I need some sling help before my poor back revolts

[AlistairSim]

I've been carrying ds around in a roobaby for the last 7 months and now that he's the size of a small elephant, I need something different.

I'm looking for something that will distribute his enormous weight more evenly i.e. not all on one shoulder.

Any ideas?

Was thinking about just tying a long piece of fabric around my middle and squishing him in but have visions of dropping him the middle of a road.

something like a Mei Tai sling, which is symmetrical and you can use on your back. It's far more comfortable to carry a baby on your back then on your front.

or a woven wraparound sling like this

My mission for every thread like this is to say my Karime! I still love it at 5.5 months I can still lug my 17lbs DD around quite nicely! and it is a big long piece of fabric.

The Ergo is good for bigger babies and toddlers, or a wrap sling.

You could use a wrap or a Mei Tai, or an Ergo (which is like a more padded version of a Mai Tai that you do up with buckles rather than tying).

this one looks great

Blimey, that was quick.

I'll have a look at them all, thanks.

As they get heavier you do need to distribute the weight more - I realised this when I saw the huge bruise on my shoulder from carting DS around in a ring sling.

A MeiTai is a good all round sling, and you can start off on your front and then move him round to your back later. I like BabyHawk and Front Back and Sides.

Or you could use a wrap which is just a long piece of fabric that you wrap round and over you both.

www.thebabywearer.com has lots of advice, and www.slingmeet.co.uk has groups where you can go along and try other peoples slings.

To make life cheaper, there is a second hand trading group on Yahoo (UKbabywearingswap), where you can get slings much cheaper than buying new.

If you are anywhere near Worcester, I'd be happy to meet up and let you try my MeiTais and Podegai.

Ooohhh, that babyhawk is so purty!

Want it! Want it!

yes, so do I

Oh, and my 21 month old is approaching 17kg and I carry him round for hours in the ToddlerHawk

AAArrrggghhh!

I want them all.

Would it be wrong to insist I have a different one for each day of the week?

I have just joined that group, cmotdibbler, thanks.
Live miles away from you, unfortunately, as would love to meet and try slings. Thanks anyway.

Judging from what people sell off in their stash sales - no, not unreasonable at all.

I have two Toddlerhawks, both reversible, one of which is two tone. The one I bought new is black with XL straps, sapphire opulence on one side, blue asian dragon on the other. The two tone is petrol blue with kimono cathedral, backed with khaki and purple flowers. That way you get four looks out of two carriers. The pod is black and orange.

If you buy second hand, the amount you loose from buying to selling on is quite small, so you can chop and change as you like

Oh, and I work full time, so only carry at the weekends and holidays.....

You are an enabler, cmotdibbler!

I shall blame you when I leave the house with a 7 month old, a three year old and dp all strapped to me.

Its my one current shopping sin. Actually, my only current sin which is a bit sad. But I like to share my sins !

Theres pictures on TBW of people carrying their toddler and baby, which is v impressive. And I did see someone the other day irl with their dog in a front carrier.