simple, quick and comfy, although for long walks etc I must admit I found the Mei Tei better for my back as it crossed over the back rather than being on the shoulders - but it certainly wasn't especially quick to put on.

There's a good sling forum on naturalmamas.co.uk - they might have some suggestions too?

BertieBotts · 04/01/2013 18:26

What kinds have you tried? That might help us advise :)

I loved my stretchy wrap. It took a minute or two to put on but then you can pop the baby in and out all day if you need to.

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silverfrog · 04/01/2013 18:28

A caboo baby carrier ticks most of your boxes - easy and quick to put on, easy to pop baby in and out. I use mine most days with ds who is now 5 months and still won't be put down most of the time!

Original poster

RooneyMara · 04/01/2013 18:29

Thankyou guys, that's great - I was thinking of a front sling, stretchy wrap sounds good...I've tried the famous Wilkinet but got entirely cross with it, also a basic ring sling which was awful, he just used to fall out.

And a handmade one with clips on the straps but it sagged so much and had no support and made my back hurt.

Oh and one of those basic Mothercare ones a bit like a copy of a baby bjorn.

It's hard to understand why they don't work/feel comfortable - maybe it's me!

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Original poster

RooneyMara · 04/01/2013 18:30

OP posts:

Original poster

RooneyMara · 04/01/2013 18:31

The Caboo looks like the kind of thing, but is it Ok for a very tiny newborn? I'm a bit worried as one of the reviews said their baby slumped in it till a few months old?

OP posts:

AnnieLobeseder · 04/01/2013 18:32

I know that wrap slings seem like a huge faff, but really they're not when you get the hang of tying them, and they really are the most comfortable because you can adjust them exactly to fit you. A jersey fabric one is stretchy and most comfy for a new born (I had a Hug-a-Bub and it saved my sanity), but from 4 months or so when baby gets a bit heavier you might need to switch to woven cotton or something more structured like a mai-tai. Good luck!!

fufulina · 04/01/2013 18:33

I had an ellaroo, woven sling, £55, saved my life. Dd is nearly 11 months and she still goes in it when we go on the tube and bus. I am sooo evangelical that if you're interested, and in north london, pm me, and we can meet and I will give you a demonstration!

OhGood · 04/01/2013 18:34

close (or closer?) until they are big enough for a baby bjorn is what I am going to do this time round: www.mumsnet.com/reviews/on-the-move/baby-carriers-and-baby-slings/9517-close-baby-carrier

priscilla101 · 04/01/2013 18:34

2nd vote for caboo or closer carrier. Just done lads of research into slings and finally decided on this one. It isn't the full on Moby stretch wrap (which tbh makes me just want to buy the correct length fabric and download the destructions rather than pay for a piece of fabric), nor the structured bjorn baby type. It is comfy an baby is happy in it. Also good for partners of different sizes as easily adjusted.

BertieBotts · 04/01/2013 18:39

Sounds like you've just had crappy slings TBH. The wilkinet was good about 10 or 15 years ago but there are so many better slings around now. Ring slings are good but IMO difficult to get the hang of unless you're shown in person. Handmade again sounds like it was either badly made, or made for someone of a totally different build to you and hence didn't work for you. And the mothercare baby bjorn ones are uncomfortable to use too.

A caboo is what used to be called a close sling, it's similar to a stretchy wrap although it has some rings in it to allow it to be easily adjusted. A stretchy wrap will do the same thing. Both are suitable for newborns, if the baby is slumping, then the wearer hasn't tied it tight enough. It is definitely possible to put them in without slumping!

If you are of a small build then you may find the straps of the caboo/close will drag on the ground. I personally prefer stretchy wraps as I'm more of a purist and don't really trust hybrid slings! However I know lots of people at our sling meet who swore by them.

silverfrog · 04/01/2013 18:39

I got ours when ds was about 3 weeks old. Probably first used it when he was 4/5 weeks old. I did have to watch out that his head was supported ok, but then you do anyway with any sling for a baby that age.

