More comfortable sling?

[QueenMab]

I have tried 3 slings with my DD so far, the HAB, baby bjorn & baba sling, she hates the HAB most, followed closely by the baby bjorn. I've only had the baba sling since yesterday but I got her to sleep in it today which is a big step up from any results I've had with the other two. I thought she'd like a sling better as she can lay down & it's more like the possie she's in if I am rocking or cuddling her.... ANYWHO, it was not terribly comfy. Okay briefly but if I wanted to wear her more than an hour it would be an issue - are all slings going to be like this or is there a better one anyone can recomend?

Was looking into a ring sling as they look easier to adjust than the baba (once bubs is in it as well as generally) but will it be just as uncomfortable?

I'm so annoyed that the one she likes I don't...!

[Ginger]

mmmm not sure what to suggest as ds loved the hab when he was your dd's age...but now he absolutely loves the ergo. guaranteed he'll fall asleep in it every time.

pity you can't try before you buy hey?

[MantaRay]

I used a ring sling and found it very comfy. In fact I was still using it beyond 12 months. It did take a bit of practice to feel like baby wasn't going to fall out, but I think the trick is to make sure baby's bottom is on the seam. Once I worked that out I found it a breeze to use. Just make sure the cloth is spread across your shoulder properly, not bunched, so that the weight is more distributed. Then as bub gets bigger you use if for a hip carry also, and even on your back.

[Nelle]

So you want a carrier that bub can lie down in?

I remember trying a padded ring sling (the Baba is pretty padded right?), and found it hard to adjust and get bub close enough to me. An unpadded ring sling might be more comfy - more adjustable, cos you can tighten it as much as you need, and as Mel said, you just spread the material across your shoulder to distribute the weight. And it won't feel as bulky either, since the padding's gone.

Another idea might be a pouch? A ring sling is more adjustable, since you'll need a pouch in your size, and you'd probably get more life out of a ring sling and it can have multiple users, but still, a pouch is a similar option with a slightly lower learning curve.
We have a pouch, that lives in the nappy bag, saves me when I suddenly realise I'm going to be stuck carrying Riv on my hip for longer than I planned! Haven't used it with the new one yet...obviously, since it's not born. If we had a ring sling, it'd have to live in the car or house.

As for trying, you never know, a Sydney babywearer might pop in, or you could check out the google group Baby Carriers Downunder - I know they have a carrier loaning program where people can try different sorts of carriers before they buy - you just need something like ebay feedback so they know you're real and legit.

Oh something else with the Baba, I know there are people who really like it, but I've also heard others who love ring slings and use them lots turn their noses up at the Baba, so I'd say that not all ring slings are like the Baba then, if that makes sense! So there's hope for finding a ring sling that works for you!

[suse]

Queen Mab, I'd agree with Nelle on the padded shoulders, although I've never tried a Baba. I've got a comfy carry (buckle sling with heavy leg and shoulder padding) and find that it is just not comfortable on my shoulder, and that it drags on my back and shoulders quite heavily. I'm getting an Ergo and a Mei Tei, but Euan seems to be the opposite to Scarlett in that he hates lying down but loves being upright.

If I was to get another sling style carrier it would be an unpadded ring sling or pouch.

Good luck!