I need a sling to hold dd whilst getting on/off bus with buggy, which one?

[Norfolkbumpkin]

dd is 9months old and weighs 17lb. I need a sling that is easy to get her into and folds up to a fairly compact size. I recently bought a stretchy wrap as I though it would be fairly straightforward to leave it on and ready for dd to go into it whilst waiting at the bus stop. I just ended up getting flustered and wedging her in it any-old-how just to get on/off the bus quickly. My main concern is that dd doesn't 'hold on' whilst I bend down to sort out the pushchair, so I am wondering how secure she will be in a hip carry. I am looking at ring slings, pouch slings and 2.7m wraps. Anyone have any advice?

ring slings very easy once you get the hang of them
you'd still ideally need one hand free though - can you fold the buggy one handed?
if not I think you may have to ask a passer by instead

ring slings very easy once you get the hang of them
you'd still ideally need one hand free though - can you fold the buggy one handed?
if not I think you may have to ask a passer by instead

Agree with Franny re ring sling. We have one which is cloth and folds up under the buggy so is fab for that. When ds was littler i used to put his legs either side of my hips and pull the sling right up his back so he was secure. I could still unfold the buggy etc when he was in a tight carry like that, no need to ask a passer by (yet, anyway!)

I don't think ring slings or pouches are really hands free, certainly not enough to fold up a buggy and carry a bag.

And wraps are a bit of a palaver to put on and off in the street.

For outdoor trips with paraphernalia I would always go for a soft carrier or a mei tai.

My favourite for buses, trains, long hikes is the Sleepy Nico soft carrier. It's very comfortable, incredibly easy to put on, and very pretty.

They're available from:

www.sleepynico.com

Oh, and I should have said it folds up very small. It fits into a little pouch supplied with it.

oh gosh, mymblemummy, they are GORGEOUS.

That's the trouble. I really, really want all of them.

When we win the lottery....

which one do you have? i wish there were more photos of them actually ON the body. it's hard to see which is the nicest.

HOW MUCH???

They look lovely, especially the fabric, but not sure about those thin tape straps that go under your arms- has anyone tried wearing one?

(of course the daisy exp and the apple are the nicest imo)

The one I've got isn't on the site because they kindly sold it to me before they had a chance to photograph it, but it is similar to the Japanese Dream Blue.

The thin straps aren't weight-bearing. They are just to adjust the tightness of the carrier. All the weight goes on the thick, padded shoulder straps and waistband.

I don't think 60 pounds is too bad for a comfy carrier. Not cheap I admit, but if you compare it to the price of a pushchair it looks very reasonable and it is what I use instead of a pushchair.

They'll make up a carrier from your own fabric if you want too.

thanls mymble. You have made them dangerously tempting- agree with you Aitch- the apple on is pretty much my favourite.

Thanks everyone for replying, first chance today to look at the replies. I did wonder if I would still need to 'hold' dd if she was in a hip carrying sling. The stroller I have I just can't seem to master folding/unfolding with one hand. It seemed to be the easiest to fold etc in the shop, but I was pregnant at the time so not considering whether it could be a one-handed job. I think the thing that worries me about back carriers is the fact that I would have to someow master getting dd up and onto my back. Would be a lot easier if I had a sofa/armchair nearby, not likely at a bus stop!

Oh, the Sleepy Nico is for front carries as well as back carries, most soft structured carriers are.

If you're worried about not being able to manage your baby's weight on your front, it really shouldn't be a problem with any of the specialist carriers. They are designed to allow for bigger babies.

The trouble with most of the mass-produced carriers is they only seem to be designed for little babies, up to six months or so.

Although they claim they will go to higher weights, I've found you can only do that by adjusting the carrier so the baby is hanging quite low - and that kills your back.

The specialist carriers allow you to keep the baby high and tight, which is much more comfortable.

My little boy, although younger, is a good bit heftier than your daughter, Norfolk Bumpkin, and I never have any back pain carrying him in the Sleepy Nico or my mei tais, because I can keep him high and tight.

I like the Apple design too, Aitch and Pinky, but I don't think there are any I don't like!

the japanese one is also beautiful. i've mentioned them to my friend who was thinking of moving up to a mei tai, she's goiing to order one, so thanks.

You're very welcome Aitch. Now can I persuade them to give me a discount on another on the strength of this thread?!