Hello! I am due to have my second baby in a week and have been going back and forth about getting a sling. I didn't have one for my first, but I didn't ever find that I needed it. This time I'll have my 2 year old to keep my hands busy, and I think that I would really benefit from using one. I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations for certain brands or styles (I have my eye on a couple on Etsy). My husband doesn't want me to get one because he doesn't think they are safe...
Thanks in advance for your help!
I used a "Peanut Shell" that I bought at Nordstrom's a few years back. It was a life saver with my second! I used it every day!
I got one for my second baby thinking it would be helpful as well and it would have been but the two times that I used it I felt like my baby was too big for it, he slept soundly the first time and seemed irritated the second. (He was 9 pounds at birth) I got a ton of use out of the front carrier pack I never used with my first son. He liked being vertical I think and being able to lay his head against me. You my want to consider this as an option as well. Also, at the second hand shop (Once Upon a Child for me) they had a huge selection of slings and carriers.
I could have written your post! I am due in June, but I will definitely be purchasing a sling for baby #2 because I will need to have my hands free. I have purchased the Baby Ktan. I really like it because it is similar to the moby wrap, but it is easier to put on. The only pick that I might have is not unlike some of the others, it is sized. This means only you can wear it because it will probably be too small for your hubby. I have a hot sling from my first and never used it and didn't like it. I had difficultly getting the baby in. I think that it may have shrunk in the wash. :(
I really liked the Baby K'Tan. It was very easy to put on, and felt very secure. Its similar to the Moby Wrap in fit and fabric, but instead of wrapping and tying it around you, its two loops of fabric that you just slip on and adjust.
I had a Maya Wrap, and loved it. (It's a ring sling) Once I had a friend help me with tightening it, I loved using it all the time. My son loved it too, he felt so safe, and I was able to do so much while still caring for him. Once he got heavier and more stable, I switched to a wrap (just a long piece of fabric) that I could use in several different ways, and have on BOTH shoulders. This was important, for the sake of my back! I went to a babywearers meeting and they helped me learn how to use it. Once I figured it out, I loved it too!
I suggest a sling for sure!! I didn't like my hotsling with my newborn because I felt like he was so cramped inside it but now that I can wear him on my hip, I love it and it frees up both of my hands!
I have a Bjorn type carrier from Target (but much cheaper) and loved that when I wanted to wear my son so he could sleep on my chest while I moved around. I love the Bjorn too but didn't want to spend the money on one! But those are much more comfortable than the Target ones. However, if you plan on buying more than one, I'd suggest getting one from Target/Wal-Mart incase you don't use it very often.
I loved the comfortability of my Moby but just sold it because with a 2.5 year old running around the house too, it's not the easiest to get on fast. I want something I can put on in a hurry and the Moby takes time to learn and is very LONG and I just didn't quite catch on.
Am waiting on a friend of mine to send her Ergo (which can be worn in the front or back) so I'm excited about that!
I'd say try it out...if you don't like what you buy, you can always sell on ebay or craigslist. They ARE safe if you wear them properly!!
Hi,
I have a 3 year old son and just had twin girls in Sept. I did not have a sling with my son either, but figured I would need one with the twins and having a three year old. I did a lot of research on them because I know there are a million different ones out there and and didn't want to get a bad one. I ended up getting one from Mamma's Milk and I love it. It's very affordable, comfortable and easy to use and highly recommended. If you want to check them out just go to www.mammasmilk.com and that should get you all the info. I love the large selection of them on this site too. Good luck and I hope this helped.
T. Cogan
Work At Home United
Your Life, Your Dreams, Your Business!
