slings for newborn??

money_saving_diva

Hi, I have a week old baby. I have a sling like this http://www.freedomslings.co.uk/page6.htm (a padded pouch sling) that I used with ds. I got it when he was 3 months old and loved it. I have got it out today to use it with dd but she just doesn't look comfy in it. I feel like I won't feel happy using it until she can support her head more, she just looks too squashed up. I think it is quite like the slings that were recalled recently, so although I wouldn't be using it for long periods of time and I would keep an eye on her that is worrying me now she looks a bit small for it.

So........I now do not have a sling to use and I was planning on using it quite a bit as I have a 2 year old. I was planning on using it when we are at toddler groups, when he is in the buggy etc and was going to use a sling to try and breast feed discretely.

I have been looking on the internet and I am completely confused as to what to buy and I need some help! Can anyone recommend a good sling to use from newborn?

She likes being held upright against my chest and I wondered about a wrap type sling but wondered how people find these to use? They are expensive so I want to make an informed choice before purchasing one.

pigpen

I have had a wilkinet with most of mine and it has been wonderful.. very supportive.. easy to get on and off.. even when baby was sleeping.. almost impossible to breastfeed in though. I used it from birth with all of them and mine were very tiny.

I also have a storchie (heap big wrap sling) which is fabulous and can be used as a pouch or strap baby on tightly to stop them flopping about.

Either I would highly recommend..

I found the babybjorn, tomy, mothercare, tommee tippee ones all completely useless causing sholder and back pain and/or little support of the baby

freda

I was given a kari me sling when my DD was born. It was, by far, the BEST present anyone has ever given me for the baby. It is really easy to use, so comfy for the baby and carrier and I am still using it - my DD is now over 3!!

You can carry the baby up against your chest in an upright position, with a newborn carry the head is well supported. A physio at a baby clinic I went to said it was the best sling she had seen posture wiise, as the baby's legs were all froggied up and supported along the thighs as they should be, not dangling like a lot of the other slings.

The wide fabric straps mean you are really comfy, I tried a rucksack style sling and the straps cut in within minutes.

You can progress to using the sling for a lying down hold (also can feed in it), a facing out hold when they are bigger, a hip hold and also a back carry. It is really versatile.

Can you tell I loved it?

Well, well worth the money imho. You should be able to get them on ebay for a bit cheaper too. Other makes are mobi wraps, or anything that describes itself as a stretchy wrap. Don't get put off thinking it is complicated to put on, it is really really easy and fast once you've done it a couple of times with a teddy to practice.

Can't recommend it enough

falady

Hi there,

I'm duw with my first baby in september and a friend has recommended a Wilkienet sling/carrier. Having read up about them, I'm going to get one of those. there ae some available on ebay 2nd hand too.

Ali x

Chakani

I used the Freedom Slings original ring sling - I think I got it when DS was 2 weeks old, it was great for feeding etc and really suited us. I always felt he was snuggled around my body in it, and in a very natural position, I'll use it again when not-quite-a-bump-yet arrives.

Mme.Hibou

Another Kari-me fan here. Best sling I've used.

http://www.slingmeet.co.uk/ a great site for slings (and meeting up and trying other slings if you're not sure which to invest in)

mountainofdebt

OP,

My son is far too old for a sling but personally I wouldn't use one like the one you've provided a link to.......baby looks far too uncomfortable (even in their picture!) and I would be worried about the baby's safety (especially after the recent recall)

I do love though the kari sling........in fact it looks very much like the way my MIL used to carry my son - but she used a blanket (don't ask me how she did it - I was always too afraid to try it !)

Kelinik

I bought a hug-a-bub having read about them on here and its brilliant! I had tying it sussed by the time I'd done it twice and its really comfy to wear, even though my little man was 9lb at birth!

fernliebee

I just had a very long strip of slightly stretchy fabric and used it as a wrap style sling. It was fantastic, really useful, you couldn't feel any pressure on shoulders or back, it was hardly like carrying a baby at all. It was also really versatile as they grew as there are loads of different tie's you can do (youtube has some good instructional vids)

Only downside was mine wasn't 100% cotton so a bit sweaty for my summer babies!

pinkclouds

I have a ring sling and a Baby Bjorn. Both of them have been used to carry both of my kids. The Baby Bjorn has an adjustable kinda tab thing at the bottom to adjust the length. The ring sling just needs you to sort of fold the material behind baby's head and you can tuck the "tail" up there too - it makes a sort of cushion for the early weeks when baby can't support their own head. (I'm not explaining that very well but a slingmeet demonstrator can show it to you in seconds.) The ring sling is way more versatile because you can use it from newborn up till... well, at least 3 years old I'd guess because my eldest is nearly 3 and still fits it perfectly well. Also, you can breastfeed in the ring sling but not the Baby Bjorn. (Well, I can't - I'm not elastic, whatever my kids think!) If you get back pain wearing your baby, then your sling (whatever brand/type) is incorrectly positioned. If you use a structured sling, you will need to remember to adjust the straps every so often as baby grows. If you use a cloth sling, you will never notice because you tie fresh each time.

Congrats on your newborn. I think the first week is magical. Then they immediately double in size and kinda fill out their faces and you spend the next several months going "what happened to my tiny baby?". lol

SUESMITH_2

i had a wilkinet and foud it fab as you can use it up to a toddler