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Original poster

Baby carriers / slings

27 replies

handlemecarefully · 03/02/2004 11:03

There is probably a previous thread on this but I haven't been able to find it if so.... (I have probably been using wrong keywords in my search).

I want to buy a baby carrier type thingy to carry baby in for his first few months rather than rely on a pushchair all the time. The one I bought for my dd when she was a baby was naff. Any suggestions for a really good one?

Many thanks

OP posts:
CountessDracula · 03/02/2004 11:06

We had a baby bjorn, borrowed from a friend, which was v comfy. Didn't use for long though as dd was big and dh and I both have slightly iffy backs.

They are quite expensive but you can get them on ebay for about £25 I think (or try the new mumsnet swap bit!)

bundle · 03/02/2004 11:25

used a baby bjorn for dd1 as I couldn't work out how to fasten the wilkinet a friend had lent to us. this time round with dd2 I've used the wilkinet and it's fabulous much easier on the back and can be used facing in/out on the front and apparently on your back (though I have yet to try this). don't be put off by the long straps and the fact that it can be used by tiny babies and toddlers. try borrowing one and see. oh and the baby bjorn was fine, but hurts your shoulders once your baby starts to put on weight.

Debbiethemum · 03/02/2004 11:44

I have a baby bjorn sling and I loved it, with an iffy back as well. I didn't shop for it until DS was born when I realised how useful it would be. So I would advise either borrowing a baby if one of your friends has a small one or waiting till yours arrives then go shopping and you can test drive it. As I tried on loads and the baby bjorn one was the only one I could wear for more than 5 mins with DS in it, also what looked like difficult clips to use were actually very easy.
Never figured out how to 'feed discretly' wearing one though, which is what the blurb says you can do!!

JeniN · 03/02/2004 11:53

I've got a baby born which I love, but only really practical IMO when they are really little. The first one i bought was a 'jeep' one off ebay, which was a bargain, and brand new, but I never got on with it, the fittings didn't seem right and she was never comfortable in it facing forward. DH uses that one and i used the baby born, that way we never had to adjust the straps.

bloss · 03/02/2004 12:02

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Enid · 03/02/2004 12:04

Wilkinet! Wilkinet! Wilkinet! Once you get the hang of it (takes about two goes) you'll never want another sling. And I still managed to carry dd2 in it when she was 13 months (she is smallish though)

spacemonkey · 03/02/2004 12:08

bloss do you know where to get babytrekkers in the UK? says there aren't any UK distributors on the website. Did you order online?

ninja1 · 03/02/2004 12:17

I had a babybjorn that I got second hand at an NCT sale for £4 - best buy ever. I also have 2 wilkinets lent to me by my sister which were great if a little fiddly at first. I agree that the wilkinet is easier on the back but dp wouyld never have worked out the straps so we use a combination of the 2!!

Oh I'm still using them and she's getting up to the 20lb mark - still find it fine for an hour or sometimes more

this babytrekker sounds great though

bloss · 03/02/2004 12:20

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Bekki · 03/02/2004 12:41

Wilkinet! I have about 8 different slings/carriers/pouches and this is my favourite. Very comfy, can be used from birth up to toddler age. Positions-back, front, hip, front facing out.
I have tried the back carry with allof my other carriers and this is the easiest by far.

bundle · 03/02/2004 12:43

bekki - hip? sounds exciting...how do you do it???

StressyHead · 03/02/2004 12:47

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Bekki · 03/02/2004 12:50

I've got to go nowbut I've got some instructions if you want to see. Contact another talker.
oR i'LL TRY AND FIGURE OUT AN EASY EXPLANATION LATER.

StressyHead · 03/02/2004 12:53

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zebra · 03/02/2004 13:04

It's true! I have seen Bekki all over town with her Wilkinet.
Let's not forget Mumsnet's own reviews of slings .

Original poster
handlemecarefully · 03/02/2004 13:05

Interestingly another website that I use has coincidentally got a product review of baby carriers and wilkinet scores the highest at 10 out of 10...so this review coupled with your recommendations persuades me that this may be the one to go for. Thanks....

However since Bloss is so enthused about babytrekker, I will look at their website and consider this one too!

OP posts:
Original poster
handlemecarefully · 03/02/2004 13:06

Our posts crossed zebra - I'll take a look at mumsnet's review of slings now!

OP posts:
oliveoil · 03/02/2004 13:21

I bought a Mothercare own (I think) that dd absolutely refused to go in so a friend gave me a different one and she refused that one as well. They are gathering dust under the stairs for the next arrival(s) in August and if he/she/they are the same, they will be up for grabs for anyone that wants them.

WSM · 03/02/2004 13:27

I bought the 2 in 1 mothercare one, it was cheap at around £14.99. Problem is that it felt cheap too. There was no lumbar support at all and DH and I would get aches after as little as 2 hours of carrying newborn (less than 8lb) DD ! Total rubbish ! I would definitely spend more next time, the wilkinet seems to get good reviews a lot of the time.

suedonim · 03/02/2004 13:59

Another Wilkinet fan here! As well as holding the baby so neatly, nothing seems to dig in or rub or anything like that. Working out the straps is the most difficult bit - practising on a teddy bear helps.

Bekki · 03/02/2004 14:14

Wilkinet-carrying baby on your hip.

Baby must have sufficient head and neck control to use this position and is only meant for short trips, not for long periods or for doing household chores in.

  1. Proceed as if you are going to carry on front, but before finally securing shift the whole thing to your left hip and bring the left strap horizontally across your back~having first taken your left arm over the top. 2)Wrap straps in usual way and tie over baby's bottom.
  2. Pull the strap going across your shoulder away from the side of your neck.

You can use the Wilkinet in this position either with babies legs through loops or supported on the base strap.

And if you can do that without the pics then I'm very impressed.

Newt · 03/02/2004 18:28

I too wanted the best sling/carrier and after exhaustive research, and having been given a baby bjorn, I bought the 'hug-a-bub' from nct catalogue.

I have not seen anyone else wearing it, and it is not mentioned 'best ofs' but I love it

My baby is 7 weeks old and I used it from 10 days old..she was 6lb 10 at birth and at 10 days she weighed 7lb. Unlike other slings or carriers, the head is supported so it is suitable for a newborn before they can hold their heads.

I cannot enthuse about this product enough, as it has given me incredible mobility..you can bend down easily to tie your shoe laces etc, you can even bend to touch your toes with baby inside(although not recommended!) Completely secure and hands free.

You get the video with your purchase to show you exactly how to tie it..several positions, pocket at front for tissues etc. One thing I really like about it is that little legs get covered by pocket so no worrying about those socks falling off/trousers riding up as they always seem to do!

Also it is not padded so not as hot as other slings...

I am so pleased I went the extra mile and bought it..only drawback..very expensive £50 for basically a very long piece of jersey cotton + video, but it is definitely the best baby thing bought so far.

Have a look
\linkwww.hug-a-bub.com.au/here{}

bloss · 03/02/2004 19:47

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bloss · 03/02/2004 19:48

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susanmt · 03/02/2004 23:40

I loved (and am in the process of loving again) the baby bjorn one. It just seems so SNUG! But I much prefer back carriers and we have a bushbaby, which supports the whole body so can be used from about 5 months (even if they cant sit up alone), and I carried both my older kids in it until at least 18 months, would probably have gone on longer if they hadn't been so big and I hadn't been so pregnant!!