This week we are running a series of posts from one self-confessed “sling slut”, who rose to the challenge of managing without a baby carrier for a week! Here she tells us how she got on; what she found hard and what was easy.
Day Two
Saturday morning and we needed some milk, so I got the buggy out and we were off. On our way a big tractor went past, but Isaac didn’t get a good look at it due to parked cars being in his line of sight. In a sling he’s above the level of parked cars, and we could have easily turned as it passed so that he could look at it for longer. On the way, we called into a builders’ merchants for some paint – they had none of the paint I wanted, but plenty of requests to come “up” to the level of conversation and the grizzling to follow. Yet again I felt the need to explain “he’s usually in a sling”, and it was a relief to get out the door. This time in the supermarket I knew to keep him strapped in, and whizzed round as quickly as I could with my hands full of buggy and basket.
In the afternoon Isaac was busily playing in the garden so decided to get the lawn mowed while I had the free time. Once I’d got the mower out and set up, he started asking “up”. Considered holding him with one arm and mowing with the other hand then thought the better of it and grabbed the Connecta from the lounge and popped him on my back. After a few minutes of mowing I clicked… ooops, failed day two of my challenge! Then I realised why he’d asked to be up for mowing: last weekend I’d mown the lawn with him after practicing a back carry with a Calin Bleu woven wrap – he’d obviously enjoyed the mowing (and hopefully that continues when he’s older and can mow the lawn for me!).
We drove to B&Q for paint. Isaac was due a sleep so, knowing he’d fall asleep in the car, I decided it was a good opportunity to test out the buggy on a sleeping boy (who doesn’t see the need to sleep much!). He’d been asleep about 10 minutes when I arrived at B&Q – enough for him to be in a fairly deep sleep. I got him out of his car seat and onto my front still asleep (at this point I’d usually have my Connecta round my waist before I pick him up from his seat, and fasten it around him while he sleeps). But the next move to get him down into the buggy woke him up – ah well, a short nap’s better than no nap. Once in-store, I again had to do the buggy plus basket juggle.
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I used a sling when I had two babies…sure make things easier … but it got to the point where my back would really hurt. This was a few years ago and I’m sure sling technology has moved on?!
It depends on the type of sling you use, A Modern Mother. A good, supportive sling shouldn’t cause pain. There are many different types available, each one with it’s own pros and cons (see http://www.getyourhandsback.co.uk/types-of-baby-carriers/).
I use a SnugBaby Mei Tai, and am still able to carry my (almost) 3 year old in it, without any difficulty or pain.