Sling wearing with newborn

[Thekindyoufindinasecondhand]

I plan to try a stretchy sling loaned from a sling library once my daughter is born. My friends all rave about them and I can definitely see the advantages.
My only reservation is does baby become more clingy with all the close contact they have through being carried? I just hear about some babies only being able to settle when they are lying on their Mum/Dad, does a sling increase this happening in people's experience?

[BertieBotts]

IME, babies are clingy by nature - if you think about it, they've been inside you for 9 months so they are already "used to" the movement of your body, hearing your heartbeat etc.

If you have a baby who is happy to be put down, you won't cause them to stop being OK with being put down by cuddling/carrying them. And if you have a baby who is not happy to be put down, you won't teach them to like it by making them do it even if they are upset.

A newborn is so tiny and vulnerable. I would do whatever makes their transition into the world a bit smoother. My only caveat with a newborn would be make sure you're tying the sling tight enough that they're not slumped in it, because this can be dangerous. If you put your hand on their back while they're in the sling and they "uncurl", it means the sling is too loose. You should put your hand on their back and they will be solid like a bowling ball/pregnant tummy.

[Catastrofuck]

Everything Bertie said. They are used to being inside you, after all. If your ski library isn’t yet open due to coronavirus restrictions, watch lots of YouTube videos and use a full length mirror if you have one

[Catastrofuck]

Ski library? Sling library of course!

[BuffaloCauliflower]

Wanting to be close to you is biologically normal for babies, this is why slings are great. Look at other primates, they all have their babies on them or close to them all the time. Training babies to be alone is the thing that isn’t natural.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

And yes, tight sling is key. Swim suit tight when you tie it on for stretchy wraps.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

And have a read up about the 4th trimester and extrogestation

[Flora20]

Read up on the fourth trimester. Babies are supposed to be 'clingy', although I find that word so negative... The sling makes it easier to let them be happy, snuggled up close to you, and give you some hands free time too. Don't worry about other people telling you you're doing something wrong - babies are biologically designed to want to be close to you. If it helps, anyone can wear the sling, not just you and partner!

[Zhampagne]

I second reading about the fourth trimester. I’m afraid that if you are expecting to be able to put your tiny newborn down and have them settle themselves then you are in for a shock.

[WhatWouldPennyDo]

@Catastrofuck

Ski library? Sling library of course!

I love the idea of a ski library @Catastrofuck

Lots of great advice here. FTM here so have no advice to offer, but someone once told me that “babies don’t keep”. With that, and the 4th trimester in mind, my view is bring on the cuddles - it’s time you’ll never get back.

[HoneyWheeler]

Research actually shows that meeting your child's emotional needs and having a strong attachment actually creates more independent children and adults. You cannot spoil a newborn and the flip side is - you kind of want to be around them all the time! I remember seeing my son passed around my relatives and had ants in my pants until I could get him back!