Sling Baby Carriers

Updated on November 11, 2010
A.S. asks from Bolingbrook, IL
16 answers

I'm wondering if any of you moms could recommend and/or give me some feedback on sling carriers you've used. We're expecting Baby #2 in the Spring, and I'm thinking a sling carrier would be really nice to use this time around, as I chase my son around, especially with warmer weather. We already have the Baby Bjorn and used it a lot with #1. I'm petite- only 5' tall, so I need something that could be sized small enough- seems like most claim they do, but again- I thought I'd see what you had to say. I am also concerned about the ring slings having all that extra fabric hanging off- I think that'd drive me CRAZY! Do you notice it- does it drive you crazy?

Note- I'm really NOT interested in those Moby Wraps (too much wrappage! I'm not that coordinated! LOL), just the sling carriers. I did find one brand online that makes sling/pouch carriers with zippers to adjust and not rings- I thought that was interesting, but have never seen them in stores. Has anybody tried something like that??

Thanks in advance for your feedback!

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B.B.

answers from Missoula on

What about this one:

http://www.sproutpouch.com/Store/Baby-Slings.asp?RecordKe...

I have never tried it, but know several women who love them. They are offered in xs-xxl sizes according to mom's body.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

C.M.

answers from St. Louis on

I have two hotslings and honestly, I like my Ergo much better. It just feels like the baby is more secure. My kids used the hotsling when they were older and I would put them on my hip (Ergo can also be used on the hip). My suggestion is to buy one from Target or somewhere that is cheaper than the others (which usually run $50-$60) and see how you like it. I bought a Moby too and didn't like it. I had a Bjorn and liked that too!

Updated

I have two hotslings and honestly, I like my Ergo much better. It just feels like the baby is more secure. My kids used the hotsling when they were older and I would put them on my hip (Ergo can also be used on the hip). My suggestion is to buy one from Target or somewhere that is cheaper than the others (which usually run $50-$60) and see how you like it. I bought a Moby too and didn't like it. I had a Bjorn and liked that too!

2 moms found this helpful

K.M.

answers from Chicago on

OK here is the negative with the NON cloth carriers that I have found ... with a smaller baby they may cause hip issues by FORCING thier hips to be in an unnatural for thier size place. I attribute it more like when you are doing warm ups and you move your legs out too far and it hurts so I chose to use one like the moby wrap. They are actually Faster and Easier to put on then the formed carriers. I had it down pat to 30sec on and off with my moby style wrap but my carrier took nearly 1plus min esp if baby has grown or someone else had it on before me. I LOVE LOVE LOVE baby slings/wraps always gift them to my new mommy friends. I used a Hot Sling (pouch type) and Miracle Wrap simmilar to a Moby wrap ... thier designs have been bought out by other companies in the 3yrs since having them now you would use a Moby wrap or a standard pouch wrap here are some places I reccomend
http://www.peppermint.com/
http://thenestingplace.biz/BabyKTan.html
I actually used to work at the second website's location and my son and I demonstrated how to use these wraps! he loved them and I do too!

2 moms found this helpful
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R.B.

answers from New York on

I have 2 peanut shell slings and I love them. There are also some more moderately priced ones that are similar at Target. i don't think I would like zippers but that is just me. I also have a Moby and that one is my favorite. There is a website called the baby wearer it will compare them all. Also there are some sites you can rent a few different kinds and figure out what you like. The ring slings with extra fabric are really good for on the go breastfeeding.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

Peanut shells are great but I would seriously consider using a moby if I were you. They are awesome and do not take a lot of cordination or time to put on. Youtube has a TON of videos that show you how to wrap them. Once you've put on the moby a few times, it won't take any longer than putting on any sling or carrier.

Just my thoughts! Congrats on #2 and I hope you find just what your looking for.

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M.B.

answers from Chicago on

Try the ergo baby. I bought it at diapers.com. I have the bjorn also. But it hurt my back as they got bigger. Its about$ 110 but I wish I had it with my first. Good luck

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N.O.

answers from Chicago on

I have a Moby, an Ellaroo (which is exactly like a Moby except less stretchy fabric), a Zolo ring sling, and an Ergo.

The Moby and Ellaroo annoyed me (fine to put on at home, but what if you're out - then you have all this fabric dragging in the dirt/ground), my son never liked the Zolo, and quite honestly I found it uncomfortable too.

