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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

Original poster

Are baby carriers worth it?

14 replies

jessiepercy79 · 03/01/2021 10:59

Hi guys,

Hope you’re all well and keeping safe. We’re debating on whether to buy a baby carrier but we’re not sure if it’s even worth it. And even if it is, what age do we buy up til? Do we think long term and by a 0-3 (but risk never using it after they’re 18 months) or buy for 0-1 and the have to fork out another £100 if we did continue to use it. There’s so many options and it’s just a bit overwhelming!

Any advice would be fab!

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This thread is a little old now so some of the suggestions may be out of date, but if you've landed here looking for baby carriers recommendations, we've recently updated our best baby carriers page with lots of great options, as tried and tested by Mumsnet users. We hope you find it useful. 💐MNHQ

OP posts:
Cyw2018 · 03/01/2021 11:03

Definitely worth it.

Buy second hand, you may find it takes a bit of trial and error to find one which is right for you and the baby. DD didn't like having her head tucked into a stretchy wrap sling, but loved the supported upright position of an ergo carrier.

Don't think too much about when they are toddlers, by then you will know if you carry a lot and what you want, eg framed back pack or semi structured carrier, and again you will be able to pick something decent up second hand.

Joanmoans · 03/01/2021 11:05

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

Goatsdorhone · 03/01/2021 11:06

Hi OP
I was lucky enough to be given a stretchy wrap, a baby Bjorn carrier, and a little life one (the 6 month plus more structured frame for proper walks) by a friend. I could not get away with the stretchy wrap and never found the BB one very comfortable (all the weight seemed to be on my shoulders). I've just bought a little life acorn and much happier with it and it wasn't too expensive either. Have done some decent walks when in has been too muddy underfoot for the pram. We haven't tried the proper backpack one as LO isn't yet 6 months.
It might be worth investigating if there is a sling library near you - imagine will be operating virtually. Also FB marketplace often has loads of second hand Baby Bjorns, stretchy wraps and Ergobabys so you need not spend a fortune when you don't know if LO will take to it.

KitKatastrophe · 03/01/2021 11:08

Definitely worth it for a newborn. You can get a cheap stretchy wrap (second hand or not) for about £20 and see how you get on with it, then research into what sort of upgrade would most suit you as they get older. Every baby I know has absolutely adored the stretchy wrap, and they're a great way to get them to sleep and keep your hands free while they sleep.

QuentinWinters · 03/01/2021 11:08

Definitely worth it 100%
Stretchy slings are great for newborns, you could try a close caboo.
Then lots of people love connectas which buckle up.
I'd buy off ebay or Facebook to start with

QuentinWinters · 03/01/2021 11:11

Try this group
www.facebook.com/groups/affordable.slings/?ref=share

BertieBotts · 03/01/2021 11:13

I depends on your lifestyle really. I used one loads with DS1 when I lived near town and could walk to most of my friends houses, park meet ups etc. It was just easier than the pram a lot of the time. Now I have DS2 and we live further out so I need to get a bus everywhere, it's a pain because he's now older and I need to have him on my back which isn't comfortable sitting on the bus, plus I need somewhere to stash anything we have bought while out or needed to bring with us so the pushchair is way easier. He was also born in the summer so it was too hot to wear him when he was tiny. DS1 was a winter baby.

Original poster
jessiepercy79 · 03/01/2021 11:14

Thanks so much for the advice guys! I think we'll start off with a sling or ssc for 0-1 and go from there!

Great tip on second hand too Smile

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 03/01/2021 11:15

My vote is stretchy wrap when they are little, I like Boba, but I also had a home made one which was cheap and easy. Then soft structured carrier aimed at toddlers. I have a toddler patapum which is rubbish and an angel pack one which is good, because you can cross the straps. You can do this with most brands - ergo, manduca, etc. I really wanted a Boba 3/4g but could never justify it and this was what I found second hand!

ranoutofquinoaandprosecco · 03/01/2021 11:21

I loved mine for my second. However, I used a sling library, you paid a deposit, they helped you with making sure it was the correct slings for your baby and that their alignment was correct and then I think I paid £5 per fortnight. It meant as they grew out of them I could change them.

ChristingleAlltheWay · 03/01/2021 11:24

I didn't get on with a wrap - my dd hated having her head restrained so much, even as a newborn, so would wriggle it out if the gap and stress me out. I bought the Ergo Omni 360 and she was much happier in it. I lasted 9 months before I had to move her to my back which is more awkward to get on but comfortable for us both when I manage it.

AliasGrape · 03/01/2021 11:24

Have a google to see if your area has a local sling library.

We were given a stretchy wrap style one from a friend, it was great for a while for me but my husband couldn’t get on with it, and whilst I found it comfortable it was also a bit of a faff.

I’d done some Googling and asked on the online baby group I was in and one particular brand was recommended a lot. It was expensive and I was going to fork out for it but I happened to come across the fact my local area had a sling library. I arranged to try the style that had been recommended and it just didn’t work for me or my baby at all.

They recommended another style which was great and we hired it for 3 months. Towards the end of the hire period the baby started really protesting going in it and I was avoiding using it. When I returned it to the sling library I mentioned this and they helped me to find another that suits better - baby loves it and I find it so easy to use, however I don’t think it would have worked as well when she was tiny.

I’m now going to look for this style of carrier second hand because it’s worth owning - but the library helped so much in finding the right sling for the baby at different stages, and helping me to feel confident that we were using it correctly and safely.

jessieb90 · 03/01/2021 16:46

Thanks so much all - never heard of a sling library before! Will defo be Googling!

Smile
wanderlove · 03/01/2021 17:01

I had a stretchy wrap from Amazon. Not a major brand but about £20. I then got an ergo carrier for when the kids got too big for the stretchy. They have done three children no problem. In all honesty I use them more than the pram which was much more expensive. It depends on your life style; I walk the dog and love being out in nature. I use the pram for going around the shops in town as it is useful to put stuff under etc. In the supermarket I just put them in the trolley. If I had to choose a pram or a sling I would definitely choose a sling. The stretchy sling is great when they are little and you can basically hold abs cuddle them whilst getting on with life with your hands free

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