6 week old doesn't like slings

[Lirazel]

I have 3 different kinds of slings (ring, moby, mei tai) and DS does not seem to like any of them! He loves being held up over my shoulder to look around, so I'm not sure if he doesn't like them because he has to be lower down or what. Is it possible he'll like them later on when he has better head control and can look around? I also wonder if he doesn't like having his legs tucked in and maybe he'll like it better when he's bigger and they can hang out more?

Anyone have experience with this? Is there any way I can encourage him to enjoy them more now? Am I destined to have a baby that never likes slings??

[Icehockey18]

Ds was like that, and I was so sad! We tried every sling out there! I had visions of he and I hanging out all day, he in the sling andme having two hands to function, but he had other plans.... Eventually, when he had enough head control, he loved being worn facing forward (~3 mo). Now, at 8 mo, he loves facing me. He started liking that at about 4.5 mo. I think he just wanted to be able to see what was going on around him. It sounds like your lo might be the same way. Keep trying though, maybe one day he'll change his mind!!! Or just wait until he has better head control and face him forward. Good luck!

[Louisep]

Give it time. DS hated slings until 4 months and then would only face out. Slowly we got him used to the Mei Tai, ring sling, and now we mostly just use the ergo. Once he got head control he loved the hip carry on the ring sling so he could see forwards and now he's heavy, we use the hip carry with the ergo mostly.

I never could figure out why he hated slings as a little one because he wanted me to hold him CONSTANTLY. I couldn't put him down ever.

[annettemarie]

Moving to our Babywearing forum.

[Abraisme]

Originally Posted by Louisep

Give it time. DS hated slings until 4 months and then would only face out. Slowly we got him used to the Mei Tai, ring sling, and now we mostly just use the ergo. Once he got head control he loved the hip carry on the ring sling so he could see forwards and now he's heavy, we use the hip carry with the ergo mostly.

I never could figure out why he hated slings as a little one because he wanted me to hold him CONSTANTLY. I couldn't put him down ever.

Have your tried facing your LO out in the Moby? My DD only liked to be facing out for the first few months. Once she got a little bigger and got better head control I was able to turn her around. She wouldn't go in the Ergo or Mei Tai until over 5mo. Keep trying, babies grow and change their opinions about things quickly. What's not comfortable this week might be great next week.

[Kiara.I]

You can put his legs out right now in the moby. You still want to make sure he's supported from his knees through his bum, but the legs don't need to be froggied up if he doesn't like it.

When you put him in the sling, what are you doing next? Many, many babies don't like slings at first, and the best way to get them to like them is to grab your keys and put your shoes on, *then* put the baby in the sling and immediately walk out the door. Move, move, move, and give them stuff to look at, and they will often settle right down (and fall asleep!)

[Casha'sMommy]

My ds (7wks) loves being carried and worn however, he is not incredibly fond of ring slings unless he's ready to sleep or already asleep. He too does not care for his legs being froggied while awake. I do a kind of cradle carry in the ring sling and pouch to allow him to see what's going on and have his legs straighter. Also, I completely agree with pp. MOVE, MOVE, MOVE lol
I would NOT face ds out unless we were at home. Babies are easily overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the world (grocery store, etc) and need to be able to face mama for comfort. Babies can see what's going on if they have a side view so if your lo enjoys the Moby he can see what's going on around him by looking to your side. Babies have no idea they should be looking at what you're looking at so being able to see straight forward is of no consequence to them. Facing you in the Moby would allow him to snuggle if need be. Facing out allows for no snuggling. Although, if I were at home with ds I might face him out for short periods of time if he seemed to enjoy it.
HTH and GL!

[KYCat]

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I would recommend trying different positions and seeing if you can find a method and a time that work for your baby, a couple of weeks could make all the difference. I also wanted to throw out there that no matter your plan, your baby might just not be on board. I think that the most difficult, yet important part of parenting is having a plan and realizing when that plan does not work with who your child is. Some children do NOT like slings. Every person is different and it's important to not negate that in a baby. I have a friend having a very difficult time with her third child because he is different than her first two and she refuses to alter her plans/baby lifestyles for the little guy. It's making both of them unhappy, but her plan is paramount. I'm not saying you are doing this, I've just seen it a few times and it can be so destructive to the parent/child relationship.

[jocelyndale]

My son didn't want me to wear him at home. If we were out and about and walking walking walking, it was fine. He'd happily go in a sling for Daddy and sit there contentedly while DH worked (web developer).

[Lirazel]

Thanks for the input, everyone! The advice to get moving seems to be the key! Previosly I would put him in a sling and stand there waiting to see what he thought of it. I just tried the mei tai again and I made sure to just keep walking and bouncing around and he handled it really well and even took a nap in it! Hooray!

[Casha'sMommy]

Originally Posted by Lirazel

Thanks for the input, everyone! The advice to get moving seems to be the key! Previosly I would put him in a sling and stand there waiting to see what he thought of it. I just tried the mei tai again and I made sure to just keep walking and bouncing around and he handled it really well and even took a nap in it! Hooray!

for you!