sling/wrap for newborn: what worked for you?

[sleepis4rwimps]

hello im due my 2nd DS in a couple of months and I reckon that a sling will be a godsend in those early weeks. I haven't a clue what to get though so could you please help and say which worked for you? I am quite short and have heavy babies so back support would be a welcome bonus!

We had and still use an ergo with an infant insert. I had a ring sling as well but did not like it as much.

My Ds (now 3 months) adores the mamas and papas flex. It keeps him snuggled to me chest and he is always fast asleep within minutes of being popped in. It took me a few attempts to figure out how to extract him effectively without waking him.
I have also tried a baba sling lite and a ring sling both of which he hated and screams when in them, but like does like my husbands baby bjorn too (though I know on here I will probably be slated for saying that!)

my chest not me chest

www.hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/prevention/baby-carriers-seats-and-other-equipment/

The link illustrates how infants should be positioned in harnesses in order to promote 'hip health'.

When very little I used a Kari me, the massive fabric one that ties a load of different ways. Now older and can support head I think the one I'm using is a mothercare own brand one, I needed one I could put onto my back myself for dog walking as they got older and most beaded ones need two people.

I used a stretchy wrap around the house when he was very little, but he didn't really enjoy being restrained.

Out of the house I used a home-made mei-tai (simple square with straps style thing), which both DP and I could comfortably wear for ages (until he was about 1 and starting to weigh too much), and DS always seemed to enjoy being in - he sat froggy style in it, or when a bit bigger rather enjoyed standing up facing outward!

I also tried a woven, and it was fine, but the mei-tai was just much easier because there was less fabric.

A Kari Me when she was little and a Manduca from 11mos. Manducas don't need an insert like Ergos when carrying newborns.

I have a Kari-me, borrowed one from a friend when ds2 was a week old, then bought my own. He's now 12wks and its a godsend for park trips/toddler groups with DS1 and also for convincing him to nap when all else fails. Much easier now he can hold his head better.

I also have an ergo I used with ds1 and look forward to Ds2 being big enough for it. Although when I recently tried it it wasn't as straightforward as I'd hope it would be and actually find the Kari-me simpler than I'd expected.

We used the sleepy wrap, utterly brilliant, would highly recommend it!

We have a manduca and love it. Used from newborn with the integrated insert and still use every day at six months. Had a bjorn with DS1 but really hurt my back, the manduca is loads better.

The Kari Me was fab at first.

DD is now 18 months and we're now using a toddler Connecta, and a variety of woven wraps (have tried 20+) and have loved an Ergo (great with insert for newborn). But for comfort and versatility you can't beat a woven wrap - great for front, back and hip carries. Buckle carriers are easier to learn but harder to master IMHO.

Good luck OP

I have a Kari me and it's great. When dd was newborn she slept in it all the time. Still use it now and she's 10mo. Really comfy. DH won't wear it though!

Try a close carrier.

I also used a stretchy kari me for the first six months or so. Didn't want to do the hippy sling look, but like you my back wasn't in good shape and much research convinced me it would distribute my LOs weight nicely.
She loved it; I loved it and we went everywhere in it until she got old enough to want to engage with the world and wriggle about.

Baby bjorn types are definitely back killers.

Kari Me here too. Loved loved loved it and really miss those days of having DS snuggled up on me whilst DD and I went about our day. I fed in it too (handy when out with DD) and it was sooo comfy, thoroughly recommend.

If you look at the amount of fabric between the baby's legs, a BabyBjorn or other highstreet carrier has much less than the less mainstream types (Manduca, Ergo, Beco, Boba etc) a bit like sitting on a wooden bar stool compared to a comfortable arm chair. WRT forward facing carries, look at how a baby's spine is shaped - front facing carries don't promote that. In addition, front facing carries hold the baby's weight further from the parent's body which affects the centre of gravity and makes it more likely that they'll stumble or even fall.

The hip dysplasia stuff hasn't been properly researched, but is another reason to make sure your baby is properly supported.

Stretchy type wraps are a really good place to start - a 5m long piece of cotton jersey which you tie around yourself then pop the baby in and out as needed. They are useful for the first 6 months (despite what the manufacturers might try to claim!) until the baby is strong enough to push themself backwards against the fabric.

Moby, Victoria Slinglady, Mamas and Papas Flo, Kari-Me are all good brands. Close Caboo is a slightly more structured type.

I used a Moby stretch wrap from newborn. I recommend going to a local sling meet/library while pregnant. I went and found it really useful - can show you how to tie the stretchy wraps and how to get the baby (doll for practice!) in. Also good to chat to other mums and hear about their experiences.
Helped me to feel confident once my wriggly baby was here that I would be able to get her into the wrap!

wow thank you all so much for your extremely helpful replies! lots of good info and ideas to research. I am hoping to use a sling when out rather than double pram/pushchair until ds2 can sit up properly.

It amazes me how people can use slings with relatively older babies and not break their backs!

happy slinging and thanks again xx

Close Caboo is great if you're not very confident about tying a wrap sling correctly. I had a Moby for DD1 and always felt she was about to fall out - clearly I wasn't tying it correctly. Got a Close for DD2 and it was a godsend.

I started with a moby with DS and used it til he was about 3 months, but it does get hot in the summer and is a bit of a faff to tie. I then used a Beco butterfly which was and is excellent. Carried him easily til at least 18m and he's a 98th centile baby.

DD was born heavy and had a slight talipes so I didn't want her scrunched up in a fabric wrap so went straight to the Beco (it comes with a newborn insert as standard) and I now also have a Manduca which is similar to the Beco but has a wider base for sitting, crosses at the back if you want and personally I think it's even more supportive than the Beco, which is saying something. So I prefer the Manduca. DD prefers the Beco though.

Ds is 9mo and 18lb.

I am chubbier than I'd like 170lb.

A DofE rucksack should be no more than a quarter of your body weight - 42lb - for Elf n Sayfetee therefore i could carry ds for a bloody long time given the correct equipment...

I had a Kari me for ds2 that I am now using for 6m old DD. I fed DS2 in it as he was a nightmare feeder and DD sleeps in it when we are out and about somewhere busy as she is very nosy and wakes up a lot in the pram but sleeps for 2 hours at a fun fair in the sling. Love it.

I started with a Kali sling (stretchy wrap about 20 quid lots of cool colours and patterns). I moved on to an ergo bit I agree with others, the newborn insert is a pain in the arse and juggling dd1 and 2 whilst pratting about with it wasn't great. As soon as dd2 was big enough to ditch it the ergo became my best friend
Dd2 is a v tubby high maintenance baby yet she loves the ergo and her dad and I both carry her comfortably and she's nearly 10 months.

Have a look at the website love to be natural - great stockist and advice about slings

I've had two children and never owned a pram, so used a good few wraps and still nap the youngest (2) in one.

Stretchy wrap like a Moby is good for newborns, but I also used woven ones (like the Calin Bleu gauze) and found it easier to breastfeed in the Ergo with the infant insert as I could adjust it slightly more easily.

My husband doesn't like wraps and found they didn't suit his triangular frame (riding up etc) so liked the Ergo/Boba type carrier.