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Meredith
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Now I KNOW many of you did a double-take on my topic starter. 
For those of you who have them, how often do you use your baby slings during the day (or Night  ). I have the Sling-Ezee by Parenting Concepts and for out and about times like the grocery store I also have the Baby Bjorn front pack, but I'm finding that my now 9 month old ds is needing more time in the sling to cuddle since he's become very mobile  . Kind of his re-connect time with mommy when he wants to nurse, etc. I LOVE this and have done it with all my babies, but my long-winded question is this, do you sling all day and have them be sleepy most of the time, or do you just use it for nursing??
Would also love to hear any comments about the Ellaroo Wrap (or any others you like) it looks very flexible and comfortable. My Sling Ezee is a little too bulky and hot and bunches at my neck oftentimes.
Thanks for any sharing. God Bless those little ones.
Oh and I also like to continue using my sling into the toddler years too, what about you?
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
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Sarah
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Really like my sling, but baby #5 is heavy and I'm tired. Sister in law recommended a mei tai. Its a Chinese carrier, and I just got it, and so far its great for back pain, although there is more to putting them into it than a sling. Gotta go.
Mei tai
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JennGM
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MEREDITH!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe you started this thread right now!!!!! Are you standing over my shoulder? I was just going through links about slings, ordered the New Native Carrier Pillow for my brother's new baby and was thinking I would like a thread on Slings sometime soon. I don't have any reason right now...but I like to hope! Unbelievable!
So, thanks for starting this. I'm eager to hear everyone's input. For my only baby experience, I tried the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (OTSBH) and we couldn't never make it work. It was hot, too much fabric, very uncomfortable. I ended up using the Baby Bjorn frequently. I know it's not the same, but we were happy...except I think it caused some clogged ducts. I wore it about 2 hours a day in the earlier days, and then used it when I went out shopping all the time. I have wrist problems, so the Bjorn was much easier than lugging a carrier.
The next time around, I'm hoping to try HotSlings and maybe New Native and maybe a Maya Wrap. I'm reading a lot more and realizing that one sling or carrier isn't enough...variety would be much better. My son had reflux and food allergies, awake and crying a lot of the time...he needed to be worn.
The Baby Wearer is just fabulous on rating and explaining the different types of slings. It was an eye opener to me.
I'll stop now and let the real mamas step in! 
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Jennifer G. Miller
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JennGM
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| Posted: Jan 10 2006 at 3:25pm | IP Logged
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jenngm67 wrote:
| The next time around, I'm hoping to try HotSlings |
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Quoting myself, but the reasons I mention this sling is
1) I saw a mom using it who didn't like the other slings or wraps, too hot, bad for her back, too much material...this one was exactly the opposite.
2) and she was still slinging her toddler.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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mary
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| Posted: Jan 10 2006 at 4:44pm | IP Logged
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i have slung 3 kids from birth to about age 2. each kid wore out their own over the shoulder baby holder. i tried a maya wrap and found it to be too thin in the shoulders. this time around, someone is loaning me a premaxx sling. i do not care for the baby bijorn because i like being able to nurse and pull up an edge of the sling to hide the boobs and also, i like being able to put the baby in more positions.
be sure and post what you use!
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LisaD
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I sling all my kids until they are about 2 or so. Once they are two, I may sling them occasionally, just using the hip carry. I have a couple of OTSBH's that I have liked for ease of adjustability. Last baby, I splurged on a ZoloWear Sling. I just love it! It is cool, adjustable, and pretty (I have the black toile one, and very easy to nurse in because of the loose tail. At nine months old, I sling my babies a lot at home, especially when they are sick or fussy with teething, etc. I do lay them down once they are sound asleep, though, because 15-20 lbs. of deadweight is a lot to carry around. I had a Baby Bjorn, but I could never wear it for long...it really bothered my shoulders and neck.
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JennGM
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Perhaps when you give your response, besides includes what type of sling or carrier you use, would you mention your body build and height? I'm petite with small shoulders, so I'm wondering if my uncomfortableness with OTSBH had a lot to do with that.
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Meredith
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jenngm67 wrote:
MEREDITH!!!!!!!!!!!
I can't believe you started this thread right now!!!!! Are you standing over my shoulder? I was just going through links about slings, ordered the New Native Carrier Pillow for my brother's new baby and was thinking I would like a thread on Slings sometime soon. I don't have any reason right now...but I like to hope! Unbelievable!
So, thanks for starting this. I'm eager to hear everyone's input. For my only baby experience, I tried the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (OTSBH) and we couldn't never make it work. It was hot, too much fabric, very uncomfortable. I ended up using the Baby Bjorn frequently. I know it's not the same, but we were happy...except I think it caused some clogged ducts. I wore it about 2 hours a day in the earlier days, and then used it when I went out shopping all the time. I have wrist problems, so the Bjorn was much easier than lugging a carrier.
The next time around, I'm hoping to try HotSlings and maybe New Native and maybe a Maya Wrap. I'll stop now and let the real mamas step in! |
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Jenn, you're too funny!! And by the way, you are a real mom! 
