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Slings and backpacks

Find baby sling and baby carrier advice here.

Original poster

Please can somebody tell me which sling to buy?

25 replies

VanillaIce · 08/01/2010 20:08

I just want something simple. A lot of the ones I've looked at online look like you are covered in acres of fabric. I don't want that. Just want something comfy for baby, discreet for feeding and secure.

Any help?

OP posts:
HisMother · 08/01/2010 23:36

I think the baba sling or a ring sling would suit you best IMO. Once you've got it adjusted to fit you all you've got to do it pop the baby in and away you go.

But my preferred sling is the hug a bub, it's a bit fiddly at first but once you figure it out it's very comfy, secure and discreet. Baby feels closer in this one.

I have also seen the mei tai in use at the breast feeding group. It was very easily put on but discreet feeding was only achieved because the baby was bit older and knew what he was doing.

Hope this helps.

NumptyMum · 08/01/2010 23:39

Best thing would be if you can get to a SlingMeet - they have local area meet-ups. You can always ask if anyone going will have a sling you are interested in.

BertieBotts · 08/01/2010 23:45

The ones where you are covered in acres of fabric are wrap slings - they are actually my favourite kind for a newborn, because you put the sling on and then put the baby in. They are good for discreet breastfeeding as so much fabric you can't see anything! And they are so comfy, but I understand not to everyone's taste.

A ring sling is probably the easiest kind to breastfeed in, you can use the tail for extra coverage as well if you feel exposed (you shouldn't feel exposed though) you can get them in plain designs to really fancy ones, I would personally go for one with a short tail as I found the long tail annoying on mine and I don't see what the extra length is for. I never really got on with it much as I prefer carriers which go on two shoulders (I am small and weedy) - but they are a great choice if you only want something while baby is small

NumptyMum · 09/01/2010 00:04

Ring slings put the weight of the baby onto one shoulder, which is why some people prefer wraps or Mei Tais (using both shoulders). However they are also pretty 'popable', ie you can put baby in and out easily. With practice, using a wrap (ie the acres of material) can be done quicker, and there are 'shorty' wraps as well as the longer ones... there's a lot to find out, it's a whole other world!

I started with a jersey/stretchy wrap, ideal for young babies but not so ideal for older/heavier ones as they sag (sling, not baby), and also less ideal for hot weather as the material is warmer. I then tried a ring sling for a while, but wasn't so keen on it - however there are ring slings AND ring slings, I got a cheap one and got what I paid for. I then got a Babyhawk Mei tai because I fell in love with the fabrics... and now use a Scootababy as it's best for my 2yo (not for long trips though). So all types of sling have advantages and disadvantages, but you can also pick them up/sell them on 2nd hand as there are various trading sites (UKbabywearingswap Yahoo group etc). Hope you find something that will work for you.

BertieBotts · 09/01/2010 01:58

Yep NM, that is why I didn't get on with them. In reality though, it's no more strain (probably less) than carrying a baby on your hip, and you find yourself doing that constantly - just probably not for 4 hours at a time!

MoChan · 09/01/2010 02:02

Mei Tai's are my favourite, but I'm not sure they're really safe for a newborn, are they? Perhaps some are, I don't think mine would be, a teeny baby would slip out the side.

I had a hug-a-bub to begin with, and it took me a while to get used to all the fabric, but I loved it in the end. Well, until I got the mei tai, which was simpler and good for back carrying.

NumptyMum · 09/01/2010 09:02

Bertie - that's why the scootababy has become my favourite; carry the baby on hips but with hip support, not just shoulder . Not suitable for a newborn though, from around 6mo I think...

sasamaxx · 17/01/2010 23:50

Ring sling, but they are not the easiest to master...
...how much carrying do you do?

I can't feed in any sling - I'm just not made for it - I have to completely undo absolutely everything.

If you don;t want acres of fabric, I would go for a mei tai, ssc or buckle tai (connecta)

OmicronPersei8 · 17/01/2010 23:57

I remember thinking that about the acres of fabric ones: until I tried one on. Because you tie them on first you can then pop baby in and out without retying, and it spreads the weight so well too. And it's snuggly. And you can kiss the tops of their head.

I'm a bit sad that my two are too old now.

sasamaxx · 18/01/2010 00:02

Omicronpersei8

StayFrosty · 18/01/2010 00:02

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OmicronPersei8 · 18/01/2010 00:12

Don't worry, I got years worth out of babywearing - I can tie them to my back on my own properly and everything! I also own about 5 different type of sling. The mai tei still gets used from time to time.

I didn't have one for DD, but a wrap sling with a newborn in it is the best thing ever... and you feel so free, you can use your arms for other purposes (like opening doors, or eating...)!

thisisyesterday · 18/01/2010 00:14

nom nom nom

sasamaxx · 18/01/2010 00:20

can't see your link thisisyesterday

BertieBotts · 18/01/2010 00:20

I think you have your photos set so only friends can view, thisisyesterday.

Agree that a stretchy wrap with newborn is the loveliest thing. It is like being pregnant but about 100x more comfortable. And you get to see the baby too

bronze · 18/01/2010 00:22

"And you can kiss the tops of their head."

ooooh all soft and baby smelling
I loved the wrap with the instructions that the correct height meant the baby was kissable

thisisyesterday · 18/01/2010 00:24

ahh yes, silly me., hang on!

sasamaxx · 18/01/2010 00:24

Doesn't the hugabub go on about 'kissable' a fair bit...?

thisisyesterday · 18/01/2010 00:25

hmm i might have fixed it

sasamaxx · 18/01/2010 00:26

Aaaawwww what a gorgeous wee kissable head - brilliant advert for slings (is that an inka??)

OmicronPersei8 · 18/01/2010 00:28

Lovely picture - all snugly.

thisisyesterday · 18/01/2010 00:29

yes tis inka

BertieBotts · 18/01/2010 00:31

Yes that did make me go "awww" out loud

Unfortunately in the only photos I have of DS in the sling when he was tiny, he is so cosy and wrapped up you can't see him!

sasamaxx · 18/01/2010 00:32

Inka is very pretty

thisisyesterday · 18/01/2010 00:34

yep, i was overwhelmed by choice of wraps, so decided based on colour lol

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