Regular sling users - pros/cons?

[EithneBlue]

I'm really addressing this at those of you who already have at least one child and primarily used a sling for the first 6 months.

For a range of reasons, I'm looking at not buying a buggy/pram for the first few months after baby's arrival (due mid-late November) and giving the sling a really decent try first - that leaves me free to buy a small-folding buggy at 6 months which will be cheaper than a full travel system and take up less space (therefore fit in my tiny car and narrow hallway). I am just going to pre-empt the sling-haters here by saying that I have already done my research and know that if I hate the sling (or if baby hates the sling) there are enough prams available online that I can pick one up quickly if I decide that's actually what we need.

So, those of you who used a sling a lot (and therefore had time to get used to it) - especially those of you who used one with a winter baby - what were the main advantages and disadvantages that you found with regularly using a sling? I'm not asking for disadvantages in order to be put off (As I think is clear, I've already decided what I want to do) but I'm asking so that I can be a little more prepared and have a full picture :-)

@EithneBlue hey! I've not had my baby yet, im due beginning of November! But I also looked into this and when I went to look at prams I asked if I could just have a sling and they did say that the rules are the same as a car seat, baby can't be in there for long periods as they should be laying flat. So for short walks it would be fine but if you want to go shopping or something they shouldn't be in for more than an hour and a half i think?

There are so many pros to using slings, young babies love being close to you, it means you have two hands free, if you're in a city public transport is so much easier with a sling. Walks over uneven terrain are easier too. I used a fabric sling in the house when the baby was super small. Then have an ergo-360 for going out and about and for longer trips. I loved it as baby can be inwards and outwards facing. Great for when baby is either asleep or awake. I used mine loads.

My DD is a winter baby and the one thing is if it's really raining they can be a bit tricky getting the layers right, as you'll need a waterproof cover for the baby. Also as the carrier is fabric it holds some water too. So not the most practical if the weather is really bad but I didn't have a waterproof coat that fitted over it.

Another disadvantage is they are a little tricky for timing going in and out of the car past a certain age. When our daughter was tiny she'd generally stay asleep transitioning from the car to the sling (even getting a big overcoat on when it was cold), but once they're a bit bigger getting any extra layers on/off would mean they would wake up getting in or out of the car. But if you won't be driving much, it isn't too much of a problem.

The one other thing is that sometimes it is handy just to have somewhere to put them down. For example if you're out and about by yourself and you need to go to the toilet, you can't just pop them in the pram (you quickly learn how to manage it but just a note). Also loading up the pram with stuff is helpful if you want to go shopping/buy anything bulky. You wouldn't be able to carry that whilst baby was in the sling. It's all easy to manage, just things like that are much trickier on your own.

I had a travel system too and did use a mix, but generally she always slept better in the sling and almost never took my big travel buggy into Central London, the sling was always easier. I know friends who have done exactly what you want to do and got on fine with it. It's just about having the right gear.

Sorry that turned into a bit of an essay...

[quote biscuit13]@EithneBlue hey! I've not had my baby yet, im due beginning of November! But I also looked into this and when I went to look at prams I asked if I could just have a sling and they did say that the rules are the same as a car seat, baby can't be in there for long periods as they should be laying flat. So for short walks it would be fine but if you want to go shopping or something they shouldn't be in for more than an hour and a half i think?[/quote]
I don't think this is right. It's not the same as a car seat as you can reposition them in a sling, although you do need to make sure their airway is clear. NCT has advice here: www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/slings-and-swaddling/everything-you-need-know-about-slings-and-carriers

My first was an end of September birthday, so not quite the winter baby you’re asking about, but until someone more qualifies gives an opinion...

Advantages:
DD was nice and toasty warm in the sling, and I could check her temperature really easily because her head/back of neck were always within reach. She also tended to keep her hands in, whereas in the pram she would inevitably get them out and get chilly fingers (never could get the bloody gloves to stay on!)
Could use it in the house as well - DD was a Velcro baby and wanted to be held as much as possible. I used to pop her in the sling every morning and jiggle her a bit while I tidied up the kitchen and made myself a cup of tea (obviously didn’t drink it with her there, I’d pop her on her mat for that). Having my hands free for a solid hour was BRILLIANT and she would usually nod off.
If you’re doing something that involves going through lots of doorways it’s much easier than a pram e.g. popping into various different shops for only 1 thing. Or if you’re going anywhere with narrow corridors, you don’t have to bother to get baby out and carry (which firstly means you don’t have your hands, and secondly might wake baby up)
Random old ladies are less likely to get right in your babies face! They also won’t be able to just randomly pick them up (obviously they shouldn’t do this, but it’s awkward if someone asks for a cuddle and you obviously say no.

Disadvantages:
Baby can’t stay in it hugely long, or may not want to. I forget what the maximum time is for newborns, might be an hour? So wouldn’t be suitable for massive dog walk etc.
If you stop to talk to someone, you often end up embarrassingly jiggling on the spot to keep baby happy. Certain this made me look like a moron.
They get HEAVY. Post-partum, my hips felt weird for a few weeks, like they were too loose. So walking with extra weight could get uncomfortable sooner than was convenient.
Sometimes you get hot/sweaty (depends on type of carrier and what else you are wearing), but this doesn’t happen often.
You can’t jog/run - if you’re trying to catch a bus, or just get more exercise, it’s not safe to run with a carrier, but you can run and push a pram quite smoothly (if you’re strong!)
If they nod off in the pram, you can leave them in it (assuming lying flat etc) and you get a bit of time to yourself! If they nod off in the carrier, you might have to choose between leaving them in it and waking them up.

Hi, I exclusively used slings for my now 10 and 7 year olds (one never used a pram and one transitioned to a special needs buggy/wheelchair at around 3.5 years).

Both mine were winter babies l, the one difficulty I found with that was layers, a sling counts as a layer, if you use a wrap sling, each pass (the amount of times the sling wraps over baby) counts as a layer, so a 3 pass carry = 3 layers, so practice with how many layers feel comfortable before your first outings.

Try to get a consultation with a sling consultant, they can talk you through what your needs are and what will fit your frame and lifestyle.

You’ll likely need to practice different feeding positions in the sling so you don’t need to repeatedly take baby out.

There’s no limit to how long you can have baby in a sling (as long as you follow TICKS guindlines), it actually counts as tummy time and can help prevent plagiocephaly (flat head).

If I can answer and other questions please feel free to ask or message me.

I used a sling/carrier a lot for the first 2 years with my DS (we’ve now moved onto a backpack carrier). It’s great if baby has reflux as they are upright, babies love being close to you and will generally sleep quite well in the sling. You can get a winter cover that attaches to the carrier for when the weather is cold/wet. Agree with PP that it can be a pain not having somewhere to lie baby down when you want to use the toilet or stop for something to eat and drink and also if you want to pick up shopping it’s easier to pop it in the basket of the pram/pushchair. Have you thought about a pushchair that lies flat so is suitable from birth if you’d rather not buy a travel system? We had a mamas and papas flip xt2 which lies flat and is both parent and world facing

I used both a sling and a pram regularly until about 1yo when DD got too heavy to carry. I think they are both useful to have - I often start out with her in the pram and come home with her in the sling.

For me the sling was really useful for short walks or quick trips to the shops or if I was going somewhere I knew I would have somewhere safe to put baby down when I got there so parents house or to a baby class/group. The pram was great for longer trips or days out, carrying lots of things or heavy things back from the supermarket/shops, going out for lunch/coffee so I had somewhere to put baby. It gets easier when baby can sit in a high chair because you don't have to hold them all the time!

I will say that I think it's very useful to have a baby that naps in the buggy - DD is now 2 and naps really well in the buggy so it means we don't have to limit days out or have a very shattered grumpy toddler.

We used the sling exclusively for the first 6 months as DS was a Velcro baby and refused the pram. We had an ergo omni 360 which can be used from birth without an insert and it was fantastic.

DS loved being close to me and it was the only way to get him to sleep without breastfeeding him, so DH could take him for a walk and give me a break. It was so easy on public transport (live in London so got bus and tube a lot) and on walks (we live near a big common with uneven terrain). DS was so happy in it and it felt nice being close enough to talk, sing to and comfort him, as well as point things out when he was bigger.

