Are slings suggested?

[1833]

I'm making my first trip to Disney in November with DS(3) and DD (1). Although I am planning on bring strollers, someone has suggested I bring a "sling" for DD for standing in lines.

I guess I didn't think of the fact I won't be able to keep her in her stroller while we are in line. She isn't at the age where she will stand and wait (at least for more than 30 seconds, LOL), and carrying her may wreak havoc on my back if lines are even moderate (she's 22lbs already).

I have never used a sling before-- I used my baby bjorn when the kids were little. We have a backpack we used for my son at this age, but it is quite bulky to carry around the park with us.

So my questions for the experts are whether you have used or not used a sling with a 14 month old? Would you recommend one? If so, do you have any particular recommendations for a type that would be comfortable for a toddler, is easily stowable under a stroller, and could be used for longer waits on line?

Thanks for all of your help.

 

[crazywig]

check out a pouch style, like www.hotslings.com

 

[Mr Poohbrain]

Check out One Step Ahead for this baby carrier.

http://www.onestepahead.com/product/27213/751/117.html

I love it! My son is 2 and I carry this everywhere with us - you never know when they're going to stop wanting to walk and want to be carried.

It's very light-weight and easy to use. It's great on your back, too. I know I sound like an infomercial, but it's true! Two thumbs up!

Mrs. PB

 

[BevS97]

I think at 14 months some sort of sling is a must have. I am planning on getting the one frmo one step ahead that is mentioned. We will use the stroller most of the time, but it's going to be necessary to have something to carry her in lines.

I have a bigger carrier but I don't think it will be practical for in and out of lines - this one looks ideal

Bev

 

[TandyR]

I still use my sling with my 4 year old...so a lot of how it is on your back has to do with how you are positioning her in the sling. I swear by the maya wrap and they have an awesome viedo to go with it to show you all the different ways to use the sling as your child grows....plus it is 100% without padding so it doesn't get too warm in FL....and it also makes a nice blanket when the child is in the stroller. http://www.mayawrap.com/ I have used my Maya Wrap for our three trips to WDW and it was handy...my DD our first trip would just fall asleep in the sling and I would take her on rides and she never knew it....like the Safari ride.

 

[Annette_VA]

My younger DS will be 12 months & I'll be using a pouch from Maya Wrap. It really is easy to use

 

[KristinU]

Another vote for www.hotslings.com here! I ordered one a while back and fell in love with another style of sling (the Asian Baby Carrier style, which is still my fav but it involves straps and tying-on) so I started thinking about popping DS in and out for ride queues etc. and remembered my Hotsling...we've been "practicing" all over town and I love it! Very easy to get on and off w/o adjusting it and it makes a hip-carry SOOOO much easier (my DS is 23 lbs).

Enjoy your trip!

 

[1833]

wow! What great info! Thanks for all of the suggestions! (now to check out the websites!

 

[storybookmum]

My best friend makes several different kinds (www.mothers-helper.ca). She makes pouches, slings, and piggypacks, as well as Rabozos (sp?)...the pouches and slings are the easiest to use, and you can have several different positions.

My daughter will be three and a half, and I still wouldn't leave it behind!

In addition to using them to tote sleeping babies, and babies securely on rides, they make fabulous makeshift seatbelts for chairs when high chairs and boosters aren't working (and they usually dry easily overnight when washed out in the sink, because they don't have padding).

They keep the baby up at eye level for parades, and are so light on packing. They're perfect for lines, the airport, rides, parades, and I especially like them for escaping Epcot after Illuminations. When the park is flooding, the stroller and your baby are just not a worry, because she's right there with you against your chest. Meredith is 30 pounds now and the sling still doesn't hurt my back. Sometimes my shoulder gets a little sore, and I just slip more of it over the actual cup and onto my upper arm, and that seems to distribute things perfectly. If it gets twisted in the back, that can aggravate things, so just watch for that.

Diane (my best friend) makes mesh slings for hot days and for use in water, and also makes them out of Solarveil, which is UV protective for baby.

You absolutely, positively won't regret it.

Kris

 

[moinab]

I have been to WDW 9 times this year, since DD turned 1 year old in January (we go once or twice every month, except for July, when our seasonal passes were blacked out.) I couldn't do it without my sling! I have a MayaWrap, and I second everything that has already been mentioned on this thread. Also, in addition to preventing squirminess while waiting in line, it also prevents squirminess while on the rides/attractions!

The one thing I'll add is that, while they are very easy to use, you really need to watch the instuctional video/dvd that comes with it to be sure you use it correctly. I tried just winging it when DD was a newborn, and I hated it! 5 months later, when I actually watched the dvd, I realized I had been using it wrong. I'm still kicking myself over that one, because those first few months were very difficult, and the sling would have made my life a lot easier.

 

[momofbuzzfan]

ANOTHER VOTE FOR THE MAYA WRAP!!!. My DD is 16mo and still use it and love it! Don't go without one, you won't regret it! We are going in Dec. and she will be 20mo and I am planning on bringing it! Have Fun!

 

[Jen D]

I've been thinking about getting a sling, for WDW and home-- we use the Baby Bjorn quite a bit for ds, 6 months, as we did with our first child, but I'm looking for something a little more versatile as baby gets bigger. I've thought about Maya Wrap-- now what is the difference between the regular Maya Wrap and the pouch and why choose one over the other?

Thanks in advance.

 

[moinab]

The sling is adjustable, and more versatile. The pouch is simpler. Most people I know prefer the sling, but I do know a few pouch lovers (but they have and use both the pouch and the sling.)

 

[SouthFLMommy]

What's a pouch? I'm familiar with a sling, but I don't know what a pouch is. I'm looking for something for my 17 month old. TIA

 

[storybookmum]

Is just what is sounds like. It goes over one shoulder and across the body, and it's a stretchy piece of fabric that's open on the top side to allow you to slip the baby into. They lie in it, usually, although the other side can just slide along their bums instead, so that they're sitting in it (I don't tend to find that as secure to me, though a pouch is usually much more snug than a sling).

I find a pouch handy for an extremely tired and crabby baby who just wants to be snuggled close to mama. It's also nice for quick totes here and there. Be careful of your fabrics for the hot Florida sun, because they tend to be warmer.

I wouldn't take one instead of a sling, because they tend to be less versatile, less adjustable (though maya says theirs is adjustable with zippers, I'm not sure how that looks, I haven't seen one of theirs). They're very cozy, but overall, I'll take my sling. I know Meredith gets restless quickly in the pouch.

http://www.mayawrap.com has pictures of pouches.

HTH,

Kris

 

[SouthFLMommy]

Thanks Kris!!