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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

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Original poster

Forgive me for posting for traffic! Baby slings and carriers.

40 replies

floatyflo · 23/08/2013 12:33

Hi all, am shamelessly posting here for the traffic Grin

Am pregnant with dc2 and would really like to use a sling this time round.

I tried a couple with ds1 but found them to difficult to get the hang of and never felt like he was in securely, safely or comfortably!

After trawling throught the net looking at reviews, articles and YouTube vids, I have narrowed it down to a Moby wrap or a ring sling.
but which of these will be best? And have a I missed any other good slings/carriers?

I am 5ft6 and a 16-18 if that needs to be factored in with any type of sling.
Look forward to hearing your suggestions and experiences.

Thanks!

OP posts:
MardyBra · 23/08/2013 12:36

Forgive me for pointing out that there is a topic for this.

MotherofDragons82 · 23/08/2013 12:37

I know lots of people love the Moby, but I could never get the hang of tying it. I had one with DS and it ended up gathering dust on top of the wardrobe as, every time I put it on, I thought he was going to fall out of the bottom.
The only one I used frequently was the Baby Bjorn. Was the least faffy option for me, but people I've encountered in the "sling world" have expressed their disapproval of this in the past.

Original poster
floatyflo · 23/08/2013 12:38

Alright clever clogs Grin Have posted there too.

OP posts:
Original poster
floatyflo · 23/08/2013 12:41

Thank you for your helpful answer Motherofdragons :)

OP posts:
beepoff · 23/08/2013 12:41

The close caboo is like a moby with rings - you don't have to wrap and can adjust with rings.

I personally don't like all weight on one shoulder a trad ring sling gives you.

ShellyBoobs · 23/08/2013 12:42

YABU

beepoff · 23/08/2013 12:42

Baby bjorn - look up hip dysplasia and forward facing slings.

Personally I would avoid them as they kill your back. If you want that kind of carrier there are loads of others more supportive (ergo, manduca etc)

MisselthwaiteManor · 23/08/2013 12:44

I'm no sling expert but I've got a mamas and papas flex sling and I really like it. It's like two rings of fabric that you criss cross and then another long length of fabric that you tie around for security. DD has been in it since she was tiny and it feels secure and comfortable.

PaleAndMysterious · 23/08/2013 12:45

I had a moby and loved it! My ds was in it from birth up until he was 18months!
If you're not bothered by brands as such check out Victoria sling lady on ebay same concept as a moby but a fraction of the price

MisselthwaiteManor · 23/08/2013 12:45

In fact she refuses to come out of the bloody thing.

HamwidgeAlive · 23/08/2013 12:47

I love my ring sling, I don't feel loads of weight on my shoulder - I still pop my 2yo in if he's tired. It does hurt my back at his age though!

I was debating getting a Caboo as they're like a t-shirt you can slip on and off, no tying.

Nightfall1983 · 23/08/2013 12:50

Can I ask if you are on Facebook OP? If so I can recommend a brilliant group which answers this question and others all the time and will give you help and support once you have your baby if you struggle to tie your wrap or aren't happy with the fit/support it offers...

BikeRunSki · 23/08/2013 12:51

Have a google on "Sling Library" and "sling meet" and see if there is one near you. You can try different slings out and borrow one for a while to see how you get on.

ThenAgain · 23/08/2013 12:51

Stretchy wraps, like a Moby (or even better a Je Porte Mon Bebe or Wrapsody Bali Baby Stretch) are fantastic while they're in the newborn stage. You'd soon get used to the tying but if you don't want that learning curve then the Close Caboo is a good second.

The worthwhile thing about learning to tie a stretchy is that you can progress to a woven (same long piece of material but woven instead of jersey) if you like it and that will carry you through the toddler years.

Ring Slings are fantastic, slightly steeper learning curve but great from one day old to (occasionally!) four year olds. I love mine.

Great if you get along to a sling meet to try them out and see what you think, they're in most areas.

