Slings - where am I going wrong?

[nightlarking]

I think the only way to get anything done with DS around is to master the sling. I would also like to get out walking now, and the pram is a no go as we live in the middle of nowhere without a pavement in sight.

I have a Cybex yerma click and an ergobaby wrap. The wrap is a nightmare- so unwieldy and a fucking trip hazard. The cybex is nigh on impossible to get the straps the right length.

I'm on my own trying to do this, and DS doesn't love being cuddled chest to chest in the first place!

Is there a trick I'm missing or a magic sling to try?

DS is a sturdy 9 week old with a pretty strong neck already.

We love the Ergobaby Embrace. Got a bargain second hand.

Slings are very personal though. Try a local sling library to test some and get advice.

Thanks @FizzingWhizzbee123 is it easy to put on and get baby in on your own?

Unfortunately sling libraries aren't running where I am at the moment

I was using stretchy wraps like Ergobaby from birth to 5 months, and I found them to be a lifesaver BUT you do need a bit of practice at the beginning.

After some regular use you'll be able to do it in your sleep

Follow ‘@wearmybaby’ on Instagram - she is so great. Long and short of it is that carriers are almost certainly too loose and too low - you need to carry much tighter and higher than you might expect, but it invariably improves comfort and position. The wear my baby lady explains it much better in her videos! She’s also very responsive to questions. (This is absolutely not an ad and I have no vested interest - I just follow along and think she’s super!)

I found the Close Caboo amazing at that age. No complicated wrapping (I have really bad dexterity and can't manage things that require lots of going up and over and under), you just put the straps on, stick baby in and tie the second piece around the front.

I had one of those long fabric things that required all sorts of wrapping and it was bloody awful and I used it like twice (and it felt like the baby was going to fall out). But the Close Caboo I used loads until DD was too big for it and we moved to a more structured one.

This site has lots of great advice and the option to hire slings and wraps to test them out before you decide to invest in buying: itsaslingthing.co.uk

I found elastic (stretchy) wraps like Ergobaby Aura (lots of other brands too) fantastic with a newborn. Tying them looks daunting at first but you master it quickly and then it takes no more than 20 seconds. Best of all, you can put it on in the morning like a top and then just put baby in and out as needed, no need to tie it every time. Some brands have shorter lengths, or you can just wrap the extra material around you if it's too long. Though elastic wraps start to sag too much at around 3-4 months so after that a buckle carrier is a better option... or a woven wrap.

Close caboo is great as it has the comfort of a wrap, but is pre wrapped so takes a lot of the faff away. And then I had a connecta when ds got bigger which I loved.

Google your slings on you tube , there will be tutorials on how to use them.

And always remember, M shaped froggy legs, and head close enough to kiss.

I actually love the Aura wrap for DS but I did ask a nanny friend to show me how to use it because it seemed too much. We’re also in the middle of nowhere and a pushchair is a no go, the closes shop is across the field and over stiles. We bought a Chicco carried from Argos for £21.99 when we forgot to take the wrap to a relative and DH loves it. We’re looking at getting something more sturdy as DS gets bigger.

Another vote for the Embrace! So easy and so secure!

Ergo360 is pretty good, you can get them really cheap second hand. Look on Facebook marketplace.

All carriers are a bit fiddly, there’s usually some really useful tutorials on YouTube & then try practising with a large teddy bear or something 😂

I honestly wouldn’t bother buying another carrier at this stage!! You have two good ones (the wrap especially for this age) - just adjust your technique a bit and you’ll be grand (and richer…)

What size wrap do you have? They are perfect and so versatile when you get the hang of them, it just needs a bit of practice and finding a tie that suits you, there is a YouTube channel I think called "wrapped in love" that gives step by step instructions for different wrap sizes and carry techniques.

Are they not doing virtual appointments at your sling library? I'm sure you can find one that is even if the local one isn't. I'm rubbish with slings unless someone guides me through it probably

Properly*

Ergo baby 360 with the new born inserts. DS loved being snuggled close to my front, DD hated it and I barely used it until she went on my back at 5 months.