Which Sling?

[ninja]

With DD I had a second hand Baby Bjorn that cost me £4 from a NCT sale and a £300 travel system with carrycot etc - and guess which I used the most......

This time round I want to be prepared and get a really good sling/carrier ... I've seen the ergo recommended but are there any other suggestions.

I'll probably try and get a second hand one but even a new one I reckon would be worth it.

So all your wise suggestions will be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi, Ninja

I just got my sister this one from John Lewis and she really likes it so far (baby is 10 days old!)

I am coveting it if I have another baby myself!

I loved and adored my huggababy and to a lesser extent my wilkinet

lots of archive threads on mn with many many other suggestions

You can also make your own - which I have never done but plenty of mnetters have

Kari-me sling. Love it LOVE IT. Have used it since birth, ds is 4 months, perfect, and get lots of compliments on it.

Kari-me sling. Love it LOVE IT. Have used it since birth, ds is 4 months, perfect, and get lots of compliments on it.

Thanks - the Kari-me looks good but I don't think DH would cope with having to tye, he's not very practical.

I'll have a look at the other threads as well, making something sounds fun and I could get a 'man friendly' one for DH as well.

The thought of carrying my baby again is quite exciting.

Any more recommendations of what I should look at?

From birth the ergo is awkward as you need the infant insert and IMO that makes it too bulky...but once baby gets to 3/4 months the ergo is wonderful, man-friendly and will last until about 18months. Can be more difficult to use for esp. tall people.

Until then a 'fabric' sling is easier and less bulky. I found my favourite was my simple 'ring sling' which I used lots for short periods round the house even after I got the ergo for outdoors. There are loads of slings though... you'll find one suits one person and one suits another...

I have a babyhawk and an angeltail both of which I love (websites for each via google...) however, I would recommend going to a slingmeet and trying a few before buying - www.slingmeet.co.uk/forums/index.php as it's easier to see what's about.
I love my slings though!!
Good Luck.

I would recommend the babyhawk as one your dh could use as if you order from their website you can choose one fabric for each side and you could make the reverse a more man friendly design. It's definately worth a look.
Big Mama Slings and Baby Armadillo also provide good advice on their websites.
Gillian.

Trying some out sounds like a good plan although I can't see me getting DH there. I'll have to have a 9 month pregnancy belly to get anywhere close to knowing what would fit him though

It sounds like a wrap for at first (possibly home made or a hug a bub?) and something like an Ergo/Yamo (are these basically the same?) or for later would be ideal.

I'd like something with nice material too - but I guess that's a lower priority.

I have a home made pouch sling for my dc#3. It is FAB!!! I had a mothercare one similar to the babybjorn iones, and could never adjust it to fit me properly. dd2, now almost 6wks, loves being in it and dozes off instantly, very handy for when she is frazzled. she loves being curled up in a foetal position, all mine hated being stretched out.

Better Baby Sling absolutely brilliant and so comfy for first 12-18 months, maybe longer.
Also love the Ergo, but not for a tiddler.

That looks pretty easy to use ...

Had forgotten about the curled up/stretched out thing. DD hated being curled up so wouldn't lie across ways in the sling, wanted to be more upright with her head against my chest and her legs off to one side. Prob why I liked my ring sling thinking back on it as could hitch her up a bit iykwim. Might be worth bearing in mind that your baby might have opinions on which sling they want too!

if it's anything like dd - it'll have STRONG opinions she was trying to escape from pram at 6 weeks!

I'd consider a wrap and a pouch e.g. a coorie from brightspark slings (google) which is great for quick in and out, esp as you have an older child. Mei tei also good but only have experience when baby a bit older.

Those coorie pouch slings are really sweet - and since I'm having it in late sept a fleece one might be good over the winter.

So many choices - I was like this with nappies last time, spent FAR too much trying to try lots of different ones. At least the 2nd hand value is good!

Those pouch slings look like they might be easy to make?

I really love my huggababy. Used it from when my daughter was a few weeks old and am still using it now she is 19 months. It cost about £35 and has been worth every penny.

i have a padded freedom sling and have just brought a pouch sling made by a company called hot slings.
if you want one in nice material try big mama slings, they also have patterns and sell the rings so you can make your own! my daughters one and i still manage to carry her in a sling despite having a bad back!

Thanks loopymumsy - I was thinking of a mnaly pouch for DH I think he'd secretly love it and I was thinking of practising on one for DD and her dolls, so thanks a lot for the instructions it doesn't look bad at all. I think I'll go and look for some fleece.

The big mama one's look good I'll just have to find some time to take all this in.

Thanks this is great advice

I love this one
I LOVE it
LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
(and we are the ones's hanging out the washing on the advert!! Lo was only 4 wks old then!!)

Wow! your picture came up first, you're famous!! (My baby's wrap was once on a website but this is better). Did it take a while to get used to?

It does look good, I think I may need to try a few out.

Well I've bought some Batik and some Fleece material to try and make a pouch for my to be newborn.

I think I'll then go and try different wraps as they look a bit complicated without help.

Still thinik an Ergo or similar looks good for DH.

Thanks for your help