Slinging

[CassORole]

Hey,

Wasn't sure where to post this so sorry if this is the wrong place. Can you point me in the right place if this isn't it?

I just wondered if anyone could give me a brief rundown on slinging. I am only 9 weeks pregnant but I'd love some more information and some tried and tested reviews of what works best for my kind of lifestyle.
I am 26 and have lupus so don't get out and about too often, I work from home but live in a large village on the outskirts of a large town. I walk to most places that I go on my own but occasionally use the bus. I don't drive but DH does - so obviously we will get a car seat.

Is a pram a good idea or should we give slinging a go and then buy one as and when/if we need it? Or is it a 'must have' from the outset?

Is there anything else I haven't thought about?

Clueless Cass
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Hi Cass

I had a Kari Me sling from my DD being born and would describe it as a miracle worker. If she was ever being really narky (i.e. often) I used to stick her in it and walk round the block and within about 2 minutes she'd be asleep. I'd then ease myself back down onto the sofa (many better mums would probably do housework here!) and while away a peaceful afternoon with her snuggled up on me snoing away (awwww).

When she got too big for this (stretchy wrap ones are, in my opinion, better when they're small, up to about 6 months I found) I bought a pikkolo sling which is a sling with buckles that you just clip onto yourself so no more tying it up. Really easy and a lot better than folding and unfolding buggies all day long!

I was quite nervous of trying out the Kari Me the first time, lots of visions of dropping her, but it was actually a piece of cake. The upwards, facing you hold is really easy and she prefered it to the cradle hold. But having a wrap one means you can try lots of different positions till you find one that suits you best.

Have a look at Close baby carrier and Kari-Me (I'd probably go for the Close one if I was starting over).

Hope it all goes well,
Christmasmum
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Thank you ever so much for that information. It's really helpful.

Did you have a push chair too?

Yes, I see it as a bit like a microwave in a kitchen. It doesn't replace your oven but you wouldn't be without one!

A sling's really good because you can use it around your house as well as going out fo walks and around the shops etc. It also leaves your hands free and you don't need to worry about opening doors etc when in town with a buggy. They also seem really useful, though I'm not there yet, when you have a toddler and a baby, as you can push the older one and carry the baby without needing to buy a big double buggy.

Saying that I'm also a buggy addict. Essentially if it's a gadget for a baby I'll have one

I meant to say unlike when in town with a buggy...

i second the kari-me recommendation, best thing ever for settling a baby and v comfy to wear. nice to have the choice of buggy or sling but if you get on with a sling at the beginning you might have more choice of buggies as you wouldn't need one that lies completely flat.

i got a pushchair but ended up not using it much as dd didn't like it and i got tired of lugging it downstairs, and i like the closeness

My nearly 6 month old still spends a fair amount of time in a moby wrap sling - definitely the best baby thing i have ever bought - he loves it and i find it really comfy - i hardly use the pushchair to be honest as find the sling easier. I just can't believe i never used one for my first.

Thanks for all of that fab info, it's really helpful and certainly something I'll point my husband towards and he is more than a tad dubious.

definitely kari-me only for 1st baby (never put her in buggy though we had one from 5 months for grandparents). She was slinged and then backpacked untill about 18months then found stroller handy. I LOVE the kari-me, especially when the are tiny. Prams seem a bit inpersonal, I loved feeling like she was as close as when inside but outside and she loved it too. with ds used it less (mostly in first 8 weeks then just for settling if grumpy) as wanted to be able to park buggy and then play with toddler