Baby carriers / slings - anyone used one they can recommend?

ema_o

Hello

I have been thinking it would be handy to have some sort of baby carrier or sling for our little one once it arrives.

I have been looking at all the different sorts available and am struggling to see what would be best, they all seem to have pros and cons, but I can't find much research on them generally.

If anyone has one or has used one in the past what are your thoughts on them, both ones you have got on with and ones you wish you hadn't bothered with.

Thanks :T

Em (& bump)

Guinea_2

Hi

As my son is not very keen on going in the pushchair or pram,:( I have had to experiment with baby carriers for the past seven months. I have two dogs and so need to go for a walk with dogs and baby each day and needed a good, secure yet comfortable baby carrier.

I have had three baby carriers and found that the first one (won't mention the name...if you want it then PM me) was awful to use without help putting it on and putting baby into it, although it was very comfortable and probably the most comfortable out of the three. The point is that I needed a baby carrier that I could use on my own when hubby is at work so I could successfully walk the dogs. The second was an e-bay one and I used it for a couple of weeks but baby became too heavy and it hurt my back. :mad:

The third one has been like a life line to me as I can use it on my own and, although when I have been walking for over an hour it can feel a little tight on my shoulders it is the best one. You can put baby front or back facing. I find it easier to use it with baby facing me as when he is front facing it feels horrible on my b**bs and belly. I am currently using the Baby Bjorn one which costs around £50 but to me it has been well worth the money.

My son is now just over seven months old and I am still using it. I think you can use it until they reach 25lbs in weight which suits me as I am hoping that when he gets bigger he'll get more used to the pushchair. I think he just enjoys having that body closeness and warmth. I enjoy it as well!! I also use it when shopping sometimes if I know I only need to go to one shop for a couple of bags of shopping. I've found it to be useful for me, although you may not! I found it to be trial and error...as you can see from me actually buying three! I am now on the look out for a baby back carrier!! :rotfl:

sleepystar1975

I have been through my share of slings and carriers when DD (now age 5) was little.
As Dh is a large chap, and wanted to do his share, we went to Mothercare when I was still pregnant and tried them all out. The sales assistant was great, and gave us a dolly to "practice" on. Most of the branded ones didn't go round his chest, and would have caused damaged to him and/or bubs, so we ended up going for a stores own brand one, which suited us fine.
Then as DD got older, we wanted the rucksack style one, for things like going to rugby matches (we stand on the terrace). Again, Dh and I went together to make sure we could find on that suited us all (all as in DD was here now, so wanted to be sure she was happy up there), again, a non-branded on won. It was great, with lots of pockets and hidey holes, so no need for separate nappy bag, as it stored all that, plus the snacks we needed for days out etc. We were also given a Tomy frame carrier, Dh got on well with it, but I found it dug in to my back too much.
Finally, my Mum made us a ring sling (buy the rings and pattern from Ebay for about £2, then buy your own fabric), I loved this for things like when I was walking the dogs, when I was breastfeeding, and when I was really cold. Also, it "grew" with her, and when she got old enough to perch on my hip, it meant I still had both hands free.

I think if I could only choose one, I would choose the ring sling.

The best thing though is for you and Dp to go to a baby store and try everything out, as each one fits in different ways, has different access, and ways of getting bubs in and out, you need to find a way that suits you and your bodys.

Good luck with choosig, and best wishes for Babys arrival.

onlyroz

The only one I got on with was the Babybjorn. Slings are the most useful for when you want to get some housework done, but the baby is winging.

building_with_lego

With DD I had a Tomy front carrier (like a Bjorn) and it was dreadfully uncomfortable and she outgrew it really quickly. I used it briefly with DS but very quickly got him into our Ergo baby carrier and I carried him until he was almost two- he spent a total of about a fortnight using the pushchair! I'm a total evangelist for them- they can carry a newborn, toddler, even my six- year- old is within the weight range- plus the sitting position is much better for the child than the 'dangling' position in many of the front carriers. Edit: Plus they hold their value really well- mine cost £58 new and I ebayed it for £56!

I suppose you need to have an idea of whether you'd use it occasionally or regularly and for how long. Have you heard of Slingmeet? They have meetings across the country where you can go and actually try on different slings and get help wearing them. Have a look at the babywearer website too, lots of useful info. Good luck choosing!

ema_o

Slingmeet sounds good, thank you building with lego, I didn't know there was anything like this! Also thanks for the advice, I guess OH and I need to try some (hadn't occured to me to use a doll or something to try them before bubs gets here, will def have to check Mothercare!).

I suspect it is something I will want to use a lot. OH and I go for lots of walks around the lakes, or we go out for the day somewhere where there might be rough terrain, I don't want an all terrain pushchair (well I do but we can only have one so need an all rounder!), also I think if baby wants to be held but I want to get other stuff done it would be useful for that as well.

Thanks
Em

Princess_Coupon

I got a peanutshell from T K Maxx reduced to £5! and it's fantastic can be used from birth and at 2.5 DD still fits in it. I still keep it in the car incase we don't take the pushchair and we're out for longer than planned.

here's a pic

http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/3011122?cm_cat=datafeed&cm_pla=baby_accessories:stroller%2F_car_seat&cm_ite=peanut_shell_reversible_baby_sling:202138_5&cm_ven=GoogleUK&mr:trackingCode=7182EA92-22C8-DF11-B003-002219319097&mr:referralID=NA

LilacPixie

I had a sling from freedom slings. Tink it was about £15. I bought mine as a nappichino but i think they have a site so google. The owner has about 16 kids or something

Ms_Piggy_2

Try and stay away from slings that have the option for baby to face out - this makes the sling uncomfortable for you and causes stress on the baby's joints also.

See http://www.bigmamaslings.co.uk/zen-cart/ as a starting point - a good selection of slings and the lady who runs it is very informative and helpful.

A good sling will last you at least two years, where as some of the 'high street' slings/baby carriers can only really be used for a matter of months.

See also: http://www.babyslingsafe.com/ for safety advice.

ETA:
My personal fave is a Connecta
http://www.bigmamaslings.co.uk/zen-cart/connecta-m-43.html
Relatively easy to use, one size fits all and is suitable for newborn to age 3(ish). Cheap-ish to buy and comes in lovely patterns, good for front or back carries.

Slats

I have the Baby Bjorn Active as it has good back support, easy to get on and adjust and looks snazzy too!!

money_honey

We had a sling from Mothercare (their own brand) which we ended up returning as our DD hated being in it. We ended up getting a Baby Bjorn on ebay in the end, and it was brilliant, I'd definitely recommend it. The best thing about buying second hand as well is that if you don't get on with it you haven't spent much in the first place!

Bear in mind that you probably won't want to use a sling or carrier after about a year (depending on weight) as the baby will be really heavy and it can pull your muscles carrying them. At that point we got a backpack style carrier which was recommended by friends - most of the people in my NCT group had various slings/carriers and recommended we switch - which has a metal structure so much more comfortable and less strain on you!