I don’t really have any downsides. We used it a lot until DS was 1, but introduced the pram as well at 6 months and as pp said it was good to encourage him to nap in the pram, but had no problems only starting that at 6 months onwards.

I’m pregnant with DC2 now and planning to continue using the pram for DS and just having the sling for DC2 for the first 6 months again.

@4amWitchingHour apologies if I've got it a bit wrong. Just if a baby isnt supposed to be in a car seat for a long period because of their lungs being squashed, then a sling is similar to that.
I think slings are a great idea, I plan on using one myself here and there but I will mainly be using the pram to keep baby laying flat and safe.

I've never heard of the hour rule. Mine would sometimes sleep for hours in the sling, longer than she evet did at night at that age. They are close to you and its easy to see that they are breathing.

The main disadvantage is the not having a spot to put them down and you have to carry all your stuff in a bag.

Beyond that I think they are easier, no crashing the pram into things, easier on public transport (just read the buggies on the bus threads here), you don't have to worry where to put them in cafes, you don't have to wrap them up so warmly in the winter and I found if mine woke in the pram she wanted picking up, not great in the supermarket.

@biscuit13 a sling isn’t the same as a car seat - they’re held in a completely different position (as long as you’re doing it right!) so there is no issue at all with breathing. There’s no time limit with slings as far as I know - but please share some guidance if I’m wrong as planning on doing it again with baby 2!

I found, as I breastfed (very frequently) and co slept for a while, that sometimes I felt a bit 'touched out' and therefore it was nice to use the pram sometimes to have a bit of physical space which I didn't get with the sling

Also, as others have said, easier in bad weather to use a pram and rain cover and less to carry, particularly as they get bigger and heavier, as the changing bag and other bits can go on the pram

@biscuit13 the main issue with car seats, bouncers, swings etc is that the seated position can punch baby’s chin onto the chest which can obstruct their airway, this coupled with the reduced or absent supervision can be very dangerous.

A sling differs in that baby’s position is more akin to laying flat, they have freedom of movement and, most, importantly are under constant supervision close to a parent.

TICKS guidelines should always be followed when baby is in a sling.

Push not punch, I’d avoid a car seat that punches your baby tbh

@PinkyU ah I see. So its about their chin being away from their chest. Sorry if I've got it wrong 🙈 I read a post the other day about someone saying their sling instructions had like a time limit for baby being in there.

I used a simple mei-tai one (with ties, so DP and II could use the same one), and that's all I used for both of my babies (well, I tried a stretchy wrap when they were very young, but they preferred the mei-tai and the stretchy was just a pain once they got any kind of weight). I never used a buggy at all, apart from once when we were flying and he was 1 so bought one so he could sleep between flights.

They sat in it froggy style with their legs tucked in, either front facing, or spun round facing me when they were sleepy, until they were about 6 or 8 months, then sometimes I'd poke their legs out around me, but stay froggy for DP who's wider (!). I tried back carry, but DS2 just pulled my hair and DS1 preferred to walk by the time he was heavy enough for me to not want to carry him on my front.

I preferred it because this was over winter, so we both stayed warmer more easily, and I just hate having a buggy getting in the way everywhere. I've always been pretty sturdy though, I imagine if you had back issues it would be harder.

I didn't have a car with DS1, but with DS2 I'd just wear the mei-tai and pop him in and out of it/the car seat, I never carried him in a car seat at all, which was great because again, I hate the bulk of it, much easier to just carry the baby!

Yes, there's no limit on the time that a baby, correctly positioned according to the TICKS guidance, can spend in the sling. In practical terms there will always be breaks because baby will need feeding and changing at fairly regular intervals. Sling babies don't really need additional tummy time and in my experience develop excellent core strength from being carried.

