Ring Slings?

[chely7425]

Hi everyone! I am expecting my 3rd baby in October and VERY excited to hopefully be able to wear this one more My first 2 were born during the hot season in Louisiana and are both VERY hot and sweaty little boys so they hated being worn 9 times out of 10. Anyway, I am planning on getting an Ergo for when we are out, since they seem like less work when I am wrangling 2 other kids too. I also have a Moby wrap and a Mei Tai carrier. I was thinking that maybe a ring sling would be a good option for around the house when the baby is little? Any thoughts? Recomendations?

[marinak1977]

I found a ring sling to be tricky with a newborn because I had a hard time positioning my tiny DS correctly (I was admittedly really new to BW)
I hear that mei tais are very good for newborns in the tummy to tummy position with froggied legs. The easiest newborn carrier for me safety wise was the ergo with the new insert but it can get hot.
Good luck!

[chely7425]

Maybe I will just go with the ergo with the newborn insert.... we are due in October so it shouldn't be too hot...

[yamilee21]

I used ring slings with both of mine as newborns, Ellaroo lightly padded and the Maya Wrap with padded shoulder. They were both born during hot humid summer weather, and the ring slings were good for that weather; at home I could have them in just a diaper and the sling. The ring slings were perfect for nursing and easily getting the baby in and out for frequent pottying/diaper changes. My son preferred the cradle position, but my daughter preferred tummy-to-tummy; both are easy to do correctly in ring slings; Maya Wrap has videos on their website, and there are plenty of othe videos on YouTube as well.

[soso-lynn]

I personnally love ring slings. I would get one with some padding on the shoulder and on the sides.

I have this one: http://www.heart2heart.ca/index.php?...ask=view&id=45

The padding, to me, makes all the difference for supporting the baby's head when they are tiny and for keeping their legs comfortable when the are bigger. I used it with no problems from birth until my daughter was about 50 pounds.

I have heard that the newborn insert for the ergo really is not that great.

[cristeen]

I had no luck with a RS when my guy was a NB. I couldn't get him properly positioned or comfortable, either one. Completely useless.

Once he had head control though, we started using it more and more.

At 8 mos, we still use it for short times around the house, running errands where we're in and out of the car. But he's too heavy for me to wear more than about 20-30 minutes in it (20 lbs).

[marinak1977]

I used the new ergo insert and it was really easy. I also never had to worry about DS smothering in it. I had a hard time positioning him properly in RS until he had more head control, I pretty much never got the cradle hold

[gardenmommy]

I have a MayaWrap that I love. I've used it with 4 babies from NB to about 20 lbs.-ish. FWIW, none of my babies have ever really liked being in the cradle hold, except briefly if they were nursing. All of them preferred being tummy-to-tummy or facing out. I really like the Maya because it is so adjustable, plus I love the tail for covering baby's face in the sun, or from the wind or whatever. It is lightweight enough for hot weather (I've worn all my babies in the summer in TX), and the fabric squishes up enough to fit in my diaper bag.

I do also have an Ergo, but prefer that mostly for back carries (so with a bit older baby). I've never used the infant insert, although I've heard mixed reviews on it. IMO, it is easier to use a RS with a tiny baby than the Ergo.

I agree that using a RS does take practice; I don't think it's hard, but it takes a bit of trial and error to figure out how to use it properly. Definitely watch the videos, and if you can find someone to show you in person, go for it.