Slings and Baby Wearing

I used a hotsling for my son for the first 6 weeks, but as he got heavier my neck and back got so sore. I LOVE the moby wrap (mobywrap.com). It looks tough to put on, but is really quick after a few tries. I am also considering getting a babyhawk mei tai carrier, which is supposed to be amazingly comfy and versatile.

I didn't start consistently putting my baby in a sling until 2-3 months. I tried the Bjorn at first and he didn't really like it. I found the Ultimate Baby Wrap (which is like the Moby Wrap but not as much fabric... and it's stretchier. I would recommend Moby because as the baby gets heavier, the stretchy material makes it harder to carry the baby)... anyways, he liked the Wrap a lot! But like another lady said, he only liked it for a limited time. He just had to get used to it. I also have gone through other slings since then... we have the Baby K'tan which is similar to the Moby Wrap but doesn't require all the wrapping. And I also have the Baby Ergo- which is really a lot better for the baby's developing body than the Baby Bjorn. My baby had to get used to the Ergo to. He didn't like it at first but I kept trying and he got used to it and now loves it. I used the Ergo when he was about 7-8 months.

So just keep trying... she just might need to get used to it or try other slings. The wraps are great for when they are a little older (3-4 months and up... but I think you can also use it for when they are newborns.) Good luck!

I loved my baby sling..www.babyslings.com
It is supposed to be the #1 sling out there...I had my 2nd daughter in it all the time and I swear she is so much stronger and has better neck control because of it...the bjorn is too uncomfortable on their developing pelvic area. It took me 10 times of wearing her in the sling to really get used to it..by the end I could change my oldest diapers, make meals and nurse with her in it. She slept so well in it to...we would just walk her around in it and she would fall asleep and then we could watch tv or talk, etc. etc...I also liked the moby alot and use it more that she is older...my daughter is really big so my back did hurt after a while in the sling...the moby is more comfortable for moms...hope this helps!

Never too late! Baby's have preferences.... some may like pouches (like the peanut shell or hotsling), some may prefer a wrap, some a ring sling, etc. These preferences may change over time as well.

The problem with the Bjorns is that they are not supportive for baby's hips natural alignment-- that froggy leg pose you see. Bjorn's hang baby's from their crotch. There also is some research out there that questions "stacking" a baby's back that young-- meaning keeping them that upright.

I think at this young age-- ring slings and pouches are the easiest way to go as they are easy to nurse in and promote that cradle carry.

http://www.babywearer.com/
is a really good resource for learning about slings.

There is also a store, Be By Baby on Roscoe and Lincoln and I believe Gepetto's in Oak Park that carry slings and will help you learn about how to use them.

Wearing your baby will keep them happier and let you get stuff done!! I could NOT have lived without my stash of slings especially when #2 came along.

Good luck!

Please keep in mind that WHATEVER baby carrier you use - be it a sling, bjorn, or stroller, it will take time for your baby to get used to it! Put her in for 5 minutes only on the first day. 10 minutes the second day, 20 minutes the third day etc. It's new, so until she's comfortable with it (and she can also sense when YOU are not comfortable with it) it will make her nervous. Believe it or not, when we put my son in a stroller at age 8 months - for basically the first time ever - he had a fit! It took him about 5 days to get used to NOT being carried, so it works both ways. Now he likes it both ways :)

See my posts on other threads about slings for my own personal advice. But whatever you choose, give it several days of "low stress" wearing for your baby to get used to it before you give up on it.

i support slings and baby wearing! i looovvvveee my ultimate baby wrap! i have a 21/2 year old and a 7 month oldand i could not live without it. it takes a while to get the hang of how to put iton, but it is not all bulky and it fits anyone and is very cozy. good luck!

I LOVED my Moby Wrap for my DD (#2 baby). DS was 2.5yrs when she was born. The MOby is very versatile (vertical, laying down, then can have them upright w/ legs out facing forward or toward your chest, and even carry on the back when they're older).
Now that DD's 8 mos and sitting up, I find the Maya Wrap to be much more convenient. My distributor lives in Warrenville and sells both of these for prices better than on the web. Her name is Stacey and her email is lmartinez301 AT Comcsat DOT net.

It's really never too late to start them in the sling. 1 month old is perfect, it sounds like you just need to find the right style for you and your baby. I tried all the mass-market slings (Baby Bjorn, the banana style, etc.) and didn't like any of them. I tried a knit tube sling when I had an infant and a 2 year old and found that my toddler loved it as much as the baby. I've also used the Mei Tei and wrap style slings. The Mei Tei is much better for a toddler, and the wrap works wonderfully for the infant. Your best bet is to find a local sling shop where you can go and try various styles. Otherwise, look online.

Good luck!
T.
Living at the Speed of Life - http://www.triciaballad.com/blog/

I had my third in a sling right away and he did okay for the first couple of weeks, then he hated it. He also hated being in the car seat with the bundle me cover. I think he has a tendency to be a bit claustrophobic. He hated and still does anything covering him - including blankets. I have no real advice, but think that all babies are different and some just don't like slings. My son did great in the Bjorn though.

