Slings/baby carriers

[Moonbeam7]

Hi all. I'm looking into purchasing a sling for my 9 week old ds and just after some advice/opinions/tips etc.

Do you use a sling? Do you bf in one? What's the best one for this purpose?

I've got my heart set on getting the bb ring sling, I've seen on the nct website; does anyone have this? Is it any good? What I love about it is I've seen a youtube tutorial on how to wear it and it's the easiest I've ever come across!

Thanks

Scarlet- that link isn't working for me. Is it a sling or a carrier?

Sorry it's a Mamas and Papas deluxe baby carrier.

Just to let you know Scarlet, carriers like that can be really bad for a baby's hips and spine. They also put all the baby's weight on their crotch which is not designed for weight bearing. here's a link explaining. Carriers like ergo, boba, and manduca hold baby's hips in the correct position.

It's really not a 'crotch dangler' though so I would refute that, especially as he is so comfy he goes straight to sleep against my chest as soon as he's in it.

Lots of people rave about the p&p.. never heard anything bad about them, your little one would be a bit small for one just yet though i think. They need good head control. :)

scarlet, it's worth doing the research. carriers like the ones we use hold the baby's weight differently to the high street ones. that makes you more comfortable as they get bigger but more importantly keeps them closer to your centre of gravity - so you're a lot less likely to trip over

p+p me this are rubbish, don't know about ring slings

Scarlet, because his hip isn't supported all the way to the knee he can be at risk of hip and spine damage. I only told you so you could make an informed decision.

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

If you look at the illustration on the right hand side under the heading 'Baby Harnesses', that's the type of carrier that I have:

Thigh is supported to the knee joint. The forces on the hip joint are minimal because the legs are spread, supported, and the hip is in a more stable position.

I appreciate your advice but please don't make out that all of the carriers are harmful and dangerous! My ds is only ever in it for short journeys of less than an hour at a time too.

I didn't say all carriers were dangerous, if you'll re-read my post you'll see I actually recommended some economic carriers. I have looked it up and a Mamas and Papas deluxe baby carrier does not support the hip joint to the knee. No need to get snappy.

Scarlet, that carrier doesn't support knee to knee. There's no confirmed evidence that that's harmful, but as someone who started out with that type of carrier and then moved onto better ones, I can tell you that others are much more comfortable. I can carry my baby all day in a proper ergonomic carrier. In a baby Bjorn (even the deluxe model) my shoulders and back would be hurting within half an hour.

I have a Kari-Me. I don't bf, but my aunt did and she loved her Kari Me. It's a stretchy wrap. We still use it occasionally with ds1 who is 2.5! Ds2 loves being in it. He's 10 weeks if that helps

Economic = ergonomic.

Sorry I have to agree that the mamas and papas carrier pictured in that argos link definitely does not support knee to knee. It's not wide enough for it to be possible.

If you want to make it supportive you can always use the scarf hack. Or keep using it if you're happy and your baby's happy, there's no law that says you need a knee to knee carrier, it's just that most people find them more comfortable! :)

Scarf hack:
www.fineandfairblog.com/2013/12/narrow-based-carrier-scarf-hack.html

www.babybjorn.com/baby-carriers/baby-carrier-one/ How bizarre, it looks like the newest baby bjorn actually does support the thighs to some extent, though they have still stopped short of the M-position. This is much better but it's baffling that they haven't gone the whole way. I suppose it's to protect their facing out position which is so popular.

And this is interesting marketing spiel too:

"Legs and arms can move freely in the Baby Carrier One, allowing your child to develop muscles, motor skills and balance."

I'm guessing this is a dig at wrap type carriers where the newborn's arms and legs are tucked in. But having them "free to move" doesn't actually provide any benefits as such. Having them properly supported would be better!