thinking ahead - slings

[Liam's Mum]

OK ladies, recommend a sling to me! I had a Baby Bjorn carrier for DS, I didn't use it too much, he was a huge baby and started to hurt my back. I want to get a sling this time, as I know I'll need to be hands free more now that I have a toddler.

TIA!

[MOMGOTSPUNK]

I had an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder sling for my last 2, and it did not work at all for us. I have heard a lot of good things about Moby Wraps, especially for newborn and younger babies, and am going to try to get one before the baby comes. I was really relieved when I heard from some other moms about how much trouble they had with OTSBHs as I was starting to think I just didn't have babies that liked slings. I can't wait to try the Moby. :

[Baby Makes 4]

I make my own slings but any unpadded open-tail ring sling would be pretty much the same.

I use a variety of carriers and I find that they all have different uses. Here's my list and how the carriers worked for me:

Ring sling: Great for newborns up to about 25 pounds, great for nursing, small baby napping, easy in-and-out. If your little one falls asleep in the sling it is very easy to put them down by slipping out of the sling and laying the whole thing down. I liked the belly-to-belly, cradle and hip carry best.

Pouch sling: We didn't like our pouch sliing very much because it wasn't shareable between DH and I.

Wrap: Great for all ages and sizes. I liked this sling for doing housework as the baby is quite firmly held against your body and doesn't move around if you have to bend over or reach up. I thought the ring sling was better for bursing though.

Ergo: We got this when Logan was 31 pounds and it is the best back carrier for a toddler that I have tried.

I tried a couple of framed carriers, Bjorns and Snuglis and hated them all. I never tried a Mei Tai.

[2happymamas]

I loved the Hotsling, but I think it only holdes a baby up to something like 25 pounds...not sure exactly how big your baby is.

[MommaCrystal]

With my son I used a variety!

I LOVE my wraps. So many uses, so many positions, so comfortable. Down side, they take some practice.

I LOVE my Mei Tais, very comfortable though not as comfortable as a wrap.

I LOVE my pouch - quick in and out. Great for short trips.

Never had an Ergo but debating it this time. Had a Bjorn, used it twice. I HATED that thing! SO uncomfortable and difficult to use.

My husband preferred the ring slings the most. Very comfortable and easy to adjust for him.

I didn't get into carriers when my son was a new born. For the newborn stage I want to get a stretchier wrap like a Moby and a fleece pouch.

GL!

[dinah]

Pouches: we each have a pouch for quick in and out times. Hotsling and Slingset

Ringsling: any unpadded one. I have a Soulbaby one. I HATE the OTSBH

Ergo: we started using this later but it's invaluable now for DH.

Wraps: used one when he was small but not anymore. I find it mostly too timeconsuming to put on.

[amberbella]

I'm new to this, so I don't know if I can really recommend yet, but I did just buy a Moby Wrap and a Hotsling....hotsling's not here yet, but I've been practicing with the Moby and think I'm gonna love it. It's comfy and seems secure/easy to use.

[stacey2061]

:

i had an unpadded ringsling with DS and hated it so much. it wouldn't stay in place, rode up and down and all over the place, dug into my shoulder...there was no position i liked, i had to stand at a really odd angle just to make it bearable. blech...

[Noelia430]

I still have my very favorite hemp pouch from M&MC and a Maya Wrap. This time I'm dying to try a Mei Tei. Can you use a Mei Tei with a brand new baby?

[thorn]

I'd recommend a Moby wrap or similar for a newborn/infant, and then a mei tai for 4-8 months ish and then an ergo or beco

[mamablair]

:

I didn't babywear with my DS but I plan on it with this baby. I just made a sling which I think will be great for short trips in and easily popable but hope to look into making a wrap also. At least to start!

[DoomaYula]

What do you recommend for the plus size slingin' mama?

I hated my mayawrap :

[Salihah]

Originally Posted by Liam's Mum

OK ladies, recommend a sling to me! I had a Baby Bjorn carrier for DS, I didn't use it too much, he was a huge baby and started to hurt my back. I want to get a sling this time, as I know I'll need to be hands free more now that I have a toddler.

TIA!

I LOVE Hotslings!!!!!!!!!

Visit them at Hotslings
My babies don't really like the sling until about 3 months. But from that point on, I use it DAILY. I keep one in the van and one at home. I love them! Worth every penny, too. I've used them from 3 months to 3 years!

She has some awesome prints. But I just use khaki and black stretch twill because they go with all my clothes. Boring, I know. But my clothes are little to wacky to begin with. lol

I get the ones with the padded edge for the back of their knees once they start sitting in the hip carry.

I used to use ring slings until I found pouches. So easy, perfect fit everytime. Just FYI...I needed a size larger than her size calculator told me.

[Salihah]

Originally Posted by Noelia430

This time I'm dying to try a Mei Tei. Can you use a Mei Tei with a brand new baby?

Yes! Much easier than a sling (at least IMO). It just holds them so cozy and supportive right against you. Other than for newborns, though, I prefer pouch slings over Mei Tei...just because I have too many kiddos running around to mess around with all those straps and ties in a parking lot or store.

[gigismom]

my dds both loved the ring slings. i used otsbh for my first along with a couple of home made unpadded slings. with the 2nd i used almost exclusively the maya. i love slings and have too many. i was recently mourning the possible ending of my baby wearing days as my youngest is 2.5 and not as interested anymore until surprise now i cant wait to buy another sling... maybe i will try a wrap this time around... any differences among the wrap chooses that make one far superior than the others?

[flowers]

We both used a maya ring sling successfully with ds and I have already purchased a pouch in my size. I am really desiring an ergo....oooooo....I want it...I want it! My sil has a gorgeous one and her babe will be almost 4 when this one is born so maybe she will pass it down.

[Liam's Mum]

Oh wow ladies, I am glad I asked so soon, had no idea there were so many options! This is going to take a lot of thinking and shopping I think. Will be saving all this great info!

thanks!

[thorn]

you can check and see if there is a NINO group near you - that would be a great way to see them in person, feel them, learn how they are used, etc. before the baby is born

[Hippiemommie]

I have quite a few slings I use with my 35lb son.

Mei Tai we used this from the moment we got it (3 months old) till about 25lbs. We could probably still use this but we have an ergo.

Ergo we got this once DS got really heavy and I wanted Papa to share the carring. We also got this for hiking and we love it. Well worth the investment as resell value is very good.

Ring Sling a friend made. She makes all kinds of carriers mostly mei tais and ringslings. Her ringslings are stiched so they can really hold some weight and are beautiful. You pick the fabric and she does the rest (PM me for email addy cost of making the sling usually around 30-35 bucks you buy material).

Hotsling we just got this one but I've had other pouch slings. I found this one at a great deal on babywearer.com and so I'm geared up to try it out with the new babe. I like pouch slings in general but only when they are small babies like up to 6 months.

Bjorn didn't care for it plus it puts stress on the baby's spine.

We also got the sling from Babies R Us (YUCK!) Can't remember the name but they shouldn't even call that a sling.

Stacey-Looks like your rings were the problem with your sling, it should never slip and slide.

My ringsling is my "do it all" sling. I still use it to carry my 2yr old 25lber. It's my extra arm.

[Hippiemommie]

Originally Posted by YumaDoula

What do you recommend for the plus size slingin' mama?

I hated my mayawrap :

See my post above, I'm a plus sized slinging mama (size 20).