Slings for bear grapplers and laydees

[hub2dee]

Contemplating slingerdom for dd to be...

I'd like one which is easily adjustable between dw and I so we can both carry as needed.

A few preliminary questions from the childless and innocent:

1. Is it simplest to buy a newborn sling and a separate one for when they're older ? Realistically, is newborn in sling on man silly as newborn needs feeding so often ? (so we should only aim to fit dw in hope of easy bf.)

(Not following 100% attachment parenting full-time sling-wearing tree hugging lark, but can see the bonding and practical benefits)...

(Tree huggers / attachment parenting proponents please read all my threads with a large pinch of salty humour).

2. One piece or two ? I've read it can be tricky getting baba in and out of a one piece (unless they're tiny)...

3. Any sling shops / sling reps in London (or near) who have a wide selection for sale / demo / trying on ?

And lastly, is the Bill Amberg Papoose , available regularly on ebay, totally fantastic or a pile of pants ? Has anyone actually used one ? Looks divine but challenging to my vegetarianism !

Am currently leaning towards Kelty Kangaroo (that's not me in the photo BTW )

(I have read the sling reviews on MN)

PS - Might get Mountain Buggy Terrain, possibly with Carrycot (almost 1/2 price in the States)... would a sling be another piece of unnecessary baby rubbish (or perhaps that would be the carrycot ????)

Thank you for any feedback.

Yes, I AP, yes, I am a tree-hugger - second time around. First baby I did everything conventionally - cot, travel system, bottle etc. Mother and Baby extremely unhappy. Second baby I slung exclusively for 4 months, breastfed and am still co-sleeping at 16months ( only recently given up slinging due to dodgy pelvis ) - baby sooo much calmer, everyone so much happier. So - that's my life story. My slinging experience: Until 4 months baby lived in a brightspark fleece pouch sling ( v. snuggly and v. easy to get baby in and out of ). For longer distance walking, a wilkinet - a bit of a faff to get in and out of initially, but v. comfy ), this was used until 6 months. Then, briefly - an ellaroo woven wrap - v. comfy, but also v. faffy to get on and off. From 6 months the ergo. V. fabby! Can be used on front and especially comfy on back. I did my housework every day with the baby on my back, walking to preschool, shopping was a dream without the blasted buggy. Damn my pelvis - I wish I could carry her now. I have to stop what I'm doing and pay her some attention now! Before, I could just sling her on my back and get on with my life . Google "Ergo baby carrier" - honestly, it was a life saver. Yeah, and I know some of you will roll your eyes at me, but dd is the sweetest most contented baby I ever knew, and I'm sure it was because she was held most of the time in her formative months.

NQC: Delighted you're happy with your Terrain / carrycot and the Kelty Kanga. Must admit, the two part approach sounded eminently sensible in the online product description I saw.

RosiePosie - May well give AP a go. Nothing to lose, really, as I see it... Thank you for your sling suggestions and sharing how it played a part in number 2 being more mellow. Looking at Ergo now.

Nah, MY baby is the sweetest most contented baby I ever knew I put it down to all those long dreamy naps in her pram. Actually, I put it down to her serene personality and (very proabably) to her being a second child and my being a more experienced, less panicky mother.

You lot don't even know what a contented baby looks like. Have you seen my dd ? Even as a fetus she's the bestest.

Haven't got time to read whole thread but my dh loves using a huggababy ring sling (in macho navy blue) - it's still in use with dd at 18 months and going strong - fits me too and I'm a ahem 'curvy' lady.

We also have a Kelty Kangaroo which was my preference for smaller babes - they are very secure and sling is very adjustable and has waist strap so spreads the weight well - very macho - looks like a proper bit of hill walking kit

We could probably sell the Kelty now if you are interested - CAT me if you want.

Message withdrawn

Wow! I missed your scan picture. Extremely - none of mine are that good. She does have exceedingly cute feet!

bluebear: this is the one thread on MN that contains an embedded cryptogram with the single answer to the Ultimate Question about life, the universe and everything. I am sorry you couldn't read it.

Umm...£30 - we are in London so no p+p if collected

aloha: takes after her daddddddy ! Roman feet, me.

Thanks, bluebear. Will consider, and maybe this thread will get someone itching for a bargain Kelty thingy. May I ask what age you reckon it stretches to, as I saw a photo of a rather diddy baby looking strangely big in it...

Says 9 months on the box, and it is roomy but we moved onto the ring sling once baby could sit up and hold on (6 monthish)

Have you seen one in real life? - if you're at all local you could have a look at ours (I'm not desparate to sell it - just thought of it tonight)

Don't you think it's a bit OTT to be foisting Jean Liedloff on your ds

Hey, SW London is a competitive area for schools -- if he doesn't start paying attention now he's going to slip behind. His grasp of his times tables is a bit lacking at the moment, but with a bit of practice after his guitar lessons and the Esperanto classes he should be up to speed...

PMSL, LeahE. Didn't realise any APs had a sense of humour.

Now I know it's true.

bluebear: do you live in a dark, dangerous forest with funny lighting ?

ahem WHO is the sweetest, most contented baby you have met Hub2Dee???? huh? huh?

(not counting in utero)

H2D - no, in a cave of course

...........................................with funny lighting

otherwise known as West London but can't say where until hunting season's over - blue fur coats are all the rage.

OK, bb, folks West London so may CAT you and then come and check out the cave, and bring my, ahem, curvy wife, and verify that indeed your dd is more adorable than Twiglett's scrumbly pudding pie which will actually be rather difficult cos her pudding pie was Super cute but did have mamma's unfortunate, you know, tics, and was kind of long and lumpy with sticky out bits, but when you nibble her cheek it tastes kind of... I don't know... marmitey ???

Twig, don't worry, we all know The Moo ROCKS.

I'm not really AP -- it did appeal but we both sleep too deeply for me to be comfortable co-sleeping and as I mentioned in a previous post DS isn't particularly keen on being worn (also he had whooping cough which in infants involves frequent projectile vomiting, which doesn't go well in a sling. Doesn't go well not in a sling, either, of course...)

for LeahE.

bluebear: I'm probably going to pick up a Kelty in the States with a pile of other baby bits and it'll be cheaper over there but would love to try it on (haven't seen one in any of the bébé shops I've been dragged around - sorry - visited ) - dw and I are always around your 'hood as I grew up there and folks still live there so will CAT you if you wouldn't mind a crowded cave for a few moments.

Thanks to everyone for all the sling ideas.

We saw a pile of Baby Bjorning babas in Ikea on Saturday. All looked v. cute but the sling does kind of make a big bloke look somewhat, ahem, dainty...

oooh... manly baby bag alert:

This got mentioned on daddytypes.com :

The Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack

ooohhh as used by soldiers and real men. Perfect for expectations of urban violence from insurgent babies.

Apparently the design allows access to a hip-mounted fire-arm which I always find quite useful.

War protestors should certainly avoid the opening patriotic text in their product catalog and simply process their orders through the 800 number.