I did something STUPID *blush*

I googel'ed slings and now I can't decide what to buy!!!

I have been toying with the idea to get a baby-sling for this bub, just incase it's a premmie again and just in case it's a fussy baby again and just because it looks so motherly and just seems so right carrying your baby everywhere you go and it looks like you could actaully do something *take a breath* And because I am NOT tying my baby to my back with a towel/blanket like the local women do. It's going to be HIGH summer for heaven's sake!

So I started looking. Firstly I looked at the HAB. GREAT stuff (I actually really, really want one, have to date not seen them being sold in SA), but a bit expensive for me, seeing that I have to pay in South African Rand :( . ATM I can't get into their online paying site to check out if they have any specials, but last time I checked it was about AUS 120 for a sling, that is R 900.00 :o :o I found this web-site (slingmeet) and found LOADS and LOADS of advertisments for babyslings and carriers. They all have to be imported. I have no idea why SA does not have these products on the market??? Maybe I am not looking in the right places, but surely I would have seen it SOMEWHERE by now??

Anyway, now I am confussed as to what I must buy. I looked at a Cailin Blue (or something) and at a Moby sling and at it seems like a 1000 other sites that offer the same product.

Can anyone narrow it down for me ... what are the best quality for the lowest price???
I can afford about R 500.00 (I still have to pick DH's pocket for it ;) ) that is roughly about AUS $67

And yes, I have found a site where you can make your own, but I want one that does not look like something I made, iykwim?? I am terrible at hand-work

TIA

what about if you tried to get a second hand hab from ebay?

psst... google the sleepy wrap... it's just like a moby and a HAB but less than half the price. People are really happy with them. I'm hoping to start selling them at a local market here! Seriously worth a look.

If you know someone who sews or can do it yourself, you could make one hun!! A HAB is basically a 5mt long piece of material that is around 60-75cms wide, depending on which site you use! That's it! It does have a nice pocket in the front but you could sew one on!! I have just boiught some stretch cotton jersey to get my mum to make one for me- it cost AU$6.99 per metre and I got 2.5mts!! Good luck!

try ebay or buy for baby (australian website - no spaces). Good luck!
Tan- do u have a pattern that your mums going to make for u? What age /weight do these go up to? Sometimes im sick of pushing that pram.

I agree, your best option would be to get someone to make one for you, if you're not good at making one yourself.
The Moby is pretty much the same as the HAB just without the pocket, I think. I'm not sure about the other ones you have mentioned, but I guess they're all pretty much the same. As this type of wrap is basically a long piece of fabric, I don't think there are huge differences in the brands.
Ebay would be another good option for a second hand one.
Sasa

From what I have heard you will be awlfly hot in the HUB if your expecting a hot summer. Be no different to doing what the locals do except you paid through the nose for your sheet LOL.

I would look into something like a Meh tie Sling or the Australian breastfeeding Asssoications version which is a clip on style, costs about $55AUD.

You want something light & easy to put on & the HUB isn't that!

eBay sounds like a good idea. I found our Mei Tai really good for our newborn.

Actually, Fion has a really good point there.
I have heard of people making a HAB style wrap out of Muslin material for summer and being really happy with it. I guess most carriers are gonna be on the hot side as babies tend to radiate a lot of heat.
Sasa

I might ask my sis to make me one :think: did not think about that earlier ... she did clothing design, so she would be able to get the right fabric for summer that is streachy and light.
I had a look in a local fabric store, but buying the fabric (1.2m in width) would have worked out around R300'ish (depending if it's printed) anyway, I could just buy 2.5 (R200'ish) and cut in half and sew it lenghtywise together, but I don't want any "weak" points in there .. it'll be carrying my presious bundle.

Helly - Oh heck, babe, your not helping :cryinglaugh: google is what got me into this in the first place!!! But since you mentioned it ... I won't be able to keep my curiosity at bay. Thanks :)

As for ebay .. never used it and not sure if I trust it.

Fiona - I was thinking of going nekked under the HAB :redface: The locals tie the babies to theirs backs with towels and blankets (and most use not only one) and I am not sure I would be able to cope with that, a/c and all. I tend to overheat when my back is hot, I will be ok, just getting cooked form the front. So I thought with a HAB I can just put baby on skin, HAB over baby (that covers the girly-parts, right?) and do my house-work nekked, exept for the wraparound skirt or short of course. Can you see me? Barefoot, topless, hair-in-a-bun, sarong-wearing, baby-carying women hanging out washing!! DH is loving that idea ;)

I'll check out the Meh Tie thingy, thanks!!

We bought our HAB off ebay for $70 (bt I spent most of my pg trying to get one at that price) but as others have said they are very easy to make, you don't even have to hem/overlock them if you can't be bothered.

We used to make and sell our own version with a clip on bag - realy simple. however beware of buying half length and sewing it together as the weight bearing seem will sit right in the middle where most of babies weight is and it will split.

You can use any fabric you like we use a printed baby muslin, double muslin cotton, stretch jersey. If you want printed you need to see if it goes through both sides otherwise you will need to sew to pieces together so you have the print on both sides. It can look nice if you put plain on one side and print on the other - gives a nice contrast when wrapped.

