Recommend me a sling...

[Spainintherain]

It's for a big three month old. He's 75th centile and I think about 14 pounds? I have a toddler too so I really need a sling now. Im wondering if cloth ones will hurt my back as he is getting big?

I loved my ergo.
Lasted well in to toddlerhood. Comfy, supportive and easy to use.
Can use on your front or back too.

I love the original ergo and the Tula. I wasn't a fan of the 360 for bigger babes. It didn't feel like it spread their hips well once they got taller.

One thing I would say is that, if you are starting now when baby is already 14 pounds, don't give up if your back gets a bit achey. Keep going. People who carry from birth find their muscles and posture adapt as baby gets bigger. My 11kg 18 month old feels no heavier to me than she did as a newborn but her hair does go in my mouth now so she's moved to my back!

ergobaby.co.uk/baby-carrier/original-collection/original-pure-black this one is the one I had.

I had a Hanna wrap when he was new and then a Connecta carrier which I loved. He's super heavy now (13kg at 17months) but I can still front carry him for short periods and we're practicing our back carry!

Are any of these easy to sling on when we get out of the car? I'm thinking when I start my toddler at nursery soon, I have tendinitis so can't take the baby for the short walk from car to nursery door in car seat, so I need to put him in the sling and walk toddler in? I'm thinking out loud! And are they easy to wear around the house?

I loved my connecta. Think they have rebranded as integra

I also have a connecta which is lovely and easy to use. But it does hurt my shoulders. I think you really need to try a few types.

Have a look to see if there's a local sling library near you.

I have an izmi really easy to put on its like a cloth one but has clips so easier to fasten x

Some people I know put slings on at home, drive in them and then just pop the baby in when they arrive. This is newborn soft stretchy slings so not sure if it would work with ones for bigger babies. Might be something to look at though.

We have a Tula and it’s really easy. My parents both use it regularly (do childcare 3 x per week) and they are late 50s/60s and whilst fairly healthy are more prone to aches and pains now they are a bit older but have no issues. They are also both able to put it on independently. I find it much easier to pop him in from the car than to faff about with a pushchair. You can front or back carry in it and it distributes weight well. My chunky munchkin is about 10.5kg (9 months) and doesn’t feel heavy at all.

I think you need a proper structured carrier with lumbar support if you want to protect your back.

I've got the Ergobaby adapt and have been really happy with it (having previously not got on at all well with the Close Caboo).

The Ergo Adapt is very straightforward to put on for a front carry. As a pp suggested, if you'll only be driving for a few minutes and if it might be hurried at the other end just set the carrier up on you before you leave the house and lower baby into it when you get there (I got away with this with DD until she was over a year old but she was on the small side). Now at 24m I have to put DD on me then fasten the carrier around her.

Have you any sling libraries where you live? You can get advice and hire them. I loved the one I had after a day but 2 weeks in I was glad to give it back.
Just a thought

I tried and wasted money in a couple. Then I got a Tula and loved it. I had a huge baby and back problems. This was super easy to put on, baby loved it, looks great

And supportive and comfortable!

Definitely try to find a sling library to try before you buy. It's so individual to you, your baby and your needs.

We had a Close Caboo from newborn - unlike PP, we (me, DH and DS) all loved it but that got uncomfy from about 3/4 months - he was a 90th percentile baby though. We tried a Neko Switch from the sling library and hated it - it felt ok initially, but DS never really settled in it, and it was hard to adjust between me (5' 5) and DH (6' 2). So glad we didn't buy it! Then we tried a Connecta which we loved and so bought our own second hand.

I’ve got a big nearly 5 month old. I have an ergo 360 and a beco gemini, is recommend both of them. Both have lumbar support and both very easy to put on yourself.

I don't have a sling library anywhere near me at all. So I just have to go recommendations. I'm worried that already he hates to be put down in his cot unless almost asleep and he will want to be held more? But I really need it!

Please can I know which Tula you have if you have one? I have tried looking every where but there is no sling library. Thank you

Hi,

There is a national sling library where they post you slings and you send them back, called it’s a sling thing: itsaslingthing.co.uk/
Def worth the postage to find the one you like.
I had a beco which was ace but she got too big, so tried sleepy nico, tula and then integra and wasn’t til the last on that I was happy. It’s so personal to you and your baby. But once you find the one it’s the best!
Good luck

lsing library would be ideal but some companies will let you hire one before you buy. I love the LexyKinga Design baby carriers and she will let you hire one before you buy so you can make sure it is right for you!

I have also had a beco gemini, Close Caboo DX Go that I would rate highly. The Caboo DX Go is good for just having in the car and slinging them on, its lightweight and rolls down into a built in little bag - great for travelling too.
At 18months my son is just moving into a toddler and I am ordering a custom LexyKinga full buckle as they are super comfy.

I am a shorter lady and found the ergo and tula's too long for my body.

hope that helps :)

Thank you

I opted for the Tula because I found that my DH (hello kitty ) Ergobaby 360 pulled on my neck muscles. I chose the Tula because I'm a big gal and it's American so more generous around the waist. I also have serious problems with my ankles and am a bit clumsy so needed a sling that was easy to put on and comfortable and I really did find this to be case with the Tula. They are also very stylish with a huge range of patterns.
However, the comments here about getting used to carrying the baby are true and I can now use the Ergobaby with ease because I'm definitely fitter these days. The Tula will carry them until they are toddlers but unfortunately it is only inward facing or on the back and now that my DC is 17 months old I prefer the versatility of the 360. She just became too wriggly for the Tula but is happy when outward facing in the Ergo baby. We have now sold the Tula and I got over half of what I bought it for so considering I used it a lot for a year I've made my peace with that. In all honesty, our DC walks now so I don't think we will be slinging for very much longer and if I'd only had the Tula I'd still be using it happily. It was definitely my preferred sling when DC was younger and that was when we used it more.

If it's for short journeys (car to nursery), a ring sling is great. You literally just throw it on over your head, takes a second and you can drive in it no problem.

I've got a ring sling, a full buckle carrier and a back pack - they all come in handy on different occasions. I bought all second hand, they came to £110 all in.