How long can you carry a baby in sling for?

[ItsAllGoingToBeFine]

I have got an Ergo (but no baby yet ), and the instructions don't give any guidance on how long baby can be in sling for.

I remember that when I was researching some slings e.g. Baby Bjorn (I think), they had a warning not to have baby in sling for more than 2 hours at a time.

Is there any particular guidance on how long you can carry baby for? Will a newborn complain when it has had enough (I have the infant insert)? What is the harm caused by carrying baby for too long?

God, I never read that. My DSs were in the sling for absolutely ages at a time... [cnfused]

I can't find where I found the 2 hours from , but according the Baby Bjorn website:

1. How long can I carry my child in the baby carrier each time?

You can carry your child in the baby carrier for as long as he/she is content there. However, small children should not be motionless in the same position for long periods of time. That's why we recommend that you always pay close attention to your child?s needs and switch between the baby carrier and, for example, a baby sitter, stroller or crib.

How long is a long period of time?

Well personally I wouldn't have a baby in a baby bjorn for any length of time at all - altho I did before I knew any better...

Well done on choosing an ergo, but you may find this a bit bulky and large for a new born.

If you are using a proper sling and the baby is positioned correctly, I don't really think there would be a time limit - it should be just like cuddling them.

Well most very young babies are going to want feeding or changing around every 2-3 hours anyway, so you would be taking them out to do that. After then, I think it would be fine to keep them in there as long as they were happy to be there. They are getting all that human interaction from being carried and being at adult level they can see everything that is going on, and they are well supported if asleep, so I don't see a problem at all.

The baby bjorn and other slings like it (Tomy, mothercare, etc) are completely different to the Ergo and are not good for the development of the spine which is probably why they have a warning on them. Like how you wouldn't leave a baby in a walker or a door bouncer for an extended period of time.

with an ergo which holds them in a very good anatomical position especially with the newborn insert its for however long you want and yes baby will complain when had enough

baby bjorn thingys just dangle them from their bits iyswim which isn't good for thier back and hips hence the 2 hour guidance

proximity parenting is at least %80 of the time either in arms or sling day and night then obviously the right sling can be used for long times

with small babies, they will stay happy in there forever. in fact, in a wrap sling, i was conscious to take dd out every 2 hrs at most in order to feed her.

with an Ergo infant insert be aware that her position does not restrict her airways. IE follow manufacturer's guidelines closely with regard to positioning.

This link does not feature the Ergo but as A rule of thumb for any sling, you can see, their heads are better if their necks keep their necks and spine from 'crumpling' forward, bringing their chins to their chests.

Different slings have different methods of securing a baby safely.

Thanks foxy that's a really useful link

Most wrap slings hold the baby in an ergonomically good position (sort of 'seated' with their legs bent) unlike Baby Bjorn types that have all their weight on the pelvis. My dd used to spend about 3 hours at a time in my wrap sling, and she's fine.