thinking ahead - slings - Page 2

[sarah0404]

I very much loved my Hug-a-Bub sling. I'm not sure if they are available in the US though. They're Australian. Basically its just a stretchy wrap. Perfect for newborns. I think it says it is suitable for up to toddler sizes but I found it uncomfortable by then, and preferred using the Patapum sling (similar to the Ergo) It comes with an instructional video so you can learn how to tie it. It's very simple really.

I'd tie it on before I went out so when i got out the car I just had to lift baby into it instead of messing about with tying outside.

I had a c-section and found it comfortable to wear about 4 days after the op. I made sure I spread the cloth wide across the incision. (and quite tightly too) It felt more comfortable and sort of held me altogether!

I'm really looking forward to using it again! I also have one of the babywearing ponchos from Sweden (i think?) that I didn't get to make much use of last time. It'll be perfect for an October baby. So excited!

[Vicitoria]

IMHO slings are ergonomically incorrect. If you have a big kid your shoulder is going to go out. At least that's what happenned when I tried it. I loved the baby bjorn. Ds outgrew it quickly as well. We love our ergo. I was thinking of just getting the infant insert but it's a very complicated carrier and really more suited for larger children. There are a lot of versions of the Baby Bjorn out there. I got mine in a second hand store and I've seen others. You may want to just check around for a different version.

[mama_daba]

what would be good for someone 4'10 ?
i know the ergo probably won't adjust for someone as short as me but then it will be quiet a wile before i have a baby big enough for an ergo anyway.

[Brisen]

I started out with an OTSBH. I'm short and small (5' and 105-110 lbs) and I have small babies. I ended up taking some of the padding out so I could cinch it up small enough to fit properly. I also used a bedsheet (like a wrap, I think) and really liked that for wearing baby upright on my front or back and distributing the weight over both shoulders. Took longer to put on, though. Then I bought a rebozo, I really love it. There may be other similar slings, but I found the fabric was great (lightweight, stretches in the right direction and keeps its length in the right direction to keep the fit snug but make room for the baby at the same time) and it is easy to put on/take off and fan across my shoulder to get it comfy. The place where I bought mine is no longer selling them, as they are now an educational charity (www.rebozoway.org), but this http://store.peppermint.com/rebozo-baby-sling.html looks similar.

ETA: moonfroggy, as I said, I'm 5' tall. this is the one I have, though when I ordered, there was a choice of two sizes, and I bought the smaller one. If you want, I can untie mine and measure it. But since you can tie it anywhere -- it is just a rectangle of fabric -- you can make a longer one small enough for you, though if it is very long, you'll have a long tail to deal with (which can be nice if you want shade for your babe, I suppose).

[Liam's Mum]

Ok another related Q, sorry if it's a dumb one! I never wore nursing tops with DS, just a nursing bra of course, and regular clothes. If I want to get a sling that allows me to nurse baby while s/he's in it, would I be wise to get some nursing wear this time around?

[roostery]

I used a variety of slings and wraps.

While DD was under 6 months I mostly used the Ultimate wrap. I just put it on in the morning and took her in and out all day. I liked it better than the other wraps because it was so stretchy and because it has a ring which allowed me to tighten it up throughout the day without removing it. DD wouldn't let me put her down for naps until she was 4 months old so she pretty much lived in the Ultimate.

We used the ring sling for quick trips. It is easier to get the baby in and out of but not as secure and not hands free.

Now I have an ergo that we use for walks, DD is 2.5 and weights about 30 lbs. I like it better than all the external frame packs I tried. It really distributes her weight well.

[zak]

I love, love, love my Maya Wrap. And I had a chunky baby... he was over 20lbs at 4 months. I still wear him while we shop and are out, he's 22 months and nearly 30lbs.

I have a Cuddle N Carry that I like, I use/d it for chores.

[sarah0404]

Originally Posted by moonfroggy

what would be good for someone 4'10 ?
i know the ergo probably won't adjust for someone as short as me but then it will be quiet a wile before i have a baby big enough for an ergo anyway.

Hi moonfroggy, I have a patapum carrier (similar to the ergo) and it irritates me a bit because I can't get the straps tight enough. I am 5'-ish. Every ring sling I tried has been slightly too big, even ones in petite size. So I'd stay away from any sort of structured carrier. You might be better off with a wrap so you can adjust it to your size perfectly. I posted earlier about the Hug-a-bub I have. I think it is quite good for petite sizes, because it's reasonably narrow compared to the didymos etc. The ends are also tapered, so they're not really in the way. With a wrap you can carry a newborn in a lying down position, and use it on your front, back, or hip. It just takes a bit of practice to learn to tie. I hope you find something that works for you.

[sarah0404]

Originally Posted by Liam's Mum

Ok another related Q, sorry if it's a dumb one! I never wore nursing tops with DS, just a nursing bra of course, and regular clothes. If I want to get a sling that allows me to nurse baby while s/he's in it, would I be wise to get some nursing wear this time around?

I was always against nursing wear, because i thought it was about trying to hide the fact you were breastfeeding. However, when I finally tried it I found it was great! You don't have to pull your top right up and have your stomach showing. There are loads of different kinds nursing openings. I'm not sure what type would be best for wearing with a sling though. One of the best things was that I could actually wear a DRESS! Which made a nice change from jeans and a top. Some people I have talked to don't like nursing wear though.

I don't think a nursing top is a requirement for a sling. Mostly its more discrete in a sling, and the baby and the sling cover your stomach anyway. I'm going to sew myself a couple of tops and maybe some pyjamas. www.elizabethlee.com has patterns, which are very dated, but the instructions are great, and you can transfer them to something a bit more trendy. I think that www.blesseddesigns.net has a lot more modern clothing. There are loads of instructions online about how to make your own DIY nursing clothing, as well as plenty of places to buy from. It doesn't seem to have caught on here in the UK though.

[mamabearsoblessed]

I love my mayas. I also have an otsbh but never really liked it at all, my preference is padless wraps and have found that is what has worked best for us. This time I'm all over the hotslings~ and I love kimzkreations too (she's on ebay) lots of tye dye and batik print wraps.
I'm thinking of an ergo too but don't think I would use it nearly as much as my wraps.

As far as nursing tops, I do like them, and have always had them in the past but a regular top has worked just as well for me. I have never really worried about being incredibly discreet anyway . Pluse a tee with a button down shirt worked great to hide my backfat view when nursing in a regular top. Funny how I'm more modest about my back fat than my breast and nipples .

Ohhhh I cannot wait to nurse again!!! And sling again!!!!!!!!! :2bfbabe: