Baby carrier/sling

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Hi all,

I'm looking at baby carriers/slings and trying to decide whether it's best to get one that's for 0-1 years or another that's 0-3 years (and double the price).

So my Q is - how much use have any parents out there had from slings after the first year? (Or do you swap over to other carrying methods?!)

Thanks in advance! X

I haven't used my sling at all since about 10 months. My husband still uses his though (we got different types as we couldn't agree 🤣)

I’d go to your local sling library for a consultation. They are amazing and helpful.

I had a close caboo for the first few months then moved to an integra, (am on the second size now) but slings are very personal. My LO didn’t want to be carried for ages but loves it again aged nearly 3!

I had a cloth wrap for when he was a newborn but DS (14 weeks) uses the ergobaby we have lots, especially if it is a day where toddler DD is not at nursery as it’s the only way to occupy them both

Used the ergobaby a lot with DD when she was younger too, especially on walks as it meant we could go places that the pushchair couldn’t

I used mine from 8 weeks to about 3.5 years, for two children so about 5.5 years in total. A Beco Gemini, well worth the money for what we got out of it and still get out of it.

Thank you so much everyone! I've only really looked at Baby Bjorn so far but will take a look at the other names mentioned above - and didn't even know a sling library was a thing! So will definitely look into that too. X

Definitely don't get a Baby Bjorn if you want any decent use out of it

We have an ergo baby 360 Omni and still using it at 14 months. It depends on your child though whether they will tolerate being in a sling. I used a soft wrap sling around the house until they were a few months old.

Close Caboo to begin with then Ergo classic, and Tula. You can use the ergo and Tula from newborn with an insert if baby is big enough. Tula is my favourite as if moulds fo you and baby so well.
Lots of the Baby Björns are terrible for hip development and must be so uncomfortable to be suspended by the crotch. Better slings support baby's legs in healthy position. I still carry my 3.5 year old when she's tired, on my back. Slings are brilliant for shopping as you're hands free!

The problem is the 0-3 years ones are normally not much good until they can hold their head up so more like 4 months - 3 years.

Would second the recommendation to look into a carrying library or sling consultant. Most are operating remotely.

From newborn good options are:

Stretchy wrap sling - super easy to use, cheap, can even do home made without any safety issues. Choice of bright and colourful or plain black/grey. Lasts until about 9 months.

Woven wrap sling - quite a bit harder to use, expensive, quite "hippyish" BUT the most versatile and can be used right up to about 4/5 years old and beyond if you wanted to - can eventually become a swing or hammock. If you like the aesthetic these can be absolutely gorgeous but not everyone does.

Ring sling - medium learning curve, best if shown how to use one in person. Can place strain on one shoulder, but I found this the best type to breastfeed in once you have the hang of it. Can use right up to 3ish years as a hip/back carrier, but does get heavy as child gets older. Again has a slightly "hippy" vibe which appeals to some people and puts others off.

Ring/stretchy crossover one like Close Caboo - similar to Stretchy wraps but a bit less daunting for some people. Costs a bit more than a stretchy, might last a little less time (9 months ish again). Plain colours.

Structured carrier from newborn (e.g. Baby Bjorn type or multiple cheaper/various baby equipment branded ones) - tend to work better for dads. Not brilliant hip position for babies, tends to hang all baby's weight off your shoulders (not comfy). Often not great until child can hold own head. Won't last long (less than a year easily). But easy to find and fairly easy to use.

Then if you have a shorter lasting carrier, most people move on to:

Soft Structured Carrier (bigger buckle carrier) - typically suitable from when child can hold own head/sit with support, can get various sizes, really supportive for back carrying. BEWARE of cheap fakes on ebay/amazon that don't meet safety guidelines even though they say they do. Good brands are Ergo, Tula, Boba, I'm not up to date on others.

Mei Tai or half buckle - similar to buckle carriers but has long straps you tie rather than clasps, which can make it more adjustable but a bit harder to use.

My preference is a stretchy wrap then move into a buckle carrier at around 6-9 months.

I did sling wrap for newborn stage where he lay horizontal not upright, Mei Tai for a bit older with both front and back carrying, also had an Ergo baby carrier which went on like a rucksack with clips.

As Ds is now 15 years old I believe I used the Ergo and Mei Tai until he was almost 3. He rode on my back and loved it as did I.

Definitely go to a sling library so you can check out lots of different varieties. My mate had a ring sling but I couldn't get on with it.

I have a stretchy Moby wrap that I used continuously from about three weeks until six months (it couldn't handle him flinging himself backwards at random) then switched to an Ergo 360, which did us until about 18 months, when going in any kind of carrier became absolutely unthinkable. I have a super stubborn kid 🤣

This one going to go for the same again, and because we're going for longer walks these days we're going to try my cousin's old hiking backpack carrier to see if DS will put up with it for the last stretches of walks in it, then I can have baby and DH can have him and we don't have to try to haul a buggy round the forest park. Fingers crossed.

I recommend the Close Caboo and get to a sling library (some are meeting online) to find out how to use it. You can leave the Caboo tied on and pop the baby in and out really quickly. My youngest was on me basically all the time and it meant I could do other stuff while he napped in the sling. They hold their value well so you'll be able to sell it on again after you've finished with it.

I used a Jazooli wrap sling when DS was newborn and it did us a good few months. Then we moved on to a baby carrier. Unfortunately, he's a whopper who weighed 13kg by 9 months and my back couldn't cope with carrying him much longer, so I'm glad I got the baby carrier second hand.

The wrap sling was amazing for the fussy newborn stage when I couldn't put him down. I just strapped him to me so I could at least make a sandwich.

I used my slings up till around 2.5yrs when DC wanted to walk almost every where and got too heavy for me (very tall child).

Stretchy wrap from newborn, then a Diddytai mei tai with wrap straps which once I got the hang of it was the best one for my back and shoulders. I used a Beco onbu for quick trips and found that really useful as it folded down so small. When DC grew out of baby size, which was fairly early as so tall I got a Didymos buckle carrier which was also really comfortable and fitted both DH (6' 5") and me (5' 6"). DH did use a Stokke structured carrier a bit but DC much preferred the other carriers which are softer but more supportive.

I went to a sling library a couple of times which was useful as it ruled out ring slings for me as it hurt my shoulder too much. I bought all my slings second hand from facebook groups apart from the stretchy and they have been great value.