Babywearing mamas?

[Sundancer UK]

I've seen slings mentioned a few times here which makes me happy!

So tell me, am I alone in struggling to choose which sling(s) to bring? I've narrowed it down to about 4...

A wrap conversion for ease of use and maximum comfort (It's an Ocah and it's lovely)

A ringsling for those up-down times when DS wants to look at stuff and run around (small and light and cool)

Our Didymos Eva, simply because it's his comfort sling - I might have to leave it in case anything happens to it...!

A Kozy Valentine - it's pretty, not bulky, and while not as comfortable as the Ocah, it's low enough for him to have arms out and point, and so pretty! No sleephood though


My name is Elaine and I am a slingaholic

 

[Ariel8676]

I have always brought more than one..I bring a Mei Tei for when i know i will be wearing them for longer periods, and ring sling for quick up/down trips..we go in August, so never really brought any wraps with me (only my super light gauze wraps when they were teeny!
OK just have to say i had an Eva and it was my favorite..it is just lovely!!!! Makes me miss her..lol

 

[beekrazey]

Hey we'll be there May 10th!!! We are going the 7-14th. =) It should already be getting hot, so just beware with the wraps. I'm not a huge wrapper, but I do love my wrap conversion. I have a bamberoo made out of a neobulle. I have an ocah too, but I like the padding in the bamberoo better. I'm considering bringing it because its our go to for front carriers and a good one for sleeping in. BUT its really thick and I'm afraid its going to be too hot and just take up space. My LO is 17 months today and I'm mainly wearing her on my back these days in a SSC. I love the Boba. I may even bring 2 Bobas so we have an extra in case my 4 yr old needs to be carried (though we are bringing an umbrella stroller too...). I dont even think I'm going to bring a MT with us, kuz I've been so in love with the boba. But a MT might be cooler with less padding....what do you think?

I'm also bringing a RS made out of solarveil because its UV protectant and for water. It folds smaller too. But I dont think I'll use it much kuz the one shoulder kills me!

But you'll definitely need more than 1 carrier! So bring the 2-3 that you use most and you'll be fine. I can almost guarantee that I'll wish I brought something else while I'm there, but honestly, I only have so much room in my suitcase!!

 

[msmama]

I never used the ring sling. I took it but it stayed in the hotel the whole time.

He wanted to be up and around more so it was easier to have him in a wrap or Mei Tei. Easier on the back, too.

 

[~Kristina~]

I'll probably just take my Ergo, ah who I am kidding, they'll all be in the car.

 

[SoonerSarah]

I actually did only take my Ergo. I really thought about taking my ring sling and my hot sling, but in the end I decided I didn't need to take them since I was also taking two grandma's, two grandpa's and one uncle. HAHA

 

[Zeebs]

Sundancer UK - may I ask you a question seeing you are obviously a fan of slings and live in the UK which helps me?

I am not a fan of slings in general, BUT my sister gave me (sent it from NZ) this one on our last trip to WDW and we found it was fantastic. It didn't hurt my back or shoulders and was a godsend for waiting in lines.

My problem is that I have put on weight and unfortunately this sling doesn't fit me any more. Are you able to tell me what it is called and where I can get a new one from in the UK.

It is just one piece of fabric joined in a doughnut shape. I like it as it was so easy to use and I didn't have to tie anything loop anything, just put it on and shove baby in.

Ariana can't sit on her own yet and I don't imagine she will be able to do so by the time we get to WDW, she gets very tired if you prop her up without support so I need it to go right up her back. So my original thought of one of those hippychick seat things wouldn't work for her.

Hoping you can help.

Thanks Kirsten

 

[beekrazey]

Kristen, I know you didn't ask me....but I'm not sure you can tell a brand of a pouch sling just from a picture....does it have any tags or markings? But its definitely a pouch, unless there's something different on it I can't see in the pic. There are many brands of pouches out there and they are all relatively the same. I personally can't do the one shoulder for any length of time and its so sad. I was loving my fleece pouch this winter for quick trips to keep LO warm.

Have you tried any pouches you can get locally? Honestly, I'm not even sure what brands they make anymore, companies keep closing left and right. Hotslings was always the best known brand, but I'm pretty sure they are gone right? But anyway, if you have tried local ones and don't like them, what is different about the one you like? Also, have you tried a ring sling? They fit similar and once you get over the learning curve, they go pretty quickly. But since they are adjustable, you can share them with spouses and still use them if your body changes.

 

[Zeebs]

Ahhhhh a Pouch sling, thank you I had in my mind a pocket???? I have been searching slings, but man are the pricey especially as I probably won't use it much after this trip. And we are done with having babies so the next one won't utilising it with a "next" one.

I liked this one as it didn't make me feel really hot, some of the slings look really hot and technically difficult to put on

thank you for your help.

