When did you start using baby carrier/sling?

[ejmay90]

I'm looking at going to a sling library when my little one is born but wondered when did everyone start using the sling/carriers? I know one of the ones I'm looking at says from 7lbs so would be after that.
I'm just curious as to how early everyone put baby in one as my local sling library gets booked up quickly so would need to get an appointment booked soon after baby is born.

From a couple of days old - mine is suitable from 5lb

I had a c section so couldn't use my sling until about 4 weeks. But I know people who have used them to from day 1!

From Day 1. It was a stretchy wrap one, suitable from birth.

From birth. I had a soft stretchy one which I tied on myself and then placed the newborn in. It was good till about 3 or 4 months as then he was to heavy and I needed more support from the sling.

A few weeks, I wasn't really standing up and walking about when my baby was first born. You're supposed to rest!

From day 2/3 when I first went out. I had a stretchy wrap and it must be the closest thing for a baby to feel back in the womb (they’re not upside down though!!!!) 💕

About 2 weeks for occasional use as my section scar was very tender and I was getting over SPD so my core strength was pretty weak but lots of people use from day 1 even in those circumstances!

Regularly used from about 8 weeks as she got into the routine of cluster feeding on the school run 🤦🤣

From day 1 (well, day 3 when we were out of hospital.) but he hated it anyway 😂

Ahh great thank you everyone!
I'm still not decided on a sling but wanted to use it early on so he is used to it as walking a dog with him in one would be a life saver.
Problem is the one I've found is 7lbs+ so if he is smaller than that I can't use it straight away.
Any suggestions on one that is from 5lbs?

You will not find a commercially available sling which recommends carrying below 7lbs, and unless you are experienced with slings I would not recommend it. If your baby is this small then the best option would be a skin-to-skin or kangaroo care top which is suitable for small and premature babies. Not all of them are suitable for walking around - some are designed for seated use.

With DC1 I was carrying from about 6 weeks. When DC2 arrived I was very experienced with slings so I carried him in a stretchy sling from day 2 after a caesarean. You can carry after a CS if you feel up to it as the sling is wrapped much higher than the incision, but everyone is different.

I had my 7lb baby in an NCT close caboo 24hrs after an emergency section.

No reason why not but it depends on how you recover

I had c section with a 6lbs 6 baby. I started using baby carrier after bout 3 weeks to walk dog etc

We have bought the Ergo embrace to use from newborn. I'm really pleased with it as its soft but buckle for easy to use. We plan to take in car and use to with baby to leave hospital so a few days old, as our car seat is fixed in car, so easiest way for DH to carry baby safely out of the hospital to car.

From birth but mind you ds was born at nearly 9 pounds. Loved my sling and kept him in it until he got too heavy and started to do my back in!

Stretchy wrap round the house from about 3 weeks, structured carrier with newborn insert out and about from about five weeks. Still using the structured carrier now at 15m.

I love not having to trundle a pram/buggy around especially when getting the bus or going round small shops.

Stretchy wrap from day 5 after emcs with dc1, ring sling from day 2 after emcs with dc2. Both suitable from 5lbs, both dcs were over 7lbs so no problem.

Both of mine took a few weeks to uncurl enough to be able to use a sling safely without comprimising their airways.

WRT to wearing while dog walking make sure you practise how you are going to pick up poo & clip leads off and on when they are in the sling or carrier. The walking part is easy the crouching not so much!

Stretchy wrap from day 1. Beco Gemini from about 2 months. And then up to about 3.5 years.