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Original poster

Need a sling with good back support... Kelty Kangaroo v. Bush Baby Cocoon?

17 replies

serenequeen · 13/07/2004 14:09

hi everyone

couldn't wear babybjorn sling for more than 5 mins last time without it killing my upper back... this time would like something designed to distribute baby's weight better and have found these two...

v. grateful for opinions/recommendations.

tia

OP posts:
elliott · 13/07/2004 14:16

HAve tried the kangaroo (for same reasons as you) but couldn't get on with it....the lumbar support LOOKS good but neither dh nor I could get it to fit so that weight was carried on hips rather than shoulders.
I went back to a Wilkinet for ds2 and found that the best in terms of weight distribution onto hips.

pesme · 13/07/2004 14:29

I second the wilkienet. It has a reputation for being fiddly but once you have done it a few times it is easy. Unbelievabley comfie and handy for round the house. Raincover is handy for windy or drizzlely days. Also you can chuck it in the machine to wash all the sick, drool etc.

Chandra · 13/07/2004 14:36

I think the wilkinet great, it distributes the weight beautifully, even when I was carrying a 11 months old baby.

From the pictures in the web site I deduct you may use it up to 3yrs old.

Tigerlillies · 13/07/2004 14:41

I second the Wilkinet. It allows baby to sit rather than dangle. And it is so comfy.
Even better for your back are wraparounds.
Take a look at this site for reviews
This is a site with lots of less mainstream carriers peppermint
and this has the wilkinet and wraprounds which are excellent if you get the hang of them earthkind babies

bundle · 13/07/2004 14:51

wilkinet is great, once you get used to fastening it.

elliott · 13/07/2004 14:53

FYI, macpac also do a baby carrier that I've seen in our local nevisport. I have to say I was REALLY disappointed with the Kangaroo - I splashed out on a new sling for ds2 because I really wanted a flashy, comfy 'outdoor-type' one (I was feeling a bit snobby about the hippy-ish Wilkinet!) but have come to the conclusion that outdoor companies don't know that much about babies!
Interestingly the top ranking slings on teh mumsnet reviews page are ones that are less conventional/more like real baby wearing 'slings' - so that route (and also some of those suggestion on the links from Tigerlilies) might be mroe fruitful if real comfort is what you're after.

bluebear · 14/07/2004 00:38

I love my Kangaroo - maybe I'm a funny shape(!) but I carried both my two in it for miles.
I also use a huggababy which is, despite how it looks, good at transferring the weight across your body (I've carried an almost 3 year old for a mile in it and I'm not a super athlete) - feels quite unsupportive for less than 5 month baby though (neither of mine fell out, but it just felt as if they might)
Was too scared by the number of strappy bits on the wilkinet...

suedonim · 14/07/2004 02:22

I loved the Wilkinet, it was brilliant. To get used to tying the straps I practised with a large teddy before trying it out with dd. Several friends have used the Huggababy, I think they came out two-to-one in favour. Hth

Original poster
serenequeen · 15/07/2004 01:24

only one vote for the kangaroo and none for the cocoon and heaps for the wilkinet!

i've checked out the review on mn for the wilkinet and it says even the fans comment on how difficult it is to put on... thanks for the information but i'm afraid i quail at comments like "fitting it is like wrestling an octupus"!!!

thanks everyone

OP posts:
pesme · 15/07/2004 01:36

HOnestly sq, it is a doddle when you have done it once. There is also a v. helpful webpage. www.wilkinet.com (or something like that) with wee videos demonstrating how to put it on.

shrub · 15/07/2004 23:31

after same problem i bought a 'babytrekker' (www.babytrekker.com)absolutely brilliant soft light cotton sling that you can carry baby on your back up to 4 years - very easy to use and no strain. also 'ergo' carrier very good (www.bigmamaslings.co.uk)i think this site lets you hire before you buy.bought a bushbaby with the metal support which makes it quite bulky and heavy after a while and the baby swings as you walk which could potentially be dangerous.

elliott · 15/07/2004 23:53

please don't be put off sq by the idea that the wilkinet is difficult to put on - honestly its not! Could you find one to borrow and have a go at? (can't offer mine i'm afraid as its a loan from a friend)

bloss · 16/07/2004 17:40

Message withdrawn

Original poster
serenequeen · 11/08/2004 14:44

ok, i'm going to finally bite the bullet and get the wilkinet - gulp!

thanks very much everyone

OP posts:
Original poster
serenequeen · 11/08/2004 14:45

sorry, meant to say i have read good things about the BT too - it is a simple numbers game, more people have recommended the wilkinet and noone has recommended the ones i originally thought of! mumsnet wisdom can't be wrong!

OP posts:
enid · 12/08/2004 13:57

Sq - the Wilkinet is brilliant, I loved mine. It only takes a couple of goes to crack it and then you'll be a convert, I promise

enid · 12/08/2004 13:57

mmm...the raspberry cord version...

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