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Mackfam
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| Posted: Dec 31 2007 at 11:46am | IP Logged
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This is my fourth, and I'm due in about 9 weeks. I have used a sling with all but my first, and each time I only seem to figure out what I DON'T want or like about the sling.
I know I want a ring sling. I know I want UN-padded totally! I want something simple, but I really want it to be pretty. I have some likes, but they're pricey. I have bookmarked Michelle Q.'s blog tutorial on making a sling, and if worse comes to worse I could. But I'm trying to be realistic about my time.
I'm looking for opinions on these: Have you used them? Have any preferences? Any reasons I should avoid or use one over the other? Should I just resign myself to sewing my own?
The Maya Wrap - I really like this, but....it is "lightly padded" on the shoulder. I find the padding gets in the way for me, and I really want to avoid it. I think this is a new thing for the Maya Wraps, I have a friend who has an older one and hers isn't padded. Opinions?
The Ellaroo - Ok this is my favorite - so pretty - unpadded - so pricey! I know I've looked around a little and can find slightly better prices than to the one I link to. But...is this the cadillac of ring slings? I really love this one.
Taylor Made Ring Sling - there are a few versions of the Taylor Made sling. I'd never heard of them before. They seem simple enough. Anyone with an experience with these?
The BB Sling - seems quite similar to the Maya Wrap, only it's unpadded. I like this one a lot too.
Ugh - so many choices....someone please help!
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Jen Mackintosh
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Matilda
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| Posted: Dec 31 2007 at 12:19pm | IP Logged
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All I can offer is that the older version had no padding. Mine is about 10 years old and it has no padding. Maybe you can find an older one. I'd send you mine if I could find it. None of my babies liked any kind of snugli/wrap/etc... I loved it. Just wished they had liked it!
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Matilda
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Sorry... I was talking about the Maya Wrap.
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Charlotte (Matilda)
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Lisbet
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| Posted: Dec 31 2007 at 12:21pm | IP Logged
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Jennifer,
Not much longer now~ :)
I have experience with a Maya, Ellaroo, and Taylormade. I have 2 Taylormade ring slings, one water and one organic cotton. I LOVE my organic cotton sling for everyday wear. I used to have a Maya and an Ellaroo. The Maya is pretty 'sturdy' fabric. I traded it for a wrap though. The Ellaroo is very very similiar to the Taylormade, just prettier! :)
Have you looked on ebay for them? You can usually find great deals there.
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folklaur
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| Posted: Dec 31 2007 at 1:10pm | IP Logged
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You can get the Maya Wrap original which is unpadded.
I used the Maya Pouch - the only baby sling that ever worked for me (and I tried several). 
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SeaStar
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| Posted: Dec 31 2007 at 2:16pm | IP Logged
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I used the Maya wrap original and loved it. A friend of mine actually bought a pattern for them and made a smaller one for me and an extra long one for my dh, who used his all the time.
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asplendidtime
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I have to tell you how I love my Ergo, I used to hate slings, but wanted to sling my babies, I was always in pain though. Until I got my ergo. I use the newborn insert, and my baby sits right against my body, and I love, love, love how comfortable it is.
My dh loves it so much too, that he won't let me wear baby when we go places because he wants to!  I got mine off of ebay. So I paid a little less but there is a company who makes the same thing only more cheaply.
Other ladies really swear by their slings, but the ergo was the only one which just didn't hurt me after a while.
But just ignore me if you didn't to know about it... I know how tough it is to make decisions like this, I hate to buy something and then hate my purchase, I feel like I wasted money. 
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vmalott
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| Posted: Jan 01 2008 at 9:02am | IP Logged
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To be honest, making your own unpadded ring sling is really, super simple. I am not a seamstress and I made one very quickly during one of my previous pregnancies. Michele's tutorial is wonderful, but it has the challenge of adding a lining to the sling, which can seem daunting.
The biggest amount of time I spent in the process was picking out a fabric!  The nice part about a Maya Wrap type sling is that tail of fabric. You can use it to cover up in order to nurse modestly, if need be, or to cover baby from the sun. I also recently saw on a website somewhere how to wrap it around the rings to create a little protected area when baby's head is facing towards the rings. Never thought of that!
Anyway, I just wanted to encourage you to re-think making your own, as it really isn't a huge commitment of time at all, especially if you go simple without a lining. I definitely wouldn't pay full-price for a sling. Search on eBay or look in a local children's resale shop (if you have any nearby).
Valerie
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 01 2008 at 3:27pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much for all your responses. I'm still somewhat torn. I found an EllaRoo in a discontinued fabric and more affordable price that I like, but it is slightly padded on the rails and shoulders  ugh!!!! Just when I thought I had found one. I really, really like the Taylor Made organic line - still considering there, but I keep wishing I had something pretty. Thank you so much Laura for the link to the original Maya Wrap. They have an outlet section on their site too. 
I'm still considering making my own because then I can pick out something pretty, and make it totally unpadded. Also, I like the idea of being able to buy the plastic rings instead of the aluminum - just a personal preference, but most of the pre-mades use the aluminum rings. I probably wouldn't do Michelle's lined version - I'd just hem around the edges. Plus, if I make my own, I won't feel bad about buying a fabric that is completely pink and girly. If I have another boy, I can always make another one.
