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Original poster

sling advice?

11 replies

TheJen · 25/09/2007 22:28

Fancy a stretchy sling for my 5 month old...is kari-me a good one? Any advice appreciated. Is there anything special about the fabric or could I buy fabric and follow the tying instructions? Am skint so looking for cheap option for DS who likes to be held a lot!

OP posts:
kiskidee · 26/09/2007 01:35

if your 5mo is heavy, then a kari-me or other stretchy sling will have a limited lifetime. a good wrap sling has a diagonal weave which makes it 'stretch' but is still supportive.

if you subscribe to UKbabywearingSWAP, you can find pre-loved (and many babywearers prefer them 'broken in') slings at a discount. they do hold their value better than say pushchairs but with a sling a good one is worth it.

there are some good links on youtube, etc on tying. I can link those for you at another time.

Of course, you can make your own sling from a length of fabric so you can see if you want to invest in a branded sling which can easily set you back £40 at 2nd hand prices.

Ikea has a 100% cotton muslin for about £2 a metre. (under if i remember rightly) I have made a DIY sling out of it. Get 5 metres of it, and cut it lengthways in two, hem. (most slings are 25 inches wide) Give it a hot wash and it will shrink to about 4.6 metres. With that length you can do all wraps as long as you are below a size 14.

nappyaddict · 26/09/2007 01:42

i have a hopp and i love it.

kiskidee · 26/09/2007 01:49

how is the wrapping coming on na?

i remember us talking wraps at one time.

nappyaddict · 26/09/2007 08:05

much better thanks. still not great at it but i'm ok.

Original poster
TheJen · 26/09/2007 13:33

Kiskidee- do you really think I could make one? Would stretchy material be better? Or non stretchy for a 5 month old? Could you let me know the links for tying?

OP posts:
kiskidee · 27/09/2007 05:26

by the time a baby gets to 9 months, i have seen people say that they have to stop using stretchy slings. if your baby is on the small side, some people say up to 12 months is ok.

a non-stretchy cotton one will be more supportive (for both of you) for longer.

I have a DIY cotton one I no longer use. I can post it to you for nothing. email me at yfforster at gmail dot com with your address.

[ the simple cross carry]] is an easy tying method to learn and use for 1st timers.

kiskidee · 27/09/2007 05:26

the simple cross carry again

kiskidee · 27/09/2007 05:37

here is the simple cross carry again with a slightly different tying method but the same result.

you can use this carry from about 3 months till toddlerhood.

kiskidee · 27/09/2007 05:44

front wrap cross carry is usable from newborn. this lady is using a moby which is similar to a Kari-me in that it is stretchy. She does it really slowly with lots of detail so there may be other tips to pick up.

kiskidee · 27/09/2007 05:51

if you think you will feel more confident with a stretchy wrap, go for it. It will still work. just make sure the cotton jersey fabric you buy is a heavy one rather than a light one.

Original poster
TheJen · 27/09/2007 11:15

Thank you- for the links and the offer of the DIY sling, would love to try it. Will email you

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