Close parent sling - anyone had experience of using this?

[lovechoc]

I am seriously considering buying one of these but would like more opinions from other mums on how they get on with this type of sling, before I buy.

TIA

I agree with Loopymumsy about the tails being a PITA - I tied mine loosely behind my back to get them out of the way, which probably looked a bit naff. And since it's in two parts, you have to be careful to keep them together (easy enough though - tuck together like a pair of socks).

Having said that, I found it much less intimidating at the start than the prospect of a single wrap. I wouldn't feel that way now but if I were as inexperienced as I was at the start, I would.

Most importantly, the semi-structured nature of it (and ability to put on like a t-shirt, though you can do the same with pre-tied wrap) made it less intimidating for my DP. Which made the difference between my having to do it for him and his refusing to try

thanks for your opinions! Felt it was better to ask first from others who have tried it than to just buy it. Went to see someone the other day who says she loves it and found it brilliant for carrying her 2nd DC around it, but always best to get other opinions too. Still thinking about it...have 6 and a bit weeks til due date so plenty time yet to work out which one to go for.

I agree with the tails being annoying - I mind them less than DH, who if he's wearing the Close underneath his coat, does tend to look like an undertaker with coat tails! He tends to tie the tails around his waist at the front - it does look a bit naff, but is a slightly less feminine look.

It does take a while to get the hang of using, even though you put it on like a t-shirt. On the other hand, I'm not sure DH would have been prepared to try a stretchy wrap either, so from our point of view it was better. Both DH and my dad managed to use it successfully.

DS is now 5 months and I'm planning to get another sling (a Connecta - a woven semi-structured carrier) since I find that now he's big & heavy, he tends to slip down towards your kneecaps if you're not careful if he's in it for any length of time! It is supposed to be okay for babies up to about 30lb but I think you're better off with a woven sling for bigger babies. DS is 20lb and on the 98th centile for weight, so he is unusually heavy for his age!

Having said that, I would definitely use it again for any further DCs. I tried the Connecta when DS was 9 weeks old, but it didn't work so well for small babies as the Close did.

Having a sling has been the best thing ever for us. We had 5 weeks when DS wouldn't sleep in the day unless in the sling. And even now, he gets frustrated in the pram with the hood is up and he can't see anything, but is more than happy to be in the sling.

You could look on Ebay for second hand ones if you wanted one which was a bit cheaper.

You could always look at the MN reviews of it.

Personally I like it for the early weeks/months, but wouldn't want it as my only carrier ever, as I make heavy children, so it wouldn't last comfortably until they were walking.

I had one but my son was too heavy for it by the time he was 6 months. Having said that, I LOVED it for the early months. I found it easy to use after a bit of initial headscratching, extremely comfortable and cosy. The tails didn't really bother me although my DH didn't like them.
They are quite expensive new - have you looked on ebay or the babywearing yahoo group? Mine has worn & washed very well so a second-hand one shouldn't be too shabby. You can then put the money saved towards a more supportive carrier later on.

I had a close for dd2 which I loved. I found it easy to use & as others have said even DH could be persuaded to use it. Fabulous when she was small ( I tied the tails at the front too) I used it until she was about 9 months then moved to an ergo as it really is too stretchy for heavier babies.

I absolutely loved my Close - I also had a babasling, wilkinet and hug-a-bub (a stretchy wrap) and now I use an Ergo. It only lasts until they are about 8 months old I found as it's too stretchy but it was invaluable up to that point as you don't have to retie it every time you put the baby in or out of it. I liked it so much I bought 2 so that I would have another one to use when the first one was being washed (refluxy baby). I would put it on in the morning and wear it all day - I did like how the hug-a-bub felt when on but having to retie it each time made it less convenient than the Close. I also like the fact that you can tighten it with the baby in it. Mine still look great despite 8 months of intensive wear/washing, both have now been lent out to friends for the first 8 months of their babies lives. The tails didn't bother me after a while and I found people just thought I was wearing an interesting top!

I loved mine, so easy to use and comfy for dd. Cant remember when I used mine up to but am sure it was right up to the wieght limit. Would def recommend it.

Interesting thread. I am debating between this one or a Moby wrap for DC2. Not really been a sling wearer before but think it will help when dealing with DD (3yo).

I loved my Close sling - had it for DD3 and so wish I'd had it for the other 2. Was a godsend as I just popped DD3 into it and was left with two hands free for the other two. And, as someone else said, you don't have to retie it every time, so I used to take DD3 out of it, pop her in the car seat then was able just to tuck her back in when we got out the car again.

I need to sell mine though, so might be a bit biased

Are you selling it on here Poledra?

Can I do that? How (don't want to break any rules )?

Well, I don't think it is a problem if we incidentally came across each other on a thread...email me if you like bumperlicious . mn @ hotmail . co . uk. I am interested, though depends on colour (DH will have to agree to wear it) and price (as I said was considering a Moby but Close was also an option).

I loved mine - it was the best thing for my DS2 and I used it daily until he was about one. I loved that you can just throw it over your head, pop them in, and head out. (I know a wrap sling would have been similar but how do you keep it clean when putting it on outside?)

Bumper, have emailed you.

Have replied btw Poledra, sorry to take so long.

haven't been back on this board for ages but we bought the Close sling last week and it arrived this morning and have yet to try it out (DS2 still asleep!). DS2 is nearly 5 weeks old now and getting to the point where I can't do anything when I put him down after all the obvious checks you do (feeding, winding, changing etc) because he just cries. Hoping this may be the solution.:)

Will post again once I have had experience using it. I have practiced putting it on which is straightforward enough, yet to see what it's like putting baby in it!