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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

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Original poster

Baby Slings/Wraps.... Confused!!!

24 replies

emzii206 · 09/10/2014 12:25

Hi all,

A few of my friends in the US have bought Moby wraps for their newborns, and I really like the idea of them, but whenever I mention buying one for when my little one arrives, my mum always says "Ohhh no! You'll only end up with a clingy baby, that won't allow you to put him or her down!". And another example that worries me, is my cousin and her newborn. She gave birth to baby number 5 in May, when baby number 4 was only just 22 months old - so she took to carrying the new baby in a baby carrier all the time, so she could have both hands free for her toddler. But now, the new baby is so clingy! He cries if she puts him down, he cries if anyone else holds him, he cries if he is put in a moses basket to sleep, and he is constantly trying to get at the breast, not because he is hungry, but because of comfort. I'm worried that having my newborn in a wrap will cause the same clingyness! I have 2 very inquisitive cats, so would prefer to have my baby near me at all times, just to give myself peace of mind, I just don't want him or her to get used to being on my chest all the time.

Help me!!! :S

OP posts:

TheJourney22 · 09/10/2014 12:31

All newborns are clingy!!!! Defo get a sling, I would of died without one :))

My DS has been a Velcro Baby from day 1, they either are or they are not, you don't make them that way.

If your baby is, then you need a good sling (Moby) .. Or if you want your baby close to you, let's face it in 3rd world countries they are in a sling from birth till about 3.

I now have a carrier (DS is 11mths) Stokke with a very supportive back, you can carry on with chores, nice walks etc ... Hands free & baby is always happy!

Massive sling/carrier supporter here!!

Original poster

emzii206 · 09/10/2014 12:52

That's the main reason I want one - so I can still have both hands free and be close to him or her. It's so hard to tell my mum to butt out because she's my mum, but the only response I get is either "you'll end up with a clingy baby" or "I left you to cry and you are fine". Really doesn't make it easier to choose!

OP posts:

TheJourney22 · 09/10/2014 21:02

The thing is our Mums don't actually remember!!! I adore my Mum & she is a fantastic support but my god she comes out with some bollox at times!

Seriously, do whatever you want & what makes your life easier

Good Luck!

PerpendicularKitten · 10/10/2014 15:36

DS who is 3 was carried for the first 2 and a half years of his life (on my back once he was a year old) he is so not clingy! He will happily go and stay a night or 2 at his grandparents without any worry.

DD on the other hand went in a sling about once and still hates being left at school in the morning.

I think you have to do what is easiest for you. DC4 is in the sling as lot so that I can be hands free and sometimes, on a busy day it is a good way of actually getting a cuddle with him.

hideandsqueak · 10/10/2014 15:40

Hahaha journey22 love that post! So true...

TheOriginalWinkly · 10/10/2014 15:42

DD (3.5 months) is very un-clingy, very happy to be left in a swing or playmat - I've been carrying her in a Moby or Ergo since we came home from hospital. Remember, babies are born being used to being carried 24/7. A wrap can help ease them through the transition.

Madratlady · 10/10/2014 15:45

We use a sling for ds whenever we go out, never a pram. We also picked him up whenever he cried and never let him CIO (also ignoring my mum!). At 10 months he is the most relaxed, confident baby, definitely not clingy.

TheJourney22 · 10/10/2014 16:28

Oh and seriously Google 4th Trimester. We are supposed to be pregnant for a lot longer x

Tinnute · 01/12/2014 17:38

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

brimfullofasha · 01/12/2014 18:41

I think slings makes babies feel secure which might make them less clingy in the long run. They're also very practical for getting stuff done around the house and being able to get around easily outside (no queueing for lifts in shops!). Stretchy slings like Moby are great for newborns.

icklekid · 01/12/2014 18:47

We only survived first few months because of sling. When bit bigger take out and put down when asleep/only use when needed. If baby is going to be clingy don't think that a sling will change that!

DoggyDaycare · 01/12/2014 18:59

I didn't have a sling, as I thought it would get DS into bad habits, with his sleeping. I wanted him to know his cot from day one. But the thing is that DS did not sleep....literally....less than 4 hours in every 24 hours and babies are supposed to sleep upwards of 16 in 24 hours! The only time he slept was on my chest, the moment I move him he woke up at that was it for sleeping.

At 6 weeks when he was supposed to start smiling he would not make eye contact at all with anyone which really freaked me out. The GP said it was a classic sign of sleep deprivation in a young baby and would be resolved if the baby could get some sleep. He said some babies just will not sleep when not close to their mothers, no matter how hard you try.

I bought a sling that day and baby now sleeps about 15 hours in 24! He still screams the moment you put him in his cot.....we didn't make our baby clingy...he came out that way ...

Don't allow your mum a say in things like this- She has had her turn and now it is yours. You have to make your own mistakes. Don't start a pattern now of allowing her to tell you what to do as it will be very difficult to get out of later.

