Carrier/sling for 6 month old

[munchkinmaster]

Hi I've never much been into slings but I've also been unable to grow an extra pair of arms so need a steer to right one.

Baby is 8kg/6 months and I need something I can shove her in for 5 mins quickly while I chase toddler etc.

I had a baby Bjorn (not a real sling I know) with dd1 which I hated. So much faff to put on and really pulled me over forwards hurting my back.

I saw a baba sling online? Any advice?

If it's a quick on and off, then structured carriers like the ergo and manduca are great. So easy, and you'll be shocked at how light your baby feels vs the bjorn (especially if it's an old school one without hip support). I still carry my 12kg nearly-2 year old on my back for short periods most days days a week, and I'm 30 weeks pregnant and not particularly fit! Some people love ring slings at this age, though personally I found that they were too hard on my back.

If you have a local sling meet, it's worth popping over to try out other people's. Failing that, the ergo and manduca are pretty reliable and can also be bought second hand - but you do have to be careful especially with ergos, as there are quite a few fakes around on eBay.

I don't have one but the ergo has been recommended to me over and over. I think it'll do up to age 3 (piggy back style for walks) so you'd get your money's worth.

Ergo baby carrier.

Which ergo is it? Do they all go piggy back. I'd want that one. Looks like the bundle of joy or 360?

Manduca. I still use mine with my 17mo.

Manduca!

I have just switched my 5 month old from a Closer Caboo to an Ergo and love it! If I'm just out with the baby I rarely bother with a buggy. They are pricey so worth looking out for a well cared for second hand one.

For that age I'd also recommend an Ergo (we have the sport version) or a mei tai style carrier. With DS1 those were the two I was alternating at 6 months. I second the recommendation for a visit to a sling meet/library to try.

I have a beco soleil, it's similar to ergo and manduca already mentioned, I just found it most comfortable of a few I tried. Sling meets or libraries are really helpful as will open you up to lots of different options! I too had a baby bjorn for ds1, my back aches I'm so glad I found a much more comfortable sling.

I have a connecta. its very comfy!

I bought a connecta last week for 6 month old DS. It's fab.

I liked the look of the ergo but i know it's an occasional use thing for us so chanced a connecta instead.

Ergo brilliant from 6 months to 2 years. Really comfortable easy to use. I found other slings gave me backache when ds was tiny. Could walk a couple of miles easily with ds in ergo at 1 year.

I have a Connecta, once you get used to it you can put it on really easily.

I have an ergo sport version - material lighter & more breathable than the organic version & straps are more shaped - lots of demo videos on uTube which I found helped me when I was researching. We both found it comfortable to wear & our almost 2stone toddler is v easy to carry about in it!

Thanks. I've googled and there seems to be a 'sling meet' at the end of the month every month so I'll go to that. I hate to say it but the phrase makes me cringe a bit. I will wear a hat and try to be undercover.

I need to check I will use this before I splash out

Definitely best to try before you buy as different slings suit different body shapes.

A SSC would be perfect. I have a Rose and Rebellion - similar to many of those mentioned above but cheaper I think and in fab patterns.

I haven't quite got the hang of a solo back carry but am still carrying 16 month old DD while pregnant again (when someone can get her on and off for me!).

Definitely need to go to a sling meet as slings aren't cheap and different slings suit different people and babies.

A word of warning, though - if you've not worn your baby before now, she may not take to it. Another reason to go to a sling meet as you can usually borrow a sling/s you like the look of for a week or so for a very small fee (my local sling library hires out slings for £3 per week, for example)

We have an Ergo 360 (which we started using when DS was around 6 months old). Love it - and can't recommend it enough. Am still carrying him around in it relatively easily at 14 months (although can't walk as far with him as I used to - he's about 11kg now). Not sure I fancy carrying him on my back - but DH will. So should be using it for quite a bit longer. Expensive - but if priced per use it's been worth the money (plus they keep their value to sell on afterwards).