Birthlight Forums

A lady in my baby yoga class has a baby aged 3/4 months and would like to buy a sling which gives her good support. Can anybody recommend one? She has tried the baby bjorn but that hasn't worked for her.

 Many Thanks

Hi

We run a sling business & produce free leaflets on slings & baby carriers. There's one for parents & one for professionals which is fully referenced. You can download either from www.slingsandbabycarriers.co.uk/Babywearing-Leaflets(2010314).htm and we send out free bulk copies to antenatal teachers, etc. so if anyone would like any, please let me know. We usually recommend stretchy wraps for little babies but there are several chocies which would be suitable for her. We also offer free advice by phone or e-mail if she wants to contact us.

Victoria

Birthlight Antetanal & Baby Yoga teacher, Babywearing Consultant

Sophie Messager gave a great presentation on sling wearing at the birthlight one day conference in September and she has details of all the different types of slings and the advantages of babywearing on this link: http://cambridgeslingconsultant.blogspot.com/ there are also tips on how to carry safely and comfortably. I hope this helps, kirsteen

A wrap around such as a kari me provides the best support for wearer and baby in my opinion. It distributes the weight across the shoulders and hips and supports the baby's neck and hips (legs don't just dangle in the same way) a bit better than other slings. Also you can wear the baby in a cradle position which is better for baby initially.

xLeonie

Hi Amrita,

I used the KariMe soft sling for the first 6 months but then found it uncomfortable as it gathered in the small of my back and my baby was a decent weight however it was fabulous up until then and I'd feel very happy recommending it for newborns and younger babies. I went to a Birthing Lightly course and a yoga teacher there recommended the ErgoBaby Carrier which we then bought and it has been fabulous. My girl is now nearly 10 months and it is still very comfortable to wear her in the sling.  The ErgoBaby Carrier also works well for my husband and swapping it between us as it is easily adjusted and just clips on. The only thing is that when you are on your own, you need a good reach behind your back to tighten one of the adjusters but I was fine with that and don't have any wrist or shoulder etc. issues.  The lady who recommended it used it beyond 2 years for her petite girl and it is easy to wash etc. She didn't recommend it for newborns (and I wouldn't either as I think the wraps are cosier and they can lie in sidely etc. etc.) however by 4 months I think the ErgoBaby Carrier would be fine. It is worth doing a price comparison search for them as prices can vary by £20-30 pounds. We ended up going through a new supplier on ebay as the second hand ones weren't much cheaper as I think they are quite popular. A key thing with the ErgoBaby Carrier is that they face inwards which they advocate for having heart to heart contact either via the chest or on the back so the baby isn't forced to be fully open and facing the world without protection.  Some people prefer having babies facing outwards but our very curious baby girl who likes to see the world has been perfectly happy chest to chest. Hope that helps as there are so many to chose from. Regards, Wendy

Hi everyone

Just wanted to let you know that if any of you are interested in finding out more about slings & baby carriers, the School of Babywearing (www.schoolofbabywearing.com) is running introductory workshops & accredited training in Exeter, Birmingham, London & Cambridge plus other locations by invitation! The first introductory workshops are running in July 2011 and are suitable for parents of for professionals (including Baby Yoga teachers, etc.), who'd like to find out more about using slings & baby carriers.

Victoria