Help and Advice for Solarveil Baby Sling

[sahm1000]

TIA for any help you give me! I just received my new Solaveil baby sling in the mail yesterday for our upcoming WDW trip. I will be using it for my 8 week old baby. I really want it to keep the sun off of her and to keep her from getting sunburned. After getting it in the mail it looks very meshy and I was wondering if it really will keep her from the sun. Also, does anyone have any good websites I can reference when I figure out how to use it? I've never worn a sling before with my other girls so I figure I've got a learning curve ahead of me! I had always used a Baby Bjorn before but I was afraid that her head, legs and arms would get sunburned. My biggest concern is really just keeping her from being sunburned, I even bought a rayshade for our stroller while she is in it. Any and all suggestions/opinions/options are appreciated!

 

[Uni-Dis]

Definely practice with the sling before you leave. Follow the directions and practice the holds you like best. They take longer to learn to use than the bjorn type carriers, but in the long run are much more comfortable and versatile.

Also the solarveil is not as good as sunscreen so still try to keep baby in the shade as much as possible. I found that after you get baby in the sling you can use the "tail" to cover any body parts that are still exposed.

On a side note the solarvail can also be used in the water as it dries fast and is great for nursing baby while you are on the go (getting to rides )

 

[GoofItUp]

Check out http://www.thebabywearer.com/. There's tons of info on there about baby wearing and plenty of people willing to help out a new BW mom in the forums section.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Yes, solarveil really does work! It feels a bit scratchy but it is a gread option for wearing a baby in the heat.

Zolowear has some good instructions on wearing.

http://zolowear.com/Wearing.aspx

Pretty momma also has instructions.

http://www.prettymommaslings.com/store/WsAncillary.asp?ID=57

Practice like crazy and get as comfy as possible with it before you go. Is it a ring sling or pouch?

 

[MommyBryn]

Is it a ring sling or a pouch? I have a solarveil pouch (hotsling) and a solarveil wrap. I think they're awesome! And they are SO much cooler for both me and baby. The pouch is pretty easy to get the hang of after just a few tries. A ring sling can take a little longer to learn where you prefer it adjusted to for different carries. But they're both pretty easy. I definitely recommend The BabyWearer as well!

 

[encinc]

My solarveil sling softened up some with use and washing, so be sure to wash it before you use it. The babywearer.com can be overwhelming for a newbie, but there are tons of tips available over there. Be sure to check it out!

 

[sahm1000]

Thanks for everyone's help. It is a ring sling. I tried putting Lilly in it yesterday and she wasn't exactly the happiest camper. I have a feeling I was doing something wrong but we will keep working with it to get it to work.

As far as the sun protection goes, the solarveil stuff really works? I have to admit that I am petrified that she'll get a sunburn. I'm going to douse my other girls with sunscreen constantly but I can't do that to her!

 

[patchchild]

The solarveil is really better at keeping babes cool, rather than keeping them out of all the sun. The good news is, with a babe that small you can position your body to keep them in the shade. Just turn yourself so the sun is at your back.

Practice and practice more with the sling! It takes a bit. Also, don't stick with just what you see on the sites for carry holds. How do you usually carry your babe in your arms? Start with that and then see how to use the sling to mimic that hold. My son HATED to be carried facing in, he demanded to see the world from the first day so I learned to make a ring sling work with him facing out.

 

[ERMama]

i had my fair skinned babe in solarveil for 2 twelve hour days in the summer heat at a park. no sunburn.

 

[tanyaandallie]

Here is some great info on solarveil. Solarveil does not just keep your baby out of the sun. It is a fabric that can and does protect your baby from harmful rays. It does work! And it's nice and cool on top of all of that. It's a total bummer the company went out of business.

http://www.sungrubbies.com/product_index_html/Solarveil-FAQ.htm


Keep working with your little one and try different holds. My ds always prefered to be carried tummy to tummy in our ring sling. If your baby is not used to a sling, just keep practicing with her and she will end up loving it! When I got mine my ds was 2 weeks old and just home from the nicu. I watched demo videos and practiced with a doll. That way I could sort of get a feel for how the sling worked, where I needed to pull to tighten up the rails, etc. Then I would try it with my baby.

 

[bumbershoot]

Thanks for everyone's help. It is a ring sling. I tried putting Lilly in it yesterday and she wasn't exactly the happiest camper. I have a feeling I was doing something wrong but we will keep working with it to get it to work.

Practice practice practice! And WALK. Before starting with the sling practice, get yourself and your girl as dressed as you need to be, to go outside. Have keys and purse and whatever else you might want with you at the ready. Then make sure everyone has used the restroom or had a diaper change. Then make sure everyone is fed enough, and make sure you are watered. (then check potty needs again, LOL).