Hi, I have the Peanut Shell also and my daughter, now 3 months, was not real fond of it at first. It takes some getting used to for her and you but it does make things very convenient. I think the most important thing is that when she is in it you are moving. When I stop moving even for a short time my daughter gets uncomfortable and lets me know. I am petit and my daughter is past 15lbs and it is starting to get to be a lot to carry for a long time. I have found the Moby Wrap to be a little more comfortable as she is getting bigger and heavier.
Hope that helps! J.

Every baby is different but I don't think that it is too late by any means. I wore my baby for a long time and loved the closeness and free hands. I learned in a class down in Hyde Park how to use a big scarf to wear my baby. It was extremely versatile--many different ways to do it; baby in different positions to accommodate baby's growth. The instructor's name is Isabel--just a mom teaching out of her house (this was 9 years ago, mind you). I've also seen instructional videos and one mom I know taught herself from written instructions. Good Luck!

I agree with the hotsling. I have one and IT ROCKS!! go to www.hotslings.com

R.:

look at something like the Moby Wrap...www.mobywrap.com You can use that with a little one and a not so little one. wasier on your back and shoulders.

P.,RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

R.,
I have a 2 1/2 son and a 2 month old baby. I got a Moby sling, and I just love it! I have taken my daughter in it so many times. I like that I can be "hands-free" as you mention. I also like that there are many different positions that you can put your daughter in which is great as she may not like one or some of them. There is also a way to nurse discreetly in it. Another wonderful thing is the ability to secure my daughter's head -- and I like to cover her face as much as possible (safely, of course) to avoid germs in the air since you can't stay home all gthe time with a toddler. Plus, with the baby close to you, they don't get so overwelmed as they might in a car seat when you go to stores that are loud and have bright lights. Congrats on your new addition. Hope this was helpful!
A.

Hi R. Z:

I have heard that babies need to get accustomed to the the slings. Try using it for a little while each day. Also, I had a really difficult time with the peanut sling. I prefer the hotsling - it is much easier to manage. Then again, everyone has their preference. Be By Baby on Paulina and Lincoln is a wonderful little shop - they will show you how to use your sling and answer any questions you have free of charge. They also host sling workshops for a nominal fee. The workshops are super popular. I just dropped in one day on my maternity leave and said "please help me with this thing!'". Granted, your message mentioned more about your baby girl not liking the sling rather than not understanding how to use it. Either way, Be By Baby knows everything about slings. Congratulations on your second baby!

I have a Hot Sling (non-adjustable sling). My baby is now 10 months old. There were times she didn't want to be in it at all, but other times she loved it. I don't think it's ever "too late" to start a baby in a sling. My girl especially loved it when she could sit up in the sling. I think that was around 3 or 4 months (time goes too fast). But I think we started trying to put in her at 2 or 3 weeks, and I didn't really get comfortable (nor did she) until 1.5 months or so. I also wasn't always putting it on right. Hot Slings comes with a step-by-step picture guide and a DVD, which, as a new mom having never used a sling, was very helpful.

I had a Moby wrap and it was great with my little one. It is a bit intimadating at first...it is a REALLY long peice of fabric...but it kept him close to me and was less cumbersome than the baby bjorn. You can carry the child facing forward or back....
www.mobywrap.com

Slings are great, especially with a second child. I used mine until my son was about 18mo old and wanted to walk everywhere. You can repoasition it many ways to accomidate a developing child. I found my newborn loved to be curled around the front close against my chest and would fall asleep while I moved around the house or read my older son a book. As he got a little older, he would like to lay with his head supported on the edge of the sling to look around. Don't give up if it doesn't seem comfortable the first time you use it, since it's so soft and flexible you have to adjust it so it feels most secure.

babies vary alot in their desire to be in a sling or not. My little one, loved the Bjorn but hated other lighter weight slings. Maybe I waited too long before I put her in the othe slings but she certainly didn't like them. But she sure did love the bjorn

I might be a bit old fashioned but I can't, for the life of me, understand how a sling could possibly be good for a developing babys' spine. Parents have taken care of their children forever without them. Baby could be in a playpen while you have freetime for the 2 year old. The 2 year old could be playing with a specific toy when you need time with baby...a toy he only gets when it's babys' turn for mommy. Good luck honey.

I am actually hosting a Sling Playdate at my home on February 26th from 10 am to noon.

Would love to have you come and meet Kaysha--the babywearing expert in Central, IL. She would love to help you figure out how to get hands free.

Here are the details and it is open to the public:

Sling Playdate

at the home of S. Gesiakowski
122 Magoun Street in Bloomington, Illinois.
(Location of the of Pinstripes and Polkadots Showroom)
RSVP ###-###-#### or ____@____.com

Tuesday, February 26th
10am to Noon

Browse, Shop, Try on
Hands-on demonstrations

Moms, babies, and babywearing fun!
Come and bring a friend

Brought to you from The Sling Connection
www.theslingconnection.com

Baby carriers, nursing covers, and more
Available on location for purchase
with 5% discount the day of the event
Cash or check

I recommend a hotsling type pouch, a ring sling, or a mei tai. I have also heard that wraps are great I just haven't used one yet but I plan on getting one for my next baby.