Slings and things

DS is 13mths and around 13kg.
I've seen mums with toddlers in a sling (or similar) on their hips.
I've also seen mums with much younger babies in slings looking much more comfortable than I ever was with a young DS in a front pack. The one I saw the other day was over both shoulders and around the body (I wasn't in a position to go and ask for tips).

Can anyone recommend what type of sling works with toddler on a hip?

What's the best sling for a younger baby?

(Would be a bonus if they were one in the same)

I made a pouch sling and this worked well with my toddler til he was about 2. then he wanted to run everywhere.

It was also great for when he was a newborn.

http://www.mykarmababy.com/pages/BabySlingPattern.php

Ring slings are also good as they are adjustable.

Be wary of some 'bag' type slings, or slings where newborns are cradled and their chins are sort of tucked into their chests, as there have been cases of young babies suffocating.

http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf

Edited by hila1

I recently tried a storchenweige which is like the moby but a stronger material rather than stretchy cotton which is better if your baby is a back archer!

I also tried a mei tai which is like a front pack but so much more comfortable! DD is 10kg at 6 months and I just can't wear my elite cruiser front pack anymore as it's agony - she's so heavy but tried the mei tai and storchen weige and so much comfier! But the mei tai would be better in summer as there is a lot of fabric to the storchenweige so I would imagine you'd get pretty hot!

Slingbabies - this has all the info you need on every type of carrier available including the 'bad' ones!

I have used an Ergo (soft structured carrier) with DS since he was around 3kg. I've bought a Moby to use for the new baby, mainly because they're great for premmies and I wished I had one when I had DS. I hadn't actually thought about using it for DS now while I'm pregnant lol! But will give it a go!

Up till I was about 25 weeks pregnant the Ergo was great from newborn - toddler and I'd definitely recommend it. I have friends who were able to wear their toddlers on their backs much later in pregnancy in their Ergos but I found it uncomfortable so DS has to walk

I love my ergo as well, I used with with both kids - Lachie who is 3 and about 18kg and Tessa who is 14 months and just over 13 kg, I love it and find I can wear it for ages with either one without getting sore, and am only 17 weeks now but am having no trouble at the moment.
I think I will get a sling to use when the next one is really small and then use the ergo later

I've recently made a mei tai and find it really comfy with my DD who is 18months and 10kg (OT Lil_Nic I can't believe our two weigh the same and mine's a whole year older haha random). I got a Moby wrap when she was 10months old and it was great but after a while she wouldn't stay in it- kept trying to climb out!! Will use it from birth with the next bubba though

If you're in Auckland, feel free to come to our next Slingbabies coffee group - www.slingbabies.co.nz Otherwise I'd be more than happy to connect you with a local babywearing group wherever you are in NZ.

There are so many carriers, but I always recommend trying before buying if possible, and once you're settled with a carrier that works for both you and your baby - they are more than worth their weight in gold.

That said, I have multiple styles of carrier that I use in different situations - so you don't have to stick to just one

I have a moby which I used all the time when Tom was a newborn and absolutely loved it. I have recently got the Manduca (soft structured carrier) and I  it- so easy to use and really comfy and can be used from 3.5-20kg. I hardly ever use the buggy anymore.

Go to sling meetups I went to one in Welly last week it was really great to try different slings out and highly recommend it! Doesn't matter if you don't know anyone simply because you're trying them on so not much time to chat imo!