Can I carry dd in a sling from a newborn?

[butterflylove16]

Hi everyone, I was wondering if anyone could please help me. I'm 24 weeks pregnant with my first, and really want to carry her in a sling. I have looked into slings and all of the wonderful benefits for us both, and it just feels really natural to me. But a little while ago while talking about it, fil told me that when he and mil went to a group before their eldest (bil) was born 27 years ago, they were told that mother's can't carry the baby for a few weeks as it damages their back, so only Dh will be able to carry dd when she comes.

It's been playing on my mind if this is right, and I tried googling it but didn't really find an answer. For anyone who has used slings or knows more about this than me, will I be able to carry dd from a newborn myself? I'm looking into buying a stretchy sling, but will hopefully find somewhere to test different slings out before she arrives. I really hope I can carry her, and will understand but still be disappointed if I can't. Thank you.

Oh yes - I don't have or have ever had any back problems!

I plan on carrying from scratch this time. I only got into carrying from about 1 month last time because I didn't really know about it.

Follow the TICK guidlines
Get to a sling library
Join a sling facebook page (affordable slings is a good place to start)
Avoid narrow based carriers or front facing unless it is ergonomic. But not relevant from newborn. I might add that most babies seem to go through a nosey stage where they seem happier facing out (as did my ds) but it is short lived. Plus as soon as you can back carry they can look over your shoulders. I have wrap straps on my toddler carrier and wrap them around my boobs so the boy gets a good view of the world.
Also, all that nonsence about the baby being too clingy. Rubbish. They need you and you are the baby's mum. There is evidence to show that kids who are shown love and affection grow up to be more independent. Later on you can decide whether you are being a helicopter parent or not, but that isn't until they reach toddlerdom and still up to you.

Good luck slinging. You won't regret it. I promise.

I did the school run with DD2 in a stretchy wrap when she was 20 hours old. No problem :-)

Thank you so much for your response it's been nice to get some advice, we are moving in about 6 weeks so will look into joining a Facebook page and where a local sling library is after that.

I completely agree with you about how this is my little baby who needs me, it doesn't mean they're 'spoilt' or anything. Carrying dd just seems so natural to me, and I always want her to know I'm there for her and for her to feel that security and love.

If you can do the school run at 20 hours old I'm sure I'll be fine to potter around the house with dd in a sling haha!

butterfly I'm 33 weeks with my first and I can't wait to use a sling! As you say, it seems like a very natural progression from being in the womb. I ordered an Ama wrap having heard great things - there's also a video on the website about how to put it on (thanks goodness ).

It's always helpful to have a video, I'll be sure to check that out!
I wish you all the best for when your lovely little baby arrives

I'd recommend getting a comfortable backpack, with a skip hop pronto change kit or equivalent to slip inside it. That way you really do have both hands and arms free when out and about, and you're not wrecking your back with the uneven weight distribution of a shoulder bag.

That's a really good idea, thanks TheMshipIsBack.

Yes yes to TICKS and sling library if you have one. Stretchy sling best for newborn (may be too small for more structured sling initially). As pp said, c section (if you end up needing) doesn't stop you using sling - you're not supposed to lift anything heavier than your baby, fine to carry baby! If you carry correctly baby will be up way higher than a c section scar. May find it a bit trickier to put sling on though in first couple of weeks.

Thank you for your reply, I have checked out TICKS and will be sure to keep familiarising myself with it, as well as finding a local sling library when we move. It's also nice to hear you can use a sling even if you've had a c section.

You can carry after a c-section. Use a stretchy wrap which you can tie high and away from the scar. A godsend, freeing you from attempting to bump a pram up and down kerbs .

I forgot to mention YouTube is brilliant for learning how to carry whether you are using a wrap or ring sling or structured etc. I found it a great way to learn how to load my boy up for a back carry when he was little. Now he just holds on.

I was able to get out and about with a woven wrap slip within a week of a c-section. The only slight downside that no-one has mentioned yet is overheating (especially if you are having a summer baby) - I found that I wasn't able to carry DD for long periods during a heatwave and had to resort to pram instead. (Should be fine for most British weather though!)

Never heard this - if you can carry your pregnant belly around, surely you can also carry the newborn.

Yes to videos, way easier to follow than instructions. DD loved her Moby wrap, practically lived in it for the first 3 months and is now the most chilled out baby, so certainly not clingy or 'spoiled' by being close to mummy.

Yy to YouTube! I love my stretchy but definitely needed several views of the same YouTube video before I was ready to go it alone.

I have carried my baby boy ( now 5 months) in a sling from newborn. I liked being that close to baby and baby liked it too.
Plus it frees your hands up big bonus!

Thank you for your advice everyone so glad I should be able to carry dd, and I'll definitely check some youtube videos out.

Haha Socks you beat me, 57 hours old here