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Original poster

ok, The sling cupboard April part 1

389 replies

misdee · 03/04/2009 16:31

no idea if anyone wants to join me

am just getting into sling with dd4.

have a napsackbaby mei tai, which i use for dd3 as well.

ring sling

and peanut shell.

all have different uses, and work well for us.

OP posts:
JackBauerKilledTheEasterBunny · 07/04/2009 21:19

It is really simple this way once you have teh hang of it. Found some pics but I put the straps up once step early

For all those who can't get a rucksack style strap to work, try a tibetan tie! it's a normal rucksack, cross behind you and then bring the ends back under your arms, cross above your boobs and tuck each end round the ruck strap, then tie together in front.
As it goes above your norks it doesn;t compress them, and it holds the straps onto your arms. here at teh bottom

CMOTdibbler · 07/04/2009 21:24

I do find the tibetan changes the weight distribution though, so you need to be aware of that. I've tied it on my friend who doesn't normally use a sling (and is a 34F) for her to carry her toddler, and she found it worked great and looked fine too

My superwide SBP ring sling is waiting at the post office - I'm keen to give it a try now

Miamla · 07/04/2009 22:39

Loopymumsy
hmm, i reckon she'd be too heavy for a gauze wrap. It would probably work once or twice but would quickly look quite tatty imo. a lightweight cotton would be perfect though. i've been to the fabric shop today for another customer and they've just had a new delivery of cotton in amazing colours.
i'd be happy to help if I can. my email is
miamla at hotmail.com if you are interested

MoominMymbleandMy · 07/04/2009 23:54

Misdee, you don't have to be registered on SlingMeet to attend one. Just turn up, with or without a sling.

Though turning up with one helps for identification as we will pounce on you.

You don't need the buggy for the holiday, just a modest sling selection. Stuff made of Solarveil is brilliant in hot weather and can be used in the sea as it is amazingly quick to dry.

I have used my old buggy twice with my DS, not to push him but to use as an alternative high chair at a coffee shop where they only have one highchair.

Now, I have a TotSeat so the buggy gathers dust in a corner.

MoominMymbleandMy · 07/04/2009 23:59

Claireybee, it's me who wears the sling, the DS is carried in it so if I fancy a girly one I get it PP permitting.

It does mean my DH won't be seen dead in some of mine.

foxytocin · 08/04/2009 07:26

you don't have to be a member of the slingmeet site to go to a meeting, misdee, just barge in go along. they'll love to have you there.

Original poster
misdee · 08/04/2009 08:03

lol, i was planning on just barging in lol. but i spotted two ladies locally and i wanted to say hi. they were arranging a mini-meet about 5mins walk from me.

OP posts:
Original poster
misdee · 08/04/2009 08:14

re: holiday slings, which ones should i take? should i master some wrapping tecniques and take a light wrap with me?

i have a small selection already, just no wraps yet.

OP posts:
babyphat · 08/04/2009 10:13

i would have thought you'd be ok with what you've got, unless you want an excuse to add to the stash...

better to have really got the knack of one or two carries in one carrier than lots of different ones but less comfortably, iyswim

that said, i am taking both a wrap and MT away with me, although i'm going to try chairmum's instructions to see if i can get a decent back carry with the MT too.

oh, just thought though, having a couple with you is good if you have a sicky baby

Miamla · 08/04/2009 13:15

misdee babyphat speaks sense about getting the knack of one or two carries. kind of like a jack of all trades instead of a master in one thing! I also take a wrap and my MT type ish carrier with me though because DS is a sicky baby! its also handy to have a spare in case you drop one of them in a muddy puddle!
Not sure if you saw my message to Loopymumsy but my local fabric shop has just had a new delivery of some beautiful lightweight cottons which would make lovely summery wraps. i could send you some fabric samples if you're interested

Original poster
misdee · 08/04/2009 14:36

dd4 s a bit sicky atm.

am thinking of taking onbu, MT and a wrap. have mastered MT and onbu (pretty much the same techniques)and can do one or two carries in a wrap.

i think my sister has heaps of suitable material for wrapping, so might get her to measure me off 5m so i can practise.

one thing i'm worried about is where to put things that 4 kids need. usually we overload the buggy basket. ah well there is a nursery shop in the town, so can pick up a mac volo if needed.

OP posts:
babyphat · 08/04/2009 14:39

make them carry a rucksack each!

Original poster
misdee · 08/04/2009 14:40

hmmmm, rucksacks. dd3 def has one, older two dont.

will have to hunt out the swim bags as well.

