slings for heavier babies

[DrDoobs]

I've read some of the other posts and some of the websites recommended but still have no clue which sling might be best for me - advice please!!!

I had a baby bjorn type one for both DD which was ok but not great. I gave that to someone else so can justify a new sling for DC3 but don't know what to get.

I want to use it from birth but DC is likely to be 8lb+ so on the bigger side (so it doesn't have to do a tiny baby). I'd also like to be able to use it for more than the first few months - DD1 was on the 98th centile so we didn't last long with the baby bjorn. I'm average size (5'6", size 10).

I'm not bothered about leaving the baby in for feeding - will probably get him out anyway. DD2 is now almost 4 so I don't have to push a buggy while wearing the sling.

The one shouldered ones always look a little like the baby is going to fall out to me, but the very wrappy ones also look really complicated - all advice gratefully received!

Am in love with my Kari-Me wrap sling. It just takes a little bit of practice (after the baby is born - no good with bump!). DS is 6 weeks old and over 11lb atm - he was 9lb 1 born, and it's so comfortable - the weight is spread really well, could carry him for ages without a twinge. he loves it - sleeps like a lamb in it.

i used a moby for ds2 til he was around 6/7 months, and have used moby and a storchenwiege for ds3 who is currently 5 months
they were 9lb 5 and 9lb 11 at birth respectively.

i prefer the swoven wrap because it is more supportive and i use it a lot more than the moby tbh. the moby is fab for a newborn, but a woven wrap will last longer

I used a Close carrier from when my large ds2 outgrew the Bjorn and I still wanted to carry him in a sling while taking ds1 to nursery in a pushchair. Used it on and off till he was about 14-15mo and c25lbs. I'm sure it would be lovely for newborns as well in some of the small-baby positions.

I would go for a woven wrap. They aren't that difficult to use and if you can get yourself to a sling meet or find someone in your area that wraps who can show you face to face it's very very easy to grasp.

A stretchy wrap will be good for up to 4 or 5 months and are more forgiving i.e. your wrapping doesn't have to be as perfect BUT once shown how to wrap properly I actually found the woven easier to put on.

If you are set on having just the one sling then a wrap type such as the kari-me or sleepy wrap is definitely the way to go. Once you have learnt how to tie the thing it's a doddle, very comfortable and supportive.
For quickness and ease of use you may also find a pouch sling useful especially in the first 3 months. Peanut shell and Hotslings are good.

I'd second a woven wrap if you want it to last. They really don't take long to get the hang of particularly if you just focus on one carry (the front wrap cross carry or fwcc is probably the easiest to start with - there are lots of great youtube videos and other sites like wrapababy.com). I still carry my nearly 3 yr old .

I do also sometimes use a pouch or ring sling for quick up and down carries e.g. in and out of car but find them uncomfortable for longer periods as they are one shouldered.

Thanks for all your advice - I'll look more closely at the slings suggested.