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Pregnancy

Best wrap or sling for a newborn?

35 replies

MiniPenguinMaker · 25/03/2013 11:02

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?

OP posts:

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Twattybollocks · 26/03/2013 08:43

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.

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StuckOnARollercoaster · 26/03/2013 09:01

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!

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EeyoresGloomyPlace · 26/03/2013 09:08

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.

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atrcts · 26/03/2013 23:28

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.

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atrcts · 26/03/2013 23:29

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

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photographerlady · 27/03/2013 09:11

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

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Ilovestackingcups · 27/03/2013 11:40

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

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Ilovestackingcups · 27/03/2013 11:42

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

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MiniPenguinMaker · 27/03/2013 17:30

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

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milktraylady · 28/03/2013 16:30

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