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Original poster

Sling cupboard MAY part 1

225 replies

babyphat · 05/05/2009 11:12

Just thought we could start a shiny new thread, as the old one is getting so long. Anyone care to join me?

But dd is squawking so can't actually write anything... Back later to post photos of back carries and my new babyhawk!

OP posts:
Original poster
babyphat · 07/05/2009 21:58

here is a link to the MT pics foxy, (and kari-me pics at 6 weeks ) and the other hat.

What do you think, re the MT, is she too long or do i just need to make a hood? she's in as low as i can get her.

OP posts:
Original poster
babyphat · 07/05/2009 22:02

oooh that fabric is beautiful suiledonn

OP posts:
ChairmumMiaow · 07/05/2009 22:08

babyphat - my DS is further up out of the babyhawk than that and can happily sleep when on my front - I tuck his arms in and he lays his head on them rather than lolling around.

Definitely need some sort of hood for back carries though.

foxytocin · 07/05/2009 23:34

nice to see the BH found a good home. i love the hat and dd has those babylegs.

you can try tying the MT non-apron style to get more room in it so the head support comes up higher (without hood).

Miamla · 08/05/2009 00:00

hi all, found you

babyphat.. i agree with foxytocin, try doing the non-apron style. DS is a long baby and he sleeps fine in mine without a hood and re back carry, i use a scarf as well! works fine but i really need to get a hood sorted

suiledonn.. wow! what a gorgeous fabric!

i've had an exciting commission for a carrier today...a customer wants me to hand paint a design on it. i used to do alot of fine art so i can't wait to get cracking on it

RGPargy · 08/05/2009 10:40

Moomin - i have to confess to not actually trying out the Zara yet! It's a pain because i work on Thursdays and Fridays which means that by the time I get home it's gone 7pm and DD is winding down for bed. We normally only get about half an hour together before she goes to bed! Still, tomorrow is another day and as it's a Saturday i shall be testing out my Zara and the travelling Himmel that arrived at the same time!

suiledonn - That fabric's really pretty! It really is easy peasy to tie an MT. I'm sure you'll be fine!

Miamla - wow, how exciting for you!! Pleeeease let us see the finished design!

BexieID · 08/05/2009 10:57

I'm expecting my 2nd child in December and wondered if anyone could recommend a sling for me? I'm a dress size 26/28, so don't know if that would make any difference at all?

monkeycat · 08/05/2009 10:57

I shall try the silk scarf trick Moomin - thanks !

Yuck - it's chucking it down here and we're about to go to the Parents Like Us event . Looks like sling practice will have to wait - buggy and raincover time!

RGPargy · 08/05/2009 11:06

Hi Bexie and congrats on your PG!! I cant comment on newborn wraps as I've only been wrapping for the past few months with DD. I'm sure you will need a stretchy wrap tho. Someone will come along soon to recommend something to you.

Miamla · 08/05/2009 13:30

bexieID I'd definitely recommend a stretchy wrap for a newborn. You can tie it first and then just slip them in with their legs in the froggy position

I've actually got a new wrap here that someone ordered but had to cancel last minute. Its a fairly dark blue with white polka dots. Let me know if you're interested in seeing it (I can send a sample of the fabric before you decide)
Oh and congratulations on your pg!

and i'm sure someone unbiased will pop along with some advice as well

RGPargy (love your name!) i will indeed! going to get the paints out this afternoon Not sure how well its going to photograph but I'll have a go

RGPargy · 08/05/2009 14:30

Ah yes, i wish i'd been brave enough to try wraps at the newborn stage. I had a ring sling but i only used it a few times - it just didn't feel secure enough for my liking although i am 99% sure that that was due to me not doing it up properly

Miamla - Thanx Love your profile pics - your little man is gorgeous!

Original poster
babyphat · 11/05/2009 12:11

Have any of you tried a rose and rebellion carrier?

i am wondering if it might be the solution to my wriggly, leaning baby problem - she has figured out how to get her arms out of a back wrap carry and lunges backwards, she's already bumped her head once .

However tightly I tie her in, she can get out. It also makes carrying pretty uncomfortable as the weight is all in the wrong place when she leans. V annoying as i was so proud of having mastered back carrying even when out and about (ie not in front of a mirror!)

I'm finding the MTs just aren't as comfy or supportive as a wrap for long carries, so I wonder if the extra waist support from a padded belt would be a bonus.

OP posts:
chilledmama · 11/05/2009 15:17

hi there...sorry to crash your thread...

I am investigating the Calin Bleu Gauze for summer use with 6+month DD. I currently have her in a Moby which is brilliant and usually use my Beco for back carrying after around 6 months (when I'm brave enough to throw them around in public) but I'm moving to the US v shortly and I know my beco is too hot in the summer in the US (DS and I melted for a week in NY when he was 9 months).
A friend of mine suggested I try this sling thread as there might be someone who made them?? or know someone who is selling one 2nd hand??

