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Original poster

Baby Slings

38 replies

Kid · 09/08/2001 10:31

Can yon recommend a baby sling? I want one that is easy to adjust so both me and my husband can use it.

OP posts:
Ems · 09/08/2001 10:44

Baby Bjorn seems to win all the awards. I couldnt afford one first time round and had a horrid Tomy one!

Bo · 09/08/2001 11:15

Don't get Wilkinet - it always seemed to get 10/10 in the mother & baby awards, but I really wish I'd gone for a Baby Bjorn. Never used one so don't know how easily adjustable it is, but it's the most popular and seems to be very good & easy to use.

Bloss · 09/08/2001 11:36

Message withdrawn

Batters · 09/08/2001 11:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Joe · 09/08/2001 13:24

Ive got a BB it has been really good and my husband used it most of the time. They are expensive and I was lucky enough to get one in a sale for £15.00, I think the only true bargain I have ever got (the shop wasnt doing any baby accessories anymore). This is going back to front like one of the other threads.

Boo321 · 09/08/2001 19:33

I really loved my wilkinet and used it masses up to 7 months and would have gone on longer if I hadnt had back problems.It seems daunting the first time you put it on but after that its a piece of cake ,very comfortable and adjustable.

Chairmum · 09/08/2001 22:43

I'm a Wilkinet fan too! Very comfy, without all that weight dragging on the shoulders.

Alison222 · 10/08/2001 12:50

I have a BB too. Ds is now 8 mths old and almost 24lb. I can still use it for short periods of time but he's a bit heavy now so we have got a back pack but that's another story. Both husband and I have not had any probs with BB and Ds loves it - especially loved it when he was old enough to face forwards.

Croc · 13/08/2001 17:21

We've got a huggababy sling which my dh adores, however, I can't use it due to my feminine curves. I've just bought a Kelty KID Kangaroo carrier chosen because it has easy clips to put it on and lumbar support - it also has a built in rain hood and a removable bag just big enough for absolute essentials. I've no complaints so far!

Enid · 25/11/2002 15:12

I need to buy a sling but am now dithering between the Wilkinet (like the fact that the weight doesnt hang off your shoulders) and the Baby Bjorn (ubiquitous, dp would use it). Does anyone feel strongly one way or another?

Tissy · 25/11/2002 15:35

Never tried the BB, but have a Wilkinet. Extremely comfortable, 5 (I think) different positions. Only drawbacks:

Baby overheated when walking round a shopping centre (would apply to BB as well- just put fewer clothes on him / her!), Straps are very long, and got soaking wet when trying to put on outside in the rain- trailed in the puddles!

Azzie · 25/11/2002 15:38

We used a Wilkinet and were very happy with it, once we'd learnt how to do the straps. Ours was an inherited one - our babies were no's 5 and 6 to use it; we passed it on and baby number 8 is now enjoying being carried in it.

florenceuk · 25/11/2002 15:40

Enid, I have a Wilkinet if you want it - for cost of postage (got it v cheap in NCT sale). But like Tissy, found that it was comfy but hard to get on esp outside when the straps dangled on the ground. Good if you are wearing baby a lot because it does support the baby's weight well. But you may end up buying the BB like us!!

SueDonim · 25/11/2002 15:50

The Wilkinet was the only one I could get on with and that didn't give me backache. The lo.o.o.o.ng straps are a a bit of a handful but once I stopped stressing cos the ends were a bit damp it was fine. I tried it out with a large teddy before making my maiden voyage with dd. HTH.

bundle · 25/11/2002 15:57

loved our b bjorn - but determined to use a borrowed wilkinet this time around..once I work out how to tie it (have printed off instructions from their website)

elliott · 25/11/2002 17:01

we started off with the wilkinet but then bought a bjorn. Wilkinet is good for lumbar support but I found it tended to sag, whereas the bjorn was nice and simple to do up. I would imagine they grow out of a bjorn quicker though - it was certainly getting a bit tight for ds by 5 months when we moved on to a back pack (and he's quite small). But there again the wilkinet is more padded and protective for a tiny tiny - we started using it on day 2, I don't think the bjorn would have been as safe feeling at that stage.
Of course getting both would be ridiculously extravagent....can you find someone with one to lend you?
The only other one I've seen that has lumbar support is the kelty kids kangaroo sling - actually that's what I've got my eye on if we have another one!!!

SofiaAmes · 25/11/2002 22:37

Bought a bjorn for ds and rarely used it. He hated it and I found that my back would ache after only 4 or 10 minutes. In fact I just used it for the first time today with dd (8 weeks) and although she didn't scream her head off like ds my back was aching after 5 minutes. I haven't tried the wilkinet. I would guess you could probably get either one 2nd hand out of loot for a lot less money.

Fionn · 25/11/2002 22:47

Used a Baby Bjorn very successfully with both sons until a few months old (their dad used it until they were a year old or so) and it was the only one I tried that didn't give me backache so I'm a fan. Found it very comfortable and it was often the only position in which sons would sleep so they obviously liked it too. I also liked the fact that you could undo it with the back bit still behind a sleeping baby to put them down so they could carry on sleeping.

SueW · 25/11/2002 23:44

Try ebay for secondhand slings.

Have you looked at the Hug-a-bub? Currently very popular with lots of friends who used to like slings and wilkinets. You can get it in the UK through the NCT catalogue here .

bloss · 26/11/2002 09:44

Message withdrawn

Enid · 26/11/2002 09:50

Err, bloss it sounds great but according to their website overseas orders cost $147 which is slightly beyond my budget!!

florenceuk, I would LOVE your wilkinet if you are sure thats ok. How do we trade email addresses?

florenceuk · 26/11/2002 11:23

Enid, I'll send a message to Mumsnet and ask them to forward my address on.

Enid · 26/11/2002 11:32

Thank you thank you thank you

Enid · 26/11/2002 12:58

I feel it is my duty to add - DONT BUY THE MOTHERCARE TURNABOUT CARRIER. Someone lent me this and I can honestly say it is rubbish, worse than useless. It hangs off your shoulders, killing your back, and is very unsafe for a small baby as the 'padding' is just a bit of cardboard that bends out of shape, meaning they lurch back dangerously if you bend even slightly forward. Felt I should add this if anyone was contemplating it...

Lollypop · 26/11/2002 18:52

Don't getr the Tots R U s carrier, it doesn't have enough support. Baby tipps up if front facing and asleep, DD didn't mind though!
Wish I'd seen this tread before, I bought a Tomy Snug& Safe on impulse today. Any comments? Will mothercare take it back unused? What is a Wilkinet?