Best wrap or sling for a newborn?

[MiniPenguinMaker]

I'm just under 24 weeks now, and starting to think about buying baby things - including (I hope) a sling or wrap. I hope I'll be able to use a sling library to test some out later on, but I'd really like to buy one to start using straight away.

Does anyone have any recommendations for the best wrap or sling for a newborn? Are there any you would steer clear of?

[milktraylady]

I've got the tricotti jersey sling, I'm going to use.
I used it with my niece when she was born (sister had awful spd & couldn't carry her)
I loved it! And niece loved it!
Really soft, easy to position- it's 2 big loops of fabric, put 1 over each shoulder. Really simple, no knots, dangly bits etc.

It took weeks of searching www for it, so I'm guessing its not that common (tho it is on nct website)

Love- calling it the hands free kit

[MiniPenguinMaker]

Thank you so much for the great advice, everyone!

After a bit more thinking and research, I suspect I'll be getting a soft wrap to start out with (either a Kari Me or a Moby wrap) and then moving on to a soft structured thing later on if I get on with babywearing. The Rose & Rebellion ones are just gorgeous! But I expect I'll want to try stuff on at the local sling library and see how it feels

[Ilovestackingcups]

Oh, also the Babybjorn will be outgrown once your DC is a few weeks old, plus it is rubbish for their hip development.

[Ilovestackingcups]

Hi OP, we've explored and experimented through 15 months with DC1 and the best thing is to be flexible. What works with a newborn won't necessarily work with an older baby, new positions, accommodating more weight. Here's what we had:
From birth a stretch wrap. Closer, more snug than a woven wrap, easy to pop baby in and out of, great for hip positioning, easy to breastfeed in and can carry baby either upright, or cross body to feed whilst on the go. If you go for a stretch wrap, make sure it's tight enough or you will hurt your back/shoulders.
Once DC1 was about 8 weeks old, we switched to a woven wrap because they are more breathable, and their solidity allowed DC to lean back and look at her world going by without risking tipping herself out. We used a Hoppediz woven wrap sling mainly cos of the lovely colours you can get because it allows a back carry, as well as all of the usual front/hip carries a stretchy wrap gives. They are very strong and are sometimes used as a birthing aid too, so if you buy before birth you can get more from it...
However, as DC got larger and the weather got warmer (plus pressure to be able to get more involved from sling phobic grandparents) we upgraded again to a Boba 3 which is a soft structured carrier. DC loved this option, as did all grandparents. It does work from newborn, but when DC2 arrives we will probably still begin again with a stretch wrap and work up from there as their needs change.
DC1 was quite a late walker (started at 15 months) so we had to use the slings full time for a lot longer than some parents. They were always comfy, and always suited DC's needs.
I second a previous poster also: do not buy a strip of fabric from a market and use it as a full time sling. In an emergency, any long piece of fabric can do, true. I have used scarves, even knotted together a handful of muslin squares, but ONLY as a short term measure.
HTH

[photographerlady]

Picked up a Victoria sling lady stretchy today, will be using that, the sling library and my DH using the babybjorn.

[atrcts]

Ps haven't used it yet as still pregnant with number 2!

[atrcts]

Used a baby bjorn with my first and found it very hard on the back, baby didn't always seem that comfy either.

At a year old I switched to a one shoulder-strap sling and found it was even worse for my back, a real shame as it was so easy to use.

I've now invested in a wrapsody Bali because having seen it demonstrates on YouTube it looks easy enough to grasp and is very equally balanced to wear on both shoulders. Reviews report its good for bad backs and you can breastfeed in it. It is just like a moby but lighter and softer material.

[EeyoresGloomyPlace]

I love my Moby, got it second hand off eBay and have used it since dd2 was newborn. She still goes in it now despite being a hefty 6month old.

Had a baby bjorn with dd1 and hated it, its been chucked now.

[StuckOnARollercoaster]

Just checked out my local sling library as in same position. Sorry to hijack but I have a stupid question... Given that their monthly meet is the day before the due date - should I go on that day or the month before? I'd have to return it a month later so maybe I should go for the day before in the hope that I will be late!

