Baby slings - recommendations?

[daisyrosie]

I'm looking into getting a baby sling ready for our baby due in October. So far I've looked at caboo and the we made me Soohu sling (used to be the Baba sling) but not really sure what I should be looking for. I need something lightweight but easily tied/ fastened. If anyone has any recommendations I would be grateful, thanks in advance x

Caboo is lovely for tiny babies and they sleep soooo well in them! Really comforting for them.

I've heard ergo is better for when they're bigger (6 months plus, maybe).

Check online for a sling library near you!

Would definitely recommend a sling library or it's a sling thing if you can't get to one. Slings are quite pricey so good to try before you buy. We have a borrowed caboo which we like but she's getting too big for and a second hand ergo. The Ergo just doesn't work for me so I've hired a connecta to try out which I like much more.

I loved my caboo, from birth till around 4 months I then moved to an ergo 360 with an insert from then on.
Have a look at the ticks guidelines safety when carrying a baby. If you do have your heart set on the soju, the original babasling can be bought from tkmaxx

Connecta.

Has buckles, so really easy to fasten but it's not as rigid as carriers like the baby bjorn. More of a happy medium between the fabricy Caboo (which I also have and love) and the baby bjorn. Definitely worth consideration.

Caboo or similar (Moby etc) for when tiny, Ergo for when heavier / longer walks. Ergo 360 is amazing. I had the Ergo for first two babies and got Ergo 360 for number 3, it has an outward facing option which they like when older. Much more comfortable than Bjorn (which I hated and which isn't ergonomically ideal for baby).

caboo close for when small - really comfortable and easy to use. great for naps.

ergo or boba for when a bit older

Connecta but they have temporarily stopped trading for some reason, although you can still get them from retailers I think I think the Beco is quite similar though.

Stretchy wrap for newborn. Connecta thereafter. (I got ours off koalaslings) Well worth the money. I had a velcro baby until 6 months and then stuck him in it today (at 8.5 months and in a teething nightmare ) and it's still as comfy and wonderful as the first day I put it on (and remembered it had arms again for the first time since ds was born.)

Thanks everyone, I'll have a look at these. I like the look of the ergo 360, apparently they do a Bundle of joy model which is also suitable for newborns.

Connecta have ceased trading (rumoured due to unpaided tax bill). They are reforming under a different name with a very similar product.

Another vote for the caboo here. Also, I found googling the videos for the various ways to tie it much more useful than the instruction booklet!

I have a caboo for the first few weeks then a Tula Free to Grow - this can also be used from birth but I like the cosiness of the caboo early on.

The Tula is fantastic.

I have a cheap stretchy wrap I bought on Amazon. It's so comfy. Bit of a palaver to get tied but once on you can just pop baby in and out. We also have a manduca that DH uses and I'm still getting to grips with

Close Caboo is great. Really easy to use and v v comfortable. My 5 week old falls asleep pretty much instantly in it.

I'm not finding the Caboo that easy to use. I feel like I need a lesson on using it to feel confident that I've got it right, the correct tightness etc.

I didn't get on with my Caboo for similar reasons mentioned above, but I had a rose and rebellion (same concept as connecta but a completely British company)

It is so easy to use but soft and fabricey (as that even a word!)

I used front carry from about 8lbs and back carry from about 18 months. I used it up until 3 years old. So so handy!

ineednewshoes this video shows you how- I watched it whilst copying what she did. So quick and simple once you've done that. www.closeparent.com/product-info/caboo-babywearing-advice/caboo-babywearing-instructions

I couldn't get on with the caboo. Any sling that needs a DVD to show you how to use it is too complicated in my book, especially when sleep deprived! I did use baby bjorn in the past but would be interested to hear of any softer fabric slings that are easy to use.

I recommend an action baby carrier which is similar to connecta but with more of a waistband. Moby wrap is good for early days although fiddly. A ring sling is great and will take you up to toddlerdom.

I liked the Ergo for an older baby! Was by far the best for my back. The baby bjorn was very quick and easy to use but not as comfortable for me.

I found a ring sling really easy and comfortable when DD was tiny, then moved on to a Connecta which was the best money I spent on any baby product. They're still available second-hand, or the lady who ran the company has now set up Integra, which looks like a very similar product. Find your local sling meet, they usually have a Facebook presence. People tend to be friendly and very happy to let you try theirs.

Close caboo here for the early months then tula with the newborn insert or on it's own from about 6 months. I'm useless at wraps but found the caboo easy to use.