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Original poster

Best Sling for 10 month to toddlerdom

12 replies

QueenGina · 07/04/2008 19:43

DH and I aren't really sling people.
We were given a Baby Bjorn which we have only recently started to use. We tend to travel to a gallery or museum using pushchair and then get out the sling when we arrive so dd can enjoy exhibition too. DD loves this, but it's a killer for our backs.
Can anyone recommend a similar sling which is more comfortable, one which would give us the option of wearing on the side as well as front carrying? Also needs to be man-friendly and as easy to take on and off as Baby Bjorn, and last dd well into toddlerdom.
Is this a tall order or does such an ideal sling exist?

OP posts:

Original poster

QueenGina · 07/04/2008 19:48

Also meant to add, that it's not important for the sling to be one in which dd can sleep. (Life's too exciting to sleep when she's out and about.)

OP posts:

Thefearlessfreak · 07/04/2008 19:50

This reply has been withdrawn

This post has been withdrawn due to privacy concerns

2point4kids · 07/04/2008 19:52

I used a peanut shell with DS1 from about 10 months until he was 20 months (only stopped then as i was pg) and really loved it!
I found it brilliant for an older baby/toddler.
DS2 is now 6 weeks old and I havent been able to get the hang of using it with him in the newborn carries though. Have instead been using a Close
with him in and its been fab 9much better than my baby bjorn, but dont know how good it will be as he gets older.

HTH!

Loopymumsy · 07/04/2008 20:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Original poster

QueenGina · 08/04/2008 14:22

Thanks for this.
Dh likes the look of Ergo most of all, but why are they not ethical? And, are the other slings ethical?

2point4kids - love the look of peanut shell, though dh not keen. Maybe for the next dc (providing I manage to get pregnant again) as they look lovely and snug for newborns.

OP posts:

cmotdibbler · 08/04/2008 16:32

I have a Toddlerhawk from here and it is fantastic - can do front, side and back carries, and although Ds is 22 months old, I can carry him for 4 or 5 hours at a time with no problems. Really funky designs too !

Loopymumsy · 08/04/2008 16:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Fillyjonk · 08/04/2008 18:30

oh dear

but ergo ARE the best

sorry wahms, but thet ARE

Original poster

QueenGina · 08/04/2008 19:06

omg.
Didn't realise choosing a sling to buy would be such a minefield.
Ergo still sounds the best for dh (who does do most of the slinging), despite the ethical question marks.
However, having read the other thread that Loopsymumsy directed me to, I realise that the Ergo might not be best for me as I forgot to mention that I am only 4ft 9and a half inches in height!! I do like the sound of a Mai Tei and am tempted to buy two slings (one for me and one for dh) but having just googled Mei Tai, the sling does seem rather elaborate as you seem to have to tie it up at the back.
Anyone have any experiences of Mei Tai and whether suitable for a woman of my height? Also, will it push against my bladder (as the Baby Bjorn sling does)?

Thanks in advance for all advice.

OP posts:

cmotdibbler · 08/04/2008 19:52

The thing with a MeiTai is that you can tie it how you want - I like the bottom strap rather high on my waist, but you can have them anywhere from your hips to under your breasts. Its actually dead easy to use - as a front carry, tie the bottom straps round your waist, with the body hanging down like an apron. Hold baby to your front with their legs round you, then flap it up round them. Swap arms so that one is on the outside, then fling a strap over your shoulder. Do the same over side. Grab end behind your back and pull it round, then swap arms and repeat. Twist together on babys bum, then jiggle a bit to make sure they are in properly, and then pull the straps under their legs, put round to your back and tie.
It can be easier than using a soft structured carrier as they are more adjustable to you. After a few goes it really is dead easy.

www.thebabywearer.com has loads of advice, and if you take a look at www.slingmeet.co.uk you can go to a meet and try some carriers before you buy

Original poster

QueenGina · 08/04/2008 20:14

Thanks Cmot. Great instructions. Very excited about entering world of slings and will check out those websites.

OP posts:

cmotdibbler · 08/04/2008 20:22

It is much easier to see than to explain too - if you are in London then theres very regular groups I think.

I love my slings, and we rarely use the pushchair. And the other great thing is that they have a really good resale value, so its not too much of a trauma if you buy a second hand one (UKBabyWearingSwap on Yahoo is a forum for buying, selling and trading slings), and don't really like it - in fact often much cheaper than the hire costs from the companies that do that.

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