Wearing a sling

[daisystone]

I am debating buying a sling for when my baby (girl! - found out yesterday) is born.

Have people on here used them before and did you like using one? Are they comfortable and safe?

Do you end up looking like a big hippy?

I didn't with my first child, but found a sling really useful when my second came along and I wanted to have hands free to hold on to DC1.

I used a Moby Wrap sling, which requires a bit of practice to wear at first, but is very comfy once on and great for the first 3 months-ish.

I was never into slinging long term - my back is too weak to be carrying around a huge great lump of a baby - but I would definitely recommend them for the early days. Great for getting on with things around the house and for getting your baby to sleep, too.

You can hire different slings and try them out if you fancy it - see www.bigmamaslings.co.uk

I had a Wilkinet which is great because you can carry baby on your front when they're little and on your back when they're older - super great when they're going through separation anxiety phase.

I also have a Freecom Slings ring sling which I used for BFing when DS was little and still use now if we're just popping out and I don't want to take the buggy - DS is nearly two and I sling him and then pop him on my back if he decided he doesn't want to walk...

I got both from ebay FWIW.

I didn't care if I looked like a hippy - the rest of my clothes certainly weren't very hippyish so i don't think I did... I like to think that i got envious looks from pushchair mum's as they tried to navigate small shops/buses etc....

You might want to google slings and baby sling danger (or similar terms), I read several newspaper articles a couple of months ago about investigations into the deaths of several NB babies who died while being carried in a particular type of sling (the ones that are quite unstructured, hammock shapped things), it was found that the position this pushed the babies head into as the parent walked around (head tilted forwards so the chin rested on the chest) put small babies at risk of sufocation, and that this type of sling should be banned - for young babies at least. One particular maker is being sued over the deaths of several NB babies, but reports were also filed on other makers of similar slings. The risk is related to the age of the baby - the smaller and younger, the bigger the risk so 6months old, fine, NB, not a good idea at all.

It put me right off anyway - though these slings are often sold as a natural or traditional way to carry your baby .

oldmum this is like all things you need to use them properly and follow the guidelines. my understanding is that the upright type slings are not an issue.

Besides which the hammock type slings are a killer on your back how anyone can be comfortable using one I have no idea.

Slings are a great way to carry your baby and have great benefits.

First off we had your usual baby carrier that you mostly see people with: like this, then got a more 'hippy' one this one, I think.
Prefer the 'hippy' style one, seemed more comfy for DD and the weight is distributed better on me. Also, can swap from me to DH without faffing about adjusting buckles and strap lengths.

Will be getting it out again for DC2 (due Oct) I reckon, easier than trying to wrangle a headstrong toddler and a pram...

There's a sling topic somewhere I think... errrr, yup; Products => Slings and Backpacks. You'll get lots of advice (possibly too much!) if you ask on there...

From what I've read it is a very specific type of sling that is of concern - they're often termed "bag" slings, and the baby does almost get lost in the middle as though it were lying in a handbag. There is no "safe" way to use them from what I've seen. Bag slings are distinct from Ring Slings, which can also be used as a type of hammock but (as long as used correctly) are very safe. I could never get one to work, but they're very popular with newborns.

When DD was little I used a stretchy wrap (I had a Hug a Bub, but there are quite a few brands out there). The stretchiness made it much more forgiving while I was getting used to the idea. As she got bigger I moved onto a Didymos woven wrap and a Mei Tai. I tried a couple of Soft Structured Carriers but, personally, never got on with them. DD hated being in her pram or push chair from about 4 months so a sling was a life saver - and once I got used to it I found it a LOT more convenient for me as well. I don't know whether other people thought I looked like a hippy - but I also didn't care that much as long as my baby and I were happy . I was still carrying her at 2 1/2 (occasionally) and kind of miss it now she's 3 and Little Miss Independent.

I'm not a fan of carriers like the Baby Bjorn - I tried one for about 10 minutes when DD was 3 months old and by then my neck was killing me. I also felt she wasn't well supported - all her weight was on her crotch and she seemed very 'loose' in the holder. I don't think they're dangerous in a "baby might fall out" kind of way, but I'm not convinced their beneficial for a baby's hips or spine.

Ultimately there are a wide choice of slings that are suitable for a newborn, but which one will work for you is a very personal choice. You might want to have a look at SlingMeet to see if you could meet up with other interested ladies near you, or have a look at The Baby Wearer to see reviews of different sling brands.

They are veyr comfy, and veyr safe if they are tied properly.

this is so cute and it is something eveyr new mother needs when she wants a drink/some toast/ to have a wee...

this is a fabric wrap made of non stretchy material which lasts a lot longer

this is the very chirpy sommer demoing a moby wrap which is a stretchy type wrap.

