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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

Original poster

Need a sling that's quicker to put on than my Moby wrap but is not a ring sling - any ideas?

27 replies

KirstyJC · 29/10/2009 17:43

Hi there. I have been using a Moby wrap since my DS was 12 weeks (now 11.5mo), and love it. However, now I am back at work I need something that I can put on really quickly in a car park in bad weather when I carry him / my workbag / his nursery bag up from the car all at the same time!

I have tried the Moby - still incredibly comfy, even though he's a bit on the cuddly side, but it ended up being blown through a puddle. So not ideal!

I tried a ring sling before getting the Moby, but even at 12 weeks old I found it pulled too much on my shoulder, as I have problems with muscle strain in my neck/shoulder. So a ring sling is also out!

Does anyone have any suggestions? It would be for a short use time - really only a couple of minutes at a time, as I still use the Moby for longer periods. I don't like buckles as I find they always seem to dig in, and I need wide straps over the shoulders. I was wondering about Mei Teis, but don't really know how quick they are to put on - if you have to do a lot of tying then that would be as tricky as the Moby. Or I also saw the close carrier, which looks slightly more promising.

Any suggestions would be very gratefully received!

OP posts:
Northernlurker · 29/10/2009 17:48

We had this for dd3 and found it very quick and easy to use. I used it well beyond 12 months as dd3 was alqyas lightish for her age. I don't know if that's the sort of thing you would use - but it is certainly comfy and quick to use.

pania · 29/10/2009 18:06

I tried on an Ergo carrier the other day. It was much quicker to put on than my Moby and more comfortable than a ring sling. Seemed a bit pricey though.

AnyGhoulKno · 29/10/2009 18:18

babyhawk?

BertieBotts · 29/10/2009 18:28

I think the close carrier would be pointless now - it's stretchy like a Moby so will not last much longer, if it's even comfy now.

How about a Napsack? They sell them in Mothercare now (though probably not the cheapest place and I think only online) and they are supposed to be very supportive and comfortable as they have wide straps. You can use them front or back which will be good as your DS gets heavier.

Tambajam · 29/10/2009 18:33

Rrreally fast is a simple pouch sling. I would recommend a peanut shell. No clips. Just the time it takes to pick it up and put it over your shoulder.

BertieBotts · 29/10/2009 18:37

There are instructions on the Napsack site which would give you an idea of how long it takes to put on

Just a suggestion though - I used to put my stretchy wrap on in the morning if I was going to be using it later, then just pop DS in when I wanted to carry him. Would this be possible?

Original poster
KirstyJC · 29/10/2009 19:58

Thanks for all your replies, some interesting ones I haven't heard of before. I don't fancy the pouch sling as it is over one shoulder and I have had problems with weight not being evenly distributed over both - which is a shame 'cos it really does look easy to use!

The napsack looks quite good, although the ergo is too pricey and I don't like the look of it - to many thin straps and clips! (Not fussy, am I?)

Good idea Bertie Botts but don't think I can really do that. I used put it on and then pop him in and out when doing the school run before I went back to work, but I would have the put the wrap on at work when I get changed and sit with it in the car for the 40 minute journey (gets hot!) and then also I pick up my eldest from somewhere else first, so I would have it on empty for a while and I find it tends to sag down and trip me up!

Maybe I should just buy a cheap pushchair instead...although that wouldn't fit in the boot of the car. Thwarted at every turn!

Thanks for the suggestions

OP posts:
AnyGhoulKno · 29/10/2009 20:31

have you thought about a hip carrier?

JackBauWooohooohoowaaer · 29/10/2009 20:50

I woudl say to try some form of Mei Tai, whether a napsack or a different version as you could carry him on your front or your back when tyou need hands free.
I still carry DD2 in mine and she was 2 last week so they last!

Original poster
KirstyJC · 29/10/2009 22:31

Well yes, I have actually wondered about a hip carrier as my sister has the hippychick seat. Came to the conclusion that that one wouldn't work as I need both hands for the bags and he has a great habit of hurling himself backwards in an attempt to land headfirst on the concrete steps!

I have seen a hip mei tei thingy which would be hands free, but again I don't really want to carry the weight on one side of me 'cos of the neck/shoulders problems.

JackBauwooohoo how does your mei tei do up? Can you just slip it over your head, pop baby in and go? The only reason I can't use the Moby is that it's too hard to tie up with the bits flapping everywhere in the rain. The photos I have seen on various websites don't really show the back bit so it's hard to see how they tie up.

Thanks for the comments - please do keep them coming, there MUST be something out there!

OP posts:
PacificWerewolfwoohood · 29/10/2009 22:34

Would an Ergo do? You can carry child front or back, 2 well cushioned shoulder straps, suitable to toddlers/older toddlers.

MoominOnABroomstick · 30/10/2009 01:06

Have a look here.

