The more kids I have, the more hands-free time I need; can you relate? Well, the other side of the coin is that I keep having these cute little boys who love to be hugged and cuddled all the time, which is definitely fine by me, except for the hands-free need thing. Sigh.In other words, Miles likes to be held, surprise surprise, and if it were up to me, I would hold and hug him all day. I never tire of his sweet little smell and adorable little expressions and sounds. I remember when Audrey was a newborn and I could just lay down on the couch with her for every nap. We both got plenty of rest and since I had no other kids and lived in 700 square feet, I didn't have a whole lot else to do! (mothers of one baby, take note. enjoy having one baby. it gets harder. :) )
Well, count my blessings, these days, life is not so simple. Dinner needs making, laundry needs folding, primary needs its chorister back, and other kids need hugging, too.
So I'm in the market for a "sling." I think "babywearing," as it is called, is a wonderful thing. I can't stand to see babies lugged around strapped into their car seats all day, plus my upper body strength is not where I'd like it to be and those things are heavy! Babies are only small for so short a time, and I love baby-to-mommy contact in any form. My friend Kelsey uses these cute slings, but they're a little pricey. Anyone have a good sling they'd recommend?
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I love my baby bjorn, but I know some people don't like them. We got the more expensive one ($120) when Ali was born, it has the back support thing on it. I figured I'd use it for at least one more kid. I have a friend in my ward here who makes something similar to these. You just tell her what you want and she can make it, just about. She made one for my girlfriend and it does have a little extra fabric on it that hangs down (with a pocket for keys or whatever) but you dont' have to wrap it all over yourself, and if you don't want all the extra fabric, you can cut it off. It looks similar to the one you have pictured here. She charges like $50 for them, if you want her name/number let me know (=
Okay I just re-read that and I didn't mean just 'chop it off' but she can make it so theres not so much extra 'bandage' (=
i have a baby bjorn, too. miles is still too small and foldable for it, plus, sometimes i think they might be uncomfortable for babies for long periods of time. I'll use it, for sure, I did with Parker, but you know how their arms and legs just hang out the sides? i think a sling is more natural of a position. am i over-thinking this or WHAT?!
Not at all... I can't imagine having 3 kids in a few months! Already I'm wishing I could order another 'pair of hands'! Ali was a bit older when I got the bjorn. It is funny to me how my friends baby just hangs out in her sling, almost 'in-utero' looking, he's 4 months old and seems to love it still. Looks so uncomfortable, but I'm not 4 months old anymore, so maybe thats it!
I too have a baby bjorn - ebay is the BOMB! But again, the problem is that when they are just so little like Miles, they can't support themselves very well in one of those....dilema might be solved in getting one of the above mentioned slings. here's an idea - you get it and then I'll pay you for it once you are done (if you really are done, if you know what I mean...)
I don't have recommendations on this, but you'll have to let me know how it goes. I have a friend in SF that used one and I thought it seemed great.
Have you been to this website?
www.lucky-baby.com
It's a Utah-based company and I think they're slings are adorable, affordable, and "compact". I think most are reversible too. Full price is $35, but some are on clearance for as low as $20! I want one for my next baby from this site. Good luck with your hunt!
i just checked out lucky-baby.com. they have the cutest slings! wow, i totally want one if i can ever manage to get pregnant again.
lucky baby sells on ebay, too, i've discovered, where there are LOTS of other cute ones. i think i'll bid on this one: what do you think?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&item=320027428896&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1
Hey Leslie-
Before you know it Miles will be fitting in your baby Bjorn... I actually bought a sling with Emma when she was a month old. She hated it. She was always all crumpled up in it. You see how the pictures of the website you linked to have the parent supporting the baby with a hand? That is what you have to do. You still won't have both hands free.
Little babies will crumple, no matter what. That is what they do. Until Miles is a few months older, he will crumple, even in a sling. I think the bjorns are nice because the baby at least has neck support from the stiffness of the bjorn.
Just my two cents worth, but I am not a fan of slings... Find a store where you can try one out before you buy it, or make sure they have a good return policy and Miles doesn't spit up on it. I ended up returning mine after a month.
I used my sling a lot when Jonah was a newborn. He didn't mind being bunched up next to his mom. As he got older, I used it less because he wasn't big enough to sit in the sling on my hip, and he didn't like laying down and being bunched up. Once he could sit up well, I started using it again.I have an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder. It's fine, but a little bulky (it has a big pad on the shoulder). The others that people have recommended here look great. They can be kind of awkward if you're moving too much. I'd get Jonah situated, and then one of the other boys would drop something. Even if I carefully squatted (sp?) down instead of bending over (not a good idea) Jonah would still shift and I'd have to start over. I used the sling mostly on walks. Hope that helps. :)
You should contact Nettie from Singing a Verse of My Song. She makes them. She made me one when I had my first baby. I never did quite get the hang of it, but Nettie has always worn her babies around and just loves it. I hope you find one that works for you.
I checked out the sling... it is very cute... I actually just bought a clearanced one at lucky baby for $20, the 'aloha blue'... i couldn't resist (ps... they have LOTS of cute diaper bags on ebay... have you looked? (=
YES!! You need to go to lucky-baby.com
It is owned by a great girl, Candice. I have a link on my blog to Candice's blog and to her slings. THEY ARE WONDERFUL!!!
I just gotta put in my 2 cents about those lucky baby slings. I own several cause they're so dang cute and so dang handy! and simple.
Okay... since my crash I have been out of things, but WAIT.... did you already buy one? I have been stressing about what to give you and I know how to make those!! Remember the one I had with Oliver? I almost started selling them because when Alyssa had her premie, she kept him in the sling in public for months so no one would touch him and everyone wanted to know where she got it. It really helps when you start them out young... they like it a lot better later. Let me know!
Les, reconsider a wrap, please. Those 5 yards of cotton jersey saved my life during Grant's first year. The comfort level is truly unmatched by any other baby carrier. And it's cheap!
Here's a link to photos of my wrap in action:
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/keniraas/slideshow_end?.dir=/6950scd&.src=ph
Thank you for visiting me! ItyBty is right. I do love slings and make my own.
I bought my first one when my 1st was 6 months (I think that is a good age to learn how to use one. Unlike more confined carriers, you do have to learn how to wear them. But, once you have the hang of them they are much more versatile.)
I wore out my first one after just 6 months and didn't want to pay that much again. So, my mom and I took it apart and "backward engineered" how to make one. I later found that a company called Elizabeth Lee Designs sells a pattern, and the rings. (go with the plastic, not the metal ones, if you make one.)
I'm now expecting my fifth baby and am excited about making a new one. All of my babies have loved being in them, so far!
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