Looking for Advice on Slings

I've used the same baby bjorn carrier for all 3 of my children. It's a front carrier, and not a sling, but it's really been fantastic. And even though it was a little pricey (I think it was $80 or $90) I have definitely gotten my money's worth out of it. With 2 young boys and a baby, I really need my hands free when we go out. And the baby loves it so much, that I use it even when I go out with her alone. (She hates being in the stroller; she can't see as much.) So, the baby bjorn has my vote.

I used a sling with my son 'til he was about 2. I loved it! I loved that I had my hands free. It was pretty comfortable also. The best part for me was that I could breastfeed in public with him in the sling and nobody knew. The other good thing was that he could sit in different positions as he got bigger. He could sit in it facing out, or he could lay down and sleep in it. When he got large enough to sit on my hip, I would wrap the sling around him to hold him in place. It is so versatile. Good luck!

I have been using the hug a bub for 4 months now and absolutely love it. I don't know how I would get through the day without it. I like how the weight is evenly distributed throughout the torso, making it very comfortable to wear even for long periods. It took my son a little time getting used to it, but it's wonderful now. There are so many sling styles out there and each one really has positives and negatives, but this one is worth a try......www.hugabub.com
Good luck!

I had the new little star sling (I think it is the cheaper version of the new native sling) that I purchased new off of ebay and loved to use with my daughter when she was small and even now (almost 3) still use it to hold her sitting on my hip. I really liked this sling b/c there isn't anything to adjust you just buy the size to fit you!!

I used slings for my children and it sure made things sooo much easier. I used both the Maya Wrap and also a Heart to Heart sling. (You can buy them online-just google the names) They were both great. The Heart to Heart has some padding on the edge and on your shoulder so its a mini pillow for your baby (neck support for little ones) and eases the weight for you, so I liked that about the Heart to Heart. However, the pillow edging made it uncomfortable to adjust for breastfeeding, where you have to adjust the sling often.

Maya Wrap is great for breastfeeding. It has the longer "tail" to be used as a cover for privacy while breastfeeding in public and is easy to adjust. Also you can use the Maya Wrap in alot of positions for the baby-hip/laying down/up/on your back- they actually have a how to video on their website.

If your not breastfeeding I would say go with the Heart to Heart or if you are the Maya Wrap. Whichever you choose practice on a stuffed animal or doll first so you are comfortable and confident first. Your baby will pick up on your uncomfortableness and cry/fuss at the sling if you are unsure and only add to your unease of trying to figure it out. After a few practices you should be ready to go and it will be so worth it..You will both love it!

Happy baby wearing!
A.

I just purchased a Maya Wrap, and I LOVE it! Exactly what I was looking for in a sling! You can take a look at them here: http://www.mayawrap.com/ I actually bought mine on ebay, brand new, for a little less than they sell on their website, so you might want to look into that. They come with an instruction manual & DVD so you can see how to use it.

Hi C.,

One to avoid IMHO is the NoJo ring sling recommended by Dr Sears. It's the style with padded side rails. I really think Dr Sears is great for advice, but this sling was a poor first choice for me. I eventually tried two other homemade slings before realizing that. I have talked with other moms who didn't like the NoJo either. HTH!

Hi Cristy,
I got 2 slings on momandbabynaturally.com - very pleased with them! The ring sling was good quality but I have back pain and it didn't help. I especially love the Mei Tai sling - since it provides hip support. Many moms have commented on how beautiful it is, too. Good luck!
R.

I used my Zolo sling on both kids and it's got pros & cons.

Cons: It's very difficult to use the first couple of times. If I was just going to do something quickly, it was a pain to put him/her in. It was freaking expensive too! $75!! It's hot to wear during the summer, even though the website says it's not.

Pro: It washes great and is made of one piece of material (I bought a kaiki). I was able to breastfeed w/o flashing everyone. Once I taught myself how to use it, it was easy. It doesn't make your baby sit in some akward position like others do. You can put baby in different "carry" positions. It's great for all day. They can grow into them.

I'll give you the site. http://zolowear.com/

I'm selling mine so if you want this one let me know.

Good Luck!

Check out slinglings.com They have fabulous fabrics to choose from and a variety of patterns fo both boys and girls. The slings are really easy to use, they even have how to" videos on their site. Plus, there's not any confusing tying to worry about and it's incredibly comfortable and safe. My son loved it!

