Baby Sling versus Front Carrier Reviews
April 8th, 2008 Posted in Baby Carriers Types, Ergo Carriers, Ring Slings
Baby Sling versus Front Carrier Reviews
Slings versus front carriers
Submitted by moments2treasure
With my first child, I used the baby bjorn A LOT! I loved the freedom it allowed me and the closeness it provided all at the same time.
Since becoming a mom and being around other moms, I have heard about slings for babies. With my second child on the way, I wasn’t sure if I should consider a sling or just stick with my baby bjorn.
Do they provide additional benefits? How are they the same? How are they different? I’ve heard slings can be complicated to put on until you get used to it. Any sling experts out there who can give me some advice in this area? Which have you found you like better or do you use both?
Submitted by max-imom
I had a sling, but it was just an ordinary sling. By the time my son was a couple of months old he was too heavy for it to be comfortable for me, and he didn’t like it because he couldnt see out. I would have loved one of those multi-purpose, wear it different ways kinds. I think that is what you meant because you said they seem complicated. There is a mom on this site that makes them. If you don’t hear from her on this, I would PM her.
slings vs carriers
Submitted by Laura
I was given a sling when my son was an infant and hated it! I couldn’t use it…the baby just seemed so uncomfortable. I much prefer the front carrier, I used one a lot with my daughter, the only negative is that once they get to be about 15 lbs it is uncomfortable to carry them for long. And my daughter reached that point at 2 months. I now have the Playtex hip hammock and really like it. I used it in NYC last weekend walking all over the city…my daughter is 17 lbs and it was very comfortable (but the child has to be at least 15 lbs and have good control of his/her head).
Submitted by THe4OfUs
My main beef with front carriers like the Bjorn and other ones you can get at big retail stores is that the kiddo is basically dangling by their crotch, and that’s not good for their little spines. I used an infantino cozyrider with my firstborn because I didn’t knwo there were other options. Plus, with those carriers, all their weight centers in front and down, so it’s hard to keep your posture for more than a short time period.
I’m personally not a big ring sling lover (thought I know many mom love ring slings), but I LOVED my adjustable pouch, my Moby wrap, and my Beco carrier. They all served their purpose in different stages, and all supported the little one in an actual sitting position instead of a dangling position, so I felt better about wearing my daughter than I did my son. The other benefit about non-”dangly” carriers is that they tend to distribute the weight better on mom, so you don’t get fatigued as easily.
I currently am still wearing my 26-pound, 17-month-old daughter on a dialy basis for at least an hour or so on my back, in a Beco carrier (the Beco is soft, not rigid like the metal frame carriers)…I’ve logged hundreds and hundreds of hours of wearing her, and I’ve never had back pain…and I have a herniated lumbar disk.
So, even if you don’t want a traditional sling, there are a lot of options out there to wear your baby in a way that’s comfortable for you and orthopedically sound for them!
Wearing my daughter was one of the only things that calmed her as a young infant (she was pretty intense and needy for the first few months - aw, who am I kidding, she’s still pretty intense and needy! ), and one of the things that saved my sanity when trying to parent an infant and toddler at the same time - hands free is the only way to go as far as I’m concerned. I’ve used a stroller exactly once her entire life - way easier ot have her on me and be hands free and able to tend to big bro, push a shopping cart, walk around a park, without lugging a stroller around.
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