Is a carry cot necessary if you're planning on using a baby sling?

[birdofthenorth]

Hi all, I'm 12 weeks pg with my first and just trying to budget how much we need to save for all the equipment and furniture.

I plan to buy a baby sling because I'll need to use it when doing things like walking the dogs, and wondered if a carry cot is really necessary as well? We're getting a car seat free from a friend and most carry cots seem to be sold as part travel system packages whereas we'll be buying our pram seperately. I'll also have a moses basket... so will I be likley to have need for a moses basket, baby sling AND a carry cot?

I'm a bit clueless as you can tell!! Thanks.

DS was never in a carry cot, as long as your pram lets your DC lie flat it doesn't need to be a carry cot.

It kind of depends on how much walking you plan on doing and where ie: pavements/cross country.

I used a sling almost exclusively in the beginning but we also had a carry cot that went onto our buggy for the first 6 months. Our DS is a little shrimp so never a heavy baby and he loved the sling but my shoulders couldn't take it for more than an hour at a time quite soon - can't remember exactly what age/weight...

However I did have a baby bjorn (the cheapest model) which is tough on your shoulders. The Ergo is meant to be amazing - more pricey but will last til they are at least 4 years old as they can go on your back when bigger.

There's always the consideration to make that your baby might HATE slings! This can happen so don't rule that possibility out

What age can your pram be used from? Most are from birth in which case you won't need a carry cot.. if it's suitable from 3 months then you still prob. won't need one as you can sling your babba for that early time period.

Hope this helps

Oh that's v helpful thanks. Haven't bought the pram yet so will look out for a 'suitable from birth' model in the hope that between that and a sling we can do without a carry cot.

Ta for the sling advice too, my friend raves about the Moby Wrap but I'll definately check out Ergo too!

I would say try and get a pram whcih is suitable from birth even if you plan to use a sling. Baby may hate the sling, you may end up having a cs an not be able to use the sling comfortably for a while etc etc.
Good luck!

Great thank you. It hadn't occurred to me that the baby migt reject the sling!

BTW my DSS loves The Owl Who Was Afraid Of The Dark

i agree.. a sling is great as your close to your baby but make sure you dont just pick any as some are hard work to put on and use properly. plus some are hardwearing on your shoulders.. in my opinion 3 in 1 travel systems are brill... you have a car seat which you'll need when u get released from hospital and baby will be happy and comfy in there as n when you need. then can still use pushchair as baby gets older.
i am on my 3rd DC and i have never used a carry cot..
i just had my pushchair, a cotbed (as last longer) a moses basket a sling and a travel cot if u plan to stay out or visit long distance family etc

Good luck on your 1st pregnancy

I bought the Jane capazo carry cot which can go in the car as a lie flat car seat. Also doubles as a moses basket in the house/in-laws etc.

Didn't buy a pushchair (due next week!) but would probably get one that is compatible with the carry cot from Jane. I've got a sling as well.

The moby wrap is excellent However if you do a lot of walking it may be beneficial to invest in something like the Ergo which goes from newborn up to about age 4 and goes on your back from when they can sit up. For dog-walking I am told it's better to have the baby on your back if possible for poop-scooping issues! Another option is Moby until about 8-9 months and then get a Toddler Patapum which is half the price of the Ergo, but only suitable for older babies. (It's supposed to be for 12 months + but could handle a big 9-10 month old)

Never had a moses basket, carrycot or carseat that went on my pushchair. Had a lie-flat parent-facing pushchair from birth and a stretchy wrap (like the Moby) I did find I had nowhere to put the baby down when he slept during the day but I tended to lie him on the sofa and keep an eye on him or put him on the floor on his baby gym. A Moses basket would have been useful for this but not essential.

Some babies do hate slings but with a wrap you have a few positions you can try and it's very comfy for them so it's really unlikely

Thanks everyone this has been extremely helpful!

I would say more babies scream in carry cots than slings, just my impression.
I had both but the carrycot didn't get much use - far easier to use sling, although remember you have to carry change bag and your stuff too!
We only lasted about 4m with carry cot anyway before moving to the pushchair attachment (which did recline), as ds was never that settled in pram and much better being able to see out.
For this new baby i will be getting carrycot out again, but can see that baby will be in sling while ds, who will be 2.10, goes in pushchair / pram. He walks a bit but I have visions of him staging a sit down protest and me having to evict baby into the sling and put him in the carrycot! He will look ridiculous

Choose sling carefully - don't go for baby bjorn as v sore on shoulders!

If you don't want to buy a carrycot just buy a buggy that lies flat - use it with a cozy toes liner and no need for carrycot.