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Original poster

SLINGS - Kari-Me v Close

31 replies

browny · 11/03/2009 10:18

I've been using a Coorie fleece pouch sling since my baby was newborn and I like the look of the Kari-Me and Close slings but they look the same to me, does anyone know what the difference is (if any) please and if you can recommend one too. Thanks! .

OP posts:
WibblyPigRocks · 11/03/2009 10:21

I don't know the difference, but I can recommend the Kari-Me sling. It's incredibly comfortable and easy to use - although it does take a little bit of practice first of all. My DS is 9mo now and still comfortable in it - apparently they can go in it for years yet, but we'll wait and see.

Original poster
browny · 11/03/2009 10:26

WibblyPigRocks, thanks for posting, my dd3 is only 18 weeks old and I love carrying her, so that's one vote for the Kari-Me already! .

OP posts:
omgidbi · 11/03/2009 13:14

Have you looked at the Moby Wrap it's very similar to the Kari-Me but cheaper and I think the fabric feels nicer. I adored mine when my two were younger. soooo comfy.

The Close is in two parts and has rings that you have to thread the fabric through to adjust, so though it looks similar when on it's different to put on/adjust, with the Moby you just tie it.

Loopymumsy · 11/03/2009 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

FairMidden · 11/03/2009 17:29

Never used a Close but I had a Kari Me and used it for a year and a half and loved it - as did DS. Moby appears v similar but haven't worn one

Tangle · 11/03/2009 22:10

How old is your baby? Stretchy wraps aren't so good as your LO gets bigger, at least form my experience - I had a Hug-a-Bub when DD was little, but it was starting to struggle by the time she was about 7 months and by 9 months I'd moved on to more robust carriers (woven wraps and Mei-Tais).

Tangle · 11/03/2009 22:10

How old is your baby? Stretchy wraps aren't so good as your LO gets bigger, at least form my experience - I had a Hug-a-Bub when DD was little, but it was starting to struggle by the time she was about 7 months and by 9 months I'd moved on to more robust carriers (woven wraps and Mei-Tais).

IlanaK · 11/03/2009 22:14

We have both. Dh loves the Karime. I hate it and love the Close. It really does vary person to person. The karime is a wrap - so a long stretchy piece of material with no rings, buckles etc that you can tie in many ways. The Close is a hybrid sling. Inspired by a wrap, but has rings like a ring sling. You can get Close slings at high street places like Mothercare and John Lewis so it may be worth going to see one in person.

thell · 11/03/2009 22:33

Hello - I had a Hugabub which is also a stretchy wrap, but I didn't really get on with it - I think some of the other stretchy wraps have slightly firmer fabric and are easier to use, and for longer as your baby gets heavier.
Personally I ended up switching to a woven wrap as I found it easier - and my clingy daughter could be on me as I wrapped her up instead of impatiently waiting for me to tie the Hugabub onto me then wrestle her into it!

Sling meets are a good way of trying other people's wraps and slings, and discussing the pros and cons, and learning new ways to tie, or tricks for making them work better.

slingmeet uk

or try the babywearer to find info and meets in other places.

Original poster
browny · 12/03/2009 23:10

Tangle, my dd3 is only four months right now, thanks for all your suggestions everyone, aggghh, now I've got to add the Moby Wrap to my list of possibles now too!

Thell, thanks for those two links, I didn't know such a thing as a sling-meet existed, brilliant! .

OP posts:
Tangle · 12/03/2009 23:18

You might also find the UKbabywearingSWAP mailgroup and the natural mamas forum of interest - if you buy 2nd hand and it doesn't work out you can sell it on for very little loss.

For all I started to get a bit weary of my HugaBub it was fantastic as a first sling - IMO stretchy wraps are much more forgiving when you tie them. And if your DD is only 4 months you'd have a fair amount of use before it started to struggle.

Its also worth considering that your DD may have a preference (I think the weirdest one I heard was a child that wouldn't go in a stripy carrier!), so definitely worth trying before you buy if you can - SlinMeets are fab

Original poster
browny · 12/03/2009 23:56

Tangle - thanks so much for your advice and that natural mamas link is fantastic... think I'd better stop reading everything on there and get some sleep before dd3 wakes for her feed, it's a fasinating forum, thanks again! .

OP posts:
littlelamb · 13/03/2009 00:08

I had both. Started with a Close which I loved as I was a bit intimidated by the idea of wraps, loved that all I had to do was pop it over my head and that it was so easliy adjustable. BUT at about 5 months I found that the extra bit of material to tie around the front was just not wide and supportive enough so I got a Kari Me. I love this too, wraps take all of about 20 minutes to learn properly, you can wear it all day and just pop baby in and out. Much more supportive for my ds that a CLose once he grew a bit bigger. Easily breastfed in both. I would say to go for a Kari Me, but if you want real longevity then get an Ergo- I've just bought one as ds is too big now at 9 months for a front carry and I wanted something that felt secure on my back- I love it.

Original poster
browny · 13/03/2009 09:35

Littlelamb - thank you for posting, I do like the sound of the Kari-Me and would love to try it, are you selling yours by any chance? (I'm a little wary of wraps, so thank you for saying that I'll soon get the hang of it). .

OP posts:
abermum · 13/03/2009 15:08

worth a look at these- she is local to me and i have the pink and purple ones- identical to kari-me and moby!
[http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=230330911991&Category=137725]]

abermum · 13/03/2009 15:09

bollocks!!

try again!

cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=230330911991&Category=137725

Original poster
browny · 13/03/2009 21:42

Abermum, thanks for that link, they do seem reasonable, what's the fabric like, is it soft and stretchy?

OP posts:
littlelamb · 13/03/2009 22:05

Browny- I am selling my wrap. I was going to pop it in the NCT sale next month for £18 but you can have first refusal if you like

Original poster
browny · 13/03/2009 22:25

littlelamb, what colour is it please?

OP posts:
abermum · 14/03/2009 09:23

its a stretchy jersey type material- it is really comfy and the colours are great- i bought the pink and had to go back and get the purple as well

littlelamb · 14/03/2009 09:55

Browny, mine is black. it's the one called Smart. Let me know if you'd like it I still have its little carry bag and the instructions as well/

Original poster
browny · 16/03/2009 10:04

littlelamb - yes please, I'd like to buy it, do you have paypal so I could send you payment for it straight away?

OP posts:
littlelamb · 16/03/2009 18:23

Sorry I don't have paypal but could do a bank transfer so it would be just as quick? Disenchanted can vouch for me, she bought my pushchair that way a few weeks ago. I could post it in the morning if you could do that? I really think you'll love it, as much as I am loving using the Ergo I really do miss ds snuggled up in his wrap

Original poster
browny · 16/03/2009 23:13

Hi Littlelamb, sorry I've only just replied, my brother's been tweaking my p.c., I've sent you my e-mail address through the C.A.T. .

OP posts:
littlelamb · 17/03/2009 08:23

browny I don't have a message!