need help finding sling for toddler...

[mudder17]

Okay, this is my first time in this forum (yikes, I hope I don't start a new obsession!), so I think I'm going to need some help. I used to think that slings were for infants and newborns until I saw all those slings in use at the retreat and talked to some of the moms there!

I have a kissasling, which never worked all that well for me, partly because I had no idea what I was doing, LOL! But I recently tried it with Kaya and it was nice, but I'm having trouble with the sling sliding through the metal ring, which means it's not holding well enough.

So basically, I'm looking for a sling that has the following criteria:

1) Good for a toddler to be carried facing out or facing me or being hip carried. Basically, I need something that will be comfortable for me that may free up my hands more. It would be great if the baby could also be carried facing out like with the Baby Bjorn because Kaya has recently discovered she likes pushing the stroller (which is too high for her so I need to hold her up).

2) Easy enough to put on without requiring another person (I won't always have someone around). ETA: I'm totally sling stupid. I needed help to figure out the kissasling, so something like the Moby, while it looks really cool, also looks really complicated for me.

3) Not outrageously expensive, although I'd be willing to pay a bit more if it can also be used with a future newborn/infant.

ETA: It does not have to be a sling. It could be a pouch, a carrier, whatever you think might work. The Baby Bjorn was great, but it's kind of bulky to cart around and it's getting a bit snug on her. She's only 20 pounds right now, so I'm thinking if she continues growing, it's not going to fit for long.

Thanks in advance!

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ies/candle.gif

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbo...n_gold_12m.gif , 14 months & counting
Kaya's cousin, due October 9th!!!

[DebbieJ]

If she likes facing out, she might like one of those newer designed mei tais with an adjustable bottom. I think I saw one at www.meitaibaby.com. Our very own Beth also makes them at www.catbirdbaby.com

~ deb
DS 12/03
And a niece or nephew arriving in early August!

http://www.windsorpeak.com/dc/user_files/10029.gif

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ies/candle.gif

[gour0]

For ease of use and no learning curve, I say go for a padded hotsling. Sateens sound awesome. Here are a few places that carry them:

www.hotslings.com

http://store.attachedtobaby.com/detail.aspx?id=87 free shipping TBWMAMAS

http://shop.nurturecenter.com/hostpobaca.html


http://www.cottontailbaby.com/catalog.php?category=44

You could also look for a used one on Babywearer. There are a few available right now.

[dowlinal]

Eileen,

If you are interested in a another ring sling you can try one fron Jan Andrea. She is extremely inexpensive and super easy to work with. I've never had a problem with slippage with mine but it's my only ring sling so I don't have anything to compare it to. http://www.sleepingbaby.net/shop/index.php

Otherwise, I think the hotslings are a great idea. You can't beat their quality and value. Plus the owner was also super nice to work with.

BTW- I've been meaning to thank you for the swimdipe reccomendations. I got two of them and they are wonderful. Now if it would just get warm up here.

A

[mudder17]

Hmm...the hotsling definitely looks promising, especially in its ease of use. But what about holding her forward facing, like a kangaroo? Are there any slings or pouches that can do that? Oh, and what about the combo pouch/sling/belt thingie that Anna was suggesting? Would that be a reasonable choice, for those of you who have seen it, either IRL or online?

But keep the suggestions coming! :) My diaper stash is almost complete, so I need something new to research, LOL!

ETA:
Okay, I've been looking at some of the links in the 101 thread at the top and am as confused as ever, partly because I'm not sure which ones would actually work well for a toddler. I do like the simplicity of both the pouches and the slings w/rings, but neither seems to work well with a toddler, from what I can tell.

I've joined Babywearer so I'd be willing to get a couple of different types used (assuming I can find them), but I'd like to maximize my chances that I'll find something I can use. :)

So some questions:

1) If I were to get another sling with ring, would I want a nylon (nonmetallic) ring to reduce the chances of slipping?

2) What kind of material would be most suitable for a toddler in terms of not being too warm and being able to support more weight (so not slipping)?

3) I'm also considering pouch-like carriers because I wouldn't have to worry as much about slippage with those, right?

4) Anyone live in the MD are with a bunch of different kinds so I can get a tutorial? :P This makes me really bummed I didn't get to spend more time at the retreat with all of you experts!

5) The more I look at the Moby, the more I like it (especially the price), but would that be suitable for a toddler? I know it would be great when I have another baby, but what about now? And can you put it on without help? Would you be able to get a toddler into one of those without having someone prop up the toddler to take some of the weight off of you?

Oh, and I do have a preference of solid colors or very simple prints. I don't want anything really fancy.

Thanks again!

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ies/candle.gif

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbo...n_gold_12m.gif , 14 months & counting
Kaya's cousin, due October 9th!!!

[mudder17]

Alexis! I'm so glad you were able to get a couple of the swim dipes! Wishing you LOTS of warm weather to come. :)

The ring slings look pretty good. It's funny that she has an x-small in White Challis, although I assume that would be too small for us. Kaya's middle name is Challis. :) I'll have to look through her site more carefully.


Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ies/candle.gif

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbo...n_gold_12m.gif , 14 months & counting
Kaya's cousin, due October 9th!!!

[Saartje]

Eileen, with what you're looking for, and knowing that Kaya is (IIRC) pretty close in size to Ishie, I'd suggest a mei tai. I wouldn't get a sling or a pouch; Isaac *adored* his pouch for the longest time, but he's too tall to fit in it now except in a hip carry. (If someone can suggest another appropriate carry for my tall boy, I'm all ears!) I just don't think that single carry would be enough for you, especially if Kaya likes to face out.

A mei tai has a simple design; it's basically a square piece of fabric with long straps attached to all four corners. You can carry your baby in front or back, facing in or out. They're pretty simple to tie; getting the baby on in front (facing in or out) is easy, though getting the baby on your back by yourself has a bit of a learning curve.

[npace19147]

I agree - sounds like you could be happy with either a ring sling or a mei tai, and you might want a simple pouch just for a quick hip carry as well.

I don't think a Moby would work for you with DD at 20lbs. The stretchy wraps just aren't great when they get much past 15lbs. If the wrap concept interests you, you can try a woven...but that's a whole new level of addiction. :)

[Deborah_Hogan]

I'd love to hear opinions on carriers for older toddlers/preschoolers. I carried my first child until I got pregnant with my second, so never dealt with the latter stages. Now with my second, I want to carry as long as possible.

I have Sutemi (love it); Kozy (still great for front carry; not as good for others); maya pouch (great for hip carry, but shod toddler feet make it hard to load and unload.

So all you experts: what are good options for large kids?

[mudder17]

Sarah and Nancy, I'll check out the mei tais! Thanks! As for a simple pouch for hip carry, what would you suggest? I like the hip carry concept, especially for taking her from the car to the grocery store or something like that, so a simple pouch to easily do that would be great!

And okay, I think I'll wait on the Moby until a little one comes along. :)

Eileen

Mother of Beautiful Kaya, www.chemicalgraphics.com/kaya
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ies/candle.gif

http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbo...n_gold_12m.gif , 14 months & counting
Kaya's cousin, due October 9th!!!