Baby slings - are they really dangerous??

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I was hoping to get one for my baby for the first few months as i was planning on doing a fair bit of walking as i have horses etc it would be more practical to have baby strapped to me whilst out and about, also for doing things like shopping etc and for dad to carry baby too.
However, 2 of my friends have recently had babies are a look of horror came across their faces when i told them my plans for a sling, they said they are dangerous - what if i was to have a fall? (say they have heard of people falling on their babies) and a horrible thing (could be an urban myth) about a lady who took her baby shopping in one and baby had somehow managed to get stuck/tangled in the sling and actually suffocated??
Its really put me off, am i over reacting or are they really dangerous as they say??

Thingiebob I love my mei tai, and some of them are suitable from birth, you just need to check. They give a lovely wide seat for the baby, great for the hips.

i had a carrier from mothercare and it was really helpful especially as he was always wanting to be picked up so i could get on with house work ect, i dont think they would sell them if they were that dangerous just make sure it is used properly

I've just read this thread. I'm only 21 weeks, but totally confused. I wasn't planning on putting much thought into a sling. Why does everything have to be so complicated??!!

Are Connecta baby carriers safe?

Connecta are a VERY reliable, reputable and safe baby carrier. They're fairly easy to use too and tend to suit mums as well as dads

Oh good, what about a menduca carrier? I can only afford one or the other. We'll have a pushchair too, so not relying on sling.

I'd only use it from three months onwards.

I haven't read the replies. They are not dangerous. I think it's far more dangerous to be carrying a pushchair up/down stairs etc and far more dangerous to have baby in a care seat for prolonged periods.

Just make sure you get a good one NOT a baby bjorn. And baby facing outwards isn't good for you or them..

I think someone mentioned a moby - these are great for little ones (max 6mths), Others to look at are Ergo, beco, boba 3g, and mai tais.

Good look and enjoy.

Oh yes the menduca as mentioned above.

I would definitely avoid the very popular but badly designed Baby Bjorns. I had one as I was given it. I thought it was great at first until DS got a bit bigger and it really started hurting my shoulders, I switched to an Ergo and the difference was immense. Also tried a friend's wrap sling and it was lovely.

I've since learnt (from mumnet, of course!) that Baby Bjorns are badly designed for your baby. All the baby's weight is supported by its crotch in that kind of sling: as a baby's bones are developing it's really not a good idea for them to be putting weight on it for long periods.

A wrap sling or Ergo distribute the babys weight much more evenly, it's just a much better design.

I'm going to use a wrap for when the baby's little and an Ergo later on, this time round.

Have you looked to see if there's a sling meet in your area? You can go along and try out different slings.

I used and loved my Wilkinet. Used correctly, baby sits with it's bottom in a sitting position with it's legs around you. Fab!

Looking at my local sling library today and saw this well written blog (scroll down and read about celebration and explaination of slings) - writer does say that if she didnt get a bb, she'd have never got into slings however explains the reasoning behind the other types being better very well imo :)

thenortheastslinglibrary.weebly.com/our-babywearing-blog.html

Must admit know a lot of children who've been in a bb and fine though I'm going to look at others myself.

This thread is from 2012, the moment may have passed...