Slings

[Daenarys]

Looking for some advice....

Just found out I am pregnant; my son will be 2.5 when baby arrives. Thinking a sling might be a good option so I can look after ds while keeping baby close and happy. But I wondered if you are able to go a long walk with baby in sling eg a 45min walk to nursery for ds?

Also, will he still need a buggy at that point?

Sorry if these are stupid questions - all so new!

Slings are amazing for letting you have your hands free. My two used to sleep in them for a good hour or two sometimes, there's no time restriction providing you use a good quality sling that keeps the baby's hips in the right position (so not dangling like the old Baby Bjorns).

I like the Caboo Close for the early months and then we have an Ergo which I can still carry my 3 year old in (she insists on having a turn if my 1 year old goes in it). You could find your local sling library to try them before you buy one to see which one suits.

I had a smaller age gap so had a tandem pram. It is useful to be able to strap them both into something but with 2.5 years you can probably manage with a sling (baby) and pram (toddler) or baby in the pram and the toddler on a buggy board or walking.

I have a buggy and 2 carriers. My partner didn't want to get an actual sling as he felt that it would be too complicated for him to use as well so we have the carriers with buckles and clips. They got some getting used to but now they work really well and we can both get them on and off with no issues.
It was a tiny bit daunting when our LO was a newborn as she was so small inside it however! I think the only thing is making sure that you keep their hips at the right position for their age. A decent shop would be able to tell you all about it though and most of the slings have some good videos on youtube. :)
I would recommend going to the shops or a sling library (If you are lucky enough to have one nearby which we aren't) and trying some out beforehand. It was really helpful to us as it meant that we got a carrier that we both liked and it was important to me that my partner was also happy to use it. :)
As far as I know you can use the sling for as long as you want as long as LO is properly supported :)

Thanks for your replies...i will def check out the caboo and also look into sling library..sound really helpful. And re buggy hope he can either walk and baby in pram or as you said baby in sling and him in buggy.

Pixiedust which carriers do you use? My Dh will need something simple to use as well or he just wont bother.

Sorry for the NZ link but this is his favourite carrier. It is probably cheaper in the UK (assuming you are there) as most things are :p

www.babyonthemove.co.nz/on-the-move/baby-wearing/front-and-back-baby-carriers/beco-gemini-carrier

We got gifted this one, but he doesn't trust it to actually hold our LO, even though it does perfectly fine :) I think he is just scared of the long ties even though it is actually easier to put on solo...

infantino.com/collections/carriers/products/sash

A stretchy sling is fantastic in the early weeks/months. They are soft and snuggly to keep tiny babies happily tucked up next to you. Sheffield sling library webpages have good info and instructions on how to tie them, it looks complicated at first but it's not at all. We walk up to 2 hours with ours, only downside is they can get a bit warm in hot weather but are ok if you and LO dress appropriately.

Try to find a sling library, as it's not so much about the best sling, as the one that's best for you. X

We have a 2.5 year gap (DS is not yet quite 2 months old so still early days here!) and I was very resistant to getting a double buggy as DD walks so well and hates being in a buggy.

I am finding a stretchy wrap (eg boba wrap) is handy for putting DS in at home so I can play with DD/get stuff done, then out and about I am generally putting DS in the pram with DD walking and have a sling with me (in the pram basket) that I can put DD in (I have a connecta, and am using it for a back carry, she still fits the baby one I already had right now - they are very adjustable - but won’t for long so I am looking at buying a toddler one) if she gets tired or cranky. DD walks about 75% of the time and loves going in the sling when tired as it is “like a clip choppy pony piggy back” so is fun . We tried a buggy board but with the bulky pram carrycot on as well the buggy board had to go quite far back and it made the pram long and awkward to manoeuvre. Also DD kept stepping off it without warning which was very unhelpful and risked tripping us both up.

I have a stretchy Hana wrap and love it. The material is part bamboo and really comfortable. DS is regulary in one for an hour whilst he sleeps.
Very easy to get him in/out when necessary. As pp says can become hot against you so dress accordingly.
Sling library was great as DS loved the stretchy but hated the close caboo so glad I hadn’t wasted money on one that was no good.
With DS2 in the wrap I can have hands free for shopping or holding DS1 hand, plus saves the hassle of using a pram

I have a Caboo carrier (it's a D-ring sling) which is amazing! Ideal from newborn

I’m planning this with a 2 year gap - I don’t really want the hassle or expense of a double buggy for such a short time - we have an icandy with carrycot and seat (got an extra part so can have both made up and choose each day which we want to use) so I’m planning either baby in carrycot and dd walking or toddler in pushchair and baby in sling. We have a Tula with newborn insert (from last time) but I fancy a stretchy sling for when it’s tiny and maybe at home when unsettled. We do have a stroller too for dd1 and plan on using both on big days out (when both me and dh and probably other family will be around) and taking on holiday.

I just have the one baby but found a carrier to be invaluable in the first 6 months. so much so that I never really used a buggy until ds was about 6 months and then just got a basic stroller type one.
I frequently went on long walks of 2 hours or so and baby would sleep for much of the time. great for getting out to the shops etc too and being hands free when by yourself.
I still use one now but ds is now 8 months so I find it less comfy for long periods of time but perfect if I just want to nip somewhere quickly.

Being a first time mum I was too scared on the wrap type ones and felt it was just one thing too much to get my head round so opted for the buckle style ones instead which my husband and parents have also found easy to use.
there are so many different styles though and I found not every style felt comfy for me or fit baby right so would highly reccomended trying out your local sling library.
I have hired about 6 different ones before only recently buying a beco Gemini. Will probably end up getting a few others eventually as all the different feature between styles have their pros and cons and I have yet to find one that will tick all my boxes from birth upwards.

if I had any more I would def try a stretchy wrap type sling though as I think these are more useful/comfy in the very early newborn stage and around the home

A stretchy wrap is great for newborns. Get it before the baby arrives so you can practice tying it - they can be used for bump support too.

If a carrier with buckles makes you more comfortable, have a look at Tula carriers and Connecta/Integra (same carrier, rebranded I think). They’re £60-100 BUT they can be sold on for not much less that what you bought them for. I’ve had a few woven wraps and carriers over my baby years and I think I’ve only actually spent (as in, not recouped from reselling once I finished with them) about £40 on four wraps (stretchy and woven) and two Connectas (baby size and toddler size). Best money I spent on baby equipment I think.

You’ll still need a buggy, but it wouldn’t necessarily have to be a double if you’re happy to sling the baby when the oldest needs in. But a double would be easier for times when you don’t want to have to do that.