Which Sling should I get?

[mum2george]

Am pregnant with no2 at the moment and I thought I would ask you lovely people out there for some advice on slings.

We never really got on with the babycarrier we had for no1 but did find baby wearing really useful as DS was a bit full on.

So, I've been looking at a new sling for no2 and have narrowed the choice down to:

The Close Baby Carrier (new so I can't find any reviews)

Hugabub or

A wrap sling like the Storchenwiege or similar.

They all seem about the same in price so thats not what will sway the decision.

What will be important is fitting. I'm a bit on the small side, usually a size 8 and 5'1" so it needs to fit me well and go over both shoulders.

Can anyone recommend one of the slings I've mentioned or another one that is good for shorties?

There is a company local to me that rents out slings, rumplebums. I thought it might be a good idea to rent one to see how I get on with it but she only has the Storchenwiege.

Anyway, all your reviews comments please!

I am small (size 10, just over 5') and I seriously recommend this

Too, this looks good but was really looking for one that went over both shoulders as I'm a bit of a weed!

Loopy, thats a great site, thanks very much. Will look at it tomorrow as, can you believe it, I am actually going out with the girls tonight

Mumtogeorge

I'm your height and build and my physio who was also pregnant at the time recommended the Wilkinet - it's what physio's like apparently. Got one and found it fab. But note I'm a first time mum so no idea what to compare it to!

My son was born tiny and was so snug in it and he ended up very big - it can be used comfortably until they are about 29pounds. I also liked the fact that baby was held very close to me.

Good luck.

Mum2george

I have a Close Baby Carrier and it's fab. I'm size 12 so bigger than you but my nanny is size 8 and under 5" and it fits her too- though ds is now 6 mths and his legs almost down to her knees now! But that would be the same with any carrier! Also have a Didymos which I like but takes longer to put on so often don't bother, and a Maya wrap but as he's heavier now it kills my shoulder. So Close is my usual choice as it's the most comfy. Ds loves it too! Have carried him far more than my other 2.

ds has just outgrown his babybjorn, after a tip from another mner i bought 6 metres of muslin and am using that as a wrap, its marvellous! was £8 so if you are willing to pay £10 to hire one you cant exactly lose

I love both my Hugabub and my Wilkinet - as DS gets heavier, the Hugabub is slightly more comfortable as it distributes his weight more evenly, but the Wilkinet is more hands free as he wriggles his arms out of the Hugabub

storchenweige (and Hoppediz) are both very very good wrap slings and both are cheaper than Didymos. For a newborn carry, with your build you could get one that is 4.6 metres long and will be able to do all carries with it, from newborn to toddler. Some shorter wraps, (about 3.2 m) are good for pouch sling carries without the excess material that a longer sling would leave trailing.

both also have high resale values if you don't get on with it.

if you don't mind second hand, there is a yahoo group called UKbabywearingSWAP where people buy, sell and trade all manner of slings which can range from nearly new to well loved.

i've tried a close carrier and really liked it. very easy to put on and adjust, easily sharable by diff size parents, extra wrap for newborn seems a bit like an afterthought (and is essential to get proper support imo) but would still recommend for a littly, soft, snuggly etc.

wraps are more of a pita w/littlies ime and not so great for quick trips out e.g. school run, putting on in carparks etc. BUT would be a lot better support/flexibility-wise w/older babe 9mo+ (woven vs stretch much better saupport when heavier)

personally i'd never say pick this carrier it's better for everything, horses 4 courses innit (have massive sling stash that goes along w/this opinion ). no fitting issues either way - close carrier fine for petite. you may feel a bit drowned in a long wrap. i'd say close if you're looking mostly for early days carrier, can always exchange for wrap later if you get into the whole slinging thing.

Go to www.kari-me.com/ this is the best sling imo and great if you choose to breast feed. Its really comfortable for baby and Mum/Dad/carer!!!

I love my hugabub and so does DS - and many people often stop me and ask me about it.

He loves to be all snuggly - plus I hardly feel like I am carrying him, and he is a bit of a lump!