Hi Blessed.

Am another HAB fan. I didn't have a pram for DD until she was 5 months, and just used the HAB for all outings. We were out and about from the day after we came home from the hospital and she would sleep all the time in it at first. As she got longer, we put her in an upright position, and then faced her forwards. She loved it! I think she thought she was walking! I used it on and off until she was 14 months without any back problems. It was particularly a life saver during flights. There is no metal at all, so you can just leave baby strapped on while you pull out all your water bottles and other highly dangerous stuff!

Had a second hand bjorn that a friend gave us and this just made my shoulders hurt when I used it and broke even though DD was not very heavy. I used this mostly when the HAB was in the wash.

I was going to make my own, but DH and parents insisted I buy the real thing. Now though am thinking of making a couple of spares so that I have a back up when the hab is in the wash. A strong cotton jersey is all you need. Approx 6m of cloth, cut in half lengthways and then hemmed so that it doesn't fray. I reckon. I haven't actually done it yet. ANd I'd test it with something heavy, like a 5kg bag of rice before putting bubba in! You could always find out how much an alterations place would charge to do that, as it is pretty easy and might work out cheaper than buying the real thing.

Good luck.