I've been looking at baby slings and also baby carriers, you know the front carry one's where bubs sit facing you and also they can sit with their back to you but still at the front of you.
What is best? What is most comfy? Should i start off with just a baby sling and see how that goes?
Also what brands are good? If you can refer me to websites that would help also!
Hi Renee! First off, DO NOT buy a Baby Bjorn LOL! They are great when your bub is tiny, but the older they get, the more strain that is put on your shoulders.
I had a Baby Bjorn originally, but it was killing me because Kieran was such a big baby (still is). I did my research and ended up buying an Ergo baby carrier. It distributes babies weight onto your hips instead of your shoulders (just like a hiking backpack). In the Ergo you can wear bub on your front, hip or back. I can't wait for DH to wear him on his back. As you can tell I LOVE mine! A lot of BB girls have Ergos and most seem to love them!
Ergo have a website ergobaby.com where you can see how they work, I have some new ones on my website too. I became a stockist when I fell in love with mine LOL!
I've never used a sling so I can't comment on them sorry!
I didn't even think about it before I had Darcy, but when she was born and my arms nearly fell off from holdng her all the time, it took me about 4 weeks to figure out that on might be a good idea.
I bought a baby bjorn off ebay. Not everyone's cup of tea, but honestly I loved it. SHe was secure and snug and I wore her in it until she was about 6 months old. It certainly got it's use. Dh liked it too. SOme people hate them because they don't support the back. I am quite strong though and it wasn't a propblem for us. It was easy on and easy off, and Darcy loved being in it. I wore her for 8hours regularly.
However, it did open up my eyes to baby wearing and this time I'll be prepared.
I would love some of the flashier slings and meiteis, but finances will just not allow it.
I have made a ring sling out of some fabric I had left over from something, and next time I'm in Sydney I'm going to buy 6m of cotton jersey to make a wrap type one (HAB sorta). I will get 2 from the width it comes so I'm splitting it with my sister. That way I haven't wasted money I don't have if bubba hates it.....
The sling for easy on/easy off at daycare etc short trips, and the wrap for feeding, long wearing etc.
I have to say that i LOVED my ring sling (brand is Ellaroo - ellaroo.com i think). just fantastic! can't rate it highly enough.
when they are newborn they curl into a gorgeous little bundle and can nestle into your chest with their legs and arms tucked in (this was my girls fav possy for weeks). or they can be placed in lying down nestled against your chest (my girl didnt like this one too much unless she was really sleepy).
then, when they get more head control they sit facing outwards with their legs tucked up against their chest (doesn't sound comfy, but they LOVE it!).
then, when they get too leggy for that one, switch them to the side with the legs out the bottom. and that's the stage we are still using (she is almost 12 months old).eventually they go on the back.
DH wanted something he felt more secure with, so we went out and bought the ergo baby carrier. and for what it is, it's pretty awesome. bubs can do front, side and back. they are more restricted than the sling, but have way more movement than the bjorn (we borrowed one of a friend for a couple of weeks, and DD didnt like it very much). also with the ergo, the weight is carried more on the hips, saving the back and shoulders (which can come in handy for a post pg body and all relaxin ridden muscles LOL!). there is a newborn insert that you can buy for the ergo too.
they cost about the same ($130 from memory).
my pick is the sling (no buckles, no adjustment and can be folded up into the nappy bag, pram storage or in your handbag...and can double up as a blankie when on planes!)
My pocket sling (otherwise known as ring sling) was one the best things I ever bought. Renee, have a look in the Babywearing forum, there are some great threads there discussing different types. Also, if you are going to be in Brissy at any point, there is a fabulous lady who sells hundreds of different types and you can try them all as well to see what is comfortable for you and easy to use. If you look up carryingaway in google, it should come up. This woman is amazing and she runs workshops too. Well worth a visit. A good babysling is going to make your life SO much easier.
And if you have a second, a sling is even MORE important.....
Ren, two good points of reference are thebabywearer dot com (US based babywearing forum with excellent info - including reviews on many carriers and For Sale or Trade boards).
Another point of reference is baby-carriers-downunder dot com. It's an Aussie babywearing group that has a google discussion group. The founder and majority of members are in Brissy, they have regular meetups and have a loaners database.
Ring slings (eg: ellaroo, maya wrap, bear hug baby) are great for newborn carrying and bf-ing, and are adjustable, whereas a pouch (eg: hotslings, peanut shell) is sized to the wearer. Correct fit is important for comfort, so you cannot try on a pouch when pregnant. They are also no good if your partner wants to wear it and is of a different size to you. Some ring slings are supportive enough for extended wear (eg: heavier babies/toddlers and long carries) but many aren't, especially those with lighter fabrics; this is where two shouldered carriers are useful, particularly those with waist bands.
Ergos are one type of SSC (soft structured carrier). There are other types which use a similar waist band style (eg: Beco, Patapum), and others which use a mei tai style waist (eg: Connecta, Pikkolo), except with buckles instead of tie straps. Babyhawk, catbirdbaby and Kozy are some good examples of mei tais.
Stretch wraps (eg: hug-a-bub, moby) are great for newborn carries - they are soft, snuggly and wonderful when you have a velcro baby that never wants to be put down. They do take longer to put on, and have a higher learning curve, but the comfort factor is considered worth it. Woven wraps (eg: didymos, storchenweige, vatanai, hoppediz) are great for older babies / toddlers as they offer much more support than a stretchy wrap, but they are much more expensive.
Some BB threads which you might find useful:
here is a thread that I posted in recently which gave a comparison of stretchy wraps & ring slings.
Here and here are threads with lots of info on the benefits of Ergos.
I love my baby bjorn and its been used everyday for the past 9 and a half months. I'm starting to look into buying a sling now though as the baby bjorn is starting to hurt my shoulders.
Check out ebay as they have some great slings. I'm considering the peanut shell sling.
We used a baby bjorn with DD (we got the "active" one with better back support than the original) & it was great. We've kept it for this bubs aswell. DH was still wearing DD in the baby bjorn when she was close to one!
This time round I bought a hug a bub off ebay as I've heard so many great stories of using them when bubs is a newborn so this is what I'll be trying (obvioulsy haven't tried it yet but looking forward to it in the coming days!) DH will prob stick with the baby bjorn as he loved it so much.
DH broke his back in 2001 which is the main reason we got the baby bjorn ACTIVE & he never had any probs with his back while carrying DD in it over all thos months
Renstar I.ve just bought a Jazsling off ebay tonight. It looks similar to a peanut shell though. I was also looking at the bubba rocks ones aswell but they look a bit too complicated for me. I'll let you know how the sling goes when it arrives.
I had a cheaper BB style carrier by Ryco - DON'T go near that either! It is ok for DH on the odd occasion and in fact he used it on the weekend but it kills my shoulders.
If you know somebody who can do some simple sewing, you could make a HAB or even a Mei Tei type carrier fairly easily. I bought material for mum to sew both for me, and they will be made in the next week or so. Cost me about $35 for the material for both, as opposed to triple that for both. There are patterns online that you can use to sew them. Good luck!
Hi Renstar
I just wanted to let you know that my sling arrived this morning and DS and I love it already
Like I said before its similar to the peanut shell but only cost $35.00 I can pm you the details if you like.
Should I buy a baby sling or carrier?
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VERY helpful posts I really appreciate the feedback and recommendations!
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