[Twattybollocks]

I have the mamas and papas flo, now affectionately nicknamed my hands free kit. It's easy enough to put on once you get the hang of it, and dd was very happy and secure snuggled up in it from day 1. I use it every morning when I'm getting kids breakfast and ready for school as she has bad reflux and won't lie flat or in her swing whilst awake. Also use it for drs appts and anywhere that I cant reasonably take the pushchair. I have a bad back and I find it very comfortable and supportive for me too as the shoulder bits are nice and wide. Easy to tuck baby in and out of too.

[roundtable]

I'm using a victoria sling lady since my ds2 was born. Really nice and cosy and at £18, much more reasonably priced. Especially if you think you're going to use another one eventually.

[aviator]

Moby - great for newborns , snug and secure. however consider how and where you will use it. I found it very hot ( it's a lot of material and if u r having a summer baby....). I also found it a tad inconvenient to put on if I was out and about as the material would drag on floor as I wrapped it around me ( not nice to do in a car park for instance). Rose and rebellion do a great carrier, v similar to ergo. Suitable for newborns too.

[bemybebe]

And it is not complicated at all, you just need to find people who can show you what is available.

[bemybebe]

OMG, please don't buy fabric from the market to carry your newborn!! You don't know its properties, how breathable it is, how supportive, what chemicals are in the dyes, will it stretch with time, etc. Try to find a local sling meet or library to try various versions and to borrow if you want.

[worsestershiresauce]

Thanks patches, I might return it and try one of the others recommended on here then. Buying a sling is much more complicated than I thought!

[happy2bhomely]

I've got a Moby D wrap that has seen me through two babies and has been loaned to 3 more. It's great, but it is essentially a long length of material!

I went to our local market and got 3 lengths of bright cotton jersey(about 4 or 5 yards each) from a stall for a total of £15. I just tuck the ends in, but if I was less lazy, I would sew the ends nicely!

[BurningBright]

Wraps have a steep learning curve, but it's worth it.

[BurningBright]

I had a selection of Didymos wraps which I absolutely loved. I would definitely say so for a soft sling and nor anything more structures, such as th Bjorn ones. The structured ones don't hold babies in the best position and they don't distribute the weight so well, so you end up in pain really quickly.

[patchesmcp]

Worster I've got a babasling and I just couldn't get on with it I'm afraid. The baby just never felt secure in it. I used it when DS was older but as he weighed a lot I could only use it for very short periods of time.

Hope you have more luck than me! I'll try it again second time round though and see what happens.

[worsestershiresauce]

I wish I'd thought to post this thread as I've just ordered a babasling after discovering the front carrier style one I'd bought was completely unsuitable for a newborn (despite advertising to the contrary) as it is too big and the baby's legs dangle straining the hips. Has anyone tried the babsling? Is it any good?

[youmaycallmeSSP]

Oops, that should read Caboo (Close Baby).

[youmaycallmeSSP]

The (Close Baby) for a newborn is lovely & snugly and really easy to use. I used it with both DC and then moved on to an Ergo.

[photographerlady]

great thread I never knew there were so many local alternatives to moby

[DaveMccave]

I've done a fair bit of research on this recently, but overwhelmed by the choice and cost of some wraps. I was advised a stretchy wrap for newborn, (moby and close carry being well known brands) I got a second hand moby, and then read great reviews for a cheaper version available on eBay made by someone called Victoria sling lady. So I ordered one of them too so me and dp have one each, or one for wash.

I've also bought a buckle carrier, connecta. I believe they are suitable for newborn but better once they are a couple of months old. I think it will be easier for popping baby in and out of quickly without tying, but not as good as the stretches for feeding in and the first few weeks.

My tip is look at videos on YouTube for instructions!

[Rockchick1984]

Notea you can use a ring sling like that, you have to be very careful though to make sure baby's chin isn't on chest as that can restrict their airway. Also really not good for a baby with reflux! A ring sling can be used from newborn to toddler (and beyond) - if I'm out with my 2 year old and no pram I always throw a ring sling into my bag as its perfect for quick up and down if he gets tired!