Best Baby Sling

[Stefka]

What would people recommend? If it makes any difference I am only 5ft 1".

I love the Wilkinet. Soft cord sling that can be worn several ways - I am only 5'3" and I used it all the time. til DS was about 6 months.

The Hugabub. Used it for ages. It looks complicated but it's really quite simple and quick to tie. Your baby is right on your body - no layers between you. Lovely.

stefka - i have tried out a few. i have to say i like teh simpler teh better so my betterbaby ring sling is proving a favourite at the minute..

I would say it depends what you want it for.
If you want to be able to breastfeed them while carrying then a pouch or ring sling would be best they sell great ones here

If you want to be able to carry them in lots of different ways (and BF!) (ie on front facing in and out, on back on hip) then a wrap is your best bet have a look here

If you want to carry in different ways but don't want a wrap, which is basically 4 or 5 m of material, then try a Mei Tai some here

There are lots of different reasons to try different carriers. I have a ring sling for quickness as DD just slipped in and out, a wrap for when she is going to be in it for ages, and a Mei Tai for when I want to put ehr on my back and leave her there for a bit (usually when doing housework!)

All the links are just examples for you, there are LOADS of carriers out there! Have a look here for more info on ways to carry and types of carrier

Sorry, I went on a bit there!
(A Hugabub is a very comfy wrap BTW, I would second that...!)

Also the longer you want to use it the more you need to think about, DD is heavy at 18 months and I need a carrier that goes over both shoulders to carry her.

Oh dear - so many lovely slings!!!

Really useful info there Chirpygirl!

Sorry Stefka! I did go a bit over the top with the extra info there!

The reason is I love carrying my DD so much but have found that friends who only have one type of carrier stop using it after awhile as they are all good for different things. For example, now I am 7 months pregnant I can only use a Mei Tai cos of the bump but before getting pregnant I had a ring sling in my bag at all times so when (not if!) she lost it in a shop or whatever I could have her sitting in it within about 2 minutes, they are very very easy!

There also is a site that lets you rent slings for a couple of weeks and if you buy you get the rental money off the sling but I can't remember the link...

mmm - that sounds like a good excuse to get more than one to me!! Some of them are so beautiful!

i love some of teh fabrics on the funkyslings website! been gazing at them all evening

So far I am drawn to the coorie pouch ring sling, the hugabub and the mei tai.

Would anyone care to put those in an order of preference? I will get at least one but possibly two if my mum fancies buying me one as a present.

Doyou have a LO already or are you pregnant?

If you are pregnant then I would say the coorie first as it is very simple to slip on and off and you only need them in one position for the first few months, then the hugabub as it is so much more versatile and they can sit up and stuff and then a mei tai for when they are a bit older as it is much handier for an older wrigglier baby!

If you are on a budget try joining [email protected], it is a group of mums who buy and sell all types of used carriers in the UK, I got a pouch for half selling price recently and it's in great condition.

I used a kari-me and if there was only one thing i could buy for new arrival that would be it! Used it soo much with both DS and DD.

You can use it front carrying, back carrying, hip, even breastfeed in it. Up to 15kg (approx 36 months). Takes a while (well in my case) to get the drapping around right but it is soo easy and light to carry your baby!

Absolutely brilliant

I'm pregnant with my first. I will check out that group thank you!

Oh yes, if you only get one, it MUST be a wrap!

You sound like you are going to have the problem I did which is thinking, ooh, I'll try one of those, and one of those, and then you end up with about 10 different ones!

(I should add that most of mine are homemade, it helps keep the cost down and DH happy!)

So if I can just get one is the hugabub the way to go then?

A wrap sling because you can make it fit you perfectly whether you are tall or tiny. There are several really good baby sling sites around. Because you are only 5 ft 1 I don't think you need one as long as 5m so maybe look for one that is sized and just a bit shorter otherwise you will be swamped.

hire slings here

Ah, what a great thread! I am 30 weeks (my 1st) and haven't bought anything yet but always wanted to have a wrap and slings. It just seems to me the most natural thing. And once I would have a sling, I might not feel too bad about having no idea which pushchair to buy, because when worst comes to worst I could buy it after LO is born.

Chirpygirl -- making them yourselves is very appealing to me. How did you go about it? Did you have a look at them in a shop and then copy them? Would you be willing to give us instructions how to make a wrap? It's just a rectangular piece of cloth, isn't it? So we would just have to know the dimensions and which material is good.

Ooh Glimmer, now you've asked!
These are my bestest sites for make your own!
This one is great, use link son top left for other types but shows you how to make a no sew wrap and an easy pouch.
This is a Mei tai with changeable panel, haven't got round to it yet as I love my Mei Tai!

Lots of links here as well

I would recommend buying a ring sling or pouch to start with so you get the idea, but I haven't bought a wrap, I use a length of muslin for my summer one and a length of stripy linen fabric for my winter weight one (which my friend is using at the mo!) I have 5 metres of each one but could probably cut it down a bit. Hang on, shall add some pics of them to my profile so you get the idea...

Thanks ProjectIcarus, I knew someone would know where it was!

It's SuperIcarus - saviour of the slingless.