It sounds to me as though you could do with a mei tai or a soft structured carrier.

I think mei tais are great and they are much faster and easier to put on than a wrap. Daisy Chain mei tais are brilliant, as are Melkajs, JoeySlings, Himmels, Bamberoos.

For soft structured carriers you might want to look at Sleepy Nicos, which are really quick and easy to use. But there are heaps of others so you really don't have to resort to a pushchair unless you want to.

Original poster
KirstyJC · 30/10/2009 13:23

Thanks for that link Moomin, it was really useful!
One quick question (sorry if I'm being thick here!) but with a mei tai, do you tie it all up before you put the baby in (front wearing)? I do with my Moby wrap but that's strechy so he just slots right in. Without seeing a Mei tai I can't tell, but if the fabric isn't stretchy then can you put him in if it's already tied?

Thanks for all your advice!

OP posts:
FaintlyMacabre · 30/10/2009 13:27

I would second the Mei Tai suggestions. We have a BabyHawk and love it. You tie around your waist like an apron, then put the baby on your front and tie the sling around them. Very easy and quick. Also, it will be a good investment because you can use them up until toddler years. My DS is 2 and I can still carry him easily in the Mei Tai.

Original poster
KirstyJC · 30/10/2009 13:56

Ooh - have found this. the Tricotti, second down on the page. Looks like a double pouch, so presumeably easy to put on. Does anyone have any experience of this?

OP posts:
stakethroughtheheartofgold · 30/10/2009 14:05

tricotti fantastic for newborns, my favourite small baby sling, but as with all stretchy slings offers less support for heavier babies, come a year old i'd be looking for a woven fabric.

mei tai on front you tie round waist first, hold baby against you and chuck straps over shoulder/tie. can keep straps loosely tied in event you want to wear sling without baby. similarly on back (i'd choose back over front with any 9mo+ except when i expect them to sleep in which case it can be easier to get them out still asleep from the front) tie around waist, arrange baby on back (can help with vids for this if you're unsure), hoik sling over shoulders and tie.

there is an incredibly neat way of folding up a mei tai which makes it great for slipping in bags etc., much less bulky than an ergo (which is what i used most 18mo+) can explain if you like.

Original poster
KirstyJC · 30/10/2009 14:23

Thanks Stake (loving everyone's Halloween names!), shame about the Tricotti, thought for a moment that I'd found THE ONE...

I think the Mei Tai seems to be the way forward - too many people have suggested this, and you can't all be wrong!

I have seen one called the Maya Tie which is a Mei Tai with wrap bits over the shoulders rather than straps, which presumeably means better weight distribution. Will look at this a bit closer!

OP posts:
Original poster
KirstyJC · 30/10/2009 15:56

Hi - me again! Have stumbled across the Ball Baby Mei Tai - anyone used one of these?

OP posts:
MoominOnABroomstick · 30/10/2009 17:03

I've not used a Ball Baby MT but I've heard good things about them. When my DS was the same age as yours, my very favourite mei tai was a JoeySling.

JackBauWooohooohoowaaer · 30/10/2009 20:51

I had a ball baby, very comfy. The wide straps mean it is more liek a wrap over your shoulders so no chance of it digging in.
this link is a bit basic but gives you general idea of how a MT goes on, but I don't have my straps on the floor like she does

Original poster
KirstyJC · 30/10/2009 21:25

Thanks for all your help guys! I have finally decided on a Ball Baby Mei Tai, now all I have to do is decide which one (Oh and persuade DH that we need one ). There are only 2 places I have found that do them in the UK so hopefully won't take too long....

OP posts:
Reesie · 30/10/2009 22:07

I made my own mei tai - it was extreemly easy to do! Here is the scanditute.blogspot.com/link

I bought the fabric of ebay for £10 - very cheap and it took about 3 hours (I did it over a couple of evenings)

I made it in black so dh would wear it too. It's very comfortable and easy to pop on.

Original poster
KirstyJC · 04/11/2009 22:16

OK, so I now have a Ball Baby Mei Tai - very comfy and he likes it in there. I can see it lasting ages!

However, it isn't quick and easy to put on - it has long straps and they got blown on the ground and trodden on in the car park today! I suspect that as I get better at tying it that things will improve a bit, but still can't see it would be quick to do.

One of the main reasons that I wanted a new wrap was to make it quick and easy to put it on and him in, but this doesn't seem to be the case with the Mei Tai.

I plan to keep it anyway (it's soo pretty), but is there anything anyone else can think of?

Thanks

OP posts:
misdee · 04/11/2009 22:18

connecta

i know its buckles, but i dont find an issue with them

verylittlecarrot · 04/11/2009 22:30

Kirsty - try tying the ends of the straps into loose slip knots so that they don't dangle whilst you are putting it on, then a quick tug will undo the full length when you are ready.