slings / carriers

[BeyondTheLimitsOfAcceptability]

Helloo

I had a (second hand, front carrying only) carrier with DS that I didnt use often. I'm hoping to be able to carry DS2 in a sling/carrier and push DS in his buggy if needed, so buying a new one. I'm torn between a 4 way carrier (front facing, parent facing, on back and BF) and something like this
Anyone with experience of both types have any opinions? :)
Ta!

I never got on with ring slings tbh. I never foudn them to be truly hands free, I always felt I needed to hang onto them to make them secure. I'd go for a stretchy wrap like a Moby every time tbh. The most comfortable and secure option for you and the baby imo.

I never liked slings... neither did DH.
They usually don't support your back and cause all kind of problems.

I would recommend Baby Bjorn.

another moby fan here! they are fab!

the close carrier also works in a similar way and is quite good :)

Have a look at Victoria sling lady website. She has a doc which explains why baby bjorn type carriers are bad for Baby.

Get a stretch from her or a moby.

Don't like ring slings, nor any 'crotch dangler types', which covers most of the 4-way ones.

I'd recommend a Mai Tai for a newborn (one with head support like the BabyHawk) and then after that a buckle carrier like a connecta. Both can be used comfortable into toddlerhood, unlike the 4 ways which tend to only last 6-10 months and give lots of people back ache. Fabric carriers hold the baby much closer than the more structured ones and it's that which makes them more comfy for both you and baby. They also sit the baby's hips in the correct position. The best slings are not available on ebay or the high street.

Other people like stretchy wraps for newborn. Personally I found I got fed up with all the material and they made me sweaty.

I used a moby with my newborn and intend to use it for no2 while DD is in her buggy and also when i'm doing stuff with DD around the house. I like the moby because they are curled up against you in a fetal position (and sleep sooooooooooo deeply that more than once i pulled her out in a panic thinking she had stopped breathing). You hang their legs out then face them forwards as they get older.

We also have a tomy carrier- its a bit different from you one you are suggesting but one of the things i don't like about the tomy is that their legs are pushed out in an unnatural position. People say that babies shouldn't be in walkers/door bouncers/jumperoos for too long because of the position their legs are in. I think its the same legs position for this babybjorn/tomy style of carrier (but probably the benefits of baby wearing are such that it becomes a lesser issue)

I also think the moby is lots more comfortable than the tomy. Since you wrap the baby against your body I think the weight is transferred more all over, rather than just on your shoulders.

Anyway, as you can see, I heart my moby.

Although I do agree with woolly about the material. I don't recommend putting one on within about 15 metres of a puddle.

Had a look at these, think I might be tempted by the victoria slinglady one at half the price of the moby. What is the difference though for that much of a price difference?

Do you get stupidly hot wearing the wrap around and around and around type? DS2 is due in April, so a lot of my carrying is going to be over the summer...

I loved my moby for doing stuff around the house when DS was teeny tiny. Although my DH used to chuck mahoosive strops when he got tangled up in all the material when trying to tie it on (it's really not that hard though!). I agree that it got quite sweaty in warm weather.

We then got a Beco Butterfly which was good for when he was a bit bigger. Structured but better for them that a Bjorn.

knowing what British summer can be like, I think I'd be okay with a wrap-type

i have a connecta and a bobawrap - both different but both fab :

I'd google a d see if there's a sling library near you; go along, try them out and see what you like

If you google "baby wearing" you will probably find a group local to you where they will happily provide you with recommendations and let you try one before you make up your mind

There don't appear to be any sling libraries or babywearing groups in Wales at all!, never mind near me! :(

I would go for something like a moby where the baby is really wrapped against you. This is a much easier way to carry than something like a baby bjorn which hangs the baby off you so is less comfortable.
I agree with keepmum about a Manduca or similar (Ergo, Beco etc) in most cases these can be used from birth through to toddlers. They are not like a baby bjorn style in that they do not do an outward facing carry - the reason is outward facing carry is not an ergonomic way to carry a baby and not possible when your baby gets bigger. If you are going to be pushing a pushchair at the same time, you need something as ergonomic as possible.

What area are you? I have a friend who is in a baby wearing group in Wales, I can check where and see if I can get a link to the site or info on it if it's the right area.

DD loved her coorie and then an ergo when bigger, sometimes a ring sling through toddlerhood. DS hates all three and lives in the wrap (ellaroo and didymos). Different babies like different slings I've discovered.

I'm using a moby for my almost 6mo dd. I've used it since she was born and its fab but now she's getting bigger she can stretch the fabric and sort of half wriggle out. She can't actually get out but its uncomfortable when she's done this. Will be selling my moby soon when I decide on a replacement if u want to buy one Haha.

I'm in Newport commuting

victoria slinglady slings are great. i think there is a bit of snobbery about wrap slings. all you need is a simple piece of cloth. and victoria slinglady sells you the sling for not much more than it would cost to buy just that. if you are worried about the material you can always buy the smithfirm one she does which is thicker.

for an older baby (after a couple of months or so) i loved my mei tai.

ring slings are very good if you get sling savvy and need a sling for ocassions when you need to do a quick carry for not very long. my babasling was great for getting out of the car to nip to the shops. but it hurts your shoulder after about 10 minutes or so.

im planning on getting an ergo type sling for the next one as my mei tai unfortunately though great does not have a head support.

Beyond there's a Sling Meet group in Bristol, if that's easier for you. It's worth mooching along if you can so you can try some of the slings out!

Personally, I found a stretchy wrap (Kari-Me/Moby etc.) to be wonderful for a new born. As DD got bigger, I used a short woven gauze wrap, which was also cooler in the summer (and this was summer in Madrid!!) and eventually, when I wanted to do back-carries (and didn't have the bottle to use the wrap for that - plus, it got stolen...!!!) I graduated to a Connecta, which I would highly recommend. DD is now 2 and I still back carry her in that very comfortably.

A well-designed sling used properly should be ergonomically correct for both the wearer and the baby. And they can be such a godsend too - especially if you have a 'velcro baby'!!

My friend is in west wales unfortunately. She gave me this link though: www.naturalmamas.co.uk/ and apparently this website is the best place to find your local group. Good luck

Anyone heard of a Papoozle? The lady at the local store recommended it. We were looking at close carriers, as I like the Moby-like idea but DH thinks it looks to complicated for him :) But she thought Papoozle would be better. I'm not sure I liked the waist-belt back-pack like element, though.

I used stretchy wraps, woven wraps and ring slings, they all have their benefits and their own "knack". I would second having a look at natural mamas, there is a lot of advice available there.

This is the simplest explanation I have found as to why Baby Bjorns and the like are not a good call a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403297_10150620953926934_123734376933_11224929_861612310_n.jpg

There's a whole board on MN Talk devoted to slings and carriers - you might find someone there who's used one, ardenbird