Do i need a sling or will a pram be sufficent?

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Just wondered if i need to buy a sling on top of a pram and if i will actually get much use out of the sling.
If i do go for the sling, i will be looking to buy a Babybjorn classic black sling???

I used slings and never had a pram (daughter now 2.5). Firstly because I was moving from abroad and didn't see the point in buying an expensive pram (they were $$$$$ in Singapore) and having to wait months while it was shipped back. But then I got used to it, became quite the earth mother and extended feeder and had a baby that didn't like being put down - ever. So I continued with the sling, so did my husband (he looks after her on the days I work) and we never ended up buying one.

I shan't buy a pram for this one.

Really wouldn't recommend the BabyBjorn. I have used one but compared to wraps SSCs and mei tais, they are uncomfortable for both baby and mother (I think, before anyone leaps on me)

I used a Moby in very early days. Then a non-stretchy gauze (great for Singapore) then a Girasol thick non stretchy, husband liked Boba and Ergo, I have a wrap conversion but now hardly use it unless we are out and she's hanging for a nap.

Something to consider, anyway. I foudn with my daly travel (train and tube a lot), where I live (London) and the weight of my child, a pram wasn't needed or desired.

My husband actively HATES prams.

Used sling every day since she was 3 weeks old. Only used buggy twice. Insanely useful.

Another one who couldn't have done without a sling! Used it all the time until around 12 mths and still use it occasionally at 2.5yrs. Ours was an Ergo.

There is research about safe carrying of infants and their leg position here and here
I used my stretchy wrap more than my buggy.

Bought 2 slings at various points, and did not use either of them more than once. This is with 3 children!

However I could not have coped for a moment without a good buggy that reclines fully to allow baby to sleep.

I would wait and see if your baby likes a sling (borrow one from a friend or buy one cheaply on Ebay) before spending serious cash. IMO they are not an essential piece of kit.

Even the newer babybjorns, the synergy etc are badly designed from the point of comfort for the parent. They sort of dangle the baby in front of you, hanging all of their weight off your shoulders. The back support in the newer models helps a bit but they are still not as comfy as a wrap sling or Mei Tai or soft structured carrier, all of these will transfer weight to your hips and thighs which is the strongest part of your body. I think the baby bjorns are designed more for men's bodies which is why Dads often don't find them uncomfortable.

Also as others have mentioned they hold the baby in a "crotch dangle" position rather than a sitting position. I see the carrier that blondepinhead linked to has a choice of leg positions, one is the correct sitting support position, but still. You'd get more for your money buying a stretchy Sa-be wrap and then a Patapum toddler if you want to continue carrying past about 9 months or so. Total cost around £65 and the Patapum will do you up until your child no longer wants carrying - I still use it for DS who is 2.5 and I know people who have used them occasionally (on long walks etc) for their 3 or 4 year olds. Compare this to the baby bjorn synergy which is £80, and says it will take you up to 2 years, but I doubt it - it's extremely uncomfortable to carry a child over a year on your front, and you can't see where you are going.) Even the classic is £45 - the wrap sling alone is half that.

I didn't get much use out of slings; once I was loaded up with baby, all the stuff they needed e.g. change bag and coat on top I really felt like a pack-horse and then would get too hot and be paranoid about whether baby was too hot or needed coat and just didn't enjoy it.