OP posts:
JackBauerKilledTheEasterBunny · 08/04/2009 19:59

I have the buyers remorse!

I have just gone onto babywearing to find a new wrap, have agreed to buy a calin bleu cool gauze in berry red, and have just been offered one in purple! My fave colour!
But then my new onbag is going to be purple so probably best or I'd look like a big ribena berry.

So adda berry calin bleu cool gauze to my list

ImSallyIHaventAClue · 08/04/2009 21:49

Ooh JBKTEB is that the Mystic Cloud calin bleu? I have that one and the colour is really gorgeous!

foxytocin · 09/04/2009 12:56

Misdee, if your dd like the MT or the Onbu, you are sorted for the hols and the summer. no need to wrap unless you feel the desire to try one out.

JackBauerKilledTheEasterBunny · 09/04/2009 16:02

It's red. That's about all I know! this one I think.

Miamla · 09/04/2009 17:44

ooh Jack, that's a really lovely colour

ChairmumMiaow · 09/04/2009 19:09

Well I've had DS in a back carry with rucksack strap a couple of times now, and I think I've cracked it. His weight seemed to be all the right place and it was really comfortable!! I shall be doing that as my default carry from now on (I even got him in tight enough that I would be happy with him sleeping like that!)

Also, DS has just started walking properly tonight!!!! (He's been cruising for 6 months) Last night he was taking a few steps before plopping onto the floor (having been coerced into letting go) and today he's been doing it voluntarily, all the way across the room. I almost didn't want him to go to bed because its so exciting!! (but he's slept 30 minutes all day so he needs it)

TaurielTest · 10/04/2009 00:25

Good news about the back carry and the walking ChairmumMiaow! JBKTEB that's a lovely Calin Bleu, v envious, but cannot justify another sling purchase just yet. My dear ones are still getting their heads around me being Arthur TwoSlings Jackson.

Now, a question - I'm helping to set up a sling meet to be held on Wed in west Kent (see the relevant bit on slingmeet for details if you're remotely nearby - only 40 mins from London). Weather permitting, we will be outdoors.

I'm a bit of a slingmeet novice, is there anything that would be useful for me to take along (other than slings, obviously)? So far, I've thought of a mirror for checking back carries. Any other suggestions?

babyphat · 10/04/2009 08:33

some kind of sign to direct any newbies? obv depends where you are having it but when i went along to one i rashly assumed that it would be obvious who they were, but actually the place was heaving with mums and kids, i kind of hovered around awkwardly for a while trying to work out which ones.

JackBauerKilledTheEasterBunny · 10/04/2009 10:40

Ooh ChairmumMiaow, how cute!
Have been reading up on back carries in a wrap as the reason I sold all my didy's is because I couldn't get to grips with them.
I have got to start selling some stash soon though so can make up some spare cash with that!

Def have signs at the slingmeet. Also maybe some printed instructions for different carries for peopleto take home home and try. Maybe a list of websites for further info?

I always carry a small card with me with the name of the slings and some websites as I get asked all the time. I did have a load of brightsparkslings cards that i used to carry but ran out!

ImSallyIHaventAClue · 10/04/2009 11:46

OK I have a question about back carries in a wrap (as have been trying these without success)

My problem is that DS, who is one, thinks it's hilarious when I bend forwards and put him on my back. Does he lie there clinging to me like the cute babies on YouTube? Does he hell. He sits bolt upright (so he's perpendicular to my back), laughs, and slaps me on the back like I'm some sort of pantomime horse. Then he twists round to have a good look at everything he can see from this new vantage-point.

So, not having the advantage of dislocatable shoulders, I can't get the diagonal bits of cloth over his shoulders at all.

Help! What am I doing wrong? If I'm using the chest-strap method, should I straighten up and stand upright as soon as it's tied? that just doesn't seem very safe to me...

babyphat · 10/04/2009 18:20

my lo is smaller so i may be talking crap, but i think with the chest strap method (is that with a knot over boobs?), you should be fine to stand up straight and then do the rest. i see lots of people carrying their babies just with a cloth round their chest without the additional support of the crossed bits (am v intrigued how they fasten as i can never see a knot). i think also in the rucksack carry just the first tie is the main support. plus if you are standing up once that bit is done, you'll be certain to have it nice and tight, which will make it more comfy.

sorry if that makes no sense at all...

sweetkitty · 10/04/2009 19:33

Blatant hijack but I am about to ebay a Close sling, in cream, hardly used comes with original box, DVD and instructions.

Would rather sell it to a lovely MNer