Babywearing for a complete beginner

[missjennipenni]

Ok, I quite fancy giving this babywearing thing a go. It looks so natural and babies look so content. But i have a few issues that id like some advice on.

1. I have pervioulsy tried to carry my babies in the babybjorn type slings, but my huge norks make it impossible, baby seems to hang forward and im left with a very sore back - am i unsuitable for babywearing?

1. Do BF babies just want to feed all the time, being so close to the milk?

1. Which sling would you recommend for a beginner who hated the babybjorn type?

1. Im confused as to how often a,d in which circumstances you wear baby - i mentioned it to my mum, and she said "dotn you take them to bed like that, when you babywear??" Thats not true is it?

1. someone else told me that it makes yoru child far more clingy, that they wont go to anyone else and you are basically "tied" to your child and that its the wrong way to do things?

any helpfull advice would be gratefully appreciated! Im due baby #3 in May, and I would really like to go back to basics with this one!

1. It was the Babybjorn that was unsuitable, not you.

1. Not ime

1. A coorie-type pouch is the easiest imo as it has no rings / buckles / knots / adjusters to fiddle with but it is one-shouldered. A wrap like the Hugabub or the Moby distributes the weight better but has a bit more if a learning curve.

1. Whenever you (and the baby) want to - some people (like me) just use them as a pram alternative for going out and put the baby down on the mat / bouncer / basket etc at home, some people wear them round the house too.

1. rubbish - the theory is that spending lots of time with you makes them more secure and confident.

The Babywearer is a great resource (as well as MN, obv )

Miss JP,

1 don't know. probably not, I don't know The Babywearer, but that sort of thing no doubt help with questions like that.

3 For a newborn particularly I would recommend the tricotti sling. It holds them securely in a 'in arms' position, therefore much better for their spine. It also adapts as they get older but I preferred the huggababy as they get older.

2 Not imo.

3 as above

4 Whenever you like. As MrsBadger said, I think it is lovely to use a sling when you are out and about so that they are close to you yet securely held with the weight. It can be useful as home as well, so that they are happy yet you can be occupied with the other dcs or whatever.

5 Agree with Badger again.

Slings are FABULOUS imo, good luck with finding a good one. Magazines like Green Parent often have loads of adverts in the back about slings etc. best wishes, Elf.

Thanks alot for your input. I still have 17 weeks to go, but want to as gearedup as i can be for giving it a go. I think i want to use it as a pram alternative

One other q - are they warm enough in there? Do you use coats & blankets too? Or do they go under mums coat? lol can you tell im a little baffled about it all

PS thanks for the link, going to have a nosey now

I have a cotton pouch (not fleece) and generally wear it outside my coat.

DD wears normal 'outdoor' clothes, so today was in the sling in a vest, longsleeve tee, trousers, socks, fleecey jacket and hat. In the car I would have taken the hat off, and in the pram I would have put a blanket over her.
When she was smaller and less amenable to jackets I'd kind of swaddle her in a blanket instead.