If you are in a hot climate stick to a breathable lightweight fabric, muslin has a little stretch to it which is good as it helps with wrap and fit, particularly with little bubs. Here in Townsville I found it too hot to wear the HAB in jersey cotton unless the aircon was on. The muslin was a little cooler but still not overly comfortable to go vacuuming in which is why we got the Ergo, lets a lot more airflow through.

Hope that is of some help

I think you would find you & bub would get sticky skin to skin, I would wear a light t shirt or singlet.

I made my self a HAB style wrap from a light jersey knit fabric & still found it rather hot. Ita a lot of material wraped around your body.

Honestly look in to the Mei tei's or clip on ABA sling, they even do a cool clip on thats perfect for summer.,

Anything skin-to-skin makes me so very, very sweaty! Wearing a light singlet / shirt as F suggested will absorb the sweat and evap nicely. MeiTei is good - I've also seen some lovely slings on ozebaby (good ol' google :) ) that are reasonably priced.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info Saram :)

I checked out the Meh Tie Sling, pretty impressive. I like it. I now have to make a choice, don't I ....
:think:

Someone else ;) gave me a heads up on a mesh ring-sling, and I am leaning towards that one also.

So many choices ... *sigh*

Thanks again for all the tips!!

Saram, Nothing is comfortable to go vaccuuming in.... Vaccuuming just isn't meant to be comfortable, I think :)

Nadine, I think whichever fabric or carrier you end up buying, you will get warm. Most of the heat comes form the close contact between you and your bub. If you do end up going for a mesh type material, there are 3 things to think of: first, make sure it isn't a loose mesh where little fingers could get trapped. It's not the end of the world, but could prove annoying. Secondly, again, about how tight the mesh is. cause some meshes can really dig into your or bubs skin. Ever tried to sit on one of those mesh type office chairs in a mini skirt? It hurts after a while. So make sure it is a nice soft fabric with a small holes. And lastly, Even if it is a mesh, if it is fully "plastic", it could still get sticky. Some man made products actually have fantastic breathing qualities, but others don't.

Now about ring slings, I know some women swear by them. But I personally prefer wraps or Mei Tais (although I've never used a MT) as they are worn over both shoulders and they pull bub really close to your centre of gravity which makes it very comfortable in the long run. Slings that go over only one shoulder just don't really feel all that comfortable in the long run, to me. Alright for a quick trip to the shops, but not for long term wearing.

If you do decide on a MT, then I think (from other people's feedback) going wiht one that has slightly padded or very wide straps might make them more comfortable.

Just my personal opinion.

Sasa

Second on the vaccuuming!!

Ya see, that was exactly the first thought popping into my head ... about the mesh digging into bubba's skin. I could just imagine picking bubba out and his/her little legs be all checkerdboard.

And my second thought was (re ringsling) about the kangeroo. If this bubba is a premmie too, I would like to kangaroo and tbh I don't see how you can get the bubba in an upright position near your bossom with a over-the-shoulder sling.

Thanks for the food-for-thought :)

I totaly forgot that my sister has a degree in clothing design and she would be able to get me some fabric cheaper, she lived in the city for about 5 years now and know all the "hot-spots" So I am waiting for her to get back from London and then we are going shopping. I think I might just get me 5m fabric and see how it works, if not ... then I'll try something else.

I LOVE Mei Tais. Used one for my 21 month old, used one for my newborn. Love them. :D

Mum is about to make a Mei Tei for me as well, will let you know how we go but if you want the instructions we are using just PM me hun. My material for the Mei Tei cost $25 and the pattern (according to her!) is really easy plus we can adapt it and put more/less padding in straps etc! It will be coming up to summer here too when bubby is born, so I wanted the option of the two!

By the way, Nadine, I don't think ist was stupid at all to do your research before you go out and spend a heap of money on a carrier/sling/wrap.
Saša

You will better off with something that spreads the weight evenly. I don't like ring slings at all as it puts the weight all one side.
HAB & Mei tie's are perfect at spreading the weight across your back for more longer wear.

Oh by the way, when I made my HAB wrap, I used 2.5 meters & halfed it & I used a really strong seam & have never had an issue with it splitting, it had a name but I can't think of it now... it will come to me at some point down the track LOL

:rofl: Sasa!!! Thanks babe, thing is I have this "thing" with google .. call it information overload! So even though I know doning some research is good, I tend to over do it with google , hence being stupid in trying to be smart!!

I was thinking my shoulder would be awfully sore after a session, sure if it's a premmie and bubba weighs like 1.8 when coming home ... fine, but they do tend to grow don't they :)

The good thing is that if you start with bubba when they're newborn, their weight will increase gradually and you will get stronger. I don't think I would have done too well carrying a 10kg toddler all of a sudden but I have worked myself up from 3.9kg and I'm fine.
By the way, I know exactly what you mean. I have the nickname "GG" or "Google Geek" for a reason ;)

Saša