How bad are Snugglis, REALLY?

[NotTheOnlyOne]

I got a Snuggli as a gift at my baby shower. I got a NoJo sling too. When my baby was born, I put him in the sling, and it swallowed him up. I tried the snuggli and he did much better. I wore him in the Snuggli for 3 months or so until I found htis forum that talked about how bad they are and how much better slings are. So, I switched to the sling. He fits much better in it now, but sometimes I can tell that he gets frustrated becasue he cant move. Maybe his legs hurt beings all scrunchd up indian stlye? I dont know, but he fusses in the sling, and when I put him in the Snuggle, he doesnt fuss. PLUS, the Snuggli hurts my back LESS than the sling. Any suggestions? I'd try a different sling/wrap but I cant find any around here to try on before I buy them and I cant figure out how to wear a wrap!!!!

[MommytoTwo]

I personally did not like the Snugli brand, but I always found teh Baby Bjorn (same idea) to be more comfortable to me than a sling. But i did try the Maya Wrap Sling and really liked it. I know the Snugli/Baby Bjorns arent good for their spines but I dont know how much time a baby would have to spend in one for it to have a negative effect. I only use them at stores and such so i havent decided yet what I am doing with this next babe. If I wore the baby all day at home I would definitely use the slings. I did have a Mei Tei which I loved. You might look into that. Its similar to a SNugli but doesnt put all that pressure on their crotch.

Did I answer any Qs at all or am I just rambling? LOL

[Benji'sMom]

My DH likes to use the Snuggli. I use a ring sling. I think the negative effects on the spine would depend how much time the baby spent in the Snuggli, and I don't know what a "bad" amount of time would be. DH just uses it for shopping trips, because that's the only time he really has to keep both kids under control at the same time, so DS1 goes in the shopping cart and DS2 goes in the Snuggli.

[GooeyRN]

We have a snuggli, and used it when dd was very little. She HATED slings, and so did I. So we did not use them. I did not keep her in it (snuggli) much, just shopping or whatever. The rest of the time she stayed in my arms. DH still puts her in the snugglie sometimes, and wears her on his back. DD is now 13 months old. She never fusses in it. As for any damage done, I have no idea. She still learned to crawl, sit-up, walk at the appropriate ages and has no gait problems. Does not appear to have any discomfort or pain related to it. But again, she did not/does not spend much time in it.

I use a mei tai carrier, and love it. My mom just made dh a camoflage mei tai, so he uses that now. (since its more manly, haha) I find it easier to put on that a snuggli. Nothing to snap, or worry about unhooking. (that did happen to us with the snuggle, one of the side hooks came undone while dh was wearing her on his back) A mei tai is tied in two places, and takes about 60 seconds to put on.

If you liked the idea of a sling better, you can try a hotsling. They aren't as big or combersome as a ringsling.

[momz3]

We used a snugli w/dd....she loved it and Dh loved it...I thought it was uncomfortable.

[simplyloc]

I REALLY DISLIKE IT! My DD is 3 months old and this thing does not support her at all! She's only 12 pds!
As i am typing she is in it sleeping but the snugli is reverse almost on side--so i am holding her like she was sleeping...i ordered a couple of wraps and can't wait for them to arrive!!!

[Snowdrift]

Try a mei tai, an onbu, or a wrap.

The RS probably hurts bc it is single-shouldered. they hurt me if I wear them for more than a couple of minutes.

I practically live in my wraps and MT though.

[inchwormz]

I got a Snuggi as a gift before DD was born and then an Ergo about 6 months after. There was NO comparison. I really disliked the Snuggli, but it is so heavily marketed (same as Bjorn) that it's all many parents know about.

[New Mexico Beach]

I think a mei tai would suit you and your baby well. He'll have the freedom to move as he would in a snugli, but he'll be supported in a more natural way (sitting into it rather than being suspended from his crotch).

I don't know that there is any evidence proving that bjorns/snugglis are bad for babies, but I don't see how they couldn't be.

[Katheda]

please delete, thank you

[mommystinch]

Besides the fact that all of the baby's weight is resting on the base of their spine, the snugli will probably become more uncomfortable as the baby grows. It just isn't comfy for most people's backs since it kind of hangs the baby from you.

[linguistmama]

The Snugli worked ok when dd was very small, but it quickly became very uncomfortable as she grew and I hated it. I got a ring sling which was much better and then a wrap and now a mei tai. I would really suggest a meitai since it is more comfortable, but also allows more room for the child to move their legs around.

[medaroge]

Originally Posted by mommystinch

Besides the fact that all of the baby's weight is resting on the base of their spine, the snugli will probably become more uncomfortable as the baby grows. It just isn't comfy for most people's backs since it kind of hangs the baby from you.

Not only on thier spine, but thier crotch! Would you rather dangle suspended from your crotch or sit seated like in a sling, mei tai or Ergo?

Nojo is a bad sling also, try some others, there are much better ones out there!

[mommystinch]

Originally Posted by medaroge

Not only on thier spine, but thier crotch! Would you rather dangle suspended from your crotch or sit seated like in a sling, mei tai or Ergo?

Nojo is a bad sling also, try some others, there are much better ones out there!

Yeah, there's that too. I guess it would be even more uncomfortable for a boy. Yikes!