Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Flip

1 2 3

Original poster

To sling or not to sling?

66 replies

Rosenip · 02/08/2013 16:41

What are the pros and cons? I am a clueless first time mum!

Also, which one should I get, it seems there are so many options...

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Hamwidgeandcheps · 03/08/2013 14:30

Ergos come in khaki

enormouse · 03/08/2013 14:38

*manduca damn autocorrect

Danilou22 · 03/08/2013 16:04

I did like my sling but my partner used it more that I did. I found them difficult to wear as I have big boobs normally let alone when I am breastfeeding!! I just couldn't make the baby comfortable and it felt like he was miles out in front of me!!!

Good luck I hope you find one you are happy with x

AnotherStitchInTime · 03/08/2013 17:36

Hi enormous, I had a Baby Bjorn, but hated the weight distribution, plus it is bad for the baby's hips and spine.

DH was the same and didn't get on with the wrap, but happily wears the Manduca (it has a newborn insert as part of the carrier, you don't have to purchase it separately). We have a navy blue one, very masculine.

Ipp3 · 03/08/2013 17:46

You need both. I actually think ds prefers the pram as he can see me and we can interact and have a laugh and smile together and he likes looking up at the trees overhead. He can't do this in a sling. Sling is great for newborn or for older child when you need to negotiate stairs but frankly my ds looks a bit 'meh' in the sling now!

PurplePidjin · 03/08/2013 18:02

My dp has a Rose and Rebellion in red with little jolly roger skulls on, he prefers the "pretty" side to the plain black one :o

Ipp, ds is 8 months and loves being on my back. I just turn my head and we have a wee chatter! He has to be in the right mood for the buggy but the sling puts him in a good mood as soon as he's sat on it ready to go up!

MrsHoarder · 03/08/2013 18:09

Shreddies I would have thought front-carrying was easier in the early days for ffers. No engorgement...

afrikat · 03/08/2013 18:09

Hi sorry to hijack but my DH is really set on a baby bjorn (a couple of our friends have them and like them and he has seen quite a few people using them so thinks they should be good) but have seen a few people on here commenting that they could cause hip / back problems etc.

Have any studies been done on this / can you link to any evidence they are not a good option?

Thanks!

Hamwidgeandcheps · 03/08/2013 18:15

www.hipdysplasia.org/developmental-dysplasia-of-the-hip/prevention/baby-carriers-seats-and-other-equipment/

Sorry I can't dm the link properly. This was a quick google but its actually a v good explanation

clare8allthepies · 03/08/2013 18:19

Thanks for the zulily tip Hamwidge I had just decided on a close caboo carrier after loads of deliberation so have got myself a snazzy purple number

minesapackofminstrels · 03/08/2013 18:28

I opened this as it was on most active. Sadly my sling days are pretty much over as my youngest is 2 and a half and would rather keep up with her older brothers than go in the ergo.

What I have noticed here is that people favor the slightly more obscure brands that would have to be ordered online rather than found in the local mothercare. I agree with everyone that the Baby Bjorn is uncomfortable. I loved my ringsling and my ergo even more. My middle child was a lazy wotsit and I remember using the ergo when he was 3 and he is a big for his age child.

What a shame the better brands are not more widely known.

Hamwidgeandcheps · 03/08/2013 18:43

No worries Clare - they look a lot better than when I had one - mine was thick jersey these look quite different and the colours are great

PurplePidjin · 03/08/2013 19:03

Definitely, minstrels although John Lewis now do Ergo iirc :)

Mothercare did a webchat a while back and got an absolute hammering over slings and cloth nappies! :o

pookamoo · 03/08/2013 19:42

Aww, shreddies I didn't mean to suggest you weren't bonded, just that the sling gives even more bonding time, even when you're not feeding the baby (however that may be!) :)

It's sooooooo lovely having them tucked up next to you!

dizzy77 · 03/08/2013 20:33

Hi shreddies - sling using ff'er here . I wonder if it's one of those things, like people often assume I'm vegetarian and would like a skinny decaf latte. Doesn't seem to be a cloth bum thing round here but a bIT aspirational/NCT, I suppose based on my circle. Causing consternation as while ff'ing ds2 now using cow & gate rather than the expected aptamil as I poured too many unnecessary ££s down the sink with Ds1!

I didn't use a sling much with DS1 - like many had a second hand Baby Bjorn which I used when hanging washing etc, when he was outgrowing it at about 4mo I came on here to find a replacement and learned how bad they were .

Got a second hand ergo and love it, used for practicality rather than full on "babywearing" eg at groups/coffee meets where there would have been a buggy pile up and again for housework and short errands where not worth getting the buggy out.

Borrowing a Kari-me now for ds2 (8wo) and about to take plunge to buy one (ebay resale values are good) until he's big enough for the ergo. Would strongly recommend if only to get your hands back!

Xmasbaby11 · 03/08/2013 21:45

I didn't really get on with the sling with DD - out and about the buggy was more practical as you can get your shopping in it (maybe I just lugged around too big a changing bag!), and in the house DD was always happier lying down.

Having said that, I had a Baby Bjorn, which seems to be getting a bad rap on here. And I feel so inspired by the positive stories, I think I will go to a sling session when DC2 is born and see if there is one that works for us. Very useful thread!

Flip

1 2 3