slings - am I being thick?

[Beesmummy]

I just can't seem to get the hang of them. Been given a gorgeous hand-me-down one

(this one: www.serenaandlily.com/March-2009/For-Mom-Market-Sling_old/Market-Sling-Flax-Sky-Blue )

and whatever position I try it in, month old dd2 just ends up in a crumpled heap in the bottom, howling. It is a large, so maybe it is just the size, but she also swings around down by my hips which feels very weird. But I am 5'9, so would have thought I would need a large?

How the heck are you supposed to use them? I bought a cheaper version of this for dd1 and couldn't get the hang of it then either, ended up using a Baby Bjorn style one instead.

I know there are some sling fanatics on here - I want to join the cult, but I just can't figure out how!

Your link isn't working! utube has some good 'how to tie your sling' videos. What type is it?

www.serenaandlily.com/March-2009/For-Mom-Market-Sling_old/Market-Sling-Flax-Sky-Blue

does it adjust? i see no rings or anything in that pic.

Can you tighten the straps at all?

I guess some babies just dont like them, ds always liked being up-right so I had a Mei Tai for him which I thought was fab.

It needs to be a good fitting sling - I can't see any adjustments on it either. My first sling was given to me as a present which didnt adjust and it was rubbish really. I bought this one next

cgi.ebay.co.uk/FREEDOM-SLING-THRIFTY-Baby-Carrier-0-3yrs-Breastfeeding_W0QQitemZ300266417 409QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCarriersBackpacks?hash=item300266417409&trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1 688%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1308

which I loved. I'm 39 weeks pregnant at the moment with no 2 and am off to buy some material this morning to see if I can do a cheap copy of the Karri me sling.

By the way - your sling does look absolutely beautiful! If it really doesn't end up working for you - if your handy with a needle and thread - you could always change it into a bag!!!!!

Sorry - here's the link for the freedom sling....

here

have to go now but for ref - baby should be high and tight, pref above waist level, down by your hip not so good. if there is adjustment you ideally want to bring up the centre portion of the sling (as opposed to the edges), which is possible on a good ring sling, to make the pouch less deep.

if it doesn't adjust you ay find it more suited for wearing an older baby/toddler than a newborn (or it may just be a rubbish - if beautiful - sing )

i never got on with ring slings but i read somewhere that if the pouch is too deep you can pop baby on a folded up blanket

thanks, all v helpful! Sorry, had to go out immediately after posting, which wasn't very clever.
Am going to look into all these other options - and love the idea of turning it into a bag! Not sure the girl who gave it to me would appreciate that though, if she saw it...

looks like poss is a bag sling, there was a link on another thread about possible safety issues with these.

babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

ditch it and buy/borrow a kari-me!