I used the Ultimate Baby Wrap, which is basically the same thing as the Moby. I have heard that the Moby is a bit better quality and I don't think it's that much more expensive, but the Ultimate Baby Wrap can be bought at Babies R Us whereas the Moby will probably need to be ordered so there will be some wait time. As the other poster said, it takes one or two times to figure out how to use it but then it is so easy and REALLY comfortable. I like it because there are SO many different ways to wear it. Just Google Moby Wrap and you should be able to find a site that shows you all the different ways. Good luck - a good sling can be invaluable!

I went trhough three slings with my son before I found one I liked. I did not like the Infantino sling - it really hurts your back and only works when they are really small. Then I bought a homemade one on ebay and it had absolutely no padding for the shoulder. Finally I got the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (www.babyslings.com) and I LOVE it! My son is 19 months old and I can still use it. I am currently pregnant with my second baby and I will only use this sling the next time! It comes with an instructional DVD too. Hope this helps!

I also love the Moby Wrap - it gives GREAT back support and is really comfortable! I bought mine online - with shipping, it comes to about $40.

We also have the new Baby Bjorn Synergy - it has great back support and is made of mesh so it's really cool for the baby. But it's quite expensive - $160 I think. The Moby Wrap is a better value for sure, but we really like the Baby Bjorn Synergy as well.

I have used the Maya Wrap for my daughter since she was about three months old. I can still use it with her when we go to Disney World, and she's 2 1/2 now! It was very helpful when she wan an infant, and seemed only to get better as she got older. It makes it where I can have her on my hip and have both hands free, which is awesome! I've never tried any others, so I don't know if it's better/worse than they are. I do know that since I got mine, they now have ones with padding in the shoulder area, which I do wish mine had. But overall, I love it and highly recommend it!

We used the Playtex Hip Hammock. Its not so expensive at Babies R Us. I liked it because I could use it with my baby on one hip and still pick up his brother, who was 24 months, and put him on the other hip.

I recommend either the Moby Wrap or the Maya Sling. You may even want one of each....

The Moby Wrap takes a bit more effort to arrange and put on but I found it to be the most comfortable for extended periods of baby-wearing. It can be worn in every way, including as a sling and for nursing. It comes with detailed instructions and pictures. Your can still carry your 18 month old with it too!

The Maya Wrap is a bit quicker to put on but I found it less comfortable than the Moby for extened periods of baby-wearing. It is great for quick trips to the store, etc. and overall is a great carrier. It fits nicely into a diaper bag whereas the Moby Wrap is more bulky and almost requires its own bag.

i have a moby wrap, which is awesome!! no back pain at all!

google moby wrap for purchase options...

Hello,
I used a wrap and know many people who have also. There are several kinds to choose from and like anything else there are pros and cons. If you have any kind of shoulder or back problems a wrap will feel better as it evenly displaces the weight of the baby instead of putting it all on your shoulder. I have an ellaroo wrap and it works nicely.

I have a Baby Bjorn that I bought brand new in the box from a conignment store. It is awesome. It adjust really easily and gives you good back support. My son is already 20 pounds at 7 months and has almost outgrown it. It is one that retails for like $140, but is totally worth it. I only paid $40 at consignment but would pay more now that I know how awesome it is.

I have a wrap (a Storch) that is for longer wearing and a Hotsling for quick things. I like them both, but currently favor the hotsling because my daughter is almost 2.

I can't figure out why everyone doesn't have a sling, they make life so much easier. Good for you for looking into getting one. I hope you find one you like. Also check out www.babywearer.com, although it may overwhelm you a little!

We used the baby bjorn with both of our kids (I'm still using it with my 18 lb eleven month old). It is so comfortable to use, just make sure you adjust the back straps as the instructions say to.

What I really like about the bjorn is that you can have the baby face you when small and there is head support. When the baby gets older they can face out and the head support part folds down. My daughter really enjoys facing out and seeing everything, moving her arms and legs, etc. - and I enjoy the free hands. I still turn her around to face me occasionaly when she is sleepy, but can easily turn her back around while standing in a store if she wakes...It takes a time or two to figure out how to use, and then is easy as can be. It is definately worth the cost,as I have heard nothing but complaints about the less expensive brands from other moms.

Good luck with your choices.

My favorite is the hotsling, because there is no adjusting and it is so small and easy to stick in diaper bag or whereever! I'm actually waiting on one in the mail for my soon to arrive new baby. But I had one w/my last kid and loved it! We used it for about a year. You can get them at many places, including at hotsling.com they also have a local store locator on their site. If I was going to go w/something else, I would go w/a mei tai style or the moby wrap. Check out thebabywearer.com if you want some serious info!
From a different E. R. ;)!