Which baby sling?

[lurcherlover]

I want to get one that I can use from newborn through to as long as possible - we go on lots of long walks on the moors, and I want to be able to take baby with us (and a pushchair won't work, even an all-terrain one!) I also want to be able to have baby in a sling in the house. However, I'm so confused about which one to get as there are so many out there. Baby Bjorn ones look easiest to use, but a lot of people don't seem to like these? Is it true they can cause hip/spine problems due to the way they put the weight on the baby's crotch? So then I've looked at styles like the Moby wrap, but that looks quite complex to use (not to mention rather expensive for what seems to me to be a piece of fabric!) Any recommendations from sling-users out there please?

No personal experience of using these but been having exactly the same debate as 36 weeks pregnant and want to use one to go dog walking once the baby is born. Friend has used the Baby Bjorn very successfully.

There are apparently Sling Meets held across the country where you can go and try different models. Might be an idea.

Will be following your answers!

This site should answer a lot of your questions.

I wouldn't buy a Baby Bjorn again for the reasons given on SlingGuide.

Wraps aren't that difficult, honestly, and you only need to learn one carry at a time, so you should be ok with a Moby but a woven wrap would be comfortable for much longer.

I would recommend both the sling board in products (have not idea how to link!) and the reviews section on MN as they helped me choose one this time round.

IMO - I had the baby bjorn with dd1 and didn't really like it although some people swear by them. Found that it was really heavy on my back and wasn't convinced she was very comfortable - certainly didn't use it beyond about 6 months. I have gone for a babasling this time but haven't used it yet (only 34 wks) but it got good write ups and it looked like DH might be able to cope with it whereas I think he might give up with a wrap sling.

Look on ebay for bargains btw!

I've bought a Moby wrap. (I came to slinging late last time so used a Baby Bjorn, which I wouldn't now, then a Mei Tai). I did think it was expensive, but on looking at the quality and amount of fabric I don't think that I would have been able to buy the material for incredibly much less to make one with.

A woven wrap might last longer than a stretchy wrapm but a strethcy wrap (like a Moby) means you can wear it constantly and pop them in and out.

hth

I've just bought a Close sling from a lovely MNetter. It's a wrap style sling but more structured so probably easier to use as a novice.

If I get into it this time round I may consider a Mei Tai style when the baby is a bit bigger.

I would guess that rather than trying to find the one ideal sling to use for as long as possible, which may be a compromise in some way, you may be better off thinking about getting 2 good slings that are suitable for younger and older babies respectively. They have a good resale value so it wouldn't be waste of money.

I have used the Close sling and it is really good. I used it until DS2 was about 15 months then he was far too big and heavy for it.