It’s no exaggeration to say that I was totally unprepared for the reality that was a newborn when I had my first baby. I swung from panicking about how on earth I was going to fill each day and being utterly overwhelmed by the fact that any “normal” things to fill the day at home (cleaning up/cooking/watching tv/shopping etc) were impossible because I had a baby who I couldn’t put down.
It’s also not an exaggeration to say that I remember standing in my living room holding a sling in one hand, baby crying on the sofa, husband looking on bewildered and saying “if I can’t use this sling, what kind of mother am I?”
It makes me so happy to see pregnant mamas or parents with their newborns at sling library, because a helping hand with choosing and fitting a sling, and having the sling for settling a newborn and having hands free, can make such a difference.
So getting a sling for your newborn, where to start?
Have a think about these questions:
All of this questions will help to give an idea about which sling is most suitable.
Here are my top picks for newborns.
Not all slings are newborn suitable, not all slings will last from birth through to toddlerhood. These slings listed here are all suitable from newborn. Some from about 7lbs and some from smaller. We pay very special attention to the positioning of a newborn baby in a sling or carrier. Focusing on airway, back support, hip and leg positioning. All of these slings, with correct fitting, will be respectful of newborns shape, size and position.
1. Tula free to grow
Hands down, this is our most popular sling. We hire the most, and sell the most. Why? Because they are adjustable and easy to use, come in gorgeous patterns and will genuinely last from newborn to toddlerhood. Amazing. They clip around your waist, baby goes against your chest as you bring the panel up and your arms go into the straps. A clip at the back and some clever forward tightening and you’re done! LOVE IT!
TOP TIP: loosen the webbing to be able to easily reach the back clip.
Buy them - from us!
Gets yours from us with a tasty 10% discount
Rrp: £119
Our price: £107
It’s also not an exaggeration to say that I remember standing in my living room holding a sling in one hand, baby crying on the sofa, husband looking on bewildered and saying “if I can’t use this sling, what kind of mother am I?”
It makes me so happy to see pregnant mamas or parents with their newborns at sling library, because a helping hand with choosing and fitting a sling, and having the sling for settling a newborn and having hands free, can make such a difference.
So getting a sling for your newborn, where to start?
Have a think about these questions:
- Do I want something that will last longer than just newborn?
- Do I want something super soft and snuggly?
- What’s my budget?
- Do I need something super quick to use?
- How big is my baby?
All of this questions will help to give an idea about which sling is most suitable.
Here are my top picks for newborns.
Not all slings are newborn suitable, not all slings will last from birth through to toddlerhood. These slings listed here are all suitable from newborn. Some from about 7lbs and some from smaller. We pay very special attention to the positioning of a newborn baby in a sling or carrier. Focusing on airway, back support, hip and leg positioning. All of these slings, with correct fitting, will be respectful of newborns shape, size and position.
1. Tula free to grow
Hands down, this is our most popular sling. We hire the most, and sell the most. Why? Because they are adjustable and easy to use, come in gorgeous patterns and will genuinely last from newborn to toddlerhood. Amazing. They clip around your waist, baby goes against your chest as you bring the panel up and your arms go into the straps. A clip at the back and some clever forward tightening and you’re done! LOVE IT!
TOP TIP: loosen the webbing to be able to easily reach the back clip.
Buy them - from us!
Gets yours from us with a tasty 10% discount
Rrp: £119
Our price: £107
2. Stretchy Sling
This is a long piece of jersey cotton. It is used by pre-tying the sling around the wearer and then popping baby into the cross pockets. It is secure, snug and cosy. Tied correctly it can completely support a newborn’s gorgeous curled up position. Most people find these slings are perfect until baby reaches the age where they are more interested in the world and less sleepy and curled up state. Many sling libraries (ours included) offer a free stretchy hire scheme for those early weeks.
TOP TIP: MAKE SURE THE STRETCHY IS TIGHT ENOUGH, THIS CREATES THE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR BABY’S BACK AND ENSURES A PROTECTED AIRWAY.
Our fave: Calin Bleu in teal
Buy them - from us!
£25
This is a long piece of jersey cotton. It is used by pre-tying the sling around the wearer and then popping baby into the cross pockets. It is secure, snug and cosy. Tied correctly it can completely support a newborn’s gorgeous curled up position. Most people find these slings are perfect until baby reaches the age where they are more interested in the world and less sleepy and curled up state. Many sling libraries (ours included) offer a free stretchy hire scheme for those early weeks.
