Anyone finding it difficult to use a baby sling?

[Littleboopsie]

Does anyone have any trouble using baby slings? I have only seen positive reviews where people love/swear by them and i wish i was finding it that easy.

I have just bought a Peanut Shell according to their suggested size measurements, and have ALOT of trouble squeezing my 10 wk daughter in, and trying to align her bum to the seam like the instructions say (have not yet been able to). Then i have a hard time trying to get her out. I basically have to squish her this way and that and it gets quite tiring with the weight and all.

Ive searched the net looking for ideas and watched some stuff on Youtube on how to do it but its still quite difficult.

Any suggestions anyone?

[Just Add Water]

Can't help you sorry but I have avoided buying one because I do worry about not being able to use it... I am waiting till I have bubs and then hoping the shop will show me how to do it (and let me keep going back until I figure it out!!). Will watch to see what others have to say :)

[NibbleCurlynBub]

Yeah, I did.

I have scoliosis and using the sling hurts my back. Its one-sided.

I chose to make my own mei-tai type carrier which works well. I would also like to get some material to have a wrap carrier too. :yes:

Ones that are even across the shoulders and back are probably the best bet, they're the most comfortable for me. :)

ETA: Though I didn't find it difficult putting bub in. I would lift the sling a bit and open it up properly, so that the bottom of the sling was above my belly button and settle bub in and gently lower it back down. Worked out fine.

[Blueberry Crumble]

I will admit that I HATE those sling things- I hate having the baby attached to me while Im trying to do things LOL... it makes me feel hot and suffocated

[GraceUnhearing]

i love love love my peanut shell!

[Ana Gram]

I didn't like any of the slings and baby carriers. they all hurt my back and my DD didn't like being in them.

[em1984]

oh my god im the same and i have done all you have done too and i find it impossible!! there must be a knack to it that im yet to discover!! annoying when they cost so damn much!

[zenifa]

I loved my slings (all 4 of them :o) and both of my girls loved to be in them!!

However I will say that some slings are easier to use than others (in my experience) and I found that practice, practice and more practice was the key!!! Plus if someone can show you (rather than trying to read instructions) it is much easier.

Also I found once I had adjusted my slings to ensure my back was supported (I have scoliosis) and I could get bubs in and out, it wasn't too bad and I always kept them that way if possible.

They worked really well for me but they certainly aren't right for everyone (some of the other posts in this thread will confirm that!!)

[MsMummy]

I'm not sure all babies like the slings. I had a cradle-type one and my baby as a newborn screamed, arched his back and tried to wiggle out - wouldn't have anything of it.

It was also hard to get him in.

but he loves the head-up style ones (ie. baby bjorns and ergos).

[DonnaL]

Nope, it's not just you!

I bought one similar to the Peanut Shell when DD was a newborn and couldn't for the life of me work it out. I ended up taking it back and got an Ergo instead, which I love, but I'm still going to have another go this time at slinging, because I love the concept, but I'm going to try one that's a bit more structured (I was thinking the Minimonkey or similar).

[francemumma]

I dont have a peanut shell., i have a bubba moe sling. I found it difficult initally but if I turned bub towards me so he was more on his side (still had airways clear!!) it was much more comfy!!
You could try utube it, also some of the sling websites have videos. I know bubba moe has (although different slings..)

Good luck!!

[cja]

Slings didn't work for me...

[Pices_79]

Slings didnt work for me either. I have a Baby Bjorn Active and just love it :) I used it with DD until she was 1 and have started using it with our 5 week old. He loves it - falls asleep in it :)

[SPC]

I have a hotsling, and Esme did seem to outgrow it, so I got the next size up and it was better, but she still didn't always like being cradle held. So very early, about 12 weeks, I moved her into a hip carry and she has been soooo happy ever since. She just needed to be upright. I also have a moby wrap, which we both love but is a bit of palaver to get on.

[reAllytee]

I only got my ring sling once Boof was around 10mths or so which meant he loved it could I could have him in the hip carry which is where he permanently lived anyways ... My hip ! So made life easier !

With G the ring sling didnt work on him as a newbie because I make larger babies he was getting all squished in it the way he was meant to lay as a newbie plus he hated it due to reflux.

He lived in the Hug A Bub though which is like the Moby which I LOVED !!!! Made life so damned easy !

