Has anyone used a sling carrier, and if so what was your experience. I don't want the type you tie around yourself; it just seems really unsafe, until you have it all wrapped and tied. I just want to be able to keep my little one close to me, in front, so that my hands are free for doing laundry, unloading groceries, etc. etc.
I'd like to be able to use it for at least 6 months, so weight requirement is a consideration, too.
Thanks for your help!
Given that there are almost as many "Best" choices as there are responses, I'm going to do additional research. I was also surprised by the number who, after reading that I didn't want a tie style, still wrote in about that.
Anyway, I appreciate those who took the time to respond.
I made a maya-like sling for my son and loved it, both as an infant carrier and a toddler hip-carrier.
After reading all the responses, it seems clear that there's not any one carrier that's right for everyone. That's a bummer because it means you'll need to try several to find the one that's right for you.
I've used a sling carrier with newborns and then with toddlers on a hip carry. (I have a comfy joey sling). Just stay away from the bag carriers - those are the "bad" ones that have had child deaths linked to them. I most frequently use my Beco Butterfly. It's similar to an Ergo.
I used a moby wrap and I loved it! It was nice because you could use it as a sling but it also has other options and you can carry your baby when they get older too. Here's a link
good luck! :)
Loved my ergo!i cannot say enough good things about it. I can still comfortably carry my 4 year old on my back in it when I walk the dogs. I also had a slingling look up the website that was good to but it started getting uncomfortable for long periods of time once my son turned about 18 months old
I've tried all types of carriers, but never had luck with the sling carrier with either of my babies. My baby just always seemed so scrunched up and uncomfortable in the sling. I got an Ergo and LOVE it. Use it constantly!
Ergo sounds like it may be what you are looking for. It holds quite a bit of weight (I think up to 70 pounds!) is very comfortable, and can go on the front and back. It can also be adapted for an infant if you have another baby.
That said, my favorite carrier is Moby Wrap which is the kind you tie. You may be able to find one at a natural parenting or diapering store to try on with your baby and see what you think. It is by far the most comfortable, adjusts for your baby, and is very adaptable. And of course the baby isn't in it until it is tied and wrapped so no worries about safety from that standpoint.
The slings that were recently recalled were the Infantino brand slings sold at places like Wal-Mart. Those were the type that went around one side of the body and had a big bag like pouch for the baby.
I have tried a whole lot of slings and my least favorite by far is the Baby Bjorn, very uncomfortable. I also have a MayaWrap which many people like but I was never a huge fan of. I also have several wrap slings that I liked okay but didn't love. The only type I have never tried is the kind where the baby sits on the hip, since that seems like it would be very uncomfortable to me. Also the Moby can be used in that way (you just adjust the way you tie) but I have never tried it. Good luck!
I didn't really like the sling carriers. They were uncomfortable for me because all the weight was distributed to one side of my body and I always felt that my baby's head was tucked too much that she couldn't breathe. I really liked the Baby K'Tan (www.babyktan.com) that worked a lot like the "tie on" slings but you don't have to tie it. I liked that one but it just wasn't as comfortable and secure as the moby wrap. As odd as it may seem, the tie on wraps feel way more secure than the slings because the baby is secured to your body. But there is definitely a learning curve with those slings. (I had to watch a few you tube videos and practice in a mirror)
Please excuse the lateness of this response, but I love my Maya Wrap. It is super simple, washes easily, has several different ways to carry baby, and lasted until my first was way past her first birthday. When the baby is a newborn, you wear him/her facing you on your chest or cradled. When the baby can hold his/her head up, you can do a kangaroo hold, with baby facing out. As they get older, the baby can sit up more on your hip. There is a wonderful instructional video on the website: mayawrap.com.
I used a Baby K'tan with both of my kids. I love it so much that I've purchased it for several expecting friends. It's extremely versatile and you'll be able to use it until the baby is up to 40 pounds (my 3-year-old isn't even 40 pounds). You will have to read the manual when you first get it so you can figure out how to adjust it for whatever position you'll be using. Here's the website: http://www.babyktan.com/
I know you said you don't want a tie on type carrier, but why would you have your baby in it before it was tied anyway? You wrap it on, tie a knot, then slip the baby in! My moby wrap was by far my favorite carrier - kept baby snug and close, including their little wobbly head, and I used it for over a year very comfortably. I also had a hotsling, but liked it more when my babies were able to sit on my hip. I have only heard wonderful things about the ergo carrier, and seem to think it is worth the money - I wish I had had one when my kids were babies!
I have a mayawrap that I've used with both my kids. I still wear my 2.5 year old on my back occasionally so you won't have any worries about weight!
check out their site. They have videos showing you all the different ways you can wear baby and adjust the sling easily. I carried my kids around amusement parks literally all day and my back never bothered me! And this is when they were older babies (10 months +).
