Pictures to help - newborns in close/wrap slings

[barkfox]

I have a 5 day old DS, and popped him in a close carrier today , after I'd spent some time getting to know the sling and practicing with a toy bear...

He was fretting a bit but fell asleep instantly - I think I'm doing the right things as per safety instructions, and it feels v comfy on me - but I still want reassurance. Mainly that he's not too squished and can breathe.

I've only tried him in the front carry position, and his little legs don't stick out the side as per the instruction pics, they naturally 'froggy' up inside the folds. Which SEEMS fine and comfy, but again, I'm not sure. My DP tried out the 'cradle' position, and DS looked so curled up, I just can't believe he could breathe properly, and I'm not using that again until I know how to check it's safe.

I've looked at the TICKS list, and read umpteen instructions - but what I really really want to see are PICTURES, actual photos, of newborns in slings.

I've spent ages googling, and nearly every sling pic seems to involve a baby that's several months old, even while they say 'can be used from birth.'

Can anyone help please? OR, am I mad trying to use one on a 5 day old baby?

Have you tried youtube for videos?

Ah - yes, the lovely Torstein is already known in our house....That's pretty much the only example I've found with a very new baby, though.

Cies, I've had a look on YouTube, and I might be missing some key search term, but again, all the babies I've seen are older than newborn, and so have stronger motor control etc. It's the floppy head/suffocating I'm concerned about...

Any more thoughts/links welcome.

oooo. I hadn't thought of putting DD in her sling like that. She's quite long for a 3wk old so maybe I've missed an opportunity,

here are pictures.

it is important to have it tight enough that after a half hour or so you baby hasn't crumple forward in the sling. If a wrap is too loose it gives his spine no support. You cannot get a stretchy wrap (or a woven) too tight.

the other important thing to to keep his airway free. That is that his head is straight or tilted slightly back. With a wrap or close the parts coming off your shoulders can be used to tuck his head in with a cheek on your chest so that he can breath clearly.

have a look at this page which reviews the positioning in different carriers.

Ships! They you are! You had your baby? Come back and tell us on the HB thread about it!