I have a ssc too - a Pikolo which I will use when he is bigger, but the caboo has been a godsend at my double school drop off (dd1 and dd2 at different schools) - so easy to pop him in and out, and he is very securely held. Have been doing that since he was exactly 6 weeks.

Lastyearsmodel · 04/01/2013 18:41

Beco might be worth looking at - like a soft structured carrier but with clips rather than ties. Distributes weight well, can do front and back carries and has newborn insert. Used mine from when DC were newborn until over 2yo.

BertieBotts · 04/01/2013 18:41

I did that priscilla - just made my own stretchy wrap. Cheep, cheerful, supportive, absolutely did the job.

OhGood you may want to rethink the bjorn thing - once they get too heavy for a stretchy wrap they're also too heavy for a bjorn to be comfortable IME. I'd just use the stretchy sling until 9 months/a year and then stop or buy one designed for toddlers.

silverfrog · 04/01/2013 18:42

Oh, I have the caboo with clips - cant remember what it's called but is the so-called deluxe one I think. Less ends of straps flapping about, and no hasty knot tying.

helebear · 04/01/2013 18:43

The Kari- me is great, it's a wrap sling. I used it from newborn to about 13 months, starting with dd lying in the cuddle mode then facing me & then facing out. Putting it on seems daunting at first but honestly once you've done it half a dozen times you get used to it. Only thing that is a bit of a pain is putting it on in a carpark as ends can drag on the ground do I just used to put mine on before I left home as you don't really notice you're wearing it and can still drive etc with it on (without baby in it of course!). It comes with instructions & there are lots of videos on you tube too. Can stuck in washing machine & one size fits all. When I bought mine there were lots on eBay.

silverfrog · 04/01/2013 18:44

Yes, I'm aiming for 9-12 months with my caboo, then back to the Pikolo. Dh once carried dd1 in that when she was about 20kg - wouldn't fancy that myself!

Original poster

RooneyMara · 04/01/2013 18:44

Thankyou so much everyone.

I have a long list of things to look at now - I'll come back to the thread when ds doesn't need a feed

I really appreciate all your advice x

OP posts:

lagoonhaze · 04/01/2013 18:45

beco gemini/butterfly

Manduca

lenny lamb (will take some practice but will take you through to toddlerhood)

Patapum baby sized (cheap second hand)

5madthings · 04/01/2013 18:48

I would say a moi by wrap.

I had a close carrier it was OK for newborn but as I had big babies as soon as they put on a bit if weight it wasn't very good as it was too stretchy.

Mai tais are also good.

OhGood · 04/01/2013 18:57

bertie I used my baby bjorn for yonks, til she was 18 months or so, but she was a pretty small person. Just so easy. I didn't have a close, I had one of those longs wrap things that you have to wind round yourself, which I liked because it was hippieish, but was always worried because to change it had to take baby out and lay her down in field and then unwrap whole thing and redo, by which time an eagle had swooped down and carried her away.

Nyunya · 04/01/2013 19:04

Just wanted to put another word in for the Beco Gemini. I has a close/caboo and my back could only cope with it till dd was 3 months (have a history of problems) but the waist strap on the Beco means I'm still carrying her now at 15 months. Much more comfey than baby bjorn IMO as the weight distribution is so much better!

twolittlebundles · 04/01/2013 19:09

Bubzilla- a pre-formed sling that has done well with both my DDs- 1 who had seriously awful reflux. It requires no faffing and you just change the baby's position in the sling as they get bigger. I have 3 different slings and this is by far the best- much more versatile than the long fabric one and the adjustable pouch one. DD2 is 18 months and I have had her in it most days since she was born.

Nyunya · 04/01/2013 19:43

Ooo forgot to say - I think the website Slumber Roo does sling hire, so you can try before you buy!
slumber-roo.co.uk/

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