Which sling would be best?

[Supercherry]

My DS is 1, I would like a sling so that I can carry him on my back while I am painting the front door! Also I want it to be suitable to breastfeed a newborn. Also, I want it to bne suitable for up to 3yrs if possible. Am I asking too much here?

Advice would be very much appreciated as I am now getting pretty fed up of trawling ebay for suitable slings.

yes probably asking for too much in that a sling that while a sling can do all these, it takes a lot of practice on the adult's part to achieve the necessary dexterity to do all these functions out of 1 sling.

I would say a Meitai for carrying the toddler on your back - you can pick a very good pre-loved one for about £35

then get a stretchy wrap sling for the newborn. about £25 pre-loved.

So for the price of one new sling, you have 2.

check out UKbabywearingSWAP (yahoo group) and naturalmamas for pre-loved carriers.

Thanks for your help, which sling could do all 3 things? I can practise lots

I had several slings. For multi-purpose use, would suggest a patapoose (?I think?), or a stretchy ring sling, but use caution on the material -- I had one made from cotton and it wasn't as good as those with lots of stretch.

most if not all of them.

wrap sling, ring sling, pouch sling, mei tai, podagai, onbohimbo, soft structured carrier ....

choose one and go for it.

I'd use a woven wrap for doing all of those, but then I get on with wraps, can use MTs (all though I'm not confident with back carries - need more practice) and don't get on with ring slings at all.

This is the UKbabywearingSWAP mailgroup.

I'd be wary of buying unbranded slings off ebay - some of them are fantastic, but there's a suprisingly large amount of development that goes into a GOOD sling (comfortable, easy to use and consistently good quality of fabrication) and that has to be paid for.

2nd hand is brilliant if you're not sure what you're looking for - buy it, try it, and if it doesn't work out sell it on for what you paid

Oh - and you can find reviews of most slings and a LOT of information on The Baby Wearer

If you want it to do everything, then a woven wrap would fit the bill. If you buy second hand, you could fit in a stretchy wrap or ring sling as well to be able to vary things - esp if you want anyone else to carry. Buying second hand also means you can sell slings on for very little more than you paid for them which means you can buy the most appropriate for the stage.

Would def not recommend using Ebay for the reasons given above

I have a hotsling from big mamas slings (google it) I love it. DD grins when she see it. DS is nearly 4 and I can just about get him in there with help from DH when he's tired and needs a lift (not often).
But only really fits me and not DH, he's taller than me. However, Love it!

Thanks everyone. It seems like a woven wrap would be the best idea then? I'm off to browse the web and will come back if cannot find what I am looking for

I love my Rose and Rebellion carrier it would do everything you are looking for in a carrier and looks fab they have a sale on at the moment so they are a good bargain www.roseandrebellion.com

Lisa