Which of these 3 Australian-made slings to buy for newborn?

[gracie]

I'm due in April with my first baby and I am going to be a full-time babywearer (in and out of the house).

I got given a basic mei tai and an Ergo, and I'm going to make a basic ring sling too (VERY basic considering my sewing skills!). But I figure that I'll have one of each kind if you know what I mean! So just to finish the collection I'm tossing up between a few different tube and clip slings that are Australian made. I'm hopeless with dimensions and things so I don't want to make one like these myself. So the question is... which one do I buy? They're all in the price range between $50 - $80, which seems a lot, but I figure if I can get a really good one I'll love it so much and use it for future babies so it won't matter.

The choices:
Bubzilla
Minimonkey
Earth Slings

Now before you all get excited about my missing out on Hug a Bub, the reason I'm avoiding one of those its that it's a lot of tying, and I'm planning on EC/Natural Infant Hygeine/nappy-free baby. So I want to be able to whip baby out for potty time, and pop baby back in again quickly afterwards. Minimum fuss, maximum comfort.

If the sling I get isn't much good for older bubs or toddlers, I figure I can just stash it until I have another baby, or give/lend it to a friend.

So which of the 3 slings should I get, girls? (Keep in mind that I've got 1x basic mei tai, 1x basic ring sling, and 1x Ergo). I know, I know, it's overkill... but hey, I rarely splurge on myself so this is a nice excuse, lol.

[Shades]

Good on you for doing your research - I don't have much to say on the tube/clip options but I did just want to say don't discount the HAB just yet - as far as I'm aware the tying is only to get it on, baby gets popped in and out pretty easy without the need to tie and re-tie every time.

[suse]

Personally, I would not recommend the buckled slings, particularly if you are using a ring sling. You are unlikely to get any benefit in comfort or convenience from them compared to a ring sling. A pouch on the other hand, because it can be used quickly and easily, is more likely to be a good complement to your stash.

Although you are not considering a wrap (not necessarily a hug-a-bub) because of the perception that it will be too complex for ECing, many ECing mums favour wraps, and there are several ties that are suitable for ECing (where you pre-tie and just pop bubs in and out - ETA - snap Shades). Google babycarriersdownunder and thebabywearer - these have excellent babywearing resources!

Given that you intend to EC, washability will be an important feature of any carriers you choose, especially in the early stages (it's also handy to have multiple backups if you have a spewy baby). You can easily and very cheaply make a number of wraps from jersey cotton (which is basically what a hug-a-bub is), these, unlike an Ergo, wash easily, and unlike many mei tais, dry really quickly.

HTH!

[Tanplustwo]

I have a sleepywrap which i wear all day..its similar to the hugabub type(i think it has a different tying technique...it is fantastic and comfortable and once it is tied on ( you tie it to your body without the baby and then put the baby in)which is very very easy you can leave it on and take the baby in and out very easily..i would highly recommend

[Shades]

Tanplustwo - I just googled the sleepywrap and it looks identical to the hugabub except different fabric and no front pocket... Same tying methods I think.

[Visitor8]

The close baby carrier is one that is so easy to get in and out and no huge tying like the HAB. I personally HATED the HAB. It was a PITA for me to get Ash in and out of when I needed, the fabric used to drag on the ground when I was putting it on. I just plain hated it. The close baby carrier is a similar style, but no tying. Well the front fabric strip ties but the rest is rings.

[Kitt3n]

i had a bubzilla. so glad i could get a refund!!!

honestly the close carrier is the best sling i have. that's why i have 2 and my HAB and mei teis are collecting dust!!!

if you are interested have a browse at the link in my sig

[Octavia]

Retracted

[Visitor8]

octavia have you contacted the seller?? It might be best to do that before posting things like that just incase it was a mix up or something.

[finsmum]

Hi Gracie!

Just thought I'd throw in my two cent's worth, as I've recently aquired what for us is the perfect sling! I've tried lots of options, and the HaB didn't work for us as my daughter hates facing in and not being able to see .. the out facing position didn't feel right. A 'tube' sling was great for sitting in while shopping but my baby found it too restrictive on her head to nurse in, and it slipped off my shoulder when she slept.

We got a Baba sling a few weeks ago and I LOVE it - for the first time we are comfy feeding in it, sleeping (she feeds to sleep in there without feeling squished), and she can change positions, which she needs as she's an active little person and really easily bored. Suits me too, as different activities seem to suit different possies better. My daughter is now 5 months old, and if I'd tried this first I would have bought it from the word go ... I actually liked HaB, but bub didn't - most bubs do, though. It's pretty easy to get bub in and out after you tie it, but I also liked just a non stretchy long (5-6m) bit of cotton cloth tied in the same way as the HaB. I plan on getting an Ergo when she's bigger, as I find it wonderfully comfortable but it's not as versatile as the Baba at the moment. Hope that helps! :-)

Best wishes with your birth and babywearing!
:-)