Monday, 09 February 2009
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Recommended Baby Slings, Anyone?
Just a quick question to all the babywearing mamas out there: which sling do you recommend? I'm the classic first-born in that I research, google, read reviews, and everything else that goes into deciding what is the best choice, brand, etc. This goes for pretty much anything I buy, other than groceries and clothes.
So, I've been scouring the internet and finding tons of sites that sell baby slings and all of them saying that their's are the best and so much more comfortable than the competitions. I want some real live opinions here. Ring-type sling, one-piece? I am clueless!
I'm not really into the whole babywearing/attachment parenting thing, though I can respect those who are. But sometimes, Gabe wants to be held, and I'd rather not plop him in the swing just because it's convenient.
On the other hand, holding a 6-week old requires at least one arm, and doing things one-handed can get kind of frustrating.
Plus, there are places I go, i.e., the library, that would be made so much easier if I could just put him in a sling and have both hands free, rather than lug his seat along everywhere. Basically, I want a sling for the convenience more than anything.
The other day, I folded one of my pashmina/shawls in half the long way, tied a knot in it, and slipped it over my head and one shoulder. Putting him in the pocket created by the fold worked pretty well and I liked the whole feel of it, except, he's getting much too big for the pashmina!
But it was very nice to work at cleaning up my kitchen, wash dishes, etc., with him in it. Not that I intend to hold my baby every waking moment, but sometimes, he just needs to be held and usually at the same time I need to get a few things done.
So what are your recommendations? One stipulation: I do need a one-size-fits-all. I don't want to pay $50 for a sling, only to have it not fit when I lose more weight.
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About the Author
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- From: Mom2Be
- Name: Regina
- About Me: 20 years old, married to my sweetheart, and expecting our 1st baby, I'm grabbing life by the horns! I'm livin' out my dream of being a wife and a mother! I'm crazy, random, quirky, and slightly wierd, but I have fun! I love farming and John Deere tractors, the country lifestyle, fresh breezes, cool grass beneath my toes, and a big sky over my head! I love the Creator who created all these things for me, as well as my husband Nate and our baby dear! I enjoy baking and cooking more than cleaning and laundry. I also enjoy photography, read and writing, and being outside! Our baby is due 11/08/08 and I can't wait!
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Comments (20)
I have a hotsling and I like it pretty well. But if I were you, I'd get a Moby wrap. The Moby will better distribute the weight of the baby across both shoulders. You can make your own moby style wrap for very cheap. This is what I'm doing for this baby that I'm about to have. Google it and I'm sure you'll find several sites telling you what exactly you need. Good Luck to you and congrats on your little bundle of love!!
Mai Tei! But then I already told ya that.
HI! I high reccomend the moby wrap(mobywrap.com). It is a one piece. It will run you about $40 dollars but I think it is worth it. It will definately work for one who is loosing weight. You can use it from newborn to toddler. As long as you can handle the weight of baby. You will feel sucure enough to not have to keep an arm around baby. I love this feature. I used many other carriers and did not feel secure using it. I have 4 kids and did not discover this until the 4th.
you're gonna get a lot of different answers here too. :)
i'm a firstborn and am an obsessive researcher too.
i have four kids- not an attachment parent person- but... have four kids. :) and have things i need to do. i've tried lots of different things and my favorite from birth to 2 is the maya wrap. i adore it. i wear it when cooking dinner, shopping at target, on walks... when the baby (or toddler) is fussy. my husband wears it often as well.
it's our fav! :)
I used a tube sling with my DS when he was little. I wish I would have gotten a ring sling or something that transitioned better for when he was bigger.
I love my Hotsling, but they are fairly expensive. I went to a store to get fitted for one before I bought one. You could also check out etsy.com and find a sling there for less.
I'm shopping, too. At nearly three months, Megan wants to be held more and more and there are so many things that I need to do but can't while holding her. We put it off and put it off because of finances, but tax return should be in next week and I refuse to put it off any longer!
So far, I really like the ones this lady: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=vl_other_1&listing_id=20806975 makes...they look the most versatile and the DVD instructions have me sold...I'm a first-timer, too, and I have NO idea how some of the wraps work.
I found a ring sling on Etsy for less than $20! I'm small, so the regular slings (I bought a HotSling last year) don't fit me, but the ring slings are completely adjustable.
Look on line and you can find intructions to make all kinds of slings. Slings are really just one of those things that you have to try to see what you like. I like a pouch sling for when they are tiny and a ring sling for when they are older. You can make both for about $30 depending on what kind of fabric you use.
I think you kind of have to try them and find one you like. I have heard great things about the Moby wrap. I got mine at Target, I think the brand was EvenFlo but I am not sure. It adjust for babies up to 60 pounds. I can still put my son in it if I wanted too.
I'd look into making one though. I used to use a sheet when I was at my mom's house.
