Baby Sling/Carrier - which is best?

[Levanna]

DD2 has out grown the current one and I'd like one suitable for attatchment parenting (and BF if possible). So, something suitable for long term wear that will be comfy for both of us....any thoughts?

TIA!

bump......?!

I used the NaturesSway from 4-14 months, then switched to a hipseat and backpack.

Watching this thread with interest.

No 2 due in July so will need a good sling. We currently have a babybjorn but not so fantastic for breastfeeding (although I just took the bub out at this point). Also hardcore attatchment parenters always seemed to frown on it for some reason.

I will say that we had a lovely single cloth sling at one point (the tricotti) and it was terrible: too big for me (I'm 5 ft 6 and not of a small build ) and just impossible to put on.

Have you tried \link{http://thecarryingkind.com/\the carrying kind} ?

Wahay, my link worked!

Hi Levanna,
The type of sling that you need depends on how old your baby is, which positions you would prefer to use and if anyone else of a different size will want to use it as well.
Wraparounds are the most versatile and comfortable of all slings. You can get stretchy wraps which are very comfortable for younger babies and woven wraps which are more pricey but they hold there shape and they can be used for as long as you want to carry your toddler really. But they take time to learn how to use as merglemergle found. :)
But if you persist you will be able to use it for back carries, hip and front carries and also for BF.
But the most suitable sling for BF is the ring sling. The Zolowear ring sling is an expensive but stunning silk unpadded ring sling. There are also padded and lightly padded ring slings.
The Ergo is an unframed back and front carrier which is could win awards for longevity as it can be used up to 60lbs! You can use it once baby can sit for long periods unsupported.
\link{http://www.earthkindbabies.com/info/carriers/advice.htm\Earthkind Babies} have a babywearing resource page and the form above might be of help to you.
If you are interested in AP and babywearing \link{http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.htm\the babywearer} is a must see site. It has hundreds of reviews of every sling imaginable and a list of UK vendors. The forums are down this weekend but you can see everything else.
HTH

Sorry can I try to explain the reason why Baby Bjorns are frowned upon? Its not just that one but every 'sling' of its type.
They are notoriously uncomfortable as they pull on shoulders. But most of all the baby dangles rather than sits so there is a lot of pressure on the baby's spine. With Wilkinets, Ergos, ring slings, pouches, wraparounds (in most positions) the baby is seated comfortably and the weight is distributed across their pelvis.
\link{http://www.continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html\study into infant carriers and spinal stress}
Of course you can still get in a wrong position with those carriers mentioned above but the risks for young babies is minimalised.
Btw this is also relevant for the facing out position.

Hi Levanna - Just wanted to say how much i love my huggababy sling - a ring sling - use it all the time (also have a wilkinet but i personally dont like it so much once my babies reach 6months)

HTH

I've got the Huggababy too. It took a bit of practice getting my DD comfy but now we have some positions that work she loves it :) I got mine from Born (shop in Bristol) and they sell online.

Also Huggababy sling is so easy to use, you jsut shove it over your shoulder like carrying a bag across your shoulders rather than fannying around with straps and then trying to get baby into the sling or putting baby into sling and having to contort yourself into strange positions and then do the straps up - not toooooo bad with a newborn but once baby gets heavier its practically impossible unless you've got a spare pair of hands on stand by!

Thanks so much for all of this info! DD2 is a little over 3 months but quite tall. I have lower back problems and can fully appreciate what tigerlillies posted about 'conventional' type carriers. I haven't used ours much as I'm sure it's not correct for DD2 in terms of positioning. It also puts incredible pressure on my shoulders and back, and though as I said, I haven't used it much, I have ended up with burning pains all over my back and across my shoulders. Given that I do have back problems, do you think a wraparound rather than a sling might be more appropriate?
TIA!

Hi Levanna, this is the sling I still use with dd (14 months) \link{http://www.tragetuch.ch/
\here} it is a Swiss site so not in English.. but has some pictures to show you our sling.

For long term use a cloth sling imo is adaptable and comfortable for you and the babe. dd goes on my back alot now - she loves it. Carried her on my front (her facing out) for many months and she still likes that too.

I have lower back problems also.. and found that multiple support especially around when wrapping the sling quite widely around my hips really helps. It is far less stressful on my back than holding her in my arms.

Hi Levanna, I also have lower back problems (and upper back too exacerbated by BF)...and tried lots of slings...but the Wilkinet worked best for me. Then I switched to a rucksack-style carrier, which was fantastic, then to a hippychick, but to be honest, that made things worse--too much stress on my left hip.

I agree with other posters that a wraparound sling would be best for you.
A Wilkinet works in the same way as a wraparound but it isnt as comfortable as a wraparound once baby gets to 6 months.
The Lana sling is beautiful Papillon. I'm tempted...
If you want to buy a wraparound in the UK look for stretchy wraparound carriers like Moby, Kari Me, Baby bundler, Hug-A-Bub, Cuddlywrap and there are others I'm sure of it.
Or woven wraps are really nice too. I have a couple of Didymos's and Storchenwieges's.

I spent a long time learning each carrying position there ever was but I only really use 3-4.
Let us know which one you choose.

Thanks for this . I've had a crazy idea! (One of many !) I think I'm going to have a bash at making a wraparound type sling. It can't be that hard, it's only one piece of material, isn't it? That way, I can have the pick of fabric and patterns available. I take it some of the stretchier wraparounds are made of a jersey type material? (Like jersey bedding?!) Hmmm, I have to admit though that most of my 'ideas' start with "It can't be that hard" and end with "Grrrrr, I wish I hadn't started this!".... I'll let you know how it goes!

Good luck with it Levanna.
TheBabywearer.com has lots of tips on how to make your own.
You can even put an applique on it like gypsymama.com wraps.

Thanks tigerlillies, I've done it! Popped DD2 in it in a wrap cross type position, and she went straight for a feed, then all smiles and didn't want to come out afterwards ! Thanks so much for all the info here. It is comfy, surprisingly so! It only cost £2.50 in material and an hour of time.........definitely well worth it. I think it will be going everywhere with us from now on.
Thank you.

Oh, and the applique's look lovely. I'll put one on the next one .

Love the hug a bub myself you can easily carry a 2 year old in it without any strain on your back.