slings or carriers?

[Gaby]

Just watched ER and one of the main characters, Abby, was scorned by other mums for using a baby carrier (bit like this link) I know its fiction, but they said the carriers are bad for babies hips.

I'm currently ttc, but i like to know things in advance, lol. So are slings definately better for the baby than carriers? Because i think a carrier would be so much better for my back (once i have kids, lol) I find it much better for my back if weight's distributed evenly across both shoulders ^_^

So i just thought i'd get some opinions, lol. My help some mums to be

 

[mum2A&L]

ihave acarrier and a sling. my sling doesn't hurt my back. plus alice seems to prefer the sling.

im no expert though, i only have the 1

 

[Minxy]

I found the carriers really hurt my back, the weight seems to be distributed much lower and wasn't very adjustable.

I've got a Mei Tai (asian style sling) from BabyHawk and think it's great because you can have it as tight as you need and the strain is very evenly distributed across the upper body.

It fits both me (5' 1") and my OH (6' 5") which is pretty extreme I think

I'd never use a 'traditional' carrier again.

 

[Gaby]

Mmm, i read about the Mei Tai's earlier today. I'm being very vein, dont like the look of the ones on the BabyHawk site, lol. Love the part the baby sits in, but the straps look really bulky ^_^;

Maybe once i have a baby i'll get both, lol. Carriers aren't that much - mamas and papas ones are £30-£60 i think.

Honestly, i've never seen anyone where a sling before ^_^ or a Mei Tai

 

[mum2A&L]

i used mine in our local highstreet the other day and got a few odd looks. But then i got a few people say what a great idea it is!

alice is a very cuddly baby, so it keeps her happier.plus she keeps me nice and warm

 

[Manda&Thomas]

i would use a carrier as i go dog walking alot and i would feel alot safer with the baby in a carrier then a sling but for just going to a friends house sling defo as they look great
manda x

 

[nathanmum]

i had tomy fleece carrier it never felt comfortable and was fiddly to get on. i had a kari me sling which was ok but i have a coorie sling now and its wicked i wish i had seen these in the beginning you just put it over your head and your off brill!

 

[Melanie]

Any carrier that puts the main weight distribution on the babies crotch area could lead to hip and back problems if the baby is carried that way as they get heavier. Those types of carriers are ones such as the Bjorn, snugglie, ones like that.

Any carrier such as a sling or MT are designed so that the majority of the babies weight is on their bottom which distributes it safely. Its more comfortable for mummy and safer for baby.

 

[mummykay]

i like my ring sling, bit fiddly at first but now its fine! only use it if im poppin out for a pint of milk or postin a letter but i do like using it!

 

[Gaby]

Thanks guys ^_^ Slings do look so much more comfy for the baby. The babys on the mamas and papas website in the carriers look uncomfy (their legs seem to be forced to go at such a funny angle). Would prob still get a carrier for it i were say on a long walk or doing something where the baby might fall out of a sling ^_^; I think i'd panic with a sling for the first few times, lol.

 

[Icecream]

I think, as I'm going to be on my own with baby a lot, I should get a carrier. Have been looking at the 4-way one in mothercare which has a nursing position..

 

[Rosebay]

I've tried many kinds of carrier- especially now he's older and heavier and my absolute fave is the Ergo carrier, there's a picture and info here:-

http://www.parentingbynature.com/ergo-baby-carrier.htm

It's kind of half way between the two things really and as it says on this website it avoids the weight of the baby being taken on their crotch. The thing I love best about it is that the weight is genuinely carried around your waist and not your shoulders unlike others that have been too painful to wear however I adjusted them. Mel is a big toddler but I can carry him around in it for hours and he loves being carried because people talk to him and I can hear what he is saying and vice versa. It's by far the best baby thing we've bought and my OH thinks so too as he much prefers it to sussing out the buggy! Now that Mel is trying out words we have nice walks where we spot cats and trees and dogs etc and I don't have to walk round to the front of the buggy and cause a pavement block every time I stop. Public transport is much easier (we don't have a car), if it rains we're both under an umbrella so can still go for walks without me becoming a drowned rat and it's good exercise. The only time I use the buggy now is when we're shopping because I load it up.

I loved my ring sling at the beginning but he got very big for it very fast and I just couldn't work out how to wear it so that it wouldn't hurt me but I wish I'd had this carrier from the beginning actually.

I'm not selling it by the way- this sounds a bit like an advert! Hope the link is ok as far as rules go?
+++

 

[Gaby]

Thanks for the link rosebay