Can anyone recommend a sling?

[elliejjtiny]

I have a nearly 6 year old, a 4 year old who has physical disabilities and a 16 month old who is small for his age (18lb). I'm currently using a double buggy for the youngest 2 but DS2 is rapidly growing out of it and we have an appointment to sort out a wheelchair for him next week. We use buses a lot and mostly walk to school (1.5 miles away). I'm going to need a sling for DS3 but not sure which one. I've got a cotton wrap that I struggle to tie as I'm not that co-ordinated and he is a wriggler. I think I'd like to try a stretchy wrap as they look easier but not sure if DS3 would be too big for it. Also not sure if a non branded stretchy wrap is as good as a moby. I've also got a cheapie stroller that I can put in a bag and hang it off the back of the wheelchair so when I drop DS2 at school/preschool I can put DS3 in the buggy or my nearly 6 year old could push one of them for a little way but realistically I'm going to be carrying DS3 in a sling up to 6 miles a day, eek.

A stretchy wrap won't be supportive enough now for your 16 month old.

How about either a mei tai or a buckle carrier (SSC?) Something like the Boba 2g or 3g would be good if he is small - it has foot stirrups that mean you can still use it until he is quite a lot bigger.

You could still potentially carry your 4 year old if it is feasible with his disabilities. Something like the Rose & Rebellion Preschool Carrier or Preschool Kinderpack are good from about 2.5 - 5 years. They would be considerably too big for your youngest though.

If you get the right sling it shouldn't be a problem to carry a 16 month old for that amount of time. You'll be fit, but it shouldn't hurt your back.

Are you near a sling meet or sling library where you could go and try some things out to see what works for you?

Hiya. I've carried dd in a stretchy since birth but it's hard work now (same weight as your DS) so wouldn't advise it. Have just bought a mei tai which holds her weight much better and can be used front or back. jury's out as I've not had much of a trial but looks good so far...

Thanks. I always thought the stretchy wraps were for up to 6 months/18lb but then I saw one advertised that said it was suitable up to 2 years so I wasn't sure. No sling meets/librarys near me unfortunately. The SSC's sound like a good idea. I think I would carry him on my front as then I could carry the contents of my handbag and changing bag in a rucksack. I hadn't thought about carrying my 4 year old tbh. DH has done it a couple of times in one of those massive back pack things but DS2 is about twice the weight of DS3 so I think I'll give it a miss .

A Je Porte Mon Bebe or Wrapsody stretchy wrap would still be supportive enough for your 16 month old. Moby, Kari-Me etc won't (whatever they say in their blurb). But a woven wrap would be more supportive. Stretchies aren't really that much easier with a bigger child as it gets harder to slot them in because their legs are so much longer. So you end up tying around the child anyway - in which case you might as well have a woven.

I love the Wrapsody, but as a longer-lasting choice from newborn rather than something I'd pick at 16 months iyswim. The Je Porte Mon Bebe is supportive but very stretchy....kind of like wrapping with an elastic band. I actually think in many ways a woven is easier to get to grips with.

An Ergo Baby or a Patapum would be good. I was still carrying DS1 at 27 months in my Ergo Baby Sport. Patapums are virtually the same but half the price; probably better if you are unsure how long you will be carrying your DC for.

I used the ergo baby carrier until dd was well over 2 years old and highly rate it. there might be more comfortable carriers for dc, as the ergo has quite a short back.
we went hiking with it a lot, climbing over fences and walls and also used it on the school run (about 1 mile).

I could carry my child at that age in an ergo for long walks (admittedly didn't do them every day, but often). I found if I had her on my back I didn't feel the weight and she often slept!