THEN and only then, put the sling on, put baby in the sling, shore it up to where it's comfy, and GET OUT!!!!!!! Walk briskly and happily, talking to her.

So many people put babies in the sling then just stand around, or whatever. And then many people talk about babies not liking being worn. You have to move, show them how fun it is and how much they can see and experience, being high up like that.


Here's another page on how the fabric works. http://www.wooska.com/svtech.aspx

 

[sahm1000]

i had my fair skinned babe in solarveil for 2 twelve hour days in the summer heat at a park. no sunburn.

This is what I was wanting to hear! Thank you, I feel better about it now! I was worried about it being so meshy that it wouldn't work.

Here is some great info on solarveil. Solarveil does not just keep your baby out of the sun. It is a fabric that can and does protect your baby from harmful rays. It does work! And it's nice and cool on top of all of that. It's a total bummer the company went out of business.

http://www.sungrubbies.com/product_index_html/Solarveil-FAQ.htm


Keep working with your little one and try different holds. My ds always prefered to be carried tummy to tummy in our ring sling. If your baby is not used to a sling, just keep practicing with her and she will end up loving it! When I got mine my ds was 2 weeks old and just home from the nicu. I watched demo videos and practiced with a doll. That way I could sort of get a feel for how the sling worked, where I needed to pull to tighten up the rails, etc. Then I would try it with my baby.

Thank you! This definitely reassured me! Glad to know there is some science behind their claims. I wonder why they went out of business?

Practice practice practice! And WALK. Before starting with the sling practice, get yourself and your girl as dressed as you need to be, to go outside. Have keys and purse and whatever else you might want with you at the ready. Then make sure everyone has used the restroom or had a diaper change. Then make sure everyone is fed enough, and make sure you are watered. (then check potty needs again, LOL).

THEN and only then, put the sling on, put baby in the sling, shore it up to where it's comfy, and GET OUT!!!!!!! Walk briskly and happily, talking to her.

So many people put babies in the sling then just stand around, or whatever. And then many people talk about babies not liking being worn. You have to move, show them how fun it is and how much they can see and experience, being high up like that.


Here's another page on how the fabric works. http://www.wooska.com/svtech.aspx

Thank you! I think you are the reason I found and bought the sling. I saw in another thread that you had recommended the solarveil sling for someone looking to bathe their child in a hotel and looked into it (although this is my third baby and I have the bathing thing down pat!) for our trip. I am sure we will figure it all out and she'll be fine in it. I probably tried to put her in it at the wrong time too, she was pretty tired and wanting a nap so I'll try it later when she is in a better mood.

 

[mccathy]

Practice practice practice! And WALK. Before starting with the sling practice, get yourself and your girl as dressed as you need to be, to go outside. Have keys and purse and whatever else you might want with you at the ready. Then make sure everyone has used the restroom or had a diaper change. Then make sure everyone is fed enough, and make sure you are watered. (then check potty needs again, LOL).

THEN and only then, put the sling on, put baby in the sling, shore it up to where it's comfy, and GET OUT!!!!!!! Walk briskly and happily, talking to her.

So many people put babies in the sling then just stand around, or whatever. And then many people talk about babies not liking being worn. You have to move, show them how fun it is and how much they can see and experience, being high up like that.


Here's another page on how the fabric works. http://www.wooska.com/svtech.aspx

Yes! Yes! Yes! You need to start walking as soon as the baby is in the sling - that will calm her down. I started using a sling with my second baby who was SO fussy all the time, but as soon as I would start walking he'd calm down! And quickly grew to LOVE the sling.

Now, I'm just trying to figure out what to do with him when we go - he'll be 16 months!

 

[Colinsmom]

I'd be careful. Consumer Reports gave Solarveil a very, very low score for sun protection. I didn't look into how they did their testing or what the low score means, but it caught my eye because I also own a Solarveil ring sling.

 

[NotUrsula]

You're going to love it for "swimming". I took DD to WDW at 10 weeks and we used it constantly, but the best part was pool time. I also have a ripstop hat for her, and I put her in the sling in an out-facing bucket carry (sitting crosslegged with her back against my chest, with the hat on, too, for extra head protection. Yes, their legs are squished, but at that age it doesn't bother them, b/c they were squished just that way in the womb.) I just waded into the water wearing her that way. She absolutely LOVED the floating sensation, you could tell, very happy and interested in what was going on around her.

I also got a rashguard swimsuit top for her, which kept her shoulders and most of her arms covered while swimming.

The other thing that I really love that solarveil sling for is covering her in the stroller or carseat when the sun is shining. Spread out it really does a nice job keeping the sun at bay and keeping her cool, while allowing her to see out just fine. My sling is beige; darker colors may be a bit more opaque.