Sling/Carrier

[TeddysGirl]

Hi.
Just popping over from the pregnancy bit for some advice please ?
My LO is due in December and I have always wanted to do baby wearing, I am wondering what slings/carriers people would suggest for a newborn ? I have read that some can be bad for their hips ?

Also OH would love to baby wear as well but he's really nervous of the sling/carrier failing or not being done up correctly and him dropping the baby so preferably one that is easy to do up etc.

I have an old doll from when I was a kid and I plan on getting the sling/carrier soon so I can show to OH that the likelihood of him falling out will be low if it's done correctly.

Thanks for any advice !

 

[SarahBear]

Look for carriers that support through the hip such as the Ergo, but not like the baby bijorn that only supports at the crotch. I would also avoid the cradle hold. I had a carrier that could do a cradle hold, but when I tried it, Violet breathed funny and I couldn't figure out how to get her in without her chin being tucked to her chest (breathing hazard). Later I read stuff that indicated that it wasn't just me; there were breathing/safety issues associated with that position in general. I'd go for upright position with support through the hips. In terms of ease, once you figure out and adjust the ergo, it's super easy. If your husband is uneasy with it, I'd recommend that he watch you do it for a while and give himself some time to warm up to being a dad. With time, the baby will also be less delicate which may help his confidence.

 

[amelia26]

Like the pp said, avoid narrow based carriers such as the baby bjorn, tomy etc. Ones where the baby's legs hang straight down aren't so good for the hips and can be uncomfortable for the parent. Ergonomic carriers such as the Ergo, Tula, Boba, Beco, Manduca hold the baby's legs in a more natural position and baby feels a lot lighter for the parent.

Stretchy wraps are great for newborns, or the Closer Caboo carrier, but men often feel more comfortable with buckle carriers.

Avoid the cradle carry and anything that looks like a bag sling.

And make sure you follow TICKS guidelines

https://babyslingsafety.co.uk/

 

[amelia26]

Also, beware there's a lot of fake Ergo carriers around. They're difficult to spot but won't have met the same safety standards, so only buy from an approved seller and if you buy secondhand ask for proif of purchase (from an approved seller)

 

[rwhite]

I love my Manduca! It is straightforward to put on, and can be used from 3.5kg (so from newborn) up to about 20kg I think? So would last you right the way through, if you want to toddler-wear. Unlike other carriers with buckles etc, it has an inbuilt infant insert as opposed to one you buy separately. It is super comfy and you can either have the straps one on each shoulder or you can cross them over, depending on what you'd prefer.

While narrow based carriers (Baby Bjorn, for example - anything where the legs are hanging straight down) aren't bad for the hips per se, if baby has underlying issues with their hips it can cause issues. Not only that, but a lot of parents find them uncomfortable and difficult to wear for long periods of time as compared to carriers that have knee to knee support.

Carriers can be quite a personal preference sort of thing, so I highly recommend googling to see if you have a local babywearing group and heading along to a meeting to try out different carriers. Alternatively, some websites offer trials of different carriers so you can get a feel for what you like before committing.

Good luck

 

[emyandpotato]

I have loads but for my newborn I love the ring sling. OH prefers the Boba though (like an Ergo) as it's structured and easy for him to adjust.

 

[xluciex]

We have an ergo and LOVE IT! Easy to put on and adjust, the infant insert keeps baby all snug & warm & it's really comfortable to wear, I have worn DD for 4hrs straight and no back ache!

 

[Kitteh_Kat]

I've bought a ring sling to use during the early days, and then plan to transition to a SSC like a Tula or Lenny Lamb once they've put on the weight and are old enough.

Check to see if there's a local babywearing group near you - I joined one on Facebook and they've been so helpful! Usually they'll meet up with you and let you try on different ones and help with positioning, which is nice.

 

[MindUtopia]

For a new baby, I would recommend a moby wrap or another stretchy wrap. It's the softest and most comfortable, especially for what you'll do a lot of with a small baby, which is just sitting while they sleep, or potentially doing some housework (needing to bend over, pick things up, be able to move comfortable and freely). If you mostly want something for when you are out and about and walking or shopping, you might find a soft structured carrier like an Ergo or Manduca or Boba 3G might work best. These are more expensive and they aren't as comfortable as a moby (I found it uncomfortable to sit in my Ergo and didn't use it around the house at all, only for long walks or around town when I knew I'd be on my feet the whole time). But they are good in the sense that if you want to carry on wearing your LO, they can easily be used all through toddlerhood. I still can easily carry my 2.5 year old in the Ergo (as well as in a woven wrap, which is another option, but not as user friendly when you're first starting, which is why I think the moby is best from birth). Avoid Baby Bjorn or any other brand where baby's legs hang straight down rather than being supported into a sitting like position.

It's almost impossible to get a baby in a wrap or carrier and have them fall out though. It would be completely obvious that you'd done something wrong. But yes, it's worth practicing in advance with a doll to get the hang of it and also take yourself to a sling meet (you can find a local one by searching online) to get someone to help you troubleshoot before your baby arrives and after.