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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

Baby carriers advice

11 replies

Serenrose · 31/07/2017 18:32

I am looking to buy a baby carrier for my 9 week old.

I've been to a sling library and tried a stretchy wrap but didn't find it supportive enough for us and prefer the look of a buckled or structured carrier. I've tried on an izmi but it hurt my lower back and am concerned that as she gets heavier I won't be able to support her in it.

If be grateful for any feedback on carriers that were good or bad to help me choose.

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 31/07/2017 19:13

Hmm stretchy wraps are usually really supportive, are you sure it was tied right? Normally with a stretchy you want to tie it on yourself first, don't leave space for the baby and then squish them in, as the stretch in the fabric will move to accommodate them. Very supportive then.

With buckle carriers, the idea is that the weight of the baby is transferred to your hips, so you need one which has a waistband which will sit on top of your hips. If it doesn't sit on your hips then it's going to pull on your shoulders, which will hurt your back. A useful rule of thumb with carriers is "10 minutes too tight" - you should make it just a bit uncomfortably tight to begin with, as during the course of moving around the fabric will loosen up and you'll find that it gets more comfortable. If you adjust it for comfort first, then it will loosen up as you move around and you'll find that it becomes unsupportive and feels unsafe or simply puts pressure on the wrong parts of your body.

Lastly carrying your baby facing in is the most supportive and comfortable position. If you're trying outward facing positions then these will hang the weight off your shoulders/lower back again (in any carrier).

I really like the Connecta as a buckle carrier which works reasonably well for little babies but also up to toddler age. It doesn't have as long a life span as some of them but it's a great all-rounder if that makes sense.

I haven't tried the Izmi myself, but IME those "hybrid" type carriers are often gimmicky and just don't work as well as the individual types. If you are happy with the bulk and limited sizing/uses of a buckle carrier, then stick with one of those. If you prefer the flexibility or the streamlined nature of the Mei Tai then stick with those. Trying to combine them into one and sell it as the best of both worlds usually doesn't work. For example one thing I notice immediately about the Izmi vs SSCs (soft buckle carriers) is that SSCs usually have a padded, large waistband whereas the Izmi's waistband is quite thin, and that's a really important part of an SSC in my experience.

Beware of saturation of Ergo popularity. The Ergo isn't a bad carrier but it isn't necessarily the best even though it gets loads of good reviews, it's just that it's the most accessible and well-known of all of the buckle carriers once you get beyond baby bjorn/tomy/etc (the really mainstream ones, more rigid with much more limited positioning). This can leave you with an impression that the Ergo must be amazing when really it just tends to dominate the review field because more people have heard of it. Many people who review the Ergo have never tried any other supportive carrier, and hence much of the praise heaped on "The Ergo" are comments which would apply to any soft structured carrier, which means that unless the Ergo is for some reason the only one you can possibly get, it's worth looking at a few different types of SSC.

AlfieTheRailwayCat · 31/07/2017 19:17

I would go back to your sling library and ask to try some more on. Personally I use a Tula - I found the waistband more supportive than the connecta. The manduca or the boba 4g are also very popular at the sling library I help at.

Serenrose · 31/07/2017 19:35

Thanks for the detailed advice Smile

I tried on the connecta at the sling library and liked that one too. Their website seems to suggest they are not trading at the moment so I was concerned there may be issues with warranties etc but perhaps I'll ask the retailers about this.

Useful to hear your comments Bertie about the ergo as I've also heard good reviews about them but the price put me off.

I'll look at the suggestions in more detail so thanks for those.

Any thoughts on second hand slings?

OP posts:
RedLemonade · 31/07/2017 19:40

Another vote for Connecta here.

It takes some getting used to but it's definitely worth persisting with as once you get the hang of putting it on it's a breeze.

I used it for my DD2 from birth (she's now 1 and still naps in it at times) and use it as an occasional back carry for my 3.5 year old now also. She's probably at the upper weight limit at this stage but it does a great job of allowing me to carry either of them for decent periods.

Rach93 · 02/08/2017 21:09

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Lostmymarbles1985 · 02/08/2017 21:14

Love my connecta!! So comfortable and they look lovely too. I think they are moving premises so not trading at the moment from what I saw was looking to get a new accessory strap.

namechange20050 · 02/08/2017 21:19

Ergobaby 360. So comfy and even my husband who has a dodgy back found it comfy. My 2 year old can still get fit in it.

BertieBotts · 02/08/2017 21:21

Second hand slings are a great way to save money. Do beware of fakes if you go for a popular brand. I reckon you're probably okay with Connecta, it's mostly Ergos that get faked. There are FSOT groups on Facebook for slings or you could try the babywearer forums, if they're even still going(??) or see if the library can recommend anywhere locally to look for second hand sling sales.

Serenrose · 02/08/2017 21:26

Thanks for the advice everyone. I'm back at the library next week so will have another look at her options. I'll post back to update on what I get in the end Smile

OP posts:
Serenrose · 22/08/2017 16:22

Update as promised... I bought a connecta. So far, so good Smile

OP posts:
user1498055568 · 30/09/2017 10:55

I love the baby bjorn slings/carriers. I had one and I have passed it to all my friends. They are easy to use, easy to clean and very durable. There are lots available on the market and you should read the reviews before buying them. This is the one I bought - www.amazon.co.uk/BABYBJÖRN-Baby-Carrier-Black-Cotton/dp/B011N1ET2E/ref=as_li_ss_tl?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1474833225&sr=1-1&keywords=Baby+Bjorn+Carrier+One&linkCode=sl1&tag=bacolt-21&linkId=cd51a6a3c7a777233f449316b3089fff

Wraps are hard to use and I never got my head round being able to use them.
I think if you can work it out, they are good for newborns / small babies. My friend was even able to breastfeed using one :) this is the one she bought - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Newborns-Toddlers-Positions-Guarantee-Instructional/dp/B0156HL9WE/ref=ass_lissstl?s=baby&ie=UTF8&qid=1474833342&sr=1-1&keywords=Cozy+Baby+Wrap+for+Newborns,+Infants+&+Toddlers&linkCode=sl1&tag=bacolt-21&linkId=624742b7716211995ab7ee5d9267d275

I found that there were useful ones here too - http://babyconfused.com/baby-slings-and-carriers/

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