Best sling for 4 month old for doing school run

[JammyC]

DC2 on the way and will be around 4 months by the time DD1 starts school. The school we have put as first choice is in a really awkward area for parking and involves lots of hills. Am thinking the easiest way to do drop off/pick up will be to have baby in a sling. So I need something that is quick and easy to put on by the roadside.

We have an Ergobaby already and am comfortable putting that on/off. Just wondered if anyone had any other ideas for a 4 month old, perhaps a stretchy one? A ring sling? Have looked at the close caboo but fancy something a little more interesting in colour!

I use a stretchy (kari-me) for school runs. We walk, but if going somewhere in the car I just put it on at home and it takes a few seconds to put baby in when we get out of the car. Really easy and comfy

Stretchy definitely, as you can have it pre tied.

A ring sling is great (and quick) once you get the hang of it and you can get lots of nice ones. :)

I got sent a link for a great video on how to use a ring sling... must look it out as it really helped me.

I loved ring slings as they were so fast to put on and off and last far longer than stretchy slings as you can use them on your hip for older babies and toddlers

@Vibrola would be interested to see the video, never got to grips with my ring sling!

I used a ring sling for similar nursery run (I had a linen one for summer and a cosy wool mix one for winter).
I also used a full buckles when they were a bit bigger (4 months can be too heavy for a stretchy especially if walking a fair distance) and left it very loose so I could get DD in through the top.

I've done some googling and ring slings certainly look like a good option. My only query is what on earth do you do with the long tail of fabric? Can you tuck it in somehow? Thinking of autumn school run days when I need to throw a raincoat over the top and don't really want the long tail of fabric blowing about in the wind and rain!

I suspect a stretchy (or Caboo) may be too stretchy for a 4 month old - or at least, you won't get much time out of it.

I used a Connecta for the school run (walking). But, on days I needed to drive, I would wear it around my waist in the car, and pop baby in on arrival. You get very quick at it after a couple of practices. I had an Ergo, but much preferred the Connecta with small babies. It's also lighter and less bulky for keeping on a bag/the car.

@StAlphonzospancakebreakfast here it is. 😊

I still use them lots with my toddler, v handy for short trips and supermarket wrangling.

We used wraps exclusively with DS1 and DS2 3 1/2 months has been carried exclusively since birth.
We use a stretchy most of the time but also have a couple of ring slings and various other wraps.
With DS1 we moved to a woven wrap around 5 months as although he was light he was really active and the stretchy then bounces about. You probably going to move out from a stretchy depending on weight and how active they are from 6 months onwards.
Our ring slings don't have long tails but DW uses them to make a small roll for extra comfort under the neck.
I can put a woven wrap on and have DS2 in it in under 5 minutes, DW is much quicker than me.
If I was going any distance I'd use a woven wrap, the ring sling is super convenient around the house or for short journeys.

@JammyC i tuck the tail under the baby's legs, kind of across your body. there are fancy things (on YouTube)you can do tucking it through past the rings but I'm too lazy.

Connecta or as it's now called integra baby carrier is SUPER easy to use, lightweight, I used to be able to put the baby in practically one handed, can keep it on while drying (with baby in car seat obviously). I like it because the straps cross on your back so it's much easier to do up than a rucksack style carrier like an ergo baby.
I comfortably carried my huge babies in for well over a year. It's very adjustable and the only carrier we had that their dad enjoyed using too.

I just tucked it wherever it would go!

I also have the ergobaby was definitely our best decision! I would of liked one you tie but partner didn't want to use one like that! As he said it seemed too complicated and tbh I was worrying I wouldn't be able to do it too as we looked at one in Jojo maman Bebe and a woman in the store showed us how to use it we were absolutely baffled and a lady in the store came over and said she had put it on wrong and that it wouldn't support the baby like that and she runs a sling group.. so we ended up getting the ergobaby which really is so easy to use from newborn up! I'd stick with the ergobaby!💕

Stretchies are great for younger babies, and if you'd been using it since birth it would be perfectly fine to carry on. I wouldn't advise buying one at the 4 month mark though as you won't get loads of good use out of it for long. They generally stop being great at around 6 months, as they don't offer the support necessary for bigger babies due to being stretchy.

Ring Slings are a good option but some people find them tricky, they also can pull on your shoulder if you don't get it quite right.

I'd consider a woven if you have the want to learn, as it will last well into toddlerhood and beyond. Mai Dais are also a good option. I'm not a huge fan of Buckle carriers but the izme is really good and the straps can be spread across the shoulders which makes it very comfortable.