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Pregnancy

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Original poster

Baby sling - which one?

32 replies

Boobz · 29/12/2008 21:38

Am due in March and just starting to get various things in for the babe (first) and think I would like to try a sling as well as using a pram (DH especially likes this idea).

So, have done a search on Google and Ebay and the choice is befuddling.

Would love to get the sage MN massive's input.

Firstly: Is it worth getting one of those big sporty things like a MacPac Possum? DH likes his sporty gear and is being swayed by the back-pack looks of it and we're both outdoorsy people, so would we benefit from one of these? Quite pricey it seems.. on first search.

Secondly: Do people have a preference over the material wrap type slings vs. Baby Bjorn slings, and if so, which one is better?

If you say the material type ones, what brands should I be looking at? There appears to be millions of different options.

Think that's it -- all advice gratefully appreciated.

Boobz xxx

OP posts:

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Fivesetsofschoolfees · 29/12/2008 21:42

I've had a few different slings over the years.

I think for a newborn, the kind that keeps them close to you and well supported are good. I didn't find they lasted much beyond the first few months. The kind of sling that I got most mileage out of was the Maya Wrap style. This is basically a large piece of fabric that you gather into a couple of rings. You wear the baby fairly low down, and when they get a bit older, they sit on your hip.

ihavenewsockson · 29/12/2008 21:43

i have a bad back and used a baby bjorn til my ds was about 5mths and then a baba sling.
both good but baba sling was fab- can use 9 diff. positions up to age 3.
look here

Original poster

Boobz · 29/12/2008 21:43

DH has just found Bush Baby Cocoon (up to 6 months) and Busy Baby Elite (from 6 months) - he likes the look of these. Any thoughts / reviews?

xxx

OP posts:

dontcallmehon · 29/12/2008 21:44

I like the moby wrap for the first few months. Looks daunting, but is easy to use and soooo comfortable.

I started to use a mei tai when dd reached 6 months and still use it now she is 15 months.

Avoid baby bjorn type carriers imo.

CoteDAzur · 29/12/2008 21:46

Baby Bjorn is really quite horrible. It's hard (so hurts tiny babies & leaves marks on their faces), a nightmare to put on, and looks terrible with bits and pieces hanging off everywhere.

I had one with DD and hated it. Sold it on E-bay rather quickly.

For bump, I recently got a Moby Wrap because I heard/read so much about it.

AlbertaWildRose · 29/12/2008 21:48

We have a MacPac for DS, and have used it loads, so I would highly recommend it. You can't use it until the baby is older though, so you will still need a sling for the early months. We had a Baby Bjorn which I liked initially but I found that DS got too heavy for it very quickly. This time round (baby due in 3 weeks) we have bought an Ergo baby carrier, which can be worn on your front, hip, or back. I have heard lots of people recommend them, so hopefully it will work well.

Original poster

Boobz · 29/12/2008 21:48

Why avoid Baby bjorn carriers dontcallmehon? DH is thinking for hiking and stuff - he thinks the carriers rather than the slings will work better (more sturdy etc)?

OP posts:

MrsMattie · 29/12/2008 21:50

I'm using the Moby Wrap sling after various MN-ers recommended it. DD is only 6 weeks old, but so far so good. There are lots of different ways to wrap it and they take practice, but I have mastered a couple of the ones suitable for newborns and it is very comfy and cosy for both of us . Not sure how it will stand up for a heavier, older baby?

Sa Sa slings rent slings out if you want to try before you buy, by the way.

And the Moby website has photos showing you the different ways to wrap your baby.

cmotdibbler · 29/12/2008 21:51

For tinies, a wrap sling or a ring sling are best, and then a MeiTai as they get older. Wraps and ring slings are hands free and very secure - much better than the pouch type like the BB cocoon

We have a BushBaby Elite as well as MeiTais, and the rucksac rarely gets used as it's bulky, and you loose the close contact with your child you have in the fabric slings. It is good when you are on your own and have shopping to do though.

DH carries as much as I do - pics on my profile of our MeiTais

MrsMattie · 29/12/2008 21:52

Sa Sa Slings

cmotdibbler · 29/12/2008 21:52

Oh, and the slings are better for hiking as the baby/child is held tight into you which gives you much better balance. They are very very sturdy too

CantSleepWontSleep · 29/12/2008 22:01

You can check out lots of MN sling reviews here.

I like the close baby carrier this time around, but have only used it in the newborn position so far (ds is 11 weeks), so there are 4 more positions yet to try!

We also have a baby bjorn active, which we also used with dd. Despite the bashing it always gets on here (some points of which I agree with to an extent), I do rate it, because the back support is good (not so good on the non-active version), and it is very easy to put on. Both dd and now ds seem perfectly happy in it. It isn't much good if you want to sit down though, so only recommended for when you are on the move.