I LOVE my Maya wrap. I also found my Moby Wrap, which I didn't start using until close to my daughters first birthday, helpful. You can make your own Moby by buying 24" of a stretchy fabric and cutting that in half length wise. You get two that way and for much less than one costs you from the manufacturer.
These are not only made by these gals but they have both used them regularly. They also make diaper covers and a variety of products you will love!
Seams So Neat
I have the snugglie, which I think is made by infantino. It's great. When my son was first born, the second we put him in, he would fall asleep. He loved it.
i've tried many baby carriers, but the one that works for me is an Ergo.
I have a Moby Wrap that I've used with my newborn nephew, my 13 month old, my 2.5 year old, and my five year old niece. It is seriously the most versatile, amazing way to carry a baby ever. I love it!
I will say that initially I was intimidated by it but after one time of looking through the book and doing a wrap, I realized how easy it really is. And do a google search, I found my Moby on clearance at a website for less than $20.
Eeek lost my post!
If you are looking for something that size doesn't matter if you change weight, avoid a pouch sling like the hotsling because those are sized and if your weight were to change drastically, it may not fit you anymore. Also, if you are looking for something that you can use into toddler years as need arises and is quick on and off, a stretchy wrap like the moby will be more difficult because it is harder to tie supportively with a heavier child and takes longer to put on. A woven wrap would last longer but does have a bit more of a learning curve.
I recommend a ring sling, personally I love Taylormade Treasures slings for their softness and pretty fabrics, and Sleeping Baby Productions for their variety and wonderful shoulder style that stays spread nicely. Both of those brands are $50 or less for the majority of their slings. There are tons of reviews at www.thebabywearer.com of hundreds of brands to check before buying that are very helpful on craftsmanship and quality as well as customer service. The forums at that site also have great links on wearing in different positions (as the baby gets heavier when I need to do chores, I like to do back carries personally). No matter what ring sling you were to purchase, be sure that they use actual weight bearing rings like slingrings because craft rings are not meant to bear weight and can break or bend and slip through eachother causing an injury to the child (craft rings are found at places like walmart in the craft section and fairly thin).
I also love mei tais! It is important to be sure they're constructed well, but they are awesome for babies up through toddlers (and older if necessary lol, I carried my 5 yo in one at one point last summer because we were walking far and she got tired). I love Babyhawks especially. :) They are very comfortable.
I really want one of these as well. The main attraction for me to be able to be hands free and still keep baby close when he wants to be held. So I really appreciate you posting this topic. Since first reading it yesterday I have been doing research online exploring prices, reviews, features, safety issues, etc. At first I was leaning towards the ultimate baby wrap (find it online at target or babies r us.) I liked it best because you can wear it in 5 different positions and it will support up to 35 pounds whereas most of the other styles only supported up to 25 or 26 pounds. Then I read several reviews that said the fabric it's made out of is just too stretchy. One woman said that after a few wears it was so stretched out she was afraid the baby would fall out of it. She also said she was constantly having to re-tie it so it fit right as baby kept sliding down past her waist.
So that one ended up being out. From there I went to the Moby Wrap, which is pretty much the same design only made of 100% cotton, so stretching is minimal, but it is still fully adjustable to you or your babys size. Another thing about the Moby is that I did not find a single bad review for it. I think I'm going with this one.
http://www.target.com/Moby-Wrap-Baby-Carrier-Olive/dp/B001FY6NOM/qid=1234212440/ref=br_1_16/182-3582751-2314440?ie=UTF8&node=3145041&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=3145041&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2 Wrap-Baby-Carrier-Olive/dp/B001FY6NOM/qid=1234212440/ref=br_1_16/182-3582751-2314440?ie=UTF8&node=3145041&frombrowse=1&pricerange=&index=tgt-mf-mv&field-browse=3145041&rank=pmrank&rh=&page=2
I also wanted to mention a particular review I saw that really discouraged me from buying a carrier-style. This was the only review for any of them that said it could actually hinder the child's development. It did not seem to be biased as it was not against a specific brand, just the general style of it, and it makes sense. Go to the link below (or copy and paste into your browser) and look at the second review for the BabyBjorn.
http://www.target.com/Baby-Bjorn-BABYBJ%C3%96RN-Black-Carrier/dp/B0009JOSNM/qid=1234285723/ref=br_1_1/178-0873320-1281039?ie=UTF8&node=3145041&frombrowse=1&rh=&page=1
cabinbaby.com
I love it!
(Note, I just use it with my godbaby. I don't have a baby myself.)
I searched online and found a cute pattern and made my own baby sling. Do some searching and you will find something that will work for you. You will also save money!
www.Beanababy.com has great slings and if you email her, she often has clearence slings for sometimes $25. I use my just for baby sitting and it is great!!!! :)
Desiree