Kirsten

 

[Ariel8676]

Have you tried looking on websites that have FSOT forums (for sale or trade)? If you don't mind used they are great and you can get something for much cheaper than new.
http://thebabywearer.com/ This has a ton of info and a FSOT..there are a lot of moms from all over the world on there!

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

I tried a ring sling but ended up using a Mei Tei. I'm bringing my Mei Tei & Boba this year.

 

[SoonerSarah]

Kirsten, I have a Hotsling, which is a pouch type sling and comes in a wide variety of sizes.

After the infantino recall, Hotsling started having some troubles because people were staying away from pouch type slings, although if worn correctly, you won't have a problem with the Hotsling. Anyway, their "closing" was for financial reasons, it is my understanding that they aren't currently making new slings, but all of their retailers are still selling them.

I would try the Babywearer, or if you are on FB, try Hotslings on there, or Babywearing Safety to find out where to buy one.

 

[Zeebs]

Have you tried looking on websites that have FSOT forums (for sale or trade)? If you don't mind used they are great and you can get something for much cheaper than new.
http://thebabywearer.com/ This has a ton of info and a FSOT..there are a lot of moms from all over the world on there!

Thank you have bid on one on ebay and am watching a few, will look at that site you suggested.

Kirsten

 

[beekrazey]

I agree, used is the way to go. It's so much cheaper and you can sell it when you are done and get most of your money back too. BUT just be careful and make sure you know the correct size. Pouches are very specific to the wearer and each brand is totally different, just to make life complicated!

diaperswappers dot com and babycenter dot com also have FSOT or SWAP boards that you can find good stuff on. I dont think I can post direct links yet! Also, if you have a local babywearing group, they probably have a lending library you can check stuff out and borrow from. I'm the librarian for our Boston group and we have a ton of stuff.

 

[adventure_woman]

I second www.thebabywearer.com. I have gotten all my babywearing contraptions there!! My favorite is 'Minnie'. I about died when I saw her...

 

[mfulk]

Love the Minnie carrier!! That is too cute. I've never seen anything like it.

When our youngest was 5 months on our first trip I used a wrap and an ergo. When she was 14 months on trip 2 I used the ergo. She'll be 2 yrs 5months on this trip and while we no longer use slings normally I know the ergo would be really useful for some rest times at the parks this May but I'll be 32 weeks pregnant and DH flat out refuses to use any kind of sling or carrier. He says he just prefers to carry her but that isn't the same thing to her as a place she can just relax and lay her head down and take a little nap.

 

[loritemp]

I just got back from WDW with my 11 week old. I took my Sleeping Baby Ring sling and my ergo. I think I used the Ergo most of the time but mainly because my son loves it!!! The sling was better for nursing on the go, however!

Oh and yep, if anyone is looking for stuff, definitely try the FSOT page on the site already posted!!

 

[Soon2beMrs.]

I have been having the same issue. We are going in August and my little one will be 8 months old. I found this one..
http://www.mammasmilk.com/solarveil.php

Its super light weight plus it has spf 70 built in and apparently it can go in the pool...
If anyone has used this one before please let me know...it is kinda expensive I guess..about the same price as the mei tai I think...

 

[Sundancer UK]

Yikes - sorry to abandon my post people! Great to see so many replies though

Kirsten, what is your pouch sling made of? Hotslings are still available if you go pre-loved but you might like to try www.brightsparkslings.co.uk for a fleece coorie pouch. My last baby *lived* in one of these and I still love it now.

Alternatively, the big FSOT board I know of that's more (but not totally) UK based is www.naturalmamas.co.uk They're really friendly there, and the sales are moving slowly so you might find a bargain if you ask

And then there's yahoo groups, there's one called UKSlingswap which is pretty busy

Oooh, and one thing I can't be without mentioning - www.slingmeet.co.uk
Seriously, if you want to try slings but can't find one that works. If you have one but not sure how to use it, or if you just want to meet up with some other mamas that carry babies, it's a lovely idea!


It's so lovely to see other babywearing mamas around! I've been thinking recently that I'm likely to be doing the bulk of the carrying at WDW, because although my husband is pretty strong and not against BWing at all - he's not done it in ages and Robin is pretty big now! I reckon I'm the one with the stronger back muscles nowadays

Oooh, and that Minnie sling is just too too cute! I've been thinking of doing something similar with a plain black sling we have (I recommend if you like buckles but not crotch danglers Connecta ) but can see it's much more effective as a Minnie thing because the bow just makes it work!

 

[ColoradoK]

I wore 8 month old DD in my hotsling (hip carry) and hubby (who loves baby wearing too) would wear her in our Bjorn type carrier. He would've worn her in a Beco or Ergo, had we had one.