Slings! Advice please!!

[Haribosmummy]

Hi,

I'm hoping that some MN experts can give me some advice:

I'm currently 4.5 months pregnant and have a 10 month old son. I need to travel across London once or twice a month for AN appointments (with DS in tow!)

It's a simple tube ride, but having it done it once with the buggy, I'm in no hurry to repeat the performance!!!)

I have a Karrimor Backback, which I find easy to use, but don't really like the idea of DS being behind me on the tube...

What I really need is a sling, but one that I can use even when reasonably heavily pregnant...

Which one would be my best bet???????

thankyou MNers!!!

HM

How big is your DS?

I'd normally recommend back-carries for a babe of that age, but if you don't want him behind you...

Have you thought of a pouch? Hotsling, Comfy Joey, Peanut Shell are all good brands. They're OK for relatively short journeys, or at least for journeys when you're taking the weight in short bursts (like a tube journey, I'm guessing, assuming someone lets you sit down!) and basically gives you a hip-carry without having to take weight in your arms, so goes to one side of your bump. I still occasionally put my (tiny) 2.9yr old in one, when she's tired and just can't walk that extra quarter mile to the bus stop.

Ring slings do the same job and are adjustable to different size adults but I'm not the right person to recommend a make - I only have one and don't really get on with it.

With a one-shouldered carry it is important to get the fit right, to protect your shoulders and back. A pouch needs to be right down over the ball of your shoulder and not bunched up around your neck, to be really comfy.

Another alternative is an Ergo or a mei tai, like a Babyhawk, both of which can be used front, side or back, and the straps can be tied under your bump or, with a mei tai, avoid your waist completely. Because the child is right up against you, you might feel more comfy with a back carry in one of those?

if you go on to youtube and put in any of those styles of sling, you'll get a load of videos showing you how to use them, and that may be more use than just looking at the style.

Good luck!

Get the bus? Or walk? Might be easier, or not, I don't know your route, but I do remember getting a bit disconnected from the actual distances involved when using the tube all the time.

A Mei Tai (pref with 'wrap' straps) can be used to hip carry, then swapped to your back for the walking bit. Your absolute best source of info and guidance is here or another local slingmeet.

Thankyou both!

BHB - I'll check out your link.

To be honest, I have a terrible sense of direction, but I think the tube ride must be easiest - I have to get from Euston to St THomas' (Waterloo) which is direct on the Northern line.
The tube is certainly MUCH quicker than a taxi!!!

I only need to walk from the train to the start of the Northern line and then from Waterloo to St Thomas' and then back again...

Maybe I should consider taking him in his back pack and just seeing how we get on??

That is exactly my route . I have both DDs so use a buggy no problem.

How do you get up and down the steps?

The escalators are fine, but the steps were a bit of a nightmare!!!!

There are only two short flights I think? Just by the platform (can't remember which end). I just start bouncing the buggy up and have never once got more than two steps without an offer of help .

Oh, yes - I must admit, everyone was very kind and lots of people helped me.

I def. encountered more than two flights though, so I must not have found the best route!

I will be smiling at everyone I see with a double buggy now!!

I carry my I(enormous - growing out of 9-12mths clothes) 8mth old on the front in the Ergo- - he is headbutting my chin now but is v comfy - can carry him for hours.

Or maybe get a v light stroller/buggy? Def smile at everyone and someone will help I reckon. I like the sling for dashing everywhere though.