If you are carrying over the winter you will need to think about what clothing baby needs in the sling as you won't use a footmuff, and snowsuits are too bulky and hot for sling use. Tuppence and Crumble's starsnug fleeces are excellent for slings and are also safe for use in car seats. Legwarmers are useful, as are little moccasins with socks attached (moc-ons are the branded ones but Sainsbury's do a lovely version). Be careful if using babygros or other clothing with feet, as they can ride up when you tighten the sling and crush the baby's toes. Size up if your baby has big feet and give the feet a little tug around the toes to check that there is room.

I did also use a pram, but most of my reasons were related to having an older child: the pram is useful to carry bags / homework / shopping on the school run, and it is blissful to be able to have an hour or so unencumbered if baby naps in the pram in the garden when you get home, but otherwise I'm absolutely evangelical about slings.

I used both and ended up with three carriers.

Stretchy sling - newborn and at home carrying. Perfect for getting stuff done while I held my Velcro baby.

Beco Carrier - used from about two months and still in rotation. Quick and easy to put on. Worked for me and DH. Probably most used for dog walks and walking to baby group, etc.

Recent purchase - a hiking carrier. Bought because we want to do longer hikes and that means wanting shade/rain protection. He seems to enjoy it too.

Pram/pushchair I use for walking to the shop and running with. Not a factor for us as they’re not local but the grandparents would have struggled with the sling but not the pushchair.

I thought I was going to love it, but honestly, I just find them more of a faff than the pram/buggy. I tried it on and off for about four months, but I never loved it.

When dog walking, I feel safer with the baby in the buggy.

I never really got what chores were easier with the baby in the sling. Cutting vegetables and mopping the floor, maybe. That was about it. Everything else involved too much bending, hot liquids or chemicals.

My baby is not one that needs to be touched or held constantly, he's fine with some distance and tbh I didn't feel the need to discourage that.

If I was going on public transport, I do think the carrier would be better because I hate people poking and prodding at him (he's mixed race in a country where that is pretty rare, so we already attract a ton of attention which I'm not desperate for.)

As far as I know, they're not supposed to be in them for long periods as they need to exercise on the floor and stuff.

But since my baby was born during the whole pandemic thing, I never really went anywhere with him except dog walking and hospital appointments. If I'd been going to classes or taking public transport, it might have been different.

I also found using a sling very handy, tidying, dog walking snack/ light meal prep etc. I had a November baby so Christmas shopping was also easier without a buggy. I also had one of those pram systems that was not practical at all and I bought a stroller as soon as my baby was 6m.

I just wanted to suggest maybe it's useful having a look at quinny zapp flex (or flex plus) it is a very small folding lightweight stroller. So maneuverable. You can convert into from birth system with addition of a cocoon or maxi cosi car seat, for those times you might want to put baby down and go for a walk. As it is a stroller you can use it until its needed. The price is great too. I am due another November baby 😊 and hoping to use a combination of both.

I had a winter baby and exclusively used a sling for 6 months.

It was a great bonding experience. I got good at transferring him from car to sling while asleep.

Make sure you have a massive blanket sized muslin in your bag so you can lay the baby on the ground when you are out and about. And a comfy rucksack changing bag, as you will already be carrying a lot.

When it rained I just used an umbrella. And I had some thick socks for one year olds that I could pop on over a onesie to keep legs warm. They went up to his knees.

You won't need pram or snow suits like other babies as the baby will have your body heat. We got by with just layers and a jumper.

And if you end up with an unplanned csection you will need someone else to carry the baby for a few weeks.

As far as I know, they're not supposed to be in them for long periods as they need to exercise on the floor and stuff.

You could say exactly the same about a pram or bouncer; that’s not exclusive to slings.

Re: C-sections - this will be different for everyone and you should only do what you feel comfortable with but there is no reason why you can’t carry fairly soon after a CS. Baby is so high on your chest that they are well away from the wound - I was carrying DS in a stretchy sling on the postnatal ward on day 2 post CS.

My main advice is to get a comfortable backpack to that distributes weight well to carry baby stuff in.

"You could say exactly the same about a pram or bouncer; that’s not exclusive to slings."

Not really, because they can move about in the pram.

Bouncers are not recommended for longer than 30 minutes a day.

The only downside we had to using a sling all the time was that DS was a tiny baby and we had to wait for him to be big enough to fit in the sling! After that it was a doddle