Any help advice greatly appreciated.

newlark · 11/05/2009 18:13

chilledmama calin bleu wraps sometimes come up on ebay and seem to go for around £20 second hand. Also look on the FSOT board of the Natural mamas forum here

For a mega cheap option I bought some "butter muslin" for £1.25/metre in John Lewis - I got 8m and folded it in two and am using it as a summer wrap. It comes in a 90cm width so didn't need to cut it.

chilledmama · 11/05/2009 20:15

newlark this will be my first woven wrap...will the butter muslin wrap be any more awkward to conquer and also doesd it last as well as a normal wrap??
Sorry for bizarre questions but mega cheap only useful if actually works out iykwim.

newlark · 11/05/2009 21:47

hmmm - am fairly new to this myself so not sure... my first wrap (still only a couple of months ago) was a storchenwiege and I would say that is easier to tie than the butter muslin which is quite soft and floppy (it goes all crinkly) once it has been washed. I haven't seen a calin bleu wrap in the flesh so don't know how it compares. I've only recently bought the muslin so don't know how well it will last but would have thought it would be pretty strong. It was the fabric suggestions [[http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=121 here] for making your own wrap that made me think of trying it.

Others will probably have more useful advice

MoominMymbleandMy · 11/05/2009 22:52

babyphat, I haven't tried a Rose and Rebellion but the Calyx is a wonderfully comfortable SSC for a back carry. So is the Olives and Applesauce, which comes with a sleephood.

Miamla · 12/05/2009 22:58

chilledmama it might have been me your friend was thinking of. I make wraps and carriers (similar to MTs). In a hot climate, I reckon you can't go far wrong with a light coloured 100% cotton wrap. We had a chat on here about whether a looser weave fabric would last as long as say a cotton wrap. I'm not convinced it will, I think with lots of tying and untying, its going to lose its shape but someone (sorry can't remember who) thought it would be ok.

babyphat Padding is definitely key in my opinion to being comfy, along with wide straps. I can easily carry my 9mth DS in my carrier (as well as the requisite supplies needed for a day out) for a few hours with no problems. Especially amazing considering I broke my back a few years ago but that's another story!

MoominMymbleandMy · 14/05/2009 21:39

I am a slingaholic! I have bought Zara Infinity and it is gorgeous. And so much easier to wrap with than my old Hopp (which has gone to a new home)

RGPargy · 14/05/2009 22:37

I just washed and ironed my Zara but haven't used it since then (been at work today and will be again tomorrow, ggrr). I found Zara a bit difficult to tie behind my back after doing a quick RUB - will it become easier when she softens up? I'm so used to tying in front that i wonder if perhaps i just dont have the knack to tying behind me yet......

MoominMymbleandMy · 14/05/2009 22:47

If you've only used a Hopp before, a Zara is a miracle of softness! Oh, and it has such lovely thin tails to tie with. I did hate the bulky knot on my Hopp.
I only did a front (FWCC) carry with it but it's the first time I've gone out in a wrap and not had to keep tugging and tweaking it because it feels wrong.
This is very bad actually - I can't afford a wrap habit too!

foxytocin · 15/05/2009 10:00

Moomin: was your hopp quite heavy? I have a Hopp, old shortie one, and it is soo floppy and it isn't from lots of use, I think. It is old but wasn't used much. I think some brands wraps differ from year to year.

anyone else on thoughts of this?

MoominMymbleandMy · 15/05/2009 11:09

Foxy, yes the old Hopp was heavy. I bought it last summer thinking it would be cuddly for the winter and that would give me enough time to master it. I washed it and knotted it, so it was quite soft but it was just too bulky.
I bought the Zara out of sheer stubborness at being defeated by a piece of material!

foxytocin · 15/05/2009 11:13

ah ha. thought so. I thought it was the case.

I have an old Eva which is super floppy. I love love love it. Now I want to try an old Girasol. The new ones are thicker and more bouncy. I had an old Girasol (Katiwrap) in the GSW which I loved but the colours weren't me. But I must sell some wraps first to justify. [sob]

RGPargy · 15/05/2009 13:45

I've never used a Hopp. Interesting that you say they are bulky. I have a lovely Ulli which is very soft and lovely, but a little too thick and warm for the upcoming summer months. It's a great length tho (5.2m) so i can tie all the carries with it. Think i am going to try and master a chest belt as when i tie tibetan, i end up with a big knot above my boobs, which is so big i can rest my chin(s) on it!!

Looking forward to trying Chocco some more tho. So i'm right in thinking that it doesn't matter if you're tying into the tails? For some reason i've always thought this was a big dodgy. I have no idea why i thought that tho!