[katieb31323]

Hi

A while back someone was talking about a particular baby sling that they really loved. However, now I can't remember who that was or what the name of the sling was. I have done some internet searches on them and it is overwhelming. So I was wondering if anyone has used baby slings and what brand they used and if they liked or disliked them.

thanks
katie

[djp03]

I have used baby bjorn baby carrier and I think it was the easiest on my back.

Dr. Sears has a baby sling that is recommended in his baby book. I have used that sling also, but my son was not into slings or baby carriers much at all. He liked to be carried the old fashioned way or he would fuss.

Good luck!

[Joanna369]

I love the OTSBH- Over The Shoulder Baby Holder. I have multiple slings...one for the car, my DH's car, upstairs, etc. Couldn't live without one. We are one month and counting away from adopting, and I can't WAIT to use my collection of slings again! Good luck.

[lmdsykes]

I saw one brand on the internet "Maya Slings" -I think they are not sold in stores, only by independent reps. If you do a search for "maya slings" you'll come up with plenty of distributors. I haven't tried one yet, but they look pretty good, come in lots of patterns and are adjustable to be worn many ways and for parents of different heights.
Good luck!

[Cricket8351]

I also have the OTSB (Over the shoulder baby older) and my daughter screams every time I put her in it. I figure I am doing something wrong and have watched the instructional video several times.

Most every one that I know of loves the OTSB and raves about them. Either my baby is weird or I just can't get the hang of it!

Cricket

[overflowing]

I have never used a baby sling but I hear they are neat. I have always used a Baby Bjorn carrier...they are amazing. I tried a Snugglie with my first, never again We have 3 children and have loved using the Baby Bjorn. It truly is "hands free". I feel my son is completely supported and my back doesn't feel tired or sore.

[orphanagemom]

You might want to check out a website that lists all the recalled baby stuff. I was reading one a while back, and a few of those baby slings were recalled because a number of babies got rolled up enough to suffocate to death. Please be careful with them! Also a few of the baby carriers were recalled because a few small infants fell out of the leg hole somehow and either died or were severely hurt - something about the leg hole being too large for small babies.
Jen

[katieb31323]

Hi

thanks for the information! I too have heard a lot of positive things about baby bjorn and was wondering how they would compare to a sling. We are anticipating our third adoption and as I have to preschoolers now I know I won't be able to sit and rock like I did with them....so I am looking for away to comfortably "wear" baby.

orphanagemom...do you know any websites specifically?

thanks
katie

[tobeafamily]

Ryan, DH and I all loved the Over The Shoulder Baby Holder when he was a newborn. When he got to be about 5-6 months old though, he preferred the Baby Bjorn because he could face out and see where we were going more comfortably. That plus he could move his arms and legs more freely.

I would recommend baby wearing and slings wholeheartedly. Some, especially smaller/slimmer people prefer the Maya or NoJo models because they're less bulky than the OTSBH.

Regina

[redhedded]

Bad back from scoliosis here. I tried several slings and bought both the Dr. Sears sling (which is very similar to over the shoulder holder) and the Baby Bjorn. My opinion is that the Dr Sears sling and others distribute weight very unevenly thus resulting in horrible muscular cramps and headaches; plus, my peanut did not like it at all. I think it was too confining. She, however, loved the BB because she could observe everything facing out. Maybe you will have to try several to find what works best for you. Good luck.

[Colorbind love]

Long term sling user here. I cannot say enough good things about them. The ONLY sling recall that has ever occured was an issue with the rings on the Maya Wraps several years ago. There are NO leg holes in a sling, and safety is user specific. I have never had a child get rolled up in a sling, and cannot imagine how that could happen with proper use.

My best advice for learning to use a sling is to contact your local La Leche League group. You probably think that's a bit crazy as an adoptive mother. But, I assure you that I have never encountered a LLL group without at least one sling wearing momma. And, the quickest and easiest way to learn to use a sling is to find someone with experience to demonstrate. It will take about 10 minutes with an experienced user.

I had to teach myself and it took 6 months before I finally felt comfortable with one. Prior to that, I preferred a baby carrier. Afterward, I never looked back again. I currently have 2 slings, since my youngest is 20 months. I've had more when I had toddlers and babies who vied for sling time.

For new sling wearers, a basic sling with rings is all that you'll want to start with. The difference between the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder and the Maya Wrap is really quite simple. One has padding and the other has none. Maya Wrap is a non-padded sling. OTSBH is padded. Those are the best of the 2 styles. I don't recommend the Nojo (the one Sears endorses) because the padding is inadequate and I find they don't grow as well with the child.

There are 6 basic carries you can use, and more when you get comfortable and want to be creative. With a young baby, I use the snuggle carry most (where I carry them on my chest by my heart, tucked in). When they want to face out, I use the Kangaroo carry (sitting cross-legged facing foward and using my chest to support their back). For toddlers, the hip carry becomes a staple, and as they get bigger the back carry is always great, especially for things like cooking a meal.

[evansmum]

Here ya go Katie! You asked for it! LOL

Best link on the web for any type of carrier:

thebabywearer.com/info/productlinks.
The maya wrap is a great sling, but I'm looking at the New Native Baby Carrier. It's basically like a HUGE tube sock! You wear it pretty much like a handbag (one side over one shoulder, the sling rests on the oposite hip). They seem to be a great sling - I'm trying one out this weekend; borrowing it from a friend. I like the fact that when you bend over, the sling is independant from your body, so it nestles around the baby and doesn't "tip". It looks more to work for an older child though.

Another one to look at is the Moby Wrap (at pookababy.com.)It looks crazy at first, but it wraps around you specifically, ties up and you KEEP it on. Pretty much looks like a colorful shirt, and since it's stretchy, you can pop baby in and out of it all day without having to fiddle with the wrap! Pretty snazzy, eh?

Have fun! I love trying out new baby *stuff*. Our little guy is coming today, and I'm absolutely frantic right now, trying to make sure I've got everything ready - you wouldn't think I'd done this a million times before ... we usually foster, but this guy's "a keeper".

~Meg

[katieb31323]

Hi

Thanks everyone! The website you directed me too Meg, wow! That should keep me busy doing research...I had no idea there were so many different kinds out there! I appreciate all the different opinions/reviews!

katie