How do I carry her in a sling on my back when it's cold?

[babybouncer]

I used to carry dd all the time as a baby in the summer on my front in an Ella roo sling (long woven sling) and loved it as she was close and secure and I was mobile enough to look after DS. She got a bit big and uncomfortable in it and at the moment I'm using a hotsling that I had previously, just to sit her more comfortably on my hip just for short times as its easier than carrying her. I would love to do little walks with her on my back in a rucksack carry, but I don't know how this works in cold weather with all the extra layers we both wear. Will she get too hot ina coat and a sling? Can I tie the sling over my coat? Is an umbrella enough if it rains a bit or can I only use it in good weather?

You can get babywearing coats, which you can put on over you & your DC, so it's also easy to remove when you go indoors etc.

I don't have one so can't say much more of use but the people I know who use slings a lot all have them. I don't and it's one reason I don't use my sling much at the moment. I pop him on the front for the short walk to nursery, or on my back in mild weather.

Umbrellas are fine, though, if big enough.

That coat sounds like genius, but as I'm already known as 'crazy sling lady' that might be a step too far!

Try popping over to the Natural Mamas forum - they've got lots of advice & also people selling second hand coats. They are pretty genius - with room for your DC and a slit/hood for their head.

I got a fleece all-in-one coat thing from Primark when Dd2 was at that sort of stage. It was great because it was warm but not bulky. I found the bulky snow suit type of things were a pita when wrapping. I used to dress her in layers (vest, t-shirt, top, tights & leggings plus fleece all-in-one and hat & gloves - though she'd pull them off usually) and found she was warm enough. I always found an umbrella sufficient for rain but then I tended to stay indoors other than school runs if it was very wet.

Crazy sling lady I am one of those !, so I decided that I may as well go the whole hog and get a bay wearing coat, I use it every day for the school run so I could justify it that way (it is waterproof). When it is cold but dry I use a Mai Tai over a thick fleece or jumper and put DS in a coat etc, for some reason using the Mai Tai makes it easier to pull down his coat so that his lower back is kept warm.