Baby sling for round the house

[GiftWrappedSuburbanDreams]

Please can someone recommend me a sling I can put my newborn velcro baby in?
I've tried the Koala cuddle band, but he really doesn't like it. He stiffens up when he goes in and lifts his head instead of relaxing into me.
Thank you in advance!

Find a sling library! They are brilliant and will help you find what you need and you can try what works for you without making a costly mistake.

Second trying a sling library or sling consultant. I had an ergobaby aura that I really didnt like. I ended up trying a boba wrap with the sling consultant and it was great! Much better than the ergobaby.

Thank you both, I've checked online and I don't think I have a sling library close by unfortunately.
I will take a look at the boba wrap.
@PotteringAlonggotkickedoutandhadtoreregister Yes I'm worried about buying another and it not being suitable. 😟 Thank you anyway x

Join the Baby Wearing UK group on Facebook. There are several baby wearing consultants on there who give invaluable advice and ensure you carry your baby safely.

I use our Ergobaby Omni 360 inside and outside. When you’re carrying them a lot you really do need one that gives proper support to protect against back pain, pelvic floor issues etc. I couldn’t recommend it enough. Currently using it with our second and it’s my favourite bit of kit by far.

There are online sling libraries where you can rent by post.
https://koalaslings.co.uk/collections/sling-library
https://www.carri-ed.co.uk/

Any stretchy wrap IME - do the newborn hug hold. There are two ways of tying this, you do an X over front and back and then a horizontal band. But one way has the horizontal band first, and the other way has the X tucked in through the horizontal so the horizontal is sort of the outside layer. The latter (with X underneath) is my preference.

It can take a bit of practice to get it the right tightness. You want to make it snug (ish) rather than leaving space for the baby. The stretch in the fabric should allow it to make space. I did get more confident with my later babies.

I've had a few different stretchy wraps and I did really like the Boba one, it's nice and thick so gives more support than one with more lycra in it.

The Koala Cuddle Band looks a bit like the Close Baby Carrier (is it still called that? With the rings) and I think they are more difficult to use.

If you don't have a sling library nearby, see if you have an LLL branch, breastfeeding café, NCT bumps & babies/early days meet up or a breastfeeding peer support group. Those are the kinds of places you will find other mums who have used slings before and you don't need an expert, just someone who knows how it should look and feel.

You might also have luck at an independent baby goods shop if there's one near you or possibly even John Lewis?

I like my close caboo for inside the house, bought it on eBay for a tenner

Ergobaby embrace was perfect for cuddly contact naps with my newborn. She grew out of it by about four months though

I'd go with a stretchy wrap as they can stay tied while you take the baby in and out as needed. Downsides are they can be hot to wear and they only last till the baby is around 6 months as they get too heavy and wriggly. If you wanted to stay with a wrap after that you'd need a proper woven on but we preferred a bucked carrier like the Ergo at that stage. Sling libraries are great.

the north east sling library is run by a lovely lady who does postal hire!

www.northeastslinglibrary.co.uk

came on here to recommend the Koala, as that's what we used at home.
what about the ergo embrace? I used that as well. Get the jersey one rather than the mesh one as it's comfier

How old/big are they?

I used ergobaby 360 from birth for my eldest. Middle was tiny as a newborn and the sling felt too big, so got an ergobaby embrace for the first few months. Baby three was my biggest (8lb), but at 2 weeks old is also currently spending a lot of time in the embrace!

The ergo 360 is by far the best baby purchase I’ve ever made. I’ve used it with the older two from birth/3m until 20 weeks into my next pregnancy (when they were around 18-20m), and husband still uses it to carry the toddler.

Can I just give a word of caution. I live in Australia, and here this terrible story https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/19/nurse-was-talking-to-mother-for-15-minutes-as-baby-lay-unconscious-in-soft-sling-nsw-inquest-told was all the news were talking about for weeks.
Young babies suffocating in slings are not unheard off. So always be mindful about that risk when using one.

There has actually been a similar case in the UK recently where a baby died whilst feeding in a sling. I believe the Lullaby Trust have commissioned new research into slings as a result and the coroner has written to the NHS for them to update their guidance. But otherwise TICKS is a good acronym to use -
Tight
In view at all times
Close enough to kiss
Keep chin off the chest
Supported back.

https://www.lullabytrust.org.uk/investigating-the-safety-of-slings-and-baby-carriers/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6kJBnxr04Ug-tcHUx-FTYWBS5jtKzetdqfsWDdEaB8T4Ay7-ZJPhUIc4CF1A_aem_LjLc18rwxerW82Phwq5qfQ

This is the lullaby trust link if anyone is interested.

I liked the caboo wrap for both in the house and out and about

Thank you everyone. The news articles are chilling. I've always felt cautious about it, but even more so now. I'll still give one a go and will see how we get on. I've ordered the ergo embrace and if it doesn't feel right for my baby I'll be able to return it.
Appreciate all your help and recommendations 💜