Slings

[KellyKi]

Currently having a mooch on the internet at baby slings and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions?

I quite like the look of the fabric wraparounds as it looks like they keep baby close to you but never used one so was wondering what people's experiences were.

Thanks in advance!

I use the AMA wrap and it is an absolute god send. I went from barely being able to do anything because I was always holding my baby to popping him in the sling and being able to clean my whole house, pop into town - I even took him on a 2 and a half hour coastal walk and he slept the whole way. I do have a couple of structured carriers but I mustn't be very good at adjusting them because I get back pain within about ten minutes of use with those whereas with my wrap I can barely tell he's there it's so comfy

Rose & rebellion are my favourite

I had my ante natal health visit yesterday and she said to check the safety information for any sling as some can let the baby's head droop too much compromising their airway.

Also your local children's centre may have a sling library to let you try some out before deciding on one.

Second trying a sling library before wasting money on one. My DS hates being in a sling

@cornishmumtobe thank you. I looked at this one and it looks really easy to use. Will definitely bear in mind!

@ClareB83 thanks for the heads up (no pun intended). Will definitely be doing my research first!

Also had an ama wrap - loved it so much we bought a second so one would always be clean! I would recommend practicing putting it on first (before Baby arrives) I was really confident using it; I don't think I would have faffed around with it with a new baby.

The stretchy wraps are really good IME. Easy to use, versatile and you can get them really cheaply without worrying that they will be unsafe. If you buy on amazon do check the reviews because some of the really cheap ones are too thin or too short to do the proper carries with, which does make them a bit useless.

However I never got on with woven wraps which are the same thing but without the stretch so they are more supportive for an older child, and more versatile - there are really only a couple of positions you can do safely with a stretchy wrap. With the stretchy you wrap it first and pop the baby in whereas with a woven you have to tie it around them which I found too complicated, but other people like them.

I also used a ring sling which are good but have a bit of a learning curve, and then when my baby was really too big for the stretchy wrap I got what they call a soft structured carrier, which is like a better version of those front/back pack carriers.

I think I'll do the same this time - stretchy wrap for newborn and then Manduca or Boba 4G for when the baby gets older (will look at these later as DH wants to wait until baby is here.)

I agree to go along to a sling meet or library if you have one near you :)

Thanks @GlennRheeismyfavourite @BertieBotts - looks like I'll definitely be trying them on first based on the advice I've had here!

I have a Moby wrap and an ergo baby original.

The Moby wrap was initially good around the house and for trips to supermarket as you can put it on and take baby in and out whilst leave sling on. But then at a month old DD decided she didn't like having her head tucked in (in the newborn hug hold) and just wanted to have her head hanging out, which wasn't comfy for me and I couldn't get anything done.

I use the ergo every day (twice a day) for dog walks. It is really comfy and supportive for both me and DD, even when bending to put lead on and off dog, however it is a bit of a faff loading daughter in to the newborn insert and then the carrier.

I loved my Caboo close . I bought it beca use my dd was quite small small when she was born (6lb 11)and you could use the Caboo from newborn at that weight. Very easy to use and comfortable, your baby should be right up on your chest so that you can kiss the to of their heads. The main disadvantage is that babies grow out of the Caboo pretty quickly -dd was around 6 months but a tiddler. We borrowed a Connecta from a friend after that and it was also very good.

I've just bought a fornessi wrap - beautiful colours and you can use them from birth to one year.

I didn't think I'd be a baby wrap person tbh but then I saw my friend use hers in a cafe so she could eat while holding the baby hands free and thought they'd be so handy!

Definitely try and get to a sling library and try a few on, everyone is a different shape so some carriers will work great on one person but not on another.

I have an Ergobaby 360 and am really pleased with it, I've been using it since DD was newborn. It is on the bulkier side but is nice and supportive of her hips. Some (particularly cheaper) carriers on the market are 'crotch-danglers' and not safe for baby's hips, so do check the one you buy is ergonomic.

If you happen to be in Scotland you get a stretchy wrap in your baby box.

babyslingsafety.co.uk/

Here's the safety information you need. Slings are brilliant but like shoes, different people get on with different styles so a visit to a sling library is a great idea.