I carried dd2 out of the hospital when she was 12 hours old in a wrap, the MW's were highly impressed

xposts then, I agree with the others, it is the 'bag' slings that are horribly dangerous, and in fact, amongst the 'babywearing community' they have always been known as such, it's just only recently there was a wider publication of the dangers.
Wrap slings, ring slings, pouches and meitais are safe, they are the traditional ways of carrying babies (wraps and mei tais especially) and as long as you tie them correctly by reading all teh instructions and watching videos etc then they are comfrotable and safe.

also second the slingmeet and babywearer links above

I used a Baby Bjorn and found it knackered my shoulders even with a very small, dinky baby. DH got on better with it and carried DS in it for a fair while. I am still guilty about his pelvis. We had a Wilkinet but didn't use it enough to get the hang of it. This second time round, slinging the new baby will be a necessity, because I can't see how else to manage DS and getting around. And I don't want a double buggy! I have a Karrime I picked up from an NCT nearly new sale, as well as the Wilkiet, and a second-hand ring sling. Could you see if there's a local Sling Meet you can get to? It's really important to try out different ones and see what suits you and the baby.

As for the lentil-weaver quotient, I'd say any hippy aura is outweighed by being able to carry your lovely baby close and safe. FWIW, I think the wrap slings look less hippyish than the ring slings, but who cares?

I have bought a SleepyWrap (still not quite got the hang of tying it!) and if I get on with it I fancy a non-stretchy fabric one too.

i have a hug-a-bub, lifesaver, loads of different ways to tie...and a sakura bloom ring sling,witch is beautiful and not at all hippyish, although horribly expencive! cheaper than a(nother) pram though!

also sakura bloom on youtube shows really well how to use ring sings properly!

When DD was newborn, I used a Wilkinet. Found once I got the hang of it, it was easy to put on and felt really secure. I have pictures of her about 4 days old in the Wilkinet and I am leading my pony out of the field!

Once she got to about 3 months, I started to use an Ellaroo (similar to a MobyWrap) I think. I love my Ellaroo as it is beautiful and also multipurpose. She goes on the front facing in or out, on my hip or on my back and she loves it. Because the sling holds the baby against you rather than hanging her off your shoulders, it is much more comfortable than a standard clunk/click baby carrier.

Next baby, I will try to get the Ellaroom going from the start but I couldn't get enough head and neck support this time. The Wilkinet is also a fantastic sling but mine is a bit old and tatty (inheritted off my mum) so it was nice to be able to use the beautiful Ellaroo.

I had a Wilkinet for my first and sadly gave it away when we thought we wouldn't be having another. I got it a bit late though - DS was a bit too heavy and I did find it quite a faff to put on. However I would have definitely given it another go this time around if I still had it.

This time around I was given a ring sling which I tried once and would never use again as I cannot see how it can possibly be good for the baby being scrunched up like that - I'm sure I'm wrong to think this, but it's just not for me. I also have a Baby Bjorn Active carrier and this type is definitely my "sling" of choice. It just feels so much more secure and it's a lot easier to just get on and do things without constantly worrying.

i use a lot of slings, and my preference for a newborn is a wrap. used in a front wrap cross carry.

a wrap is very versatile, and if you want, you can carry though to toddlerdom.

but a less steep learning curve is a mei tai carrier, like the babyhawk.

buckle carriers like baby patapum, connecta, etc are also good but not as versatile as a wrap. and i find them a bit of faff adjusting.

some of my carrying pics

gaelic your baby spends a good few months 'scrunched up'' in your womb - mine liked it - I think it's the happy memories...

They're a wonderful thing. DD loved the Moby so much that she refused even to lie in a pram! I also tried the Close but it's less flexible in terms of size, and neither DD or I were quite big enough!

Hi,

sorry to hi-jack but I have put this over in the slings section and no-one replied so wondering if you can help?!

A friend has given us a redkite sling and am wondering if this is a good one in light of all the bad press slings have been getting? I am not overly keen on using a sling anyway but am trying to keep an open mind as so many people love them!

Thanks.

NoTea the Red Kite sling looks lovely - although i've never used one myself.

It's the ones that are almost like a handbag that you put your baby in that got the 'bad press'. Most traditional slings don't put your baby in a position that constricts their breathing which is the problem the modern 'handbag' type ones have/had.

Knitter - point taken, but it's the whole breathing thing that panics me.

I had a Kari-Me after doing loads of research pre birth (strongly influenced by MN product reviews ). I used it a bit during the first month, but because it is so stretchy I never felt DS was that secure. Then came the incident when I caught him as he fell out towards a tiled floor . That was it, no more sling for me.

We had been given a used baby bjorn (original style) and I loved it. I have always had a pretty dodgy back, but it caused me no problems whatsoever. Planning on getting a new one for this baby, probably an active.

One other thing with the kari me and those you have to knot in special ways, they are a faff to get on and off. Better with practise but nowhere as easy as the baby bjorn which was like taking off a backpack. Can't feed in a babybjorn though.

I really wish I had taken advantsge of the company someone mentioned that loans slings out. Would have saved a lot of money!