Website: www.allgood4life.com
E-mail: ____@____.com
Phone: ###-###-####
"Nothing is difficult to those who have the will." --Dutch Poet's Society
We went round and round about baby carriers. While I'm not a super fan of slings, because for me I just felt confused with them we did purchase an Ergo carrier. It offers many of the benefits of a Mei Tai without having to do the tying. You can get a piece that fits in for an infant and it can even be used on your back for your two year old. I purchased it after buy a few other baby carriers mostly because it had a hip option and when we were out, and my two year old needed to pee I needed to quickly do something with my newbaby. So on the hip or the front she went.
Good luck! It's always a tough decision to make. I always suggest checking consignment stores and watching for baby shows in your community. Consignment because people hardly ever wear out a carrier and the baby shows often have all those sorts of things that you can see and try before taking the plunge!
I love using a ring sling when my babies are young. They are very safe as long as you tighten it enough! There is a learning curve for any typ of sling. If you have a La Leche League meeting in your area the women there are usually very good at teaching you how to use one!
Blessings, K.
When I had my second, my baby slings were an absolute lifesaver! I used the Baby Bjorn. I did have an Infantino, but I never felt safe with it. My favorite, though, was a Balboa Baby sling. It was a one-shoulder sling that can also be used as a hip carrier when the baby is older. It also had a small pocket that I used for credit cards and my cell phone. I used it almost every day.
I would recommend getting one that you are comfortable putting on and taking off quickly, and make sure you get a lot of practice while your oldest one is napping (before the baby comes). It makes it a lot easier! My oldest was almost 2 when my youngest was born, so I know what you mean. Those 2-year-olds are quite active!
I have 3 month old twins and my sling is a must have. I purchased a Hotsling at a TJ Maxx and have used it almost daily. I have never been concerned about it not being safe and they seem to enjoy the feeling of being held. It allows me to get so many jobs around the house done!
I use a Nojo baby sling. It doesn't look like they are sold anymore so I don't know if they got bought out or what. It is a ring style. I got it as a hand-me-down from a friend. It has been used with a total of 7 kids now and is still in PERFECT condition. Some people think they have too much fabric, but it's very breathable cotton and simulates the womb, so I found it to be the best way to comfort newborns. MUCH better than the ones that held them tight to my chest. I actually gave away my chest carrier type to a friend so her teenage son could help out with their newborn. Even my husband will only use the sling. He says it is the best baby item we could possibly have.
I have a moby wrap, a hotsling (pouch style) and an ergo. I have also worn a baby bjorn, a mei tai, and an infantino sling rider. I thought the baby bjorn was horribly uncomfortable even for like 12 or 15 lbs, and the infantino is very unsafe. I have read articles about the baby's chin being forced downward and they can't breathe and some babies have died. Don't get one that is that style. The hotsling I really liked for how easy it is, but it gets uncomfortable after a couple hours, especially as baby gets bigger, and one arm isn't fully functional. (Hotslings and peanut shells are pretty similar I think, have heard good things about the peanut shell too.) The moby is great and comfy, but difficult to put on, not for your run into a store real quick kind of trips. It is both shoulders and balances the weight well, and I like this one best for the newborn stage. The ergo is great for longer periods of time, and is comfortable for many more months than the pouch style. It's similar to a baby bjorn but constructed to be easier to wear so it doesn't hurt. Same with the mei tai. I think a mei tai is easier to get on and off also, but don't know how many months it is comfortable for, I just used it once when he was smaller. I have heard the maya wrap is wonderful too. Check online and see if there is a babywearing group in your area. We have one through Yahoo groups and I believe also through meetup.com. You can usually go to meetings and try out other peoples' and maybe find deals on used ones too. Just google (your city) babywearers or something like that.
They're safe. I just made myself one for $6! It's nice too- lined with a super soft jersey knit material. If you're crafty they are super easy and you can make it to your exact size. Here's the instructions I used. http://www.handmade-adelaide-baby.com/baby-sling.html.
Baby slings are very safe, as long as you use them correctly. I recommend the mei tai or the moby wrap. The moby wrap is very easy and more flexible, because you can use it for a front-facing carry later. I've used it with two babies and loved it!
