Please help -Slings are SO confusing!

[Tolalola]

I'm having DC2 in a week and although I had a Baby Bjorn type carrier for DC1, I like the idea of slings much better.

I don't live in the UK, so I've been trying to do some research online to order one for my mother to bring when she comes back from her holidays but am finding the world of slings really confusing!

Can anyone enlighten me a bit? All I want is one that's a) safe, b) cool (live in the tropics) and c) easy.

What are the actual differences between all these slings? They all just look like lengths of fabric to me!

Are they all nothing more than lengths of fabric? 'Cos I've got 5m of thin white cotton in my sewing cupboard .

Pretty much, they are lengths of fabric! If you have some cotton lying around that sounds perfect. Cut it so it's around 20" wide. (If you want, fold the other piece in half lengthways and sew to make a double-thickness one, which will be more supportive but less breezy. You can even make a pocket out of the folded bit.) 5 metres is a perfect length. Hem the edges if they are going to fray - also at this point if you want to, sew a line down the centre of the sling (ie the 2.5m point, not the 10" point) so that you can find the middle easily.

Then look on youtube for carrying instructions. Front Wrap Cross Carry is an easy one to begin with.

Genius. Thanks so so much. Getting the seewing machine out now!

Or the sewing machine, even