Slings

[cerise]

Hi,
I'm expecting Baby No 2 and I'm interested in slings in order to carry the baby ("babywearing"). I've found some websites such as http://www.hug-a-bub.com.au/ but nothing like what I'm looking for, ie. just the simple sling where you have to choose the lenght of fabric (see photos on http://echarpes.ouvaton.org/frames.html, sorry it is french language)
Also any idea where I can find tying techniques classes in Sydney?

Thanks,
Cecile.

[Sharon]

Hi

I bought a sling off ebay. If you search for 'mysling' you should find a couple. The lady actually makes the slings herself. The sling is a copy of some of the dearer more expensive slings. I use it for both my 6 month old and my 22 month old (not at the same time. lol). Both enjoy being close to me and its great to go pram free when you need to quickly get something. Its also good for the baby who won't let you put him/her down.

You should note, the mysling lady made me a smaller sling as I am not a big person and could not get my newborn to sit snugly or comfortably in the sling. She gave me some extra tips on wearing the sling and I would ask other mums I saw using similar slings what they thought and it's all trial and error with experience. You could use it to carry your first born around, the sling is supposed to take upto 15kg. My sister in law also says its a good sling if you want to breast feed descretely in public.

Good luck.

[Angel]

There is a very useful website called www.carryingaway.com which will help you decide which slings best suits your needs. There are articles there and there is even a shop with a variety of products to choose from (the menu for the different types of carriers is on the side once you reach the Shop page).

A personal recommendation is the Hatchling Slings from www.keltorrdesigns.com They are made by a work-at-home-mum in Brisbane and are fantastic in my opinion - I have two! Sheryn (the maker) is very flexible and will happily alter things by request, for example you might prefer to have no padding in the rails so she will make it this way for you. I love the Original because of the fabric choices, the fact it's a ring sling so it's VERY adjustable and adjusts very easily even with a child in place, it has a huge pocket in the tail so that you can carry your mobile, keys, purse, tissues and child's water around with you, no probs, and it is easy to breastfeed in. Like most decent ring slings you can use it until a child is approximately four years old so they are excellent value for money, especially when you consider the Original starts at around $45 I think (that may include postage too - it's a while since I bought mine).

I used a regular-style carrier in the first months and it near killed me; I have a back injury from a car crash seven years ago. But when DD reached around 12 months I bought the Hatchling as she'd no longer tolerate long periods in the stroller (she was walking and wanted to get out of her stroller constantly). So I bought the sling and would walk into town every day virtually (15 minute walk) with her on my back (there are HEAPS of different positions, and Sheryn can give you photographs of 'how to' when you order). By the time I'd done my bits and bobs DD was tired so we'd walk home again with her in the hip carry. She's invariably fall asleep on my shoulder so I'd just put my arm around her back to stop her slipping.

I used the sling until she was around 2.5 but really only stopped because I started a business and we never did the walks to the shopping centre anymore. She's never been a heavy child but considering my back injury had stopped me using a carrier when she was five months old.... Three cheers for slings LOL! They are soooo much more comfortable and distribute weight so well. I went on to buy the stretch mesh Hatchling sling too by way of introducing DD to the shower (which she now loves) and the swimming pool. Fabulous! There's even a cotton mesh sling designed with Qld summers in mind. I can't rate Hatchlings enough!

[mamafelix]

Hi Cerise

another great site with lots of info on different kinds of slings and how to tie wrap slings is http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.htm

To find other mums in your area who know how to tie wrap slings , I'd suggest posting on a forum like www.naturalparenting.com.au or www.alternativebaby.net - they are both Australian forums with a lot of babywearing mums (and dads) on them. There should also be links to web sites explaining how to make your own sling, or distributors if you want to buy one.

Happy slinging!

[mandison]

Excellent information on tying wraparound carriers can be found at www.mamatoto.org. It's a not for profit site that is devoted to teaching people about the simplicity of using simple pieces of cloth (aka a "wrap") to wear your baby.

They have great photo instructions and even video clips to help with learning how to tie them.

There aren't a lot of options for finding a woven wrap here in Australia, but the Ellaroo wrap has an Australian distributor (www.ellaroo.com).

Cheers
Amanda

[jakobsmum]

http://www.mayawrap.com/

[mandison]

Just for the record a Maya Wrap is actually a ring sling. A wraparound (or wrap carrier) is actually a whole other type or style of baby carrier.

Another site I recently came across with some great wraparound carrier tying instructions is http://www.easycare.at/index_e.html. If you go to the "Quick Fix" page it has some nice quick and easy ways to tie your wrap.

HTH!