the perfect sling?!

[beemella]

Hello everyone

maybe someone out there can help me.

I am in search of the 'perfect' sling... if there is such a thing.

I have an ERGO, but it pulls on my shoulders. I also have a wrap but the boy is too heavy for it and falls down. I have tried the Wilkinet but didn't get on with it at all. And the BabyBjorn killed my back.

So what next?

I want something that crosses at the back so that the weight is spread evenly. And that it is not too fiddly to put on (v long straps). If it allows me to carry boy facing forward it is even better!

Any suggestions? I m getting really desperate and addicted to sling sites... :p

Thank you very much.

Barbara

[leapyearbaby]

Hi, I rave about my Bamberoo Mei tai all the time. I prefer it to a ssc like an ergo as it does cross at the back so there is no prob with shoulder pain at all. I still wear my boy 15 months on the front and it is no problem at all. Unlike some other mei tais it has a padded waistband and straps and is very supportive. However you might find it fiddly as it has long straps, personally i think it is the simplest and best carrier i have or have tried. Bjorns are terrible and I couldn't get on with teh wilkinet either. extremely fiddly and i could never get the frog leg position right and my boy ended up in a crotch dangler position so i gave up on it and sold it.

Facing forward is not really recommended unless the baby is smaller and they sit in the buddha postion. if they are facing frontwards with legs down they can't really be supported under the knees and dangle. If they are supported under the knees they are more comfortable and there is no strain on the back. In the likes of a bjorn facing forward the baby's back is forced to arch slightly which is not recommended. Also, some people disagree but many agree that facing forward should be avoided as the baby can't turn away from the world if they want and snuggle into you and it can be overwhelming for them. If you want your baby to see where he is going you are better with him high on your back, then he can still cuddle into you and sleep if required.

I only wore my boy front facing once in the bjorn before i knew better (and sold the bjorn!) and it was before i'd read about it, but i felt in my gut it wasn't right, so i turned him round to go home in.

Have you tried a mei tai at a meet? it's not fiddly if you've tried wraps - simple in comparison.

HTH

Jen x

[KNorman]

I love mei-tais - my favourite being a colibri (sadly no longer in production)

I like the large body size and quite stiff padding round the waist.

I also like to use a bumbag under the mei-tai - gives a little extra support and cuts out needing another bag.

I always wear with straps crossed - both for front and back carries.

I personally am a big fan of facing outwards. I have found that it is easy enough to tell how baby is feeling about facing the world without facial expressions - just body contact and language can tell you everything you need to know.
I would have had to stop slinging DD1 otherwise about 4 months otherwise. Nothing else was a substitute for her, including high back carries - she is a very highly social creature even now! It also has the advantage that it is less disturbing for them to be turned round to feed. Always with legs in - and usually with an arm across the front as extra support.

You have to go with your baby's personality on this one!

[ofraise1]

I have a Kozy mei-tai which I love and a ring sling which i like because it is easy to put baby in and out, though i wouldnt use it for long-ish trip (unlike the mei-tai)

[Alva]

My favourite is the mei-tai sold by Joey Slings. I've tried numerous different slings & the Joey's the best for me. My baby's 13 months now & I still carry her on my front. The difference with the Joey is that it has lovely padded straps, so it never pulls on your shoulders & I always feel very well supported. I have a bad back, and yet the Joey's never given my back any trouble - in fact if my back's playing up from carrying her in my arms, popping her into the Joey actually alleviates the pain!

The Joey's easy to put on, and you can even carry on your hip by simply tying it a bit more to the side. I breast feed her all the time in the sling & can do this really discreetly by just holding my breast up to her - people are amazed when I tell them what I'm doing as they have no idea! The Joey's also great for back carries - really comfy - although I don't do this much as my daughter prefers to be on the front.

Hope this helps.

Good luck ,
Alva.