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Original poster

Would someone be kind enough to lend me a wrap around sling thingy for a fortnight?

43 replies

Wills · 12/05/2007 19:42

Naturally I'll pay all postage costs and send back fully cleaned etc etc.

I have an almost one year old baby boy (my third) and he wont be put down. My back is in agony and I'm on really strong pain killers. In the evening I have to plonk him in his cot and let him howl just to get the two girls to bed. My back consultant has told me not to pick him up - but heck he's still a baby! Someone has suggested one of those wrap around sling thingys. But they're expensive and I really don't have the money to buy it and then discover it doesn't suit us (me and my son that is). I've looked on ebay but given that they're second hand they also appear to go for high prices so I'm really frustrated. Would anyone be prepared to lend me one for just a couple of weeks????/

Many thanks

OP posts:
Chirpygirl · 12/05/2007 19:47

I don't have a wrap spare, sorry, but I would say if you can get hold of a hippychick hipseat then that might work better for you. It's not hands free but it doesn't put any strain on your back or shoulders at all, it's all through the hips.
They are expensive but actually cheaper than a new wrap!

I have given mine to a friend who has a really bad back and she couldn't wear a sling or a wrap as we tried all mine out on her!

FrannyandZooey · 12/05/2007 19:50

Wills I could lend you a Huggababy, but I just need to get it back from another friend. You need one right now am I correct? Would a Huggababy be any good or do you want something like a Wilkinet?

SoupDragon · 12/05/2007 19:54

I can only offer a fleece pouch which may not be what you're after.

Original poster
Wills · 12/05/2007 19:59

Hi,

I'm not sure what a Huggababy or a wilkinet or a fleece pouch are? I would love to try anything.

As for the hippychick that was going to be my next 'port of call' as its not hands free but would nevertheless still save my back.

OP posts:
TheBlonde · 12/05/2007 19:59

I think big mama slings will hire them so you can try before you buy

Original poster
Wills · 12/05/2007 20:01

Looking on the net the huggababy was more what I was thinking of. But that's not to mean that its the right thing. I really don't know about wraps having never used one before.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wills · 12/05/2007 20:02

TheBlonde - YOU STAR!!!!!!!!!!!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 12/05/2007 20:03

Pouch/Coorie. I carry BabyDragon in the hip carry (although in the picture on the site this is with a ring sling).

Whereabouts are you?

Chirpygirl · 12/05/2007 20:04

What is wrong with your back exactly? (sorry if that's a bit blunt!)

Things like a huggababy and other one shoulder slings put all the weight through that shoulder and if your DS is heavy it could start to hurt after awhile. I had to stop using mine for this reason.

FrannyandZooey · 12/05/2007 20:15

A one year old can sit up in the Huggababy so the weight is distributed across your pelvis - however some weight is also on your shoulder.

I'd be happy to lend you mine, but as I say it is at another friend's house atm, and I would need to arrange to collect it from her, so if you need one fast I am probably not the best option.

TheBlonde · 12/05/2007 20:55

www.thebabywearer.com/
explains the types of sling etc

feetheart · 12/05/2007 21:09

I've got a Wilkinet one you can borrow but not sure what they are like with a 1 yr old, used it a lot when both of mine were tiny though.

Paddlechick666 · 12/05/2007 21:18

go to www.slingmeet.co.uk and see who's around in your area, there's generally a sling library that you can borrow from.

alternatively, i've got a freedom ring sling which is good for hip carries which i could lend you.

personally, under your circumstances, i'd recommend a mei tai of some sort. with a one year old you might find a back carry easier altho the forward wrap cross carry is kinder on the back but if you're not familiar with wraps there's a learning curve. i'm still trying to figure out the back carry.

really advise slingmeet or bigmama to rent something. i rented a calin blue gauze for £10 for a fortnight iirc and it was great.

hth, feel free to CAT me.....

Original poster
Wills · 12/05/2007 21:36

OK then but which one to start with?

He's tall and heavy - he's the size of a normal 15 to 16 month old rather than 11 month. So....

