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Original poster

I've wondered about this before on MN (years ago)... why can't you buy ring slings...

32 replies

emkana · 19/07/2006 23:02

... in Mothercare etc.?
When I'm out with ds in the sling lots of people comment on my sling and how brilliant it is - why aren't these types of slings sold in high street shops, only on the net?
Just don't understand it!

OP posts:
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Original poster
emkana · 19/07/2006 23:22

Opinions please ladies! I know it's not exactly an earth-shattering question, but still!

OP posts:
laundrylover · 19/07/2006 23:23

Ah but if you could all the profit would go to multi-nationals and not crafty mums who sew them up in the evenings.

hunkermunker · 19/07/2006 23:24

Because Tomy and Baby Bjorn have exclusive deals with them, maybe?

Or because there's no demand for them because first-time mums think a dribble bib is a necessary thing to have on a sling, rather than it actually being any fecking use past four months

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Charlottesweb · 19/07/2006 23:25

Hmm probably the same reson that cloth nappies aren't sold in my local shops Because the majority of people don't use them. I know my friend came to stay recently and she had her baby in a lovely tie dyed ring sling she had made herself and in my narrow minded village, well, she was the talk of it! They all crowded round to see this wee sleeping baby and asked my friend all sorts of awkward questions, which she answered brilliantly! She said afterwards she was very tempted to whip out her breast and insist baby needed feeding whilst spoofing the virtues of cloth nappying!! LOL

laundrylover · 19/07/2006 23:33

LOL CW.
I took DD2 for her jabs today in a kangaroo hold for the first time and the receptionist said 'oh she looks like a baby kangaroo' which made me smile.
Also a woman bf in the waiting room with a string vest and no bra so she just put her top down and had whole boob showing- even I was impressed.

rubles · 20/07/2006 08:50

Emkana, I've wondered this. I hate Baby Bjorn, but that is all you can get anywhere.
When you're a first time mum you just don't know what is best and what is going to be a complete waste - I so wish I'd gone for a ring sling, but the BBjorns were everywhere so I thought they must be good. Duh.

oranges · 20/07/2006 08:57

where do i get a ring sling? we have a baby bjorn too - I swear its designed for men - dh loves it but it destroys my back.

Pagan · 20/07/2006 09:01

I had the same - people asking me where I got mine, lots of "awwww, how cute" looks and comments. I did ask Mothercare and the assistant just looked at me with a vacant expression and replied something along the lines of "we've never been asked for them"

blueshoes · 20/07/2006 09:35

So where can I get a ring sling as well? Particularly one suitable for a petite woman?

kiskidee · 20/07/2006 09:35

ring sling = £30 (max-ish)
push chair = £200 (at least)

kiskidee · 20/07/2006 09:38

www.bigmamaslings.co.uk has loads of brill baby carriers

Original poster
emkana · 20/07/2006 09:39

I got mine from www.slingeasy.co.uk
But there are lots and lots to be found on the internet. Just google ring sling.

OP posts:
morningpaper · 20/07/2006 09:41

I'm surprised that there isn't a niche for a sling-seller doing the rounds at NCT groups etc, with one of those life=like weighted baby-dolls, so people can try them on and see what they feel like. You'd think it would be a good revenue maker.

SoupDragon · 20/07/2006 09:46

I've got a pouch sling from Brightsparks sling and I've had so many comments on the school run. It's fab and doubles up as a blanket, something to lie them on the floor in and a change mat

kiskidee · 20/07/2006 09:47

a friend of mine was offered a position to make the rounds at mum and tots groups but with a daughter in secondary, one in primary and one at home, it took a lot of logistics to make it work.

kiskidee · 20/07/2006 09:48

www.sleepytoes.co.uk a SAHM who makes fab slings at a great price.

blueshoes · 20/07/2006 10:19

Thanks for all those great suggestions!

Were any of you able to breastfeed baby whilst in the sling? If so, do you need to use one/both hands to support? Just thinking of logistics with bf-ing baby and lion-taming a toddler.

Pruni · 20/07/2006 10:20

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Original poster
emkana · 20/07/2006 10:26

don't know about capitalist plot, but such a shame that most women don't know that there is a choice of different types of carriers.

OP posts:
alexsmum · 20/07/2006 10:33

i loved my baby bjorn too.super comfy and practical.i used it until ds was nearly 1 and he was a BIG boy.

misdee · 20/07/2006 10:38

i use a wrap sling or ring sling. i find the wrap sling better for feeding a young baby in. have fed her whilst walking round a market, on the beach etc etc with the wrap. did manage to feed her in the ring sling once she was older.

it also meant that when we went on holidays i took the buggy for dd2, and the sling for dd3. in fact one weekend, i didnt even take the buggy, mind you i pushing Peter in a wheelchair so there was no chance of pushing a buggy as well.

neena28 · 20/07/2006 10:41

What age/weight can you use the slings up to?

My dd is 1 and is reasonably sized for her age. I've had a baby bjorn which i also liked but she is now just too heavy for it.

I liked the look of the hippseat thing but have never seen anyone with one or know anyone that's got one.

Sorry for the hijack, emkana!

misdee · 20/07/2006 10:51

dd3 is 17months but only 21lb, am still carrying her.

kiskidee · 20/07/2006 12:53

the right sling/carrier can be used up to 35 lbs.

my friend carries her 3 yr old in a MaiTei.

bigmamaslings has a comparison page which details age / weight / carry etc.

kiskidee · 20/07/2006 12:54

wrap slings also go up to 30 odd lbs.