TOP TIP: MAKE SURE THE STRETCHY IS TIGHT ENOUGH, THIS CREATES THE SUPPORT NEEDED FOR BABY’S BACK AND ENSURES A PROTECTED AIRWAY.
Our fave: Calin Bleu in teal
Buy them - from us!
£25
3. Close Caboo
Similar to a stretchy it is made from stretchy jersey cotton, but rather than having to tie it yourself, it is a pretied sling that you pop on like a tshirt, put baby in and then secure with an additional panel. These are really easy to use, easy to adjust and very comfortable. The down side for me is that you need to use both parts and I fear loosing one part! We find that parents enjoy using the Caboo for a similar amount of time to a stretchy sling.
TOP TIP: PUT THE RINGS TO YOUR WRISTS WHEN YOU GET READY TO PUT IT ON
Our favourite: Organic Close Caboo rrp £70
From birth 5lbs and up
https://www.closeparent.com/shop-now/travel/caboo-organic-multi-position-baby-carrier
Similar to a stretchy it is made from stretchy jersey cotton, but rather than having to tie it yourself, it is a pretied sling that you pop on like a tshirt, put baby in and then secure with an additional panel. These are really easy to use, easy to adjust and very comfortable. The down side for me is that you need to use both parts and I fear loosing one part! We find that parents enjoy using the Caboo for a similar amount of time to a stretchy sling.
TOP TIP: PUT THE RINGS TO YOUR WRISTS WHEN YOU GET READY TO PUT IT ON
Our favourite: Organic Close Caboo rrp £70
From birth 5lbs and up
https://www.closeparent.com/shop-now/travel/caboo-organic-multi-position-baby-carrier
4. Zensling
This is a full buckle carrier made using stretchy, soft jersey cotton. It is adjustable at the base of the carrier (to ensure optimal positioning for hips and legs), it is also adjustable along the height of the panel which is super handy to ensure the length of the sling allows complete view of baby’s face. It is easy to use, and those who prefer buckles rather than a tie on carrier this is a great option. It is also suitable for a bigger baby and even for back carrying when baby reaches approxiently 6 months or when sitting unaided.
TOP TIP: PLACE BABY AGAINST YOUR CHEST, SUPPORT WITH ONE HAND AND USE THE OTHER TO BRING THE PANEL OF THE ZENSLING UP AS YOU SETTLE BABY INTO THE CARRIER.
Our favourite: Black and ocean zensling RRP: £84.99
https://mamaruga.com/product/black-ocean/
From 3kg/newborn
This is a full buckle carrier made using stretchy, soft jersey cotton. It is adjustable at the base of the carrier (to ensure optimal positioning for hips and legs), it is also adjustable along the height of the panel which is super handy to ensure the length of the sling allows complete view of baby’s face. It is easy to use, and those who prefer buckles rather than a tie on carrier this is a great option. It is also suitable for a bigger baby and even for back carrying when baby reaches approxiently 6 months or when sitting unaided.
TOP TIP: PLACE BABY AGAINST YOUR CHEST, SUPPORT WITH ONE HAND AND USE THE OTHER TO BRING THE PANEL OF THE ZENSLING UP AS YOU SETTLE BABY INTO THE CARRIER.
Our favourite: Black and ocean zensling RRP: £84.99
https://mamaruga.com/product/black-ocean/
From 3kg/newborn
5. Beco Gemini cool
Another full buckle carrier which is a bit in between the Tula and the zen. It’s lightweight while still having good support. This cool version makes for a super year round carrier option. Stay cool in summer and wrap up over the sling in winter without feeling bulky and hot. The added bonus with this sling is the forward facing option and hip carrying option when baby is ready, but won’t last quite as long as a Tula.
Rrp: £105
Buy it from: www.slumber-roo.co.uk
Come along to sling library where you can try these on!
Another full buckle carrier which is a bit in between the Tula and the zen. It’s lightweight while still having good support. This cool version makes for a super year round carrier option. Stay cool in summer and wrap up over the sling in winter without feeling bulky and hot. The added bonus with this sling is the forward facing option and hip carrying option when baby is ready, but won’t last quite as long as a Tula.
Rrp: £105
Buy it from: www.slumber-roo.co.uk
Come along to sling library where you can try these on!
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