Thanks for the link to Hotslings, this one looks very afforable and good for toddlers too.
What about the Ellaroo, anyone have one of these?? I'll try to find a link...
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amyable
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Sarah wrote:
Really like my sling, but baby #5 is heavy and I'm tired. Sister in law recommended a mei tai. Its a Chinese carrier, and I just got it, and so far its great for back pain, although there is more to putting them into it than a sling. Gotta go.
Mei tai |
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I have an NoJo (I think? a padded ringed sling), and a wrap, pouch, and mei tai, all of which I sewed. Hands down I love the mei tai the most. The wrap I could never get the hang of, the NoJo hurt shortly after putting it on, and the pouch just doesn't have the flexibility in terms of positions for my older baby (maybe if I had tried it as a newborn?).
The mei tai is great for us! I needed to have the baby on my back so I could really have my hands free - she's a curious grabber now, and with a small learning curve it is easy to do. Or on my front when she is is sleepy. It's not great to nurse in (my NoJo is better for that) but she sleeps well in it.
All that being said I probably only sling less than an hour a day, but when we are out and about that is our favorite mode of transport. I hardly ever use a stroller anymore! I think slinging toddlers is great too, when I don't have another baby on me already - haven't figured out how to manage two on at once!
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amiefriedl
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Meredith,
Thanks so much for starting this topic! All of these sites mentioned are fabulous and the idea of having more than one type of sling is a great one.
I have a homemade "Elizabeth Lee" pattern sling that I love, but those Hot Slings look irresistable.
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MaryM
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I'm a few years passed the sling days but did use both a No-Jo and Over the Shoulder Baby Holder with my kids up through age 3 or so. I'm 5'4, slight build and narrow shoulders. I did have the small size of each. One problem I see with some women is trying to wear them too low, not pulling the straps in tight enough. Especially when a sling is new the material is very bulky and stiff. I encourage moms to wash it several times before using, working the straps so they soften up and pull through more easily. As they are more broken in they are more comfortable and can feel less hot. Another thing is using them the wrong way when the baby is really little - they are made to be worn "backwards" (with the pillow in front - not on shoulder) in the early months.
All that being said the sling is definitely not the only way to go. When I made my purchases (14 and 10 years ago) there weren't nearly as many choices as there are now. In fact I also have an original 1970's sling my mother used with her youngest when nobody in the mainstream was using them - it's cotton fabric folded accordian style with a small plastic ring to pull through. We've come a long way since then in this country with carriers (by looking at the traditions of other cultures ) The carriers that have been mentioned which require you to get an accurate measurement so you have good fit is important. That's why the wraps are nice because you tie it yourself to your size and body type. Where the baby hangs makes all the difference in how comforatble it fits and it's functionality. One size definitely does not fit all so Jenn's question about the how women of a particular body size find their carries to work, is a good one.
The age and size of the baby can have a big impact on which work best at a given time. Some definitely are better for younger babies with little head control. I liked the sling best when it could be used for the hip carrying position. Many women try them a bit and give up before the time that the baby is ready for that position (4-6 months).
I have a couple friends who treat baby carries like some women do purses - they are accessories that they buy many styles of. There is one woman who I swear has a different style/color every time I see her. Her husband won't let her near baby carrier websites anymore  .
Right now in the baby circles I frequent the wraps like Ella Roo, Moby Wrap, or Rebozo and the pouches/slings like Maya Pouch, and Hot Sling are getting rave reviews.
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MaryM wrote:
| One problem I see with some women is trying to wear them too low, not pulling the straps in tight enough. Especially when a sling is new the material is very bulky and stiff. I encourage moms to wash it several times before using, working the straps so they soften up and pull through more easily. As they are more broken in they are more comfortable and can feel less hot. Another thing is using them the wrong way when the baby is really little - they are made to be worn "backwards" (with the pillow in front - not on shoulder) in the early months. |
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Great advice, Mary. Probably everything I did wrong...I did use Dr. Sears advice to turn the sling around when the baby was small. But I couldn't get over all that fabric in the OTSBH on my back...it was hot and confining! And where the rings and pad was SUPPOSED to go didn't feel right. I got the medium b/c they had said only if you are extremely petite order the small...but I think it was too big for me.
MaryM wrote:
| All that being said the sling is definitely not the only way to go. When I made my purchases (14 and 10 years ago) there weren't nearly as many choices as there are now. In fact I also have an original 1970's sling my mother used with her youngest when nobody in the mainstream was using them - it's cotton fabric folded accordian style with a small plastic ring to pull through. |
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Oh, that's neat. My mother made a carrier with straps back in the 70s and wore my siblings. It looked similar to the Mei tai illustrations. She wasn't in the mainstream, either. She had a Raggedy Ann on the front...it was so cute!
Thanks for all the good advice! I'm hoping for a reason soon to use it all!