LOVE the Ergo. Love love love it. Used an infant insert when he was smaller but once he was about 4 months old we stopped using the insert. He is 14 months now, and is a tall boy, and I find it super comfortable. I foresee using it for quite a while still. Some may find it on the pricier side, but for the length of use you get out of it, plus the comfort factor for your back, it's totally worth it. So, it's not a sling per se, but it's a baby carrier and that's the main thing, right? :)

Congratulations on your Baby #2!

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P.G.

answers from Chicago on

I always LOVED my Baby Bjorn carrier. One of my boys preferred to face me; the other preferred to face out (still true to this day). I loaned it out after I stopped using it and everyone loved it as well.

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J.L.

answers from Chicago on

I have an Ella Roo (sp?) and I love it. It sits more to the side, in front but on the hip. It feels like a more natural position -that the baby isn't attaches to the front of you. People stop me all the time (even men) and tell me what a novel, great idea it is.

M.H.

answers from Chicago on

I loved my Hotsling (which has since gone out of business). It was a pouch sling and it was awesome. I would highly recommend finding your local baby wearing group (I know there is one that meets at the Naperville library- if you send me a private message to remind me I can get more info for you). They will have a full library of different kinds of carriers that you can try on before you buy them to make sure you like it. They will also show you how to safely wear them.

Since there has been more than one comment saying they are unsafe, I want to address that quickly. BAG SLINGS are what was recalled and unsafe. Slings, wraps, etc are all safe. Here is a really great article on safety (written by a mom) http://www.undercovermother.net/2010/03/babywearing-real-... (her site has tons of great info on safety and baby wearing)

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K.S.

answers from Chicago on

As another has said be cautious choosing a sling. There have been recalls (infantino) regarding the slings and suffocation. That being said I used and LOVE my ergo. I used the infant insert (or as we referred to it in this house - the baby taco). I still use the ergo only without the insert as my guy is 17 months. It has been the best thing hands down and so versatile as I have used it long after his infant stage.

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C.A.

answers from Chicago on

I absolutely love my Baby K'tan. It's really simple and super comfortable. I still use it with my 8 month old. It give the support of a wrap without being complicated. It's also more comfortable than a sling because you can carry baby's weight more evenly.

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J.T.

answers from Chicago on

Okay, I KNOW you don't want a Moby wrap - and neither did I - so I got the Blue Celery wrap. There is no 'wrapping' or tying - there are two parts that have elasticized material, each like a sling (like the hotsling) all on it's own, and you criss-cross them to hold the baby. As the baby grows, there is a 3rd piece, just like the first two, that you can add for support and additional carrying positions.

My bjorn didn't give me loads of lower back support and I didn't want to wrap, tie, or LEARN any system so I LOVE LOVE LOVED this one. I got it for my 2nd kid and will keep it for a 3rd for sure :)

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R.B.

answers from Chicago on

I don't actually have a sling recommendation, but I do want to ask you to be VERY careful with slings. I'm not trying to be Debbie Downer here, but there have been multiple infant suffocations due to a sling in recent years (with the increase in usage, there has been an increase in deaths). When the baby is squished in there, the baby's head can get pressed to his/her chest and it can cause problems breathing. Also, if the baby's head turns and is caught against one of the sling walls, that can cause suffocation as well (much like why all the experts tell us not to use bumpers in cribs). In one case I read about, the mom continued to wear her baby around having NO IDEA that the baby had stopped breathing. She thought her infant was just sleeping. So by the time she realized there was problem, it was too late. I was heartbroken for her!

I'm not saying slings are a bad thing (I much preferred the Baby Bjorn front carrier since I felt it was much more secure anyway). But PLEASE just be careful with them if you choose to go that route.

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T.T.

answers from Chicago on

never heard anyone complain about eh extra fabric on their sling so i dont think you are going to notice it. the nice thing about an adjustable sling is that you can use it for way longer than the plain pouch ones since they are not adjustable. The Bjorn is so uncomfortable for mom and look at how a baby looks in it...who holds their baby naturally in that position? Id stick with the Maya Wrap ( that is the ring sling) as its been around FOREVER and people LOVE it! I just got mine used from a friend for baby #2

H.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm on baby wearing device number 6. In the end I settled on the Ergo. My babies have not taken to slings. Though I did enjoy the Bjorn in hotter weather because baby's legs can dangle and they aren't up against your chest.

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