Recommend a baby carrier

[Chocolatecakefan]

I'm looking to buy a sling/carrier for when the baby arrives that I can use when I walk my dogs, can anyone recommend anything? There seems to be such a big difference in prices...in M&P, they seem to range from £25-£125!!!

Ideally I would prefer to have a more structured one, I'm not sure I like the look of the bandagedy type slings, they confuse me!

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Hello!

We've noticed that this thread is quite old now, and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing carriers. Here are our baby carrier reviews.

Hope this helps!

I got a cotton wrap sling and absolutely love it
AmaWrap

I'd highly recommend a Moby for a new born then getting to s sling library/meet to try out other options. The newborn carry in the moby is 100x easier than it looks

I'd definitely look to see if there's a sling library near you. I'm due in May and popped along to the one near me just to scope it out and it's great, they have so many different types you can rent.

My plan is to rent a stretchy wrap and a Connecta once baby is here and see how I get on

Another vote for manducca here!

I'd also recommend the soft structured carriers - I found mine for a good price (second hand) on a local sling selling page on Facebook. It's brilliant and I'm still using it now DD is almost 1.

I've found the straps to be so much more comfy and supportive than my first narrow-based (Bjorn-style) carrier, both for me and DD.

They have online versions of sling libraries that post slings to you. I used slingsandthings.co.uk and hired a Tula which has been great for my 8 month old dd.

Oops.. Bad memory, that link should have been itsaslingthing.co.uk

I couldn't get on with stretchy wraps like the moby at all so bought a connecta and haven't looked back I love it

Definately a Connecta

I've bought a sling and a carrier over the years but I can't ever seem to get them adjustable enough to feel secure or comfortable. I'm short and skinny but I'd love something to keep little one close while keeping my hands free to deal with my 2 older children. Has anyone found a stretchy wrap that might fit me?

Rhiannon most stretchy wraps only come in one (long) length. Some brands do shorter ones - I run a sling library and the short length Hana Baby Wrap is very popular. It's very stretchy so you need to tie it tight. Are you near a sling library? It really helps to have someone fit something properly for you, and they should be able to recommend carriers that work for smaller frames.
The Manduca will suit you much better than the Ergo if you're looking at buckles.

I had a moby £30 till 4 months, then used a palm and pond mei tai, they are £26 from amazon, used it from 4 months till ds was about 15 months, now at 19months mostly use a pouch thing again from amazon for £12, great for quick carrys for a walking child but only at toddler size.

I have a ring sling that I had my friends new born in the other day, but I don't like it with my toddler as I can never get comfy due to my massive norks, ds uses it thou.

I like the look of the caboo www.boots.com/en/Caboo-NCT-Baby-Carrier_1568612/

ARe these any good?

Thanks for the recommendations of the wrap style ones but I really hate the look of them so I would much prefer the soft structured kind

I do appreciate everyone's advice though

The mandica looks nice as well, where is the best place to buy them online?

The Caboo is great but once on it looks like a stretchy wrap. If you really hate this look then a Caboo isn't for you.

Mothercare sell Manducas online. You could click and collect at a local store.

Is there a sling group near you? You can try before you buy and rent one to see if it works for you, talk to some other Mums etc. Every one is different, so it might be better to see what's comfortable for you.

Can you use Connectas with a newborn does anyone know??

First DS was 9lb4 so expecting a big baby again - unlikely to be a tiny wee baby, if that makes a difference.

Botticelli yes, you can. You roll the waistband a couple of times to shorten the body and cinch the base with the accessory strap. Baby can either have legs froggied up inside or out, according to preference. Hood rolled and clipped up for head support.

PS I saw on the Connecta Facebook page earlier that they have a Mother's Day discount on their beautiful silk slings.

The caboo is not an ssc. Also it has long bits which hang down your sides unless you tie them up and I cannot stress how hot they make you!
There is also rose and rebellion for buckle carriers which even make skull print carriers they are v cool and unmumsy

I loved my caboo. I had an April baby and it was fine. Although my dd outgrew it before 16 weeks. I then went on to use a hop tye. Which is great.

I've heard great things about lilliebaby (sp?) they are suitable from birth, buckles so easier to use and have more padding than a connecta so it's comfier.

If you really like the Caboo style then you could consider a Caboo DX. It has buckles and is closer to a SSC. At £70 it's expensive as it'll only last six months or so but you might find one second-hand.