Alternative to Connecta?!

[coffeeandcake14]

I desperately want a Connecta Carrier but I they seem to be out of stock everywhere! I'm especially cross as I has the gorgeous Liberty Mauverina print one in my M and S shopping basket online earlier and by the time I checked out, it was out of stock! I'm not a fan of stretchy wrap slings and I really need one in the next week so can't wait for a restock on the Connecta site. Can anyone recommend anything similar?

How old is your DC and what will it be used for? I also don't get on with stretchys and have carried my now 12wo in a Lenny lamb ring sling since she was 3wo. I also have a connecta but find she still seems too little for it (and she is a large 91st centile baby). I have tried manduca carriers too and my DH likes it but I prefer the connecta. There's a Facebook connecta buy and sell page if you want one quickly.

Have a look at Sleepy Nico, gorgeous fabrics, made in Suffolk and will custom make for you too.

I have had two connecta's and have hired a Tula and actually really loved the Tula.
I know this is always trotted out but if you can find a sling library near you you can hire for weeks at a time.
Sleepy Nico is apparently similar as well although I've not tried one .

I second the Connecta buy/sell page as well as eBay.

Try a pre loved Facebook group like slings n things and post for the specific design(s) you want, you might be able to get a second hand one

Search for "soft structured buckle carriers". Google to see if you have a local sling library, or hire online from "it's a sling thing"

There are loads of brands. I have a connecta but I also considered Rose and Rebellion, Madame Goo Goo and Tula. I tried a Boba but wasn't a fan.

The Boba; it's brilliant, I can't recommend it highly enough. My baby screamed blue murder in the Connecta but loves the Boba. Have you actually rang the main Connecta shop in Godalming? I live nearby & although their website says out of stock on all carriers, in the actual shop the shelves are stuffed full.

Connecta are in the process of moving from their Godalming shop to much bigger premises. There should be more availability then. They were being restocked on the website at 8pm tonight - there may be done still if you look.

Connecta baby carrier b/s/t group on Facebook is a great one - there will be one there for you!

I actually prefer the Tula to the connecta. There are sling rental sites if you wanted to test the connecta for a couple of weeks until it is available.

If you're desperate you could hire one?

Find your local sling library or www.northeastslinglibrary.co.uk will do postal hires.

I loved my Tulas

I didn't know there was a facebook buy/sell site, I'll have a look. I did know they are in the process of moving and they did a brief restock but there is nothing left again now!
I will give the shop a call tomorrow and see what they say. I'm just so annoyed as I spent ages researching slings and as soon as I'm ready to commit, I can't get it!

DD2 is only 2 weeks old so need something suitable for newborns

For a newborn a soft stretchy wrap is maybe better? My dd lived in her nct close caboo until she was 17ish weeks (or the moby but it's a faff to tie) then moved onto the Connecta/boba

You are fine with a connecta as a newborn as long as they are over the minimum weight. Both of mine were chunkers who were in them from birth.

www.lovetobenatural.co.uk/baby-carriers/buckle-carriers/connecta-baby-carrier.html?limit=all

Also, try here maybe?

We had an abc (action baby carrier) which was fab. Delivery was really quick too. I found that the waist was more supportive than a connecta.
www.actionbabycarriers.co.uk/collections/regular-size-action-baby-carriers?sort_by=price-ascending

As I mentioned about my 12wo is 91st centile and I think she still seems a bit little for my Connecta. She's been well over the weight limit since birth but feels much more snug and secure in my ring sling. I didn't get on with a stretchy either. Other pps have got on with connectas from birth so it obviously can be done but that's just my experience.

Thanks for the suggestions. I've sent a request to join the facebook site and have emailed the shop as the Facebook page says they are not available by phone until September! Hope they can just post one out bit we'll see. Godalmings miles away so visitings not really at option. Will look at the other options today, just in case

odog you can take the chest strap and put it around the bottom of the connecta to make the seat smaller for her if you think she'd be more snug that way?

m.youtube.com/watch?v=BvFPeZkbHn0

I had a connecta and loved it. I would recommend looking at eBay if you want one in the next week and can't get to the shop. I found loads on there, although I love near to Godalming and went in eventually and got a fucking amazing Harry Potter one in the shop.

I also live near to Godalming...

On the off chance that you read this, apparently there is a small restock of connecta happening right now on their website...!

Yes I second the sleepy Nico! And the Tula. (Greedy me has a sleepy Nico, Tula and connecta solarweave for my two toddlers) they are all good for different reasons, the Tula has very thick padding and that make it rather sweaty in hot weather. The sleepy Nico has a not quite so structured waistband.
And the connecta no real padding or waistband as such,

I've bought all my Connecta's off Facebook buying and selling groups so well worth searching and following them, I've never bought a carrier new. I have a Beco toddler now but a structured one is very different so if you like a Connecta style try the selling groups.