I then got a BabyHawk MeiTai which we use quite a lot now because he ADORES being on my back & he is comfy as am I !

Sometimes what suits one person doesnt suit another iykwim which is why you may need to try a few out before you find whats right !

[JabberJaw]

I had heaps of trouble with my slings when i got them too. I could get it on Hubby and get bub comfy but could never get it on myself!

But practice is the key, and make sure the fabric is spread right across your back for comfort. I have a big full length mirror and use to use that to get the gist of using it. After a while i finally got it right and now i wont leave the house without a sling ( i have a growing number of them!)

Just keep practicing, one day it will become second nature. I must admit though, my bub didn't particularly fancy laying in it, she like being upright or on my hip, still does.

[noopy]

i don't have a sling, i have a baby bjorn and i totally love it and so does my DD.
I did find at first tho that it was reallllly awkward to put her in and out of but i do believe that practice is the key too.
the more you do it, the more you get used to doing it and build the confidence too.

hopefully its the same with your sling??

[Bubmum]

I loove slings, and absolutely hated the peanut shell...just too much of a tight fit, and they are made in a smaller size than they claim to be, trust me. I have quite a few, and am always on the lookout for new ones to try, and so bought a peanut because it is full fabric. In my opinion they are rubbish. Babies Galore do a lovely stretchy envelope style sling, much like the peanut. Dd lived in it when she was a baby..unfortunately, it is overly generous in sizing, so now Dd is heavier, have to get it resized.

[Bubmum]

Babies galore!!?? I meant Babycinno.

[kezzaskids]

I have a ryoka ring sling and cant work it out!! However now DD is nearly 4 months I have had her in it in a hip position a few times and it is kinda working. Waste of money really. I want an ergo though!

[Littleboopsie]

wow, thank you mummies for the replies/feedback...i thought i was the only one who was finding it hard to put baby in a 'simple' sling.

They are a rip off though..paid $90 for my Peanut Shell and its just a piece of fabric. I think Ill use it as a pattern and make myself a stretchy fabric one to make getting in/out easier.

You simply cannot stretch the opening on the peanut shell! (i have the blue couture one)

[wocket]

I'd reccomend a Hug A Bub style sling. my bub hated the peanut. it's better for both your backs, even if there is a bit of a learning cerve on how to get it on to you the first few times. if you don't want to fork out $120+ for one then you can make your own with 5.5m cotton gersey fabric cut down the middle so that it measure between 50cm and 70ish cm. you should be able to get two slings for $60 by doing this. my bub loves it and often falls alseep.

[Lillynix]

It all comes down to preference. There are different types so it's a matter of finding one that suits you and bub.

I hate and can't use pouches/ring slings nor did DS like them but we both love wraps and mei tai's. We prefer upright carries rather than cradle and with a bad back I prefer two shouldered carriers.

Have a look at ones like the Ergo/Pikkolo, Hug-A-Bub/Moby or Kozy/Babyhawk thet may suit better.

Oh and those of you using things like Baby Bjorn/Tomy please stop using them they are incredibly bad for a baby's developing spine, see HERE (http://www.storchenwiege.com/babycarrierresearch.htm) and HERE (http://www.continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html)

[Jezzy]

I love our peanut slings DH and I have one each for our boys, I found when they were smaller I used to put them in it by spreading out the sling on the car seat or what ever placing bub in the correct position then lifting it over my head and making final adjustments they would be so comfy in there they loved it it was great to use and keep going with housework etc (need someone to invent a twin sling though:cool::cool:)

[Littleboopsie]

I think i'll try the Bubba Moe or Baba sling as they look like they have more fabric in the pouch area so it should be esiaer to put baby in - saw some on ebay for reasonable prices. I dont think ill buy them new again until im comfortable using them as they are quite pricey.

Jezzy - thanks, im going to have a go trying the car seat thing too. Hopefully ill be able to lift her and put her on that way.

[guerin]

Lots

I tried the sling and I never felt safe and always felt that she was pulling the sling down and would fall out, so I held her as well which I could do without the sling.

The baby carrier that I tried I always had trouble getting her in as her legs were to long and my arms too short, so I would have to bend over and try and get her in or undo all the strappings and open it up on the bed and put her in and it was all such a dilema that she would start crying.


Yes I've seen those women with their long arms, short legged and light babies walking around. Yes I am jealous.