HELP! All you sling experts- I am looking to purchase a sling that I can carry my 10 mo old on my hip with. He's 18 lbs and too heavy for my arms for too long a time. I'd like something simple and easy to use. I really only need it to work for the hip position since that's the one I seem to carry him around in the most. Please give your suggestions- my arms are getting tired! Thanks for your help!!!
I always carried my kids on my hip (there were no slings back then).Do you put him down in the room you're busy in so he can crawl? They need to be on the floor to give them a boost to follow you around on their own sometimes. Before you know it, he'll be pulling himself up and walking....problem solved (hopefully).hahaha Good luck mommy
most of the over-the-shoulder slings are very comfortable but get old when your kid gets heavier. I like the Kangaroo Korner adjustable fleece pouches and have heard that the maya wraps are nice too. Really, any wrap type sling (like a Storchenwiege or Didymos) can be tied to carry a hip carry too.
Since your child is older and bigger, you might also consider doing an Ergo baby carrier. You can carry this on your hip and because it has a waist/hip component in addition to the shoulder straps, it puts more of the weight on your hips. So it's more comfortable for long carries. Incidentally, you can tie a wrap-type sling to do this too. I suggest heading over to Be Bye Baby or a similar store that sells several types and trying them on with your baby. You can also look at reviews at www.thebabywearer.com
Hi R.,
I was going to suggest the maya wrap as well. I have a 17 month old (22 pounds) and we still sometimes use it.
mayawrap.com
The best advice is to spread the material over your shoulder, not keep it bunched up. I'd be weary of slings where there are more than one piece because who knows how well they stay sewn together. At least with a wrap, its all one piece.
Happy Slinging!
B.
The easiest thing is to go to the fabric store and find a fabric pattern you like, get a few yards of it, tie it in a knot at your shoulder and pop him in! Just look for a fabric with a little stretch diagonally (not a lot) for comfort. Go to www.thebabywearer.com for more DIY sling instructions. Better than paying $50 for a $10 piece of fabric you and your baby may or may not like.
Otherwise, I'd recommend going to BeBy Baby on Roscoe & Lincoln and try different kinds of slings so you know what will work for you both before cashing out. My girlfriend went against my advice, bought a pouch based on forum recommendations and it turns out her baby didn't like it!
I have an Ergo and LOVE it! We used it all summer with our little one and this summer, since she's no longer spitting up like Mt. Etna, I'm hoping to have her on my back more often. You can wear it front, back or hip and everyone I know who has one loves it and uses it a lot. You can try it out (along with TONS of other slings) at Be By Baby on the corner of Lincoln, Roscoe and Paulina in the city. AAAAND... It's good through like 40 lbs I think. We used it this past summer w/ my 3 year old nephew who thought it was super cool.
Good luck!
I would try going to BeByBaby on Lincoln. They have many different types of baby carriers and will work with you to show you how to use them with your son. They even have classes. :)
Ergo baby carrier....it's great.
i have one of these and it is great.....you can customize colors & fabrics too! g-luck -
I highly recommend the maya wrap. It is so comfy and now has a little padding on the shoulder. My friend carries her 18 month on her hip all of the time with this. It adjusts really well and feels secure. The other one I would recommend is the Ergo. I don't know much about carrying them on your hip with this one (I am pretty sure you can, but I haven't done it), but you can carry them on your back so comfortably. I love my Ergo and my Maya wrap. Good luck!
We recently started using a New Native Baby Sling on our 21 lb. 11 month old. It doesn't distribute the weight quite as well as a wrap (which spreads it over both shoulders and works well for long walks) but it is great for around the house and short walks. It is blessedly easy to get on and off.
http://www.newnativeinc.com/
Hi R.-
I use a mayan wrap for my daughter who is now 22 pounds.
You can adjust it to sit anywhere on your body, and it works for newborns up to big kids. I think it works better for big kids though, who can hold themselves up and sit on your hip. It's like I'm carrying her on my hip but my hands are free. I bought it onlline at mayanwrap.com or something like that.
Good luck.
A.
Playtex has a nice, simple design. I used it with both my kids and it was a lifesaver, as they ALWAYS wanted to be held. If I remember correctly, it was fairly inexpensive; about $20-30, but I was able to use it until they turned 2!
You can try the Playtex Hip Hammock. It is nice for short distances and is only for the hip. They carry them at Target etc.
I LOVED my Hotsling!!!!!!
