I am looking for advice on buying a sling to use with my 8 month old son, 18 pds.
I saw a women using one at a store and thought it looked great. Hers was a hot sling. Any ideas, advice, would be great. Should I go try them on? Sizes? Prices? Brand etc?
I use a hot sling and love it. It is very versitile. I got it at Pacifier in Minneapolis for $40 (I think).
I have a Hotsling and a Over the Shoulder Baby Holder (OTSBH), and prefered the Hotsling for my son when he was brand new, but now like the OSHBH better (he's 3 months). I used the OTSBH for my older son exclusively and loved it from the start, but was given a Hotsling this time so I used it the first two months. At three months my son is not quiet big enough to sit up in the Hotsling, and laying down he is too squished in it, so the OTSBH is better to lay him in at this point.
I do like the padding in the OTSBH for wearing for extended periods, but loved that I could fit the Hotsling in the diaper bag, or lay it across his lap in the carseat as a blanket, it is very handy for short trips and wearing for short periods, but the longer I would wear it (especially as my son got bigger - he was big to start - 9.7 at birth) my shoulder got really sore.
My good friend loved her Maya wrap, and it worked for both her and her husband.
I have Maya Pouch which I never liked, no give to it, and the adjustments never worked for me.
I too recommend Peapods in St. Paul, they are great. There is also a group called NINO (Nine In Nine Out) that is all about baby wearing... they meet monthly and have a large variety of slings you can try. Go to their website to see a local group and meeting.
Good luck!
J. - SAHM to 3 month old Joey and 2 year old Charlie
I really like the maya wrap (mayawrap.com). My sister used a sling with a pad in it and said she liked mine way better. A friend found her maya wrap new on e-bay for about half-price. Good luck!
K.-
I have not used one myself, as the one given to me was the wrong size and I never looked further into it - so yes, I'd suggest trying some out before buying! A great online guide to various styles can be found at Mothering.com (magazine website - I just went there to check - couldn't find the article I was thinking of. Their entire Jan/Feb 2007 issue was about babywearing, you could order a backissue and have it sent to you. Otherwise, if you keyword search sling or baby wearing on their "find" function, you can read all their backarticles). There are many SAHMs that make these - a friend of mine makes one style, if you are interested I can get you the info. Peapods (store in St. Paul, also online store) has some, as I'm sure other local stores do also. Good luck!
T.
There's an organization called Nine-in Nine-out which promotes babywearing. They have meetings in the Twin Cities to talk about babywearing topics and I believe you can try different slings at the meetings too. My friend just told me about them, so I haven't actually attended a meeting myself, but here's their website:
Maybe this will help you decide which sling works best for you.
K. R.
I'm the one Teresa posted about. I make and sell wraps and slings - like the Moby and Maya.
Wraps are better for long wear and are very versatile. You can wear your baby on your front and back with the weight distributed over both shoulders. Baby can also go on your hip, but the carry I know is a one-shoulder carry. They look complicated, but I assure you, once you get the hang of it they're a breeze. You can tie it at home, go to the store, pull baby out, and pop him/her right in.
Slings are great for quick-in-quick-out. I have only found the hip carry with a sling to be very functional. When he was smaller I put him in the front, but never a cradle carry.
Both are good to have on hand, and I honestly use both. I sell them for $30 at www.onebighappy.net (along with some natural bath products). The website is basic, and I haven't figured out how to upload graphics yet... but I can e-mail you colors if you're interested.
Did you see this lady at Sam's Club? Maybe it was me! Someone asked me about my sling at Sam's Club on Saturday (who had an 8 month old).
I do love my hotsling - it's great for quick trips. I got mine online, but as someone else said, they have them at Peapods in St. Paul that you can try on, etc. Sadly, I don't recommend the sling for long periods of time because it can start to hurt your shoulder, but I have an Ergo Baby Carrier for wearing her for longer periods of time.
That would be really funny if you were that same person! :)
Go to Peapods on Snelling & St. Clair in St. Paul (http://www.peapods.com) & they can show you all sorts & help you evaluate what the best kind is for you, based on how you plan to use. (FYI: I have no affiliation with them, I'm just registered there!)
From their website, they have links to the companies that make them & you can read more info about them too. I haven't used yet myself since I'm still 7 mos pg! I'm registered for a Moby Wrap & a Kangaroo Korner Fleece Pouch. Also, you can bring your child into store & they will help teach you how to use with your child.
My girlfriend with 3 kids just demonstrated the Kangaroo pouch to me with her 4 1/2 yr old! Still strong enough! Very soft, adjustable snaps, can nurse while on, multiple positions, etc.
Hope that helps!
Peace, C.
