Wrap Sling- am I doing it wrong?

[tb4122]

I have a stretchy wrap sling that I'd like to use for 3 week old DS but both times I've used it I've felt like it's uncomfortably tight. I've watched loads of videos on how to tie it and they all say you must pull it snug before tying it but both times I've felt like my chest is being crushed once DS is in there, so goodness knows how it feels for his little body...! He feels lovely and secure and I can be confidently hands free but it doesn't feel right for it to be so tight that I almost feel breathless.

Also, what should I dress him in when in the sling? Planning to go to the Longleat lights on Thursday and likely to be quite cold still. I'm thinking long sleeved vest, babygro, jumper, mittens and a hat. I have a coat with a baby wearing insert that can go over him too but I'm worried about overheating him as I know the sling counts as layers too. Would the babygro be better as trousers and socks so that the sling can't risk pulling the material tight on his feet?

It does have to be fairly snug to support them bit you don’t want it to be too tight.

I struggled at first and realised I needed to wrap it more tightly round my waist (higher up at your narrowest part), as I was tying it too low. Get it nice and tight on you and it won’t need to be as tight on the baby.

Personally though I didn’t persist with a sling for long - some babies love it but I think mine felt it was too restrictive. I bought a carrier instead.

The stretchy wrap one should be tight but still have some give for you to pop baby in.
i get on much better with a carrier out the house than a a wrap, but in the house wrap feels less bulky.

layer wise, depends on temp, what are you wearing? When it was peak cold in the NW last week we went to a similar thing and 3m old wore long sleeved vest, tights, fuzzy onesie and a pram suit, with double layer cellular blanket over her. So probably in this slightly warmer (lol) weather and in carrier I’d do vest, socks, fuzzy onesie, cardigan as you say, sling and your coat will be layers. If you’re worried take an extra layer in your bag and keep checking their core temp on chest

I always found a wrap sling very hard to get right. Ergo slings are MUCH easier, especially when baby is a little bigger.

In terms of temperature, the sling should help baby stay at the same temperature as you, so if you are both inside a warm coat and the baby's feet are properly covered then it should be fine. babygro with feet is much more reliable than socks which always fall off.