help - can only sleep in 1 comfortable position at 28 weeks! Also, what sling to buy?

[EmmaPP]

hi there.
Am 29 weeks and i can only get comfortable lying on my right hand side - but then i wake up with a numb shoulder and ear!! It's not a big problem, i just wriggle about a bit till the shoulder isnt numb and then get back onto my right hand side. Cant lie on my left as get a pain down side - dr says i've stretched a ligament. Cant lie on back - even with 3 pillows under one hip as feels uncomfortable across my belly - ie feels over stretched! i have one of those V pillows and about 4 normal pillows between my legs when i lie on my side. Any other positions that can be recommmended?!
Also, have read previous mumsnet threads re what sling to buy. So from that found out that most people find baby bjorn no good. I liked the more "hippy" slings that are basically a piece of cotton you learn to tie around you - which seemed to be best recommendation on this site, but my mate said you actually feel like your baby may fall out - especially as only tied with one knot. Any other recommendations?
thanks!

no advice on sleeping i'm afraid - am 25 weeks and uncomfortable too. can get comfy on one side but only for a while so i am turning from side to side all the time.

slings - i had a cotton sling last time, and although it takes a little getting used to, if you tie it properly (eg fairly tightly) the baby doesnt feel vulnerable at all - feels really comfy and secure. just takes practice.

meant to say had a didymos last time and will use it again but might get a new one as well - quite fancy a hugabub or one of the other similar ones.

I started off with a wrap sling as you describe but found it tricky to use. Once I'd got the hang of tying it it was fine for a longish trip out but was no good when I needed to pop her in and out for nappies, getting in/out the car etc.

Eventually I got a cheapy pouch (similar to this but unlined) which was ace as there was no tying and it was eaiser to get dd in and out.
Once she was 5m or so we used the hip carry thus, which we both loved.
It is asymmetric though so works one shoulder much harder than the other.

Thanks MrsBadger. I should've also said i've got RSI (repetitive strain injury) so cant have weight on just one shoulder as will be in agony - ie need very ergonomically designed sling. that pouch looks like most of the weight only goes on one shoulder.

You want a wrap then - they are very secure, and if you get a stretchy wrap you can pre tie it and pop the baby in and out. They are also very good for distributing the weight.

If you can get to a Slingmeet, you'll be able to see people using them and try one on

There's a sling for little babies called the Peanut (or maybe Peanut shell) which my friends recommend (and I'm being lent). I'll only use this for a little while though as I have a bad back and one shoulder slings aren't ideal for me.

Personally I like my Baby Bjorn - I have the black and red one which has proper back support, but it didn't take me too far as my son was a big boy and he got quite tight in it! My second is due soon and she seems smaller so hoping to get some proper wear out of it this time.

Have you got anything actually under your bump to supprt it when laying on the left? That way the ligaments needn't pull?

I got one like this

i have the babasling lined up got great reviews on the net. looks great and is really comfortable and easy to use

thanks Lotster - that bump support thing looks really great!will get one

If you are new to wraps then a Close is ideal. When you feel a bit more confident a Kari-me is fab. There is no way a baby can fall out! I am using a Kari me with ds who is 7 months and 19 lb and started with the Close. Very happy with both

the slings that go over one shoulder-are they comfortable?

Second the Close. It is like a wrap, but comes pre-wraped iyswim, so it is a little easier to manage. Very good beginner wrap sling. Distributes weight evenly across your back. Is stretchy so safe if you get it a little wrong sometimes.

With the tie ones, most of the popular/beginner ways of tying, wrap the material around the body a few times, so if your knot isn't good the baby SLOWLY slips down to your knees, but literally falling out is impossible.

Where do you live?

Hello all,
Noticed this thread. Am 40 weeks 5 days, got bought a Close sling by my friends. Have no idea how to use it, it came with a DVD which put me off, but sounds like I should persevere with it. x

Hi
Would echo cmot regarding a wrap sling. I had this one which is stretchy and a reasonable price. Can wear it pre-tied sans baby in the car etc so very easy to just pop baby in and not have the sling ends dangling in puddles etc!

Sorry have nothing to offer re the sleep

that link didn't work Wuglet, can u try again, I am in the market for a sling.....

Babystarlightsmum - i live in Watford, Herts.

The Close sling does look less complicated to use than the others which need to be completely tied. Maybe i will go into a shop and try some out - would John Lewis be the best shop to try, or mothercare - with a good range?
thanks for all your help.

With the risk of sounding like a broken record today, - have you considered giving birth at the Edgeware Birthing Unit. Tis heaven on earth!

I don't think John Lewis do them. Blooming Marvelous do and Mothercare might now.

Just noticed Blooming Marvellous is kaput

oh

Sorry - was making DD's tea!

try again

babystarlightsmum my friend's about to give birth at Edgware - with her second. She raves about it. However, i dont like the idea of definately not being able to have an epidural - which is the case there. Plus i've had complications in my pregnancy so doubt they'd sign me off to be able to have it there - there are no drs, only midwives.

Hi, I used a Storchenwiege with our DS1 and it was fantastic, we never used a stroller/pram until he was 6 months old. Am using it with DS2 now bd its great. Our older boy still fits in it if he needs too. The ties are easy once you get the hang of it and I can get ours on in a shorter time than my SIL takes to put on her ergo carrier (a font/back pack style carrier).

link here

I don't like the sling because of the one-sidedness and the wrap has great back support.

The Storchenwiege one is quite dear but the way it is made stops the knots slipping and the colours are great. We did heaps of research about wearing babies, and most chiropractors who commented said wraps are better than slings.

Enjoy wearing your baby - it makes life so much easier!

EmmaPP I think the general idea is that you won't NEED an epidural, the place is so calm and the mws so great.

I'm sure you'll do well wherever you decide though (Is it Watford? - A friend had a lovely birth there).

yes having baby in watford.