Baby slings - what is your overall verdict?

Question

I am thinking of buying one for my newborn. The one that looks best is the "close baby carrier".

Anybody out there used/using one? If so I just have a couple of questions:

1) Does it give adequate support to a newborn's head?
2) Does it make your back uncomfortable. I have a muscular strain at my lower back and am a little worried about wearing a sling.

Unfortunately I havent got much choice - I have a toddler as well and need some way to transport the two of them around. It is easier for the toddler to go in the buggy (cos she is not much of a walker) and for me to carry the newborn around.

Answer 1

those are awesome... never heard of that brand, but looks the same as a Moby or other wrap style.

You dont' have to buy one of those though... you can get about 5 (6 if you're plus sized) yards of fabric, slice it down to 25-30 inches thick, hem/surge the edges (or buy a non fraying fabric)... and do it yourself!!

I have the DIY version, cost me $5(US).
here's how to make and use them: http://www.wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=89 (under "wraps" pick a position, there are step by step pics on how to do them, and some streaming video for some positions)

Answer 2

I have one for my 2month old. I really like it. He loves it. He falls asleep in it and will sleep for an hour or two while I carry him. His head is supported I've used it since he was 2 weeks old. I have a toddler too I can push her in the stroller and carry him in the sling. It does help to have a good stroller because you will feel better being able to push with one hand sometimes until you get used to using the sling. As for back pain I haven't had any but after a while my shoulder does hurt, but only after long trips in the sling. It's easy to get the baby in and out by yourself and without waking the baby up. I never could do that with a front pack carrier. Hope this helps you.

Answer 3

The best carrier out there is a Wilkinet; they are soo versatile and the nature of the ties gives you excellent back support as you adjust it. Fab cushioned head support, particularly for newborns. Now on baby #3 and would not be without one; long live the Wilkinet!!!

Answer 4

It took three months for me to get comfortable, and for my baby to get comfortable, with our sling. We had way more luck at first with front-packs like the Bjorn and a mei tai. Oddly, now that we're finally comfy with it, nursing in it is coming easily.

My experience is not going to be the universal, of course, but I had no luck with my daughter in a sling as a newborn. I wish I had had a 'wrap'-style (Google "Moby Wrap," etc) one for that stage, though she did fine in the front-packs and mei tais.

But it is comfortable. The one I have has a padded shoulder, which might be worth looking in to. Though I think a newborn in a well-tied mei tai would be an almost unnoticeable weight.

Rotating different styles of carriers seems to be the best way to _stay_ comfortable and pain/strain-free, though.

Why "Unfortunately I havent got much choice" -- ? Little babies LOVE being carried everywhere. We're happy to not own a stroller, here. I think, and there is some research that says as much, that being carried a lot means babies are more content to be put down when you really need to put them down.

Answer 5

I am soooooooooooooooooo sorry to Tanya, I gave you a thumbs down when I was trying to give you a thumbs up. You gave the best answer yet and I feel like such a stinker having done that. I am sorry.

So in answer to the question, I love my slings. One of mine is a padded ring sling by sling Ezee but you really don't have to have this as I have used on occasion the ones with out padding and they are great too. The padded ones are super comfy but you have to work with it a bit more in the beginning to get it as tight as you want it. I love the wrap style as well I borrowed a friends when I was at her place one day and found it very comfortable. Hers was a homemade one as Tanya suggested.

In answer to how it will affect your back, I did not use slings with my daughter and that really killed my arms and back. I feel great holding my son in the sling and I hold him a lot that way! Good luck to you.

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My son is almost five months old and weighs a little over fifteen pounds now. You can carry up to 35 lbs in most if not all slings and I plan on doing this well in to his second year. I totally agree with those that say the babies that they wear are more easy to put down when you need to have them be on there own here and there. My son seems very content to be by himself on a blanket while I get things done and I always feel it is because he has so much time with me in the sling.

Answer 6

They are fine while the baby is small, but I found that once my son got to about 4 months (maybe earlier) it put an enormous strain on my back.

Have you considered a buggy board for your toddler? A bit like a skateboard that attaches to the back of the buggy. Failing that, invest in a 2-seater buggy - I know they can be a bit of a pain on buses, but no more so than 3-wheelers, and there are some good ones out there.

Answer 7

The baby sling is the best thing ever! I used it the most when i was at home with my baby. I could keep her close to me and walk around the house cleaning and was easier for going for walks than the stroller. It was so great to be hands free when she was in the sling. We really like the moby wrap and also the baby k'tan, which is the moby wrap only easier to get on and off. Her head was always supported because it she was tied close to my body. it all depends on how you put them in, there are hold for infants and holds for older kids where they have more freedom.

Answer 8

For an toddler I truthfully have heard good issues with reference to the Moby and the Maya wrap, slings have good comments too. I even have an Ergo that i like yet i wouldn't likely use it with an toddler, extra for an older toddler.

Answer 9

I use one that means baby is really close to my chest, her head is well supported and she really likes it - it soothes her if she is upset as she likes to be close to me but i can still get on with things as I have my hands free. It hasn't given me any back whatsoever and I use it for at least two hours per day. The longest I've used it for it around 8 hours in a day, (with breaks for changing and feeding obviously!) and still had no back pain (and I too regularly have lower back pain) - the most I had was a slight ache in my shoulders which you'd expect after using it for that long I guess. I'd really recommend them.

Answer 10

Google

Mexican Rebozo

A rebozo is a traditional baby wrap/sling style from latin america.
You can easily get instructions similar to Tonya's as well as tips for folding, tying, different positions for different activities, etc.
You can use the fabric that feels best on you (different fabrics give different support) and as it's all in the fold, each one is custom made and cost whatever you make it cost. You can even make one out of a large shawl. I use them all the time.

I tore muscle and nerve tissue in my lower spine and I use these- you can move the weight around to make it suit your body.