Wednesday

choosing a baby sling

When J. and E. were babies, I carried them in a trusty NOJO sling. It worked just fine. I loved the sling and highly recommend slings to everyone. I wrote about how great slings are in my book, "Attachment Parenting."

Since E. was a baby, almost a decade ago, babywearing has gotten very popular (yay!), and now there is a huge selection of slings available. In fact, there are so many slings available, I can't figure out which one to get.

I'm loving the idea of these supersimple-looking HOTSLINGS and KARMA BABY slings. Have any of you tried one of these brands? What did you think? Is there another brand/style you really love? Why?

Comment below, puhleeze.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Kate,

The sling I have was a hand-me-down from my friend Melissa but I really like it. It is simple (and secure). I have the fleece which is lightweight but only good up to 80 degrees. It is an easy off/on and very comfortable. Here is the link and it is an "adjustable pouch."

http://www.kangarookorner.com/

Also, I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Ergo baby carrier and recommend it highly. You can get an infant insert so the baby can be carried as in a sling from day one. The carrier can be used front/back after the child can straddle. It takes a little longer to get on than a traditional sling (i.e. not one second) but it is really great and the best baby thing I have. You can check mine out sometime if you want. Both Chris and I can wear the same size as well. Here is the link:

http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/

I'm sure there are a lot of great slings out there, though.

Ms. Booty Homemaker said...

SOooooooooo many choices. but i found that i loved the new native wrap for its simplicity for a lot of the first few months. downside is that it's not adjustable without folding or tacking and therefore not always usable for each parent, BUT they're relativelyl inexpensive, and my 18 month old still likes his from time to time.

but our super trusty use it almost every day sling is still the maya wrap. it's pretty, it's durable, it's very adjustable.

i used the active baby bjorn (much better than the traditional basic model for one's back and longer wearing times. i liked it a lot for walking the dog and going to the park and so on, but learned that the hip position (and the forward facing crotch crushing position for boys) isn't as kind as a frog carrier. hence, the ergo, a structured version of a mei tai carrier. i use the ergo a lot as a back carrier still, and my toddler loves it.

we also use a kelty frame backpack some.

all are really good for different times, and to give my body a break from different carrying positions. my mister never got into the slings or ergo, but liked the bjorn OK and the frame backpack better.

borrow stuff from your friends and check out a nightime LLL meeting that caters to a lot of working (and therefore pumping) mamas who'll be using a wide variety of gear. it helps to see it in use on different bodies and with differently preferenced babies. some babies just don't like certain positions.

Katharine O'Moore-Klopf said...

I love the slings available from Kangaroo Korner. They sell so many!

Leslie said...

I have lots of different carriers (thanks to the Bag-a-Bargain sale!!). I have a Snuggli which I have used occasionally with a newborn, but don't care for it much. The Bjorn was great with baby facing out for going on walks until she got too heavy. I've had Over the Shoulder Baby Holders for many years, and like them fine, but now my all-time favorite is my Maya Wrap. They don't have the padding, which at first I was worried would make it less comfortable, but that's not true. It's less bulky and hot and easier to adjust. And they come in beautiful fabrics. I actually have a Nojo if you want it, Katie. I got it at the aformentioned sale but never used it.

Anonymous said...

ya know, i am going though the same thing...5 years ago you could get an "over the shoulder baby holder" or the "no-jo" last months "mothering" mag had the whole issue devoted to babywearing...

Anonymous said...

I have a hotsling and use that for infants through about 6 months. Then I have a ring sling made by a woman in Knoxville who makes VERY nice slings. I still use that sometimes for my 35lb 2 yr old and that sling is good for nursing new babies in too. Hubby and I wear the Ergo usually for hiking or whatever but I like it best for kids older than 6 months. I also have an ABC or asian baby carrier a Mei Tia. I bought it from www.meitiababy.com and I love it. I used it from about 3 months and still can use it. My friend just bought karma (something) and it is a pouch like hotsling which looks very nice and breathable. I encourage you, again, to attend a NINO meeting in Knoxville and try some. If I were to choose one sling it would be my ring sling. Beware of carriers like Bjorn and Snuggli those put pressure on the baby's spine and also babies shouldn't face out.

DJackson

clara said...

Definitely second the ergo & mei tai's. Having baby's weight on both shoulders and on your hips is great & your hands are totally free. I love the maya wrap the most of any ring sling, its quick in & out for shopping. I think one of each type is good, one ring sling, one mei tai, an ergo, a wrap, maybe a pouch sling. All of it can be found used on babywearer.com--for sale or trade, or on ebay & craigslist & all of it is on youtube, to show you how.

Anonymous said...

It's so different for every mama and every baby. I used a Maya Wrap (ring sling,) a mei tai, an Ergo, and a Moby Wrap (basically just a big stretchy piece of cloth.) The only one that didn't work well for us was the mei tai. I prefer the Moby for an infant, and an Ergo for an older babe.

Anonymous said...

The "Over the Shoulder Baby Holder" is one I highly recommend.

Anonymous said...

Katie- I love the Moby Wrap. http://www.mobywrap.com It is very easy to do the lovely skin to skin with the baby. It is one size fits all so all of you could use the same one. It holds the baby right up against you even if you lean over. And it works with preemies through 35 lbs.

It is a little intimidating when you first see it! But try it with a baby in it and you will love it.

Amy said...

I'm glad you posted this! I'm a first-time mom (due a couple of weeks before you, I think--mid August) interested in babywearing but have NO idea where to start--so I'm reading the comments with much interest :)

Anonymous said...

go to the babywearer.com

Anonymous said...

We have three of the Kangaroo Korner pouches. They come in fabrics other than fleece, including a mesh. The Mothering articles pretty called pouches baby carrying for dummies, but we and our kids like them.

Anonymous said...

These are the popular ones up here. Tonjia designs several styles and even makes them with a removable sherling lining for the cold weather.

See what you think-
www.divasnbabes.com

Anonymous said...

I also love, love the Kangaroo Korner fleece pouches. They are so hip looking and comfortable. Not good for summer in the south. Definitely get one for the fall.

I have zero patience dealing with any brand or style of self-wrapping slings, I cannot stand all those yards of fabric and wrapping and re-wrapping yourself and baby.

I use the Maya wrap with client's babies.

Calin Bleu said...

I would recommend browsing the baby wearer: http://www.thebabywearer.com/

You have to register but it's free, there are hundreds of reviews of slings including the 2 you mentioned.
Plus articles on how to choose your baby sling, how to use it
And forums where thousands of mums around the world can help you.

Enjoy!

clara said...

The wrapping style does take a minute, but once its on, there is nothing else like it, they are the most secure, the most comfortable for both baby & mama. You could do a cartwheel and baby is not going anywhere. Its German engineering!

Anonymous said...

I just got a very nice Zolo sling and was surprised to discover that slings are NOT user-friendly or easy at first, for mom OR baby. We're about to take a plane trip tomorrow and I thought, Hey, I'll just get a sling so Henry can nurse discreetly and nap comfortably on the plane, no problem! Little did I know that there is a significant learning/practice curve, and nursing from the sling is considered an "advanced" skill for experienced sling users. Guess we'll just keep practicing...