How are you doing poppy, hope everything is as ok as can be at the moment!
I've had an interesting day as went to a sling meet. Put the date in my diary as really had no idea which one I would get then as it got closer didn't want to go as I felt like it'd be really mumsy (and I don't mean like I don't like mums, just I'm not one yet.. well you know.. and worried it'd be cliquey). Anyway I did go because I told myself I was being daft and it was pretty good. Was all women (probs cause it was a weekday) and they seemed all quite nice. EVERYONE had a baby with them except me but it was okay, actually kind of nice to see them as they were all nice kids and no screeching or chaos! So basically there were two women who were like the "babywearing" gurus who had tonnes of slings and carriers some their own, some part of their "library" and some home made ones. Got a really good idea of what I'm looking for and saw them all being tried and managed to successfully tie one on me with the demo baby.
So if anyone has any questions about slings and carriers I can answer them inasmuch as I can repeat what I learned. This was the crux of it for me though: Stretchy wrap carriers are good for newborns and up to a certain age depending on your baby (if inquisitive/size) doesn't matter if you buy a moby or a kari me or make your own as it is basically just a long piece of fabric that tapers to the ends which you wrap a certain way. If you are worried about baby falling out that's not an issue as long as you practice and get confident in tying it, as when they showed me it they were secure as you can get in any carrier. Good alternatives to wraps that are just fabric are mei tai's and ring slings. Ring slings are the same as wraps except part of the tying is already done and you tighten it with rings on the side. Mei tai's are basically a big square with lengths that tie which come from each corner. They do the same job as a wrap but are a bit more supportive, though less cocoon-like. In terms of carriers they had two called ergo and active baby, these had buckles and were like baby bjorns only a little more flexible, better for once they get bigger, but don't do anything a wrap can't do. Wraps can be used for bigger babies and newborns by getting a different fabric - the stretch ones are jersey, the bigger baby ones are woven fabric. For hot weather you can get linen wraps and apparently mei tais are good in heat too. In terms of positions the easiest is a front cross thing where baby's head lies up to your chin and is central on your body with legs round you a bit like a frog. This is the way they all go at first. When they get bigger you can put them on your back which both wraps (of woven fabric) and carriers can do so they can look out. If you want them to be able to look out from the front the carriers allow this a lot too as they are less covered in fabric from shoulders up. To use positions you can go on youtube apparently there are tonnes of videos.
Would recommend you go to a sling meet if you are interested in using carriers, even if just to work out what is right for you as online browsing just confused me but now having seen them in action I have a good idea what to look for at the baby bounty market thing that's on in glasgow tomorrow. One reason I wasn't keen on the meet was that I was thinking how do they just talk about slings the whole time but it was all practical demos and discussion. A lot of mums there talking about how they use their carrier as much as the pram or the pram gets neglected because it is so easy to carry. There was a bit of a babywearing philosophical undercurrent at the event but it was good as an alternative to just putting them in the pram and there was no pressure/trying to convert you to certain things! They had mainstream carriers and little known ones all the way to the custom ordered and handmade. So anyway, if anyone wants to ask anything I may remember please do or (far better as I'm just regurgitating and have major baby brain!) go to a meet :)
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Major post there but to end lightly I just want to tell you all that my MIL refused (yes, refused) to let me push my bike into her garage the other day. What the hell does she think I do at the supermarket?? The mind boggles sometimes! I just smiled to myself though as not ten minutes earlier I had balanced said bike down 2 flights of stairs and manoeuvred it into the back of the car with DH 
Off to sit out and have a BBQ in this glorious weather :)