What kind of carrier would be best to wear to take a little one swimming? A ring sling? DS loves water but he's just too heavy now to hold the whole time. I'd love to have something to wear so both of us can have a little wade once he's had his kick and splash around. The only thing suitable I've seen is a breeze baby but I don't really want to spend $70 on something I'm not going to use very often.....can anyone recommend me something cheaper? Or even a good fabric to use so I could make my own?
Unfortunately, the best fabric for water slings (solarweave) is no longer in production - there are a few carrier makers who have small stocks of it but it's hard to find, and not cheap. The breeze baby ring slings are a good option. The big problem with many mesh type fabrics (especially ones that can be bought retail) is that they are not strong enough for babywearing, especially if you are going to be using it in chlorine or salt water. Something like solarweave is breathable but a strong weave and synthetic thread, so it stands up to being used in the water.
You could use linen (if using handkerchief weight use two layers), but it's going to feel a bit yucky against the skin when wet, will be difficult to adjust when wet and won't dry as quickly, and you'll have the same problem with fabric degradation if using it over the long term.
If you specifically want a ring sling (something that has seams and stress / adjustment points) I would invest a little bit more and get something that can be used safely and comfortably, especially as your LO gets a bit bigger. For small babies, a cotton gauze wrap could be made quite cheaply (think sarong weight type fabrics), but with any fabric used in water be careful to check it before each use for degradation.
I have a solarveil ring sling (taylor made is the brand) Maybe google "solarveil sling"? Mine is UV protectant as well as being suitable to wade into water with... I bought mine 2nd hand through the baby carriers downunder google group...
Personally, I wouldn't use a general purpose woven wrap in the water - you're likely to shorten the lifespan quite dramatically, as well as fade the dye. Salt and chlorine are pretty brutal on fabric. It would also feel pretty horrible in the water - like the difference between wearing lycra bathers and a cotton tee-shirt.
The taylormade slings use a water mesh, but it's not actually solarveil (I think they used to use solarveil before it was discontinued). Solarveil is no longer in production and the few makers who are still using it are WAHMs who stocked up when the discontinuation was announced. To the best of my knowledge, there is not a single distributed manufacturer still using it. Most of the ones who do have it have small quantities suitable for a mei-tai panel rather than ring-slings or wraps.
If you want a wrap for the water, there's also the Wrapsody Water Wrap, made by Gypsy Mama. They are relatively inexpensive.
which carrier for swimming?
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