When to start sling

[taffywelsh]

hi,
My little baby was born a bit early, and she is a bit small...she is 2 weeks old and weighs 6 lbs.
I would like to carry her around in a sling, but I'm not clear on when you can start doing this. I don't even own a good sling yet because I was planning to buy one before she was born and then she surprised me.
Is there a minimum weight for most of them? I feel like 8 lbs must be the minimum. When there was that slings recall last year I remember the issue being that people put too-small babies in them.
The kind of sling I want is the kind that is just a big loop of cloth, and you don't have a ring closure nor a complicated kimono-knotting procedure. Somebody remind me what this loop sling is called, and if you have any preferences or suggestions tell me those also. I guess the sling I end up using will be somewhat dictated by the baby's preference (there is a place in my town where you can try some out).
What do you think
thnx

[Knitting Mama]

Personally I am more of a fan of wraps rather than slings, because I like having two shoulder support. But in either wrap or sling, you can start babywearing as early as you feel comfortable. I would highly suggest that you have the baby in an upright position, facing inwards, with her legs froggied up in the sling. Basically fetal position in the sling. This way her head is up high (you should be able to kiss her head) and you know she is breathing correctly.

I started wearing my Cecilia that way at just under 2 weeks old, and she was 6 lbs at birth, so she was probably 6.5 lbs when I began wearing her.

This photo is super crummy, but it does show me wearing her at under 2 weeks. This was my first attempt at wrapping her; the second time I got her up a bunch higher and felt even more confident.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._1018146_n.jpg

[mbhf]

You can start any time! Pouch slings (the kind you are wanting) are great but make sure you try several different carriers if you can to see what you really like best. I have a couple of pouches that I like a lot but I really prefer a ring sling, and wraps are great for little tiny babies. If you do decide on a pouch, make sure you get the right size! Hopefully someone at the store will be able to help you decide which size is right.

[purplepaisleymama]

My youngest was a preemie, when we discharged from the hospital he was under 5 pounds and we left with him in a wrap. It was a spoc (5.5 yards of fabric) and he was so content to be wrapped. I carried him like that unless he was in someone's arms for the next 5 months. He was most comfortable in the beginning in the normal upright froggy position. After he was a few weeks older I would burrito wrap him and put him on my back so that he could sleep and hang out and I could get more things done. He was held about 18 hours a day, he was unable to nurse lying down, it would affect his breathing and he would turn purple, so he was held all night as well. The only time he was set down was in his car seat if we had to go in the car.

When I first brought the wrap into the NICU there was a bit of discussion about safety and the director of the NICU ended up looking it over and watching me with it, he was convinced that it was safe and we were good to go. I did catch alot of flack from some nurses that he would suffocate or fall out...... I ignored their complaints and carried him anyway.

He was so content to be worn, it was much easier for me with the wrap than the sling, I am not sure why. I think it might have been that he was more secure in the wrap so I felt more comfortable, I have worn all of my children and I am usually fine with any type of carrier. He was diagnosed with very low tone and we were supposed to have him in pt when he was a little older. The doctors were not really sure what he would do, he was like a rag-doll for tone until he was about 10 months old. He had difficulty holding his head up and controlling and coordinating his muscles. I am positive that the wearing was a huge part of his development, he could feel the person wearing him move and it taught him to move as well. He also had chiro and craniosacral therapy, they were huge in his development as well.

He is now 5 and though he is still a loosey goosey ( he will always be) he is the most active and crazy 5 yo that I know!! He is still small enough to be worn, but I am almost due with our newest and I am not into torture so I haven't worn him in months. I will say that it was a lifesaver to me for many years, it would keep him happy and me free to do whatever I needed to with the other kids.

~laura

[ErinYay]

I would not ever wear a preemie in a sling, due to the risk of chin-to-chest compression.

I'd be a lot more comfortable with a wrap, where the baby is kept in the proper position.

[mbhf]

Originally Posted by ErinYay

I would not ever wear a preemie in a sling, due to the risk of chin-to-chest compression.