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Jennifer G. Miller
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Kathryn UK
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The first thing I bought during this pregnancy was a sling . I inherited a "Snugli" from my s-i-l that she bought for her eldest son nearly 20 years ago and hardly used. I never used it with my elder dd, but used it all the time with my younger one and was hugely regretting having given it away as they are no longer made. When I spotted an identical one on Ebay I couldn't resist, and got it for £1 (under $2)  . It looks unused! I love it because it is the baby carrier style, with padded shoulder straps and a tie waist that spread the weight, but made of soft fabric like a sling. It has an inner pouch for small babies, who snuggle down far enough that it is possible to nurse discreetly while wearing it. Doesn't answer your question at all, Meredith, but just thought I'd share as I was so pleased to find one. 
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JennGM
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MaryM wrote:
| In fact I also have an original 1970's sling my mother used with her youngest when nobody in the mainstream was using them - it's cotton fabric folded accordian style with a small plastic ring to pull through. We've come a long way since then in this country with carriers (by looking at the traditions of other cultures ) |
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I'm wondering if your mother made it from this pattern? I'm still trying to find my mother's...
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SaraP
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My first DS spent a lot of time in the sling as a little baby because he was one of those who would cry the instant I put him down (even if he had been asleep the minute before), but as soon as he could crawl he would try to throw himself out of the sling so we stopped using it pretty early.
My second was too heavy to sling much as a 'little' baby (weighed 20lbs by 2 months), but liked it a lot when he was older and could ride on my hip.
My third seems to be more like my first and she is spending a good part of the day napping in the sling while I do laundry, dishes, etc.
I have tried several different carriers including ring slings, pouch slings and a Baby Bjorn and the ring sling has been my favorite because it is so adjustable and I can get baby in there really securely, but can still loosen it to nurse easily.
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Bookswithtea
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All of my babies *live* in slings. I've worn out 3 NOJO's with my 5 babies. I'm very tall, almost 6 ft, which is why I think the NOJO works well for me. Most people I know who dislike the NOJO are much shorter than I.
That said, I have been hearing rave reviews nearly everywhere lately about the Ergo carrier. There was an entire article about it in Nancy Campbell's Above Rubies mag, and there was a big thread on the Sonlight forums about it and other carriers, too. A mother of 6 I know swears by them, and another friend of mine is now a distributor for them (I think they have 9 children so far?).
They are expensive. I am debating whether or not to get one because as much as I love the sling, my current baby is 9 months old and is one of those who likes to lean way back and try to flip out of the sling. This means I still only have one good hand. The Ergo is a front or back carrier that is totally hands free. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to figure out how to get my baby on my back with it!
http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/
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kristina
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Dear Meredith,
I have used a sling with each of my five newborns. I wear them when around the house if I need to be up and about. I find a sling perfect for discreet nursing in public. I wear a matching cloth scarf for modesty.
My husband would even wear a sling with baby when he arrives home from work and is tidying up after dinner on days that I am just spent after a day of nursing on demand while caring for the other children. He won't wear the sling in public (but he has worn the Bjorn carrier).
We had the Nojo sling, but I found it to be "puffy." For our fifth child, I found a new condition "New Native" carrier on eBay for less than half price. My husband and I both prefer it to the puffier slings. They seem really easy to make...someday when I learn to sew. It folds up so nicely, it could fit in my purse, if I had to. I don't feel like it is more "baby equipment."
Our New Native is plain black cotton material. I found it to be much less hot, compared to the puffy Nojo. When our last baby was a newborn in Feb. I would swaddle her in a cozy blanket and wear her in the sling, so she was content, but I was not uncomfortably hot, as I have been in the other kind.
Our sling time sort of phased out after the first year. I certainly could not imagine wearing a nine month old all day, especially since they tend to be heavy on one shoulder with baby's weight nearly doubled since birth at that age.
Enjoy this snuggly time with your baby. These are special days indeed!
Blessings,
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Meredith
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Thanks for all your great advice and responses here! My now 18 pound 9 monther just loves to be carried around so I will undoubtedly continue to pack him off and on throughout each day, now if I could just decide on a brand.... There's so many great choices. thanks again.
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Meredith
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Lisbet
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I sling 24/7 for the first year. (I have with all my kids) I use a wrap 95% of the time. One shoulder carries just don't work for me, and add to that I'm usually nursing a toddler also, so if I carry my baby on my back, toddler still has easy access to the breast. I make most of my wraps myself, although I have a Didy, Moby, and an Ellaroo. (all I got secondhand!) It's SO easy and inexpensive to make your own wrap. I always scour the $1/yard table at WalMart, 5 yards of 47" fabric easily makes 2 wraps. My first experience w/a wrap was actually an act of desperation with a bedsheet when one of my kids was in the hospital and I was w/o a sling for my baby at that time!!
If you want to learn how to use a wrap, heres a GREAT place to start: www.wearyourbaby.com
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Meredith
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Welcome Lisbet, and thanks for your post, I know I could easily make my own, but I'm too lazy these days. I've been getting by with my "slingezee" for a while now, but I may try the Ellaroo, it looks the nicest, although it's hard to tell online. My baby #4 is a Gabriel, congrats on your new little gift soon to arrive early summer, hope you're feeling fine!
Thanks again.
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Meredith
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: How Much Do You Sling?
