Baby slings.

[BabyChrissy1993]

Hi all I haven't posted on here for a while. :)

I'm just wondering what your views are on baby slings.
Did they help you out a lot?
When you where out did you find it easier to breast feed more discreetly using a baby sling?
Would you recommend one?
Are they a lot of hassle?
Did you find them easy and good too use?
What type did you use? If you have used more than one type which would you recommend?

I just want a few opinions on them before I decide whether or not too buy one. I know know they aren't something you need but I have seen a few people use them and if they are actually worth it I might have a look at one.

[citizentwiglet]

To be fair, those are only particular style of sling, and not the most common type in use. Most slings are perfectly safe as long as parents take precautions and ensure that baby is positioned correctly - so wraps that tie securely are better than these 'bag' type (which, in all honesty, don't look awfully comfy either).

I love my sling(s). We started off with a Baby Bjorn Active carrier when Fin was a baby, and I used it every day. Once he grew too big for that, I got him a Mai-Tei (he's wearing it my profile pic). The BB is really easy to do up, just a few clicks and you can pop baby in and out but that is reflected in the price, and they are only suitable for up to 20lbs. The Mai-Tei can be used from birth to around 3 years, and you can wear baby on your back with a bit of practice. You do have to tie it, rather than there being clips, so it's a bit more fiddly. I didn't breastfeed, but I know plenty of mums who can breastfeed very well in the Mai-Tei.
I don't know where I would have been without one, particularly when it comes to using public transport - so much easier than a buggy!

[Rosendula]

Chrissie asked me (I'm her Mum) about my experience of using them. I used the rucksack on the front-style, and while it was invaluable for when we went for walks in the woods and things like that, I wouldn't have been able to manage if I didn't have my OH to help get the baby in and out of it. I found when I lifted her up to take her out, the sling went up with her, making it impossible. In fact, I wouldn't use it unless Richard was there to help me Was I just being pathetic (you can say, I don't know where you live)? Or is there a style that is better for the more independent woman who doesn't want to wear a baby all day until someone else is there to help?

[MuddyWitch]

I had a 'rucksack' style one for my eldest (now 24) as I was a single Mum & you couldn't take an erected buggy on the buses back in the 80's. I loved it. I wore her in front 'till she got to about 6 months, then piggy back style for an other few months.

Our youngest was much heavier & Nige took over her transport at 4 months.

I found I had to take both of them out in order to brest-feed though, as they sat 'too high' as it were to feed easily.

All the best for you forth-coming happy arrival, BC

MW

[citizentwiglet]

The Baby Bjorn is the easiest, but also the most expensive and the one you get least use of!

I don't want to plug any particular company so put 'Mai Tei' into Google and have a look at what they are like.
You can even get patterns to make your own. Once you've had a bit of practise of tying it so you're comfy, it's an absolute breeze; and as one can last from newborn to toddling, it's the cheapest option.

Here's quite a handy video showing how you do a front carry:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sweZeB2xuP0

And here's the more scary-looking back carry (not scary at all when they are not so young and you can practise with your back to a bed!):

http://video.aol.co.uk/video-detail/how ... 3798354747

(PS: There's no sound on the second one....)

[Julysea]

I used all kinds of slings with my 2 and can honestly say I would not have managed without. They are far more useful and versatile than prams or pushchairs, but don't go for High Street slings which are pale imitations or 'real' slings in my opinion.

I used pouch slings for my babies when they were tiny, then used mei tais and wraps for them when older. Here's some great sites with all the different types explained and discussed:

www.thebabywearer.com

http://www.thecarryingkind.com/

And this one you can hire slings from to check out if you like them first: http://www.bigmamaslings.co.uk/zen-cart/

PLus try http://www.slingmeet.co.uk/ for your local babywearing group which will ahve lots of slings to try and friendly babywearers to help you choose the best for you.

I can't praise slings enough - they mean you can wear your baby while getting on with stuff like shopping, washing up, hoovering, seeing to older children. Yes, you can also breastfeed in them while on the go, and they really help settle babies as they're alsways snuggled up to you.

HTH

[becks77]

Nod nod, agrees, couldn't have managed the children without one although in our day it was not so much slings as "back packs" and "front packs" All my girls loved the front packs and they were easy to use but not able to feed in them. When we progressed to the back pack(ruck sack ) style they thought they were fab, as by that time they could see around and participate etc.we did a lot of walking and the back packs were brilliant.
I mastered the art of getting the back pack off easily by parking the pack with open stand on a table , wriggling out and keeping hold of the strap so no accidents(if that makes sense)
Anyway, loved all ours, thoroughly recomend them

[Annpan]

I made my own Mei Tai, best thing ever especially when they start to sit up and take notice of what is going on around them, as they are right up at your level and you can talk to them and cuddle them at the same time. And it's versitility means I can still use it now that she is even out growing her buggies.

[Keaniebean]

I had a Mother c&re front carrying one, but found my kids just got too big for them too quickly. Also a bit grim, sorry, but if you are using one of them in the summer, the closness of the baby ends up leaving you a bit icky, if you know what i mean.

I was also quite glad to be rid of the burden to be honnest, I found trying to get them in a nd out all the time was too much faffing around, so they just went in the puschair, but we were lucky and didnt have to get on and off of busses!

[Clara]

Babies are born to be worn! IMHO they are one of the very few things that you do NEED, though most of the world manages with a simple piece of cloth. Look for a slingmeet in your area and/or I think Big Mama Slings lets you return whichever you try if you don´t get on with it.

I used a Wilkinet when my babies were tiny, then an Ergo, though I´d go for a Manduca instead if you like that style (it has a few minor design differences that are definitely improvements).

[mrsflibble]

I had a wilkinet, jim had a fleece fitted sling, we had a backpack and a home made meitai and i can safely say, soph loved the meitai over all.

[BabyChrissy1993]

Thanks for all your replies!
A lot of you mentioned the 'meitai' slings. I had a look at a few pictures on the internet and they do look very good. I have being lucky enough to have a good friend offer me one!

Thank you again for all your replies! x

[mrsflibble]

baby wearing for the win.









even soph's a convert.