KirstyJC · 01/12/2014 19:08

I used wraps for both DS2 and DS3 until past 3 (no pushchair at all for DS3 until he was 16 months and only used it 3 times when I had emergency dentist work where I couldn't wear him).

DS2 is really clingy, DS3 is not. It makes no difference - slings are the solution, not the cause!

See if there is a slingmeet near you where you can go out and try one. You could go along before the baby is born to get some advice from parents who have already been there, done that. You will likely have a sling library too, where you can borrow ones to try. Google 'slingmeet' or 'sling library' with your location and I bet you find one.

Regarding the type - there are LOADS out there, so trying them out would be a good idea because what some people love, doesn't work for all. For a new baby, I would recommend trying a ring sling as they are easy to put on and off and you can even feed in them. (If your boobs are as saggy as mine were anyway!).

Regarding your mum - smile, nod and ignore.

Booboostoo · 01/12/2014 20:20

I didn't use a sling with DD but she was born super clingey. Not only could I not put her down but she wouldn't even stay in anyone else's arms. I gave up on the cot and co-slept at 2wks and got a sling a few months in because my arms were dropping off.

I had DS in a sling leaving the maternity ward but he is a super laid back baby. He will stay in a cot, in a swing etc no problems and can be passed on to anyone. He also accepts comfort from other people unlike DD who lived with a boob in her mouth. At 3mo he can go to sleep by himself and sleeps 5 hours, feeds once lying down and sleeps another 5 hours.

I don't think slings, sleep training techniques or parental resolutions have much to do with anything. You get the luck of the draw and either things are straight forward or you learn to adjust to what the baby needs.

ThursdayLast · 01/12/2014 20:23

My DS now 20mo is the opposite of clingy, I have to practically pin him down to get a kiss.
We used carriers (not a sling though, but only because I didn't know about them then) since he was a few weeks old.
These days our lifestyle would be seriously hampered without my toddler tula

BabyGotBack13 · 02/12/2014 14:59

I've got the same problem !
I've heard that suppori and pittari slings are very very good, but I need more intel on them! haha.
I used BABYRUG products for like wrapping up my baby, because they are soft and very nice, but I am scared to buy a sling.. Any thoughts??

bumpiesonamission · 02/12/2014 15:15

My velcro baby was born clingy so I wrapped him in a Moby at first and now have a woven wrap and ergo. However, he is super independent and confident at 10mnths.

Have you a sling library near you, defo try before you buy as everyone is different. Our library has a doll you can practice with.

There is loads of research about confidence being born from baby wrapping!!

Tranquilitybaby · 18/01/2015 11:56

Babies are used to being carried with you, that's all theyve done for 9 months. If they were meant to be seperate from us from birth, they'd have legs that work straight away like mammals. Baby wearing is the best way to soothe a fractious baby.

BeautifulMomma · 26/02/2015 16:41

You will be still carrying your baby :) So having the sling is super good, because it will take off the weight of you and your back won't hurt so much :)
I literally am super satisfied with my slings :) They're great for taking the weight off. And my back isn't crooked :)

NickiJanes · 12/03/2015 15:53

Slings are truly amazing ! :)
I love my suppori. It take off all the baby weight :) SO I can concentrate on work around house also and trick my LO into thinking that I'm focusing on her . Hahah

pootlebug · 24/03/2015 16:18

NickiJanes the poster is asking for a sling for a NEWBORN. Supporis are not a suitable sling for a newborn baby - they require the baby to be able to support their own torso to a greater extent. Using one for a newborn poses significant safety risk.

If you're going to come on here and post illegal adverts for the Suppori and Pittari (again….) please at the very least don't suggest to parents and parents-to-be something that is potentially dangerous.

HotMomma123 · 06/04/2015 15:16

Hey girls :)
Pootlebug, wow, so much anger!
When I was pregnant with my LO i bought two slings, one for newborn and another one for a bit later, when my booboo could hold the head already :)
I've used Supori, you're right, babies have to hold their core, but in general the slings are good :)
Ps. Pitari is for newborn :) And my girlfriends and I were very satisfied with them also :))
Why do you thing that someone would come and illegally post about something? All of the ladies here are posting about their favourite slings and brands and etc. You are just horribly rude. No offence.

For the lady who asked the question - I did try a lot of slings, and found the best one for myself.
Try going to the sling library and you can choose the one which fits you and your baby best.

pootlebug · 06/04/2015 21:57

Illegally post? I don't think UK legislation covers this kind of stuff. But the Mumsnet site rules prohibit spam.

What made me think that NickiJanes was advertising her products? The fact that she has 7 posts, every single one of which is pushing a product from a single website. This isn't the first poster name which has several links with the same website either.

So much anger? I confess that prioritising sales over baby safety makes me angry, yes.

weaselwithin · 30/04/2015 09:28

I'm thinking about getting a sling too for my clingy baby. I wondered though, if she doesn't learn to sleep in her Moses basket, how can I nap when she naps???

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