freedom sling hated by DD

[margherita76]

I was given a freedom sling - a soft one with the metal hoops, and I cannot get my DD to relax in it. She hates it and to be honest she looks like she is being bent the wrong way. Is it because she is quite a tall baby (three weeks old)? Any advice on how to get her to stop screaming in it? Or what can I do to strap her to me as I get on with stuff round the house when she won't settle on her own?

I never got on with a ring sling. If you can afford it, a stretchy wrap will save your sanity. Kari Me or Moby are good makes, but they're all pretty much the same. If you need one right now, go to a fabric shop and ask them to cut you about 4.5 metres of jersey about 60cm wide, will do the same thing :)

You can do an upright tummy to tummy carry in a ring sling, but TBH I never got on with them either, not until DS could sit up and do a hip carry. If she looks like she is bent up then don't use it like that - it could actually be dangerous. Really good guide here, with pictures (PDF) - click on "Correct Positioning" in the first paragraph.

Yes I would really recommend a stretchy wrap sling - 4.5 metres of cotton jersey, cut to 20" wide. Fabric is sold in 60" wide rolls so cut one 20" wide and one 40" wide, fold the 40" one longways and you have a double thickness one for winter.

Oh ok - thank you, esp as it looks dangerous. I'll ditch the ring sling and look at the wraps - I presume there are websites telling me how to do the wrap thing...

It's easily remedied if you did want to give the ring sling another go - it might just have been that she was uncomfy in that position and that was why she was unsettled. That link explains what to look for for safe positioning in any kind of sling though so it's definitely worth a look.

Yep there are various websites which explain how to use a wrap. The phrase you need to google is "Front Wrap Cross Carry" or "Infant Hug Hold" - I won't recommend a link as some people prefer videos, others pictures, and there really are loads to look at.

And if you still aren't sure, look up "Sling Meet" - groups of sling users get together occasionally all around the country, and they are a great place for trying out different slings and for learning how to use the different carries for wraps and ring slings.