Thank you all for helping me narrow it down.
I do have another question -
Lisa, do you find the "light padding" on the EllaRoo is annoying, gets in the way, etc??? I really wanted to avoid padding...it's so hard to tell from the picture if the padding would get in the way.
Thanks again everyone - keep the ideas and suggestions coming if you have any.
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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7smallones wrote:
| I have to tell you how I love my Ergo, I used to hate slings, but wanted to sling my babies, I was always in pain though. Until I got my ergo. I use the newborn insert, and my baby sits right against my body, and I love, love, love how comfortable it is. |
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Thanks for the ringing endorsement. I'm leaning towards the Ergo rather than a sling. I do like the convenience o just popping the baby in w/o fiddling around. I've seen other moms using it and it's so versatile.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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8kids4me
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| Posted: Jan 01 2008 at 11:26pm | IP Logged
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Michele's sling does not take very long to make. I made two recently, for my daughter and my daughter in law. My daughter LOVES hers...she wears her baby a lot. My daughter in law likes hers too, but she doesn't spend as much time with her wee one to wear it much.
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DeAnn M
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| Posted: Jan 02 2008 at 9:55pm | IP Logged
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Just thought I would throw in one more option. Even though you want a sling with rings, I have a great suggestion for one without. With my last baby I bought a Peanut Shell. It's great stretchy but sturdy fabric and the selection of fabrics is very nice. It even has a little pocket for a pacifier. The sizing is not difficult to figure out. I used mine all of the time and it was perfect--very comfortable and versitle. I think the address is www.goo-ga.com.
DeAnn
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 8:16am | IP Logged
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Thank you all so much for the advice, recommendations and other options. I'm still considering.
Cindy or Valerie or anyone else with experience making a sling...
Would you recommend a fabric?? I prefer something natural - like a cotton, but I'm afraid that would be too hard to manipulate and spread until the fabric had been washed and really broken in. Is that correct? I have a nice lightweight cotton calico at home right now that I could use without spending any cash. But then I started thinking about Michelle's choice of fabric and wondering...
Anyone have suggestions for a fabric choice????
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Jen Mackintosh
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8kids4me
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 9:41am | IP Logged
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I used cotton for both of the slings I have made so far. Just a quilting cotton will be fine. I used some Amy Butler and Michael Miller fabrics(they were gifts for dd and dil), but will be making two more soon with just ordinary cotton from the store. I also lined them both. I prewashed the fabrics, as well.
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 2:25pm | IP Logged
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Thanks so much Cindy!!!
Did you line in the same fabric or choose something coordinating?
Do you think it looks better or functions better lined? I don't mind lining. I'm not a great seamstress by any means, but I think I could handle the lining.
Did you choose aluminum or plastic rings from RingSling?
Sorry for all the questions  Thanks for letting me pick your brain.
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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DeAnn M wrote:
Just thought I would throw in one more option. Even though you want a sling with rings, I have a great suggestion for one without. With my last baby I bought a Peanut Shell. It's great stretchy but sturdy fabric and the selection of fabrics is very nice. It even has a little pocket for a pacifier. The sizing is not difficult to figure out. I used mine all of the time and it was perfect--very comfortable and versitle. I think the address is www.goo-ga.com.
DeAnn |
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That looks similar to the Hot Sling. I bought that and am waiting for my Ergo. I'm not a ring sling fan, either. OTBH bombed for my last baby.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Maryan
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Thanks for asking this Jennifer!! I've been reading this with interest because I've never been able to "figure" a sling out -- baby always seem ready to fall out, etc.
Question -- I must be 9 months pregnant, Jenn -- OTBH?? I just want to make sure I don't opt for that!!
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Mackfam
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I actually like using the Baby Bjorn when my baby gets a little bigger, so I already have a working "non-sling" option. But, I prefer a sling when they're littler, and sometimes when they're bigger too. Ok...I guess I just like lots of options.
I have a question too. What is OTBH Jenn? I must be completely brain dead here.
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Jen Mackintosh
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JennGM
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Mackfam wrote:
I actually like using the Baby Bjorn when my baby gets a little bigger, so I already have a working "non-sling" option. But, I prefer a sling when they're littler, and sometimes when they're bigger too. Ok...I guess I just like lots of options.
I have a question too. What is OTBH Jenn? I must be completely brain dead here. |
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Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. Sorry, I was being called to nurse! This was recommended by my sister years ago. It's a ring sling w/ padded rails.
I used the Bjorn A LOT for the last baby, but it was hard on my back and not good for large chested me. I was prone to clogged ducts and the carrier aggravated the situation. But I know dh will use it still.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Mackfam
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| Posted: Jan 03 2008 at 4:04pm | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
| I used the Bjorn A LOT for the last baby, but it was hard on my back and not good for large chested me. I was prone to clogged ducts and the carrier aggravated the situation. But I know dh will use it still. |
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Hmmmmm....very interesting....I too just keep...um....growing up top. And the last baby I had lots of trouble with plugged ducts and Mastitis which I never had before with the other two nursing. I wonder if the Bjorn was causing some problems there? Good food for thought Jenn. BTW, I hated my sling with highly padded rails - hated it! That's one of the reasons I want no-frills, no padding.
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Jen Mackintosh
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Topic: Can we talk baby slings again??