Ring, wrap, pouch, Hip, Soft

OP posts:
Tumblemum · 12/05/2007 21:37

I am a bit of a sling addict. Have had mild back problems too. The best for my back was the ergo I used to carry ds aged 18 months in it for prolonged periods and no problems. Still carry both my children in the ergo now ages three and one (not at the same time , though in theory possible! I can lend you a hippychick, a ring sling (like a slingeasy) and a wilkinet. Just cat me.

Original poster
Wills · 12/05/2007 21:43

Sorry my chinese had just arrived and my message seemed to crash.

To get back to the responses. Firstly my back. Its unclear as to whether its an issue in my shoulders as shown by an MRI scan or carpel tunnel which tests proved I also suffer from. One thing is clear I could not wear my baby bjorn when he was first born which really grieved me as with my two girls I used that all time and found it wonderful. Which logically would suggest my shoulders except for the fact that I was feeding and holding him badly and aggrevating my carpel tunnel.

All said and done I'm loathe to strain my shoulders or my wrists. But at the same time would like to find a solution to hold Jake easily and carry on with 'life'.

Right - off to investigate some of the options you've given me.

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 13/05/2007 10:02

The HippyChick is the only one which won't use your shoulders at all I think.

Chirpygirl · 13/05/2007 13:30

I'm with Soupdragon, after reading that I really think you should try a hippychick as all of the other wraps/slings use your shoulders as support.

It's also one of the few child carriers endorsed by osteopaths and physios (I believe) as being good for the parent to wear.

Scootergrrrl · 13/05/2007 13:32

I think there was a hipseat in our local thrift shop for about six euros (I'm on an army base in Germany). I can see if it's still there on Tuesday if you like and post it over.

SoupDragon · 13/05/2007 14:50

Wills, whereabouts are you? If you're near Croydon I could lend you my HippyChick for a couple of weeks.

Original poster
Wills · 14/05/2007 07:56

Soupy/Chirpy/Scoot I have a strong suspicion you're right BUT I'm desperately hoping that I will find a good wrap that will work because this would free up my hands.

Yesterday was awful. I suspect he's teething but I was desperately trying to clear up after the builders left Friday evening (brick dust everywhere) and to start baking for Jake's first birthday party next Sunday. My shoulders and small of my back permanently hurt, my scalp and arms tingle and I've really had enough. So.... I shall cat various people today and research even further. Many thanks ot everyone.

OP posts:
Paddlechick666 · 14/05/2007 09:13

Wills, i tend to get lower back pain and have found my wrap to be very comfortable and only caused me a bit of hip discomfort.

but dd is 18months and big for her age - i really can't front carry her anymore.

if you're going to invest in something then i'd suggest a toddler size MT which should allow for growing room.

www.thebabywearer.com is a great source of info on the different types of carrier to help you choose what's best.

the main thing is spreading the load evenly. IMO i don't think the hippychick seat thing will work for you. as you say, you need your hands free and the child will only sling their arms around your neck to hang on iyswim.

wraps are a bit fiddly to begin with but you get the hang of them very quickly.

how much does your LO weigh? the MAM Eco might be a good option but the lighter the fabric means more weight restrictions.

a storchenweige is fab for heavier loads but they can be a little warm when the weather is better!

feel free to CAT me.

NappiesGalore · 14/05/2007 09:40

i can lend you an ergo-a-like if you want to give that a try.
much sympathy here!
i also get lotsof tingles and stuff in my back - apparently its all out of line - and ergo is only sling ive ever found comfortable. back wearing pretty good for getting on with stuff too.. only prob being that my 15mo, if in ther under duress, will now grab at the little hairs at the back of my neck and yank em. charmer

NappiesGalore · 14/05/2007 09:42

also much easier to get the hang of... wraparounds do look great but ive never got te hang of them and ive found theyre not exactl conducive to getting the baby up and down with any sort of sped or spontaneity. it takes me so sodding long to get them in, they have to blinkin well stay there!

Chirpygirl · 14/05/2007 10:12

Wills. Of course we are right! [smug]

BUT, I may be able ot help, was talking to my mate and she said she uses a scarf type sling tied round her DD and her waist/chest to hold her DD on while she is sitting on hipseat so it does free up her hands but puts no strain on her.

Might not work with a real wriggler but worth consideration if all else fails?