QUestions on Close Baby carrier

[Wheelybug]

I have just received one of these on hire as dd2 (almost 4 weeks) screamed blue murder when put in the wilkinet I bought especially for her .

DVD that has arrived with sling is broken so have attempted to put dd in it using the booklet but not sure I've done it properly. Mind you, she seems quite happy ! She is in the position 1 (upright from birth)

So, Should her legs be straight or bent ? One seems more bent than the other....

ALso, she should have her legs either side of both straps ?

Erm and how high up is high up if you can explain that one ?

An what do you do with the hanging down bits ? I am quite short so they are long and therefore hang down quite a way...

Her legs should be bent, kinda like how a frog sits. it is the ergonomically safe way for newborns to keep their legs.

at this age, just as long as her legs are bent and she is securely tucked inside, it doesn't matter if her legs are both on one side but don't try to pull her legs through to get one on either side.

High up can be high up enough to just barely move your head to kiss the top of her little head. [awwww}

tie the hanging down bits around your waist or tuck inside the sling somehow

[disclaimer] i've never used a close but use wraps all the time.

thanks foxy - hmm her legs are either side of the cross bit which is what it says to do but look a bit wonky... I don't think she's high enough up either which may be part of the problem and it also seems to pulling on my back a bit which suggests positioning isn't right.

Arrghhh... maybe i'll just go back to a pram..

I used this when ds was smaller(er). I often struggled, in this and a wrap, to get both his legs equal and he seemd ok.

I'm short and ended up typing the dangly bits round the back.

I do have the dvd if you wanted it - if so email me on alittlebitshy at googlemail dot com

Not quite sure where that 'click here' came from !!

Thanks ALBS - hello ! - I think you recommended the close to me ages ago when I was first thinking about it. Then I got a really good deal on the wilkinet but should have stuck to original plan.

Having had a look again at the booklet I think I haven't put it on right so will try again.

Thanks for the offer of the DVD - I've emailed the comapny to see if they can send another one but if its ok I'll email you if they can't/ I haven't worked it out by then.

I reckon if they are at a height where you can kiss the top of their head without having to dip very far then they are about right. If you can't tie the dangly bits at the back you can just loop the ends through the bit that goes around your middle and keep them out of the way that way.

Try to make sure the straps are flat on your shoulders and not too scrunched up, and have a look at where the crossover is on your back if that's not central you won't get the baby balanced either. Also make sure the baby is level at each stage when putting him/her in it's difficult to de-wonkify at the end but far easier as you go along.

Nope I did have it on right after all.... god sleep deprivation has made my brain go a bit wibbly.

Thanks P&L.

The comapny sent me a link to utube which has helped I think. Although still convinced she's up high enough.

Thanks for all your help. Will go out for a walk and see how we get on.....

Well we survived a walk - dd slept through it so must be comfy. Although still not sure she's high enough

Just another qu - where should the 'close' label on the cross be on my back ? The instructions seem to suggest it should be quite low but it is up between my shoulder blades.

Hi wheely!

Agree that she should be high enough up for you to be able to kiss the top of her head with ease! My dd is in the frog leg position - I put her up against my chest then wrap the underneath layer under her then the top layer. You can barely see her in there (I get lots of old ladies coming up to me and asking if there is really a baby in there!!!). Once she's in I then tighten the straps - as you are doing that you can mover her higher up and tighten to keep her there.

I haven't actualy watched the dvd (i just sort of went for it!) but I will try to have a look tonight and report back!

The closer sign is between my shoulder blades once I get it all tightened up. Am also short so have to tie the loose bits round my back!

thanks meep - I'll try tightening it a bit more tomorrow see if that lifts her higher.

I did get complimented on the sling on my short walk this afternoon !

Thanks again everyone.

Ok, I used mine for a while incorrectly I think (too low and cross too high).

I would say:

Put on sling and pull the fabric tight. Tighter than you think, as in really tight! Make sure the X is in the small of your back.

Then put the baby in. She will be high up on your chest.

If the x is not central, she will be crooked.

hth, I love my close!

Thanks Bclass - will bear this all in mind when I try again which might be soon as might use it whilst trying to get dd1 to bed !

Just an update in case anyone's interested (probably not ) - Have had take 2 this afternoon and started with it higher up which seems to have done the trick although I think she slips down as time goes on so maybe not tight enough !

it seems a definite success though - she's slept throughout.

hooray - glad it's working out! You can tighten as you go if you think she's sleeping!

Now - I just need to get out the house and test drive mine properly!

that was meant to be slipping - can you tell I have sleep on the brain wheely!

LOL ! I was thinking there was something else I needed to know about position and sleeping !!

hello wheely, (tis me, thisisyesterday lol)

haven't tried a closer, but have a moby which i'd recommend to anyone!
got rather heavily into the whole slinging lark with ds2 so happy to meet up with you and give any pointers you might need
actually, i know quite a few sling-y people who could prob make a london-ish meet if you fancied it?

hello thisis...

just had a look at the moby - looks similarish to the close.. hmm maybe I should try one of them ! a sling meet up sounds fun !

how are you ? when is dc3 due ? must be soon ??

ok will try and arrange some kind of meet, although am quite rubbish at arranging anything atm lol

we are all well here, db3 due beginning of June, so being very fat and waddly now haha

wheely, you around next thurs?

In theory yes, but in practise probably not - am still quite restricted by the damn c-sec. Can't drive and not sure how I'd fare at the moment on public transport - wouldn't be able to lift pram/ not sure how far I can sling dd2 at the moment. Sorry to be a pain....

Should be cleared for driving on 23rd (6 week check) ....

ahh that's ok.
am having a mini-meet on thurs anyway at the princess diana memorial playground. there will be people with slings there so if you did manage to make it then that'd be cool, otherwise will do another one when you're more back to normal so to speak!