I'd be a lot more comfortable with a wrap, where the baby is kept in the proper position.

You can wear babies in many positions in a sling. None of my children have liked the cradle hold, I have always worn them upright tummy to tummy, in several different carriers, including ring slings and pouches.

[aramat]

My preemie was born at 32 weeks and came home at under 5 lbs, and I started wearing her in a homemade "Moby Wrap" right away--Kangaroo Care is very important for preemies. (Here she is at 5 weeks old) I liked my homemade wrap better than the official one; it was half as wide, so less fabric and less heavy. No sewing; just a rectangle of t-shirt cotton, about 5m x 0.5m. Online you can find all the various ways to wear it. I used this wrap exclusively till she was holding her head up on her own; then we moved to other slings (mei tai).

[taffywelsh]

by wrap, do you mean "moby wrap"?
that looks pretty cool, I am afraid of not tying it on properly though.
Can you make one?

[LittleBirdy]

FWIW, the Moby wrap says it is safe for babies 5-35 pounds so I'd say your child is big enough

DS was 8 lbs 2 oz at birth and currently 11 lbs 8 oz. Never felt totally comfortable with him in the cradle hold of the Moby or the Baby K'Tan I have, as he just *loves* to scooch himself down into that unsafe chin to chest position, no matter what I do. However he does very well in the hug hold in the Moby and I also LOVE the Ergo with the newborn insert.

So my point is maybe sometimes size isn't such a big deal as much as the individual temperament of your child.

[St. Margaret]

There are MANY different types of carriers and wraps-- the Moby is just one (rather good) brand. I would feel way more comfy with an upright carry, too, for a little baby-- chest to chest, with her head where you can kiss. DD actually hated having her legs in the wrap or sling-- once we figured that out, I wrapped her in a Gypsy Mama Bali Baby Stretch wrap with her legs supported so her hips were in a good position, not crotch dangling, but with her feet free, and we lived like that very happily for several months,

I would check out the Babywearing board here on MDC or thebabywearer.com -- there are so many great resources out there, there might be a babywearing group near you where you can try out different ones, etc... and read up on the proper safe use

You're going to love wearing your baby! It's the best; I can't wait til I have this new little one to wrap up!

[ann_of_loxley]

Originally Posted by mbhf

You can wear babies in many positions in a sling. None of my children have liked the cradle hold, I have always worn them upright tummy to tummy, in several different carriers, including ring slings and pouches.

What she said. I love my ring sling and it mostly what I use - but they are always tummy to tummy and upright as that is most comfortable for me and them.

The OP is thinking of a pouch. I personally have never got on with pouches. They come sized so you have to get the right size or the fit for you and your baby may not be right and that can only lead to discomfort. At least with a ring sling, you can adjust it. A ring sling is basically an adjustable pouch at the end of the day! You also then have a tail of fabric to do whatever with...wipe up drool, cover babies ears, descretly nurse (if thats your thing) or let baby cuddle (my DS loves to finger the tail when he is nursing - its his comfort thing!)...

When there was that slings recall last year I remember the issue being that people put too-small babies in them.

The slings that were recalled were the bag type slings. The issue with these was not the babies size but the whole sling itself and how exactly they held babies - in very unsafe ways. The issue with these slings have been around for ages. Before any deaths occured in them, there were private reports made on these types of 'slings' by individuals who use forums such as 'the baby wearer' - and their findings were that these were horrid things that need to be avoided - unlike a pouch or a ring sling or a wrap....

Personally I prefer wraps for a newborn. As you have such a tiny baby, a nice stretchy (yet sturdy) wrap is ideal. Many people get on with Moby's. As its getting colder, you could even consider something like a Calin Bleu (do they sell those in America?) as they are stretchy and fleecy - so warm, breathable, supportive, etc! They look complicated but honestly, they arn't!

