Can babies fall out of slings?

[jem1980]

I know this is a crazy question, but I have been looking at slings, wraps etc. and I can't help wondering if babies can fall out if you lean over while wearing one? (e.g. to see to a toddler) I really want to get one for no. 3 (due any time) to do the nursery run with my 4-y-old, as I also have a 2-y-old and need the "extra hand". Have been looking at babaslings? or ring slings? all v. confusing. Baby is predicted to be quite big (I am not!). I don't quite understand the logistics of how you can move around, bend, stretch etc. without there being a risk of baby falling over side of sling, since there are no straps. Can anyone help put my mind at rest and/or recommend a particular sling? Thanks very much!

Not if the sling is worn correctly :)

If lugging a heavy baby around a fair bit then something that spreads the weight over 2 shoulders is probably best such as a wrap sling or a mei tai. As you can see the baby is nice and secure.

I love pouches or ring slings for when they are tiny but I do find it more comfortable with a wrap and if you are nervous then it does feel more secure and is far better for racing around after a toddler. With a wrap you can tuck the head in when they are snoozing so you don't even need to support the baby at all when bending over :)

mine have never fallen out :) if you've got them in properly, and nice and snug there is no reason they should.

stretchy wrap would be my recommendation for a newborn. a moby or similar

Thanks for all your replies - very helpful! I have been looking at moby and kari me websites and they do look nice and secure compared to some others. The idea of following the instructions to create a comfy, secure wrap is slightly scary, but I suppose it's one of those things you can practice. Will investigate further and hopefully be a confident wrap convert very soon (baby due in 2 weeks!). DH is not very convinced about slings altogether, but then he won't be the one doing the nursery run with 3 kids

Check out www.thebabywearer.com/ and www.slingmeet.co.uk/ for meet ups in your area. It is a good way to pick up some wrapping advice from other mums. You'll get used to it quickly though. My dh doesn't use slings really, he'll use a ring lsing at a push with a newborn but that is all, it drives me mad!

I got a babasling, and baby hated it and I wasn't confident either. I then got a hug-a-bub sling for £15 off ebay- Best baby purchase ever.

I have all the co-ordination of a jellyfish on uppers and have managed a Kari-Me with both DSes. You will be fine if you follow the instructions - if in doubt tie tighter rather than looser, and always check your work in a mirror (or if you're like me reflection in a nice shiny car etc. etc.)

Babies can fall out of a ring sling if put in forward facing (do this only if you have a spare hand and only once baby is old enough) and they can also in theory fall out of the side of a meitai/Ergo type if you don't follow the procedure for carrying small babies. Instructions on both types of sling should explain how to modify the carrier for a baby.

I suppose they could. Like I suppose they could fall out of a pushchair or a car seat or off a cliff given the right circumstance. But they don't

I know of a woman whose baby fell out of the sling and onto the pavement on his head !
Luckily an ambulance was nearby and they tended to the baby and he was fine.
I don't know her personally so I don't know how this happened or what type of sling she had, but I am sure that it is nigh on impossible for them to fall out of the upright ones.
Not meaning to scare you - just being honest.