Baby carrier and baby sling?

[Flossie333]

Hi Girls- starting to make a list of thing I need to buy (oh my god I can't believe the amount and the cost 😫😂) and wondering, do you have a soft baby sling as well as a baby carrier like a baby bjorn type one? The carriers look more supportive but just wondering if it's a preference thing or are they used differently? Thanks xxx

My cousin has loads of experience in this and I asked her advice. She suggested getting a baby sling for first 6 months then a baby carrier after that as it can give more support when they weigh a bit more.

We have bought both types. The Ergo embrace for newborn and ergo Omni for later.

The Ergo omni is suitable from birth so you could just get that, but I wanted a softer option to wear indoors the first few months and i thought the other wouldn't be as comfortable sitting down etc.. I need to be able to do some emails and simple work stuff asap and figured is baby didnt like being put down this was easiest.

When's your baby due? If there's a chance that a local sling library will reopen before you have your baby i'd wait.

I bought a sling that my work colleague recommended and absolutely hated it. I tried several from the sling library before finding one that worked for me.

We bought both - our DS was not a fan of being swaddled or anything of the sort so the sling was not for him. I much prefer the sling option, but your baby might decide for you!

Sling libraries are a good option, or if you do want to buy your own maybe go with a cheaper sling and see how you go before investing in a carrier?

We bought both types, depends on the activity! The sling offers more support for a newborn and if you're wearing it to get baby to sleep (it's my preference), but the baby carrier is great for your back and older babies (and is my partners personal preference)!

I think it's just trial and error no matter what you buy, I do recommend trying a second hand carrier first though just in case your baby doesn't love it!
To keep the cost down a bit, I got my sling off amazon, and baby carrier was surprisingly a Facebook ad I traveled through the comments and reviews on, best one I've tried!

I agree with waiting until sling libraries reopen.

And don’t buy a baby bjorn

I got both - wasn't keen on the soft sling (Hanna Wrap) as I never felt confident in my knots. But love my carriers (Tula's) but they are pricy, but they do last & retain value for resale.
But I did go to our local sling library & tried several before deciding on a Tula.

Do some reading around healthy hips and baby carriers - basically they need a wide base. This article gives a good overview: raisingchildren.net.au/newborns/safety/equipment-furniture/baby-carrier-sling-safety

I had both-a stretchy wrap (think rebranded now as a BoBo wrap) and an Ergo 360
Stretchy wrap was ideal for round the house in the first 6-8 weeks
Ergo 360 is hands down the best money I've ever spent! It's seen us through 2 children and used daily until 18 months old. Husband really liked wearing it too

I only got the ergobaby Omni 360. Great carrier and had no problems with back pain. Very supportive

When I was pregnant I imagined going for long walks with baby in the sling or popping him in for a nap whilst I did the gardening ! We tried several but my baby was 98 percentile and a right fidget so I never really got on with any! I suggest trying some out in a sling library or buying second hand if you can before you commit!

We had 3, a baby bjorn, a Caboo and a Connecta. The bjorn just about broke my back even with a light baby. The Caboo was great, very comfortable and suitable from birth even with my tiddlers, only lasted 5 or 6 months though. The Connecta was very good too when they out grew the Caboo. Look into second hand, I paid £60 ish for the Caboo new and sold it on good as new, with its box for a tenner.

I had a stretchy wrap (moby wrap) that I used for the first few months. Then moved on to the ergo baby 360. I’ve loved both

I used a Moby wrap round the house for the first few months mainly for naps. I used a Stokke Mycarrier out and about and still use it now at 16 months. I much prefer it to pushing a pram/buggy around and my son loves being high up and able to see everything.

i use the soft sling mostly for small baby and carrier when they get a bit older (also DH likes the carrier i think he feels a bit maternal in soft sling 🙄)

my 3 month old has just started to go forward facing in the soft sling as he was starting to get pissed off not being able to see. my DH has worn him in our ergo baby with an insert on longer walks.

Thanks so much for all your replies! So helpful. I'm not due until September so fingers crossed I can get myself to a sling library.

@PotteringAlong interesting about Baby Bjorn! Did you have one and didn't like it?? Xx

Definately go to the sling library if you can. I use a baby ktan and it’s great as its soft sling but not a single piece of fabric so easier to use. I was told the formed carriers are not good for babies hips so have never used one. First baby hated the sling, second loved it!

Definitely seconding the sling library.

I used the stretchy wrap that came in the baby box (scotland) for the first couple of months. It was brilliant and I would still use it around the house til my daughter was nearly 1 if she was fussing and I needed somewhere to shove her!

I still use the ergobaby 360 regularly and she's 18 months now, I have never had any back pain. You can move them from facing in to out to back carrying with it.

Another recommendation for the ergobaby omni 360 - was amazing for my DS.

I’m pregnant again and planning on a close caboo or similar to wear indoors (I mostly held my DS for his naps inside) so I can have hands free, but will use the ergo for walks etc outside as it’s so supportive. I still occasionally carry my DS in it now and he’s 2!

Another vote for a sling library here!

Ideally babies should be carried in an M position for healthy hip development - legs spread against your torso with knees higher than their bum. Narrow based carriers (generally the ones you find on the high street) don't support the baby or distribute their weight evenly on you which makes caring more dangerous and uncomfortable over time.

It's definitely not a one size fits all approach either, we started out with a stretchy which was fine then moved into a Connecta and a Manduca around 3 months as I preferred buckles to tying when they got wriggly 🤣

I didn't get on with the Ergo, Tula or Lillebaby that everyone seems to love so you should definitely try before you buy if you can.

We used the sling until 3 btw do definitely worth the investment for a solid, comfy one.

I don’t like slings as they can be very tricky to put on and you need to be extra careful that they are okay if you have big boobs. I will be getting a baby carrier soon though (DS is nearly 5 months but you can use them as soon as they get good neck control).

I have

a stretchy wrap - 1st child loved as did I until he was about 6 months then it wasn't supportive enough and hurt my back. Great to leave tied on and pop baby in and out. Comfortable to wear and sit down in. Second child hated it.

ergo with newborn insert - I didn't like the newborn insert found it hard to use. Nice carrier and can use for along time, did occasionally carry dc2 on front and ergo with toddler on back. Find the waistband too wide to sit with it on.

Mei tai - bought because dc2 hated the wrap so this was structured enough for her to like and soft enough/narrow enough waistband to be comfortable for me. Down side are the straps are very long so a pain when putting on in the car park whilst raining as they drag on the floor and get wet.

ring sling - not a sling I'd like to wear for a long walk/long time as I find weight one sided. I'm not sure I've really got the hang of it completely. Great for that up down older baby/toddlers stage, I bought to get over the issue with wet Mei tai straps on quick trips.

My advice is buy a stretchy wrap because they're great for little babies and are fairly cheap. Then when you have a baby you can go to a sling library and try out/rent some slings/carriers and see what suits.

I used a Close Caboo sling with a newborn in the house-she was far too tiny for a rigid carrier for the first months. She slept beautifully in the Caboo.

I now use an Ergobaby omni 360 air mesh which is brilliant.

The baby Bjorn is a harness with the baby strapped on the front of it. Whereas the ergo the sling goes around the baby. I have the original and brought the 360 as baby boy is an outward facing baby.

Try and not buy before the baby arrives. A sling library is a really good place to try out different slings