I was't aware that there was any 'weight' limit. Babies are born - and just go right back in! Thats part of the point of a sling (ring or wrap) - they mimic womb life. If any baby appreciates this more - it will be the preemie!

[Adaline'sMama]

We ♥ our Moby. DD dropped to 5.11 and she was snuggled in it from day one! You can make your own. Just make sure the fabric isnt to short. A Moby is 18' long, 2' wide. So basically, youd need 6 yards of fabric. I know people who have used muslin, but I love the stretchy material the Moby is made of. Congrats on your new baby!

[TreeRose]

I bought the Didymos on recommendation from a friend who helps women "wear" their babies more and it's good for 5 lbs and up. I started my DD in the cradle pose and now she's in the frog pose up by my chest. She loves it and it's really the ONLY thing that will always calm her down when she's distressed. She's 4 weeks (today!) and she's in it right now. It DID seem complicated at first but now it comes so naturally and quickly; worth considering though I respect your desire for a sling! Good Luck!

Also, we have the ErgoBaby Carrier that's organic and they sell an infant insert that is supposed to be super supportive - this is more like a front-backpack and has gotten great reviews. We haven't used it, since the wrap makes her so happy and we don't have the infant insert.

[pianojazzgirl]

There are two basic categories of wraps: stretchy and woven. The Moby wrap is one brand of stretchy wrap. And yes, you can make your own if you find suitable strong, stretchy-but-not-too-stretchy fabric. Even easier (if you are looking to save money) is to buy one used (or maybe even borrow one from a friend!). My best suggestion to you is to find your local babywearing group and attend a meeting. Most of them have a library of carriers that you can try out, and, even better, will help you get you wearing your little one safely and comfortably. Different carriers serve different purposes and are better for different ages and stages. If you have the chance to try a few different types and brands you'll be sure to find one that works well for you and your little one.

ETA just to expand on the idea of stretchy and woven wraps... most people find stretchy wraps great for newborns and small infants. You can tie the wrap on first and then pop your baby into the "pouch" created. Because it has a bit of give it can/should be worn quite tightly (they're not too tight though, don't worry!) and snuggly which is perfect for a newborn. Woven wraps are a bit trickier to learn to use. You don't put them on first, but rather wrap them around your baby. However, a good woven wrap is very supportive and comfortable. While a stretchy wrap might only be comfortable until your baby is a few months old (depending on how heavy they are) there are lots of wovens that can last well into the toddler years. Also it is unusual to use stretchies for back carries, but wovens work v. v. well for that kind of carry.

Whew... all that to say, that if you can make your own or buy a used stretchy wrap (or spring for a new one if you can )it will be perfect for your small newborn. Then in a few months you might want to/need to invest in a more long-term carrier, be that woven wrap, mei tai, SSC (like an Ergo, though there are lots of brands). Or you can be like some of us and build up a whole collection of carriers...

Hope that helps!

[Llyra]

DD2 was 4 1/2 pounds when I started wearing her. I wore her upright and facing me, though, not lying deep inside a sling. We used a pouch, but it was an adjustable pouch, so I could get it snug enough to keep her close to me and support her head, at my breast level. We also used a Mei Tai at that age and size.

[cristeen]

As a NB, we were all about the Moby, up until 3 mos thats all we used. Then he got too heavy for it and we switched to the RS. I never had any luck w pouches. After about 5 mos, we switched to a MT and then an onbu (my fave). I still use the RS around the house for quick shopping trips, but at a year and 24 lbs, my back cant handle the RS for long.

[octobermom]

I slung my 4lbs newbie. FWIW though she was not a preemie just tiny.

Deanna

[waterinthefish]

i started mobying at 2 weeks (he was about 6.5 pounds). he hated being worn vertical, facing in (i think it's called the hug hold?) so we carefully used the cradle hold from the begining. i was a little nervous about the chin to chest compression, but realized i was so aware of him, his position and his breathing that it wasn't a huge deal. we moved on to the baby k'tan at about 6 weeks- easier/quicker to put on.