Original poster

Boobz · 29/12/2008 22:10

Thanks for all your advice so far! Should have seen that product review section before now CSWS! Have been on MN for 6 months now and still don't know all the sections to the site.

I like the look of the Babasling best so far, and DH is convinced of BB cocoon, looking to upgrade to a BB Elite when it's older.

OP posts:

chandellina · 29/12/2008 22:44

i loved the baby bjorn when DS was very tiny. He felt so snuggly, and he always went to sleep. Now he's five months and isn't so keen on being confined like that. Plus, it brought back my SPD pain from pregnancy.

We also have an Ergo, which is more comfortable for everyone, but IMO not great for hiking.

We had him in it for about four hours on a hike and he was miserable (granted it was also sweltering - this was in South Africa).

For hiking i think you really need a structured frame backpack thingy once they are three plus months and holding their head up well.

the fabric slings didn't work for me.

dinny · 29/12/2008 22:47

I'll prob get this or similar, Boobz www.huggababy.co.uk/

fab to be able to bf in one, which you can't in ones like Baby Bjorn

WalkingInAWonderStuffingLand · 29/12/2008 22:51

Another vote for the moby wrap, the weight is distributed all across your back, whereas more structured carriers concentrate the weight on the shoulders and at some points in the back so you can't comfortably wear it past a month or so imo. Had my 13mo on my back with a moby for about 40 mins last week and I really barely felt her weight. Big Momma Slings is a good site for comparing slings.

dontcallmehon · 29/12/2008 23:00

I don't think the baby bjorn distributes a baby's weight correctly.With most fabric wraps baby is not just supported by the crotch but by a wide panel of fabric. The legs should be in a froggy (wide legged) position.

I also don't think it would be comfortable for hiking.

I carried my 3 year old on my back in a mei tai and 15 month old on my front. Now admittedly I am a hard-core sling devotee, but that should show how comfortable they are.

dinkystinkyclaus · 30/12/2008 09:05

Boobz - we used Baby Bjorn with DS (from when he was a few days old until just after he turned 1) and did plenty of long hikes with him when he was little. It was fine (for both me and DH) to use but we mde a point of taking DS out every hour and a half or so and letting him have a kick/crawl around on a blanket on the grass. You need to make sure you position the baby right and wear the carrier right - if you dont, you'll get back ache and its not great for the baby. If you do, its absolutely fine. We now use the littlelife back carriers (he's 2.8 so dont need to use them that often - only when he's tired) for hiking.

ChrismumMiaow · 30/12/2008 09:16

I sell slings, and do a lot of demos, and if you want to carry your baby a lot, and are willing to buy a couple of slings to last you through, I'd either say a ring sling and a mei tai, or a stretchy wrap and a mei tai.

If you want one sling that will last you up to a toddler and will be the most comfortable thing ever - go for a woven wrap like a didymos or a storchenwiege. They take a bit of practice, but you'll find them so, so comfortable - and they're easy once you get the hang. Well worth the effort.

Several places will also do sling hire (me, and SaSa slings mentioned earlier I think) and that would be a great way to decide which is best for you. Or get yourself to a slingmeet to try out other people's!

I have read that babybjorns can make any pre-existing back or hip condition worse (ones that you may not know about) although it shouldn't cause problems, so I would always go for something that encourages the froggy position for legs.

hedgepig · 30/12/2008 10:08

hi boobz. I have borrowed a wilkinet carrier from a friend for ds2 and I am very pleased with it. It is a bit more structured than some of the slings mentioned but it is nice and soft and the straps are very adjustable. the tying does look a bit daunting but only took a couple of gos to get the hang of.
here

Chocolatedays · 30/12/2008 10:21

My dh and I are fans of the Ergo. You'll need the newborn insert for the first 4months (ish)

iwantitnow · 30/12/2008 10:37

Ergo great for hiking IME - from 6 months onwards. I wouldn't want to strap one of those heavy back carriers. I've got a kari me off ebay for baby no.2 due in March, slightly lighter fabric than the Moby as worried about using it in the summer. I had a Baby Bjorn with DD and my DH loved using it, I hated it hurt my shoulders and as I had a c-section baby's legs hit me just on the scar. I've heard not so great reports about the Ergo insert for newborn, but highly recommend the Ergo as so light and easy to put on.

Chocolatedays · 30/12/2008 10:49

The insert worked for us upto c 3months- she then seemed big enough for the carrier without - think it depends on size of baby.

foxytocin · 30/12/2008 10:50

big mama has a sale on at the moment. get yourself on there and get one.

foxytocin · 30/12/2008 10:51

bigmamaslings

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