Slings! minefield... have 9 month would like best sling/wrap for hip/back carrying.. ADVISE PLEASE!!!!

[susiecutie]

HI sorry, this will be lengthy...

I currently use a wilkinet sling which is fabby and great and comfy etc... but have terrible terrible back problem. ( i know, i've gone on about it else where, sorry

however, the wilkinet doesnt really 'do' the hip carry position, which i'd like to do. As well as back and front facing i realise hip carrying not great for backs, but i essentially carry her in my arms like this and would be better not twisting with my arms i.e. the sling does it for me...

Dd is small for her age. I cannot easily get down to pick her up at the moment and think it may be better if i can put her in sling more of the day and have her close whilst i do things around house...

I use buggy when out mainly, but sometimes put her in wilkinet. which is great support for her and also used to not too bad on my back, however is getting heavier as she grows and am feeling it more in the back...

Can anyone recommend one which may be good for hip and back and even front carrying? which is also comfy for her she also had a hip problem like mine and was in a harness for 12 weeks... so most carriers not suitable. thats why wilkinet is good as she's not taking 'weight' on pelvis

I like the baby carrier sling that has been used and linked on Claire Stott (sp) from BUB on c4... this kind of thing is what i think i need.

ANY ADVISE so gratefully appreciated, thanks in advance!

yours, desperatly and sore.... susie

the one on the BUB programme you can't use on your back which is the comfiest way to wear baby when they are older. would you consider a wrap like a hopp, storch or didy?

Susie, i think the Wilkinet is supposed to have a hip-carrying position as well. Have a look on their website for instructions. There's a website called "slingmeet" where you could also ask about this. It's UK based so you may be able to meet up and try a few slings before deciding on one.

I have an ergo and still carry DS (24 months) in it. It is really comfortable. You can use it on your back, hip or front. There has been some controversy about Ergo recently which you may want to take into consideration.

Another really good site for slings is: KangarooKorner

I use their adjustable fleece pouch although DS is getting a bit big for it now.

If you search the archives there are tons of threads about slings.

Good luck.

OR, what was the controversy about the Ergos? I had a NG one for DD1 and liked it, even if I couldn't put her on my back w/o help. I sold it as I didn't know we'd be having another one. Luckily, I've kept a ring sling i'd made myself and a Coorie.

I think the story about Ergo is that they have been trying to put other wahms who make slings out of business in various ways. Not sure of all the details but it sounds as though the company is not behaving in the way you would expect. I still love my Ergo and am glad I bought it before this happened.

OK, thanks, so it's to do with the ethics of the copany rather than the safety of the slings.

you need to get a mei tai.
it is easier to get on with than a wrap sling, esp with a possibly wiggly 9mo old.

you can do back, front and hip carries and tehy are super comfy. join the yahoo group UKbabywearingSWAP. quite a few high quality mei tais come up on sale, second hand on there.

Kozy, Babyhawk, and ellaroo are three of the most popular mei tais and they are also reasonably priced. HOwever, lesser known but equally reliable brands come up regularly on UKbabywearingSWAP.

here is the instruction page for kozy whatever you can do with a kozy you can do with any mei tai. Notice that the demonstrator is also 7 mos pg.

thank you all

kiskidee, the kozy actually does look much like the wilkinet position wise for both mum and baby.. slightly concerned at the back carry looks like it hangs quite a bit and therefore would put a bit of strain on.

I think i would really need to have few trials of them really. I will look up the mei tai as well as the kangerookorner.

thank you again... I have a feeling that the wrap types are more supportive for me... taking into account wriggly girl which can make things tricky... she is pretty good though really.

I think the way forward is to try a couple out. I wonder what the companies would thikn about giving me a trial?

a mei tai is surprisingly comfy and seems like a lot less straps than a wilkinet which i have never tried or seen in person.

I have an old back injury and it does nothing to aggravate it. It doesn't pull on your back or shoulders as long as you tie it tight and snug.

there is a tying technique where you cross teh straps behind the baby's back which brings the baby in close and snug. this and the basic ties on the website channels the weight down into your hips and legs, not on your shoulder or back.

are you located in the NE of england?

bigmamaslings.co.uk
and
naturalmothering.co.uk

hires them and both mums are very knowledgeble so feel free to email them with you questions if you decide to hire one.

wow, thank you for all your help here kiskidee! I really appreciate it! I just want to be able to carry and hold my gorgeous girl and am finding it so hard at the moment... its heartbreaking.

I'm in london curently. Though, may actually be in sunderland next week! Dh travels all over for work and we often join him for a week or so where ever in the country he is, just so we are all together.

I'll check out those websites too. I have emailed, on her invitation claire scott about her carryier.. so am waiting to hear back about it.

thanks you again! i'll let you know if i have any luck. I'd love to just go aout and get one today and give it a go.

DO yo konw of any websites with instructions on how to use a length of fabric myself? alot of the wraps look just like a long lenghth of fabric tied around... or am i being naive here? !

i live near sunderland and work there so if you are coming, PM me.