ThenAgain · 23/08/2013 12:52

And agree - there are some amazing FB groups where you can get advice or buy / sell. Slings hold their value fantastically. Also agree that Baby Bjorn is not the best, it's still great to 'wear' your baby but there's more ergonomic (for both of you) ways of doing it that will allow you to carry it through their young years.

TarkaTheOtter · 23/08/2013 12:52

I started off with a baby bjorn bit found it really uncomfortable once dd was about 3 months. I then tried a moby and it was much more comfortable, but more faff. Eventually I ended up with an ergo which is simple and comfortable (even at 18months).

Original poster
floatyflo · 23/08/2013 12:55

Thanks for all your wonderful suggestions!

I will check out that fbook page Nightfall and I do hope I have sling group in my area! What a fab idea.

:)

OP posts:
peppinagiro · 23/08/2013 12:56

My 7 week old lives in the sling - she refuses to go in a pram, moses basket, or pretty much anything else. We have a Manduca, but tbh those structured carriers are really designed for babies a little older who can hold their heads up. You can adapt them for younger babies and use them from newborn, but they're a bit of a fudge, and it really isnt that comfortable for her at the moment so she doesn't really like it. The two we use all the time are stretchy wraps - a Wrapsody and a Victoria Sling lady one. The moby is good but a thicker jersey material which is quite warm so not ideal in summer - those two are a lot thinner cotton. A ring sling is handy as they're cheap and easy to put on, but more suited for just pottering around the house, not really enough support for using on walks and things.

I'd suggest going to a sling library if there's one nearby - they'll let you hire different slings and show you how to use them.

MrsMook · 23/08/2013 12:56

I use a ring sling for popping around (storchenweige). i can also get DS1 in there for a "piggy back".
A moby for longer trips when I alternate DS 1 and 2 with the buggy (DS2 gets wrapped when DS1 is tired of walking or I need to up the pace.
I also have a Stokke My Carrier. Pricey, but it has a baby section on the front and a toddler one for the back. They are supposed to be alternated, but it does work with both attached so I can carry whoever is necessary. It had much more back support than most structured carriers, and the hip postion is better (wider) for a young baby. That's good for longer distances. DH favours that one. They are all going on holiday as it means we can carry a DS each!

Original poster
floatyflo · 23/08/2013 12:57

Sorry just realised I dont actually know what the fb page is Blush

Inbox me details? :)

OP posts:
HandMini · 23/08/2013 13:00

Ergo was my favourite.

wrigglebum · 23/08/2013 13:01

Stretchy wraps like a moby are brilliant for tiny babies. Once you've tied it a few times it's so easy, you can leave it on and pop baby in and out (or tie before you go in the car and pop baby in when you get to your destination). Good resale values too, and baby can't fall out if you put them in properly.

Baby Bjorns don't offer great support to parent or child, cost a fortune and have a crap resale value. If you like buckles then a Manduca is fab and can be used from birth. Or look into Ergos, Action Baby Carriers or Connectas. Manducas are available at Kiddicare.

Ring slings are great for some people but not for others. I find it ok with my toddler for a quick trip. It's not recommended to do a cradle carry in them though, lookout for TICKS guidelines.

mrstalbear · 23/08/2013 13:04

Another moby fan here, very comfortable and easy once you get the hang of it- dd loves it!

I also got a baby bjorn first and it is terrible! After 5 mins it would hurt my neck/ shoulders (talking 9lb baby at the time) and didn't seem to support dd very well either. We can however, walk for miles in the moby.

Original poster
floatyflo · 23/08/2013 13:06

Def looks like a Moby will be the way to go!

OP posts:
CSIJanner · 23/08/2013 13:12

I've worn both of mine - the first one was a baby bjorn which you'll find some baby wearers referring to as crotch danglers as they don't give enough support to the hips and ligaments. But you'll find a lot of us started out with BB. I currently use a Rose and rebellion full buckle soft structured carrier (this gets abbreviated on the FB pages as R&R FB SSC). I love it but need to move up a size soon.

If you only want the one sling, you can start with a woven wrap and then try either wraps or something like the ergo (FB) which is fine up until the age of 4. You need to be careful though - there are a lot of fakes out there and some wraps can go for stupid amounts of money