Baby Slings...?

Question

Does anyone use those baby slings? I don't mean the baby carriers, but the ones that are just like a cloth wrap. Do they work good/bad? Reccomend them?

Answer 1

love 'em!!! they mimic the warnth and compression of the womb, so babies are more at ease. They leave your hands free. They distribute the babies weight evenly across our back so you dont get a achy arm from holding a baby all day. You can easily and discretely nurse, in public even!! I would reccomend one to any new mom!

Answer 2

I use a Moby style wrap and can't say enough good things about it! I LOVE it and have several different carries that I use; 2 front wraps, a side wrap and 3 back wraps.

I started using this particular style when my baby was around 5 months, but you can use it from birth. My daughter is now 17 months and I mostly do back wraps. I have a friend who still carries her 3 year old in a moby back wrap.

What I love about this wrap is its comfort, flexibility and cost. I got 5 yards of cotton fabric that stretches a bit on the bias for $20. I cut it lengthwise to be 20 inches by 5 yards. This left me with two wraps for 20 bucks. Can't beat that with a stick! I found the wraps sooo much more comfortable than using a carrier or other the shoulder sling for long periods of time. It distributes the weight evenly over your torso and keeps baby high enough to not stress your lower back.

Check out http://www.wearyourbaby.com for info on many different types of slings & wraps with instructions on how to make and use them.

Answer 3

Baby slings are awesome, if you can figure out how to use them. I looked up directions on-line and practiced until my son and I were both happy. They are so much better than the front carriers. Those always make babies look like they are hanging. In a sling babies can be positioned to sit or lay comfortably. Mom's hands are free and you can use it with toddlers as well. Can't beat that!

Answer 4

I used a sling that was custom made for me off of eBay. I was really sad when my son out grew it. He was a big baby so he outgrew the laying down position before he could go to the other positions and then he was just too heavy. I loved the sling and wished I had tried it with my daughter but I didn't know anyone who had ever done it so I hadn't had any experience with them. What I liked was I could put him in it to clean the house or go for a walk and if he fell asleep you could just slip the sling off and lay them in their crib/bed without waking them. I would suggest that if you get one use it in the house for a couple of hours just to get used to it and practice putting the baby into it. It will take you a couple of times to get it smooth but once you have it there shouldn't be a problem. Also if at first you don't feel real confident just put the baby at a comfortable height to be able to support with your arm. They are also handy if your going to nurse because you can position them and nurse them without other people really noticing. Some of them also have tails on them so you can use it to protect baby from wind, rain or sun and peering eyes while nursing. I also found that people were less likely to touch my son when he was in the sling, with the front carrier they would touch and stroke my daughters feet, legs and her hands. Good luck.

Answer 5

Do you mean a wrap or a sling, they are different.

A sling only goes over one shoulder and can either be one piece of cloth with a pocket, or a piece of cloth with a ring to adjust it.

A wrap is just a large rectangle of fabric that is wrapped over both shoulders in different ways to create different ways of carrying the baby.

I can't use slings because of back problems, putting that much weight on one shoulder is not an option for me.

Wraps while harder to learn than most other carriers are the most versatile. You can use them for front, back, and hip carries. You can breastfeed in them. The baby can be completely supported or barely supported as needed, etc. They also have no upper weight limit.

Answer 6

A friend lent me her hotsling, but my baby at almost 7 weeks is almost outgrown the "small" size, so I am going to get a Moby Wrap because I hear good things about it. I hear that "wearing" your baby is good for development of their vocabulary as well as helping to sync breathing patterns. I don't know for sure about all that, but I have 2 different slings and they usually put my girl to sleep or calm her when she is fussy (when walking). Also a good break from the strain on your back/shoulders.

Answer 7

I love them too- we have 4.

1. The maya wrap- my least favorite and hers too. I had never found it comfy and she didn't like the fabric- though they do sell other fabrics. The fabric is pretty- just rough.

2. the Hotsling- Love it!!! Easy to use and comfy.

3. The Mei Tei- great for when they can sit up. She loved it- but loved being facing forward more- so I wore her on my back and still do from time to time.

4. New Native sling- Easy to use, easy to wear. This was our baby's favorite when she was a newborn until about 6 months of age. She loved snuggling in and sleeping. It calmed her, it made her feel safe- and I could get work done when she was in one.

so: Check these websites out:

www.mayawrap.com
www.hotslings.com
www.newnativebaby.com
www.babyhawk.com

Babyhawk has excellent customer service!

Answer 8

I have a Moby wrap that I love and a sling, similar to a hotsling that I made myself. LOVE them. I bought a regular sling from the store and it didn't fit me (way too big.) If you get a wrap you just tie it until it fits; if you buy a sling online you can get one to fit your measurements. I just wish I'd had a sling for my first baby.

Answer 9

I like the pocket/pouch slings, and I hate the ring slings- you'll find people who are the opposite though.

I'd be dead without mine- actually, my family would be- from starvation.
I use them shopping and when I prep dinner- just don't use then when you're cooking! Otherwise, they're fantastic!
I like lucky baby brand the best, but there are some good custom ones on eBay.
Definately recommend!

Answer 10

I tried both the "old fashioned" kind where the baby faces you and is upright and I tried the sling wrap kind of thing, too. My daughter hated both of them....she would scream when you put her in and would not stop until you took her out.

It sure would have been nice to use either one of them because I can't get anything done around the house!! Both of mine went back to the store. So, if you buy one just make sure you hold on to the receipt to make sure you AND your baby like it.

Answer 11

Yeah, I use the Maya Sling....As a brand new baby, Lucy hated it. She wouldn't let me lay her in it without screaming but now at 4 months it is the only way to go for our outings. I face her out so she can look at everything and she loves it!!! It's easy on my back and I don't feel awkward holding her on my hip plus it is just not as bulky as the stroller.....We went to the mall the other day and I couldn't fight all the grandmas off......they said she looked to cute and happy!