Does it take a while for baby to get used to a sling or carrier?

Nadino · 10-10-2007, 07:19 AM

I'm on my 4th attempt trying different carriers with my 9 week old DS. Each one has worked OK for maybe a day at most and then every time after my normally good natured baby just cries and cries until I take him out. Should I just give up? Does he need to get a little bigger? I'm at a loss.

I have tried baby bjorn, Ergo Baby, Infantino sling rider and Rock'n baby carrier. I see others using slings and the babies are perfectly content...maybe I don't have the right one? He loves being held. Can anyone offer advise?

AyeOhKay · 10-10-2007, 07:38 AM

I do know of babies who just didn't like slings/carriers. But, I wouldn't give up yet. You may try "wearing" him for shorter periods of time until he gets used to it. You may try different positions with him, too. Does he like to face out or snuggle close? Does he like to recline or sit up more?

I used an over-the-shoulder sling (NOJO or The Original Over The Shoulder Sling) with my kids. I loved the versatility I had with it. Each child preferred to "worn" differently though.

HTH

maggiebugjuice · 10-10-2007, 08:02 AM

My nephew took about a week to get use to it. He only liked it when he was facing me not looking out. Once he got use to it, he loved it! Just give him time to get use to it and pat his back when he first gets in it.

kellynkay · 10-10-2007, 08:16 AM

The only one of our kids that "liked" the sling was Josie, and she just wasn't given a choice

. I used to take her to work, so it was the sling, or the carrier ~ no other choices.

I wish I could help more with the brand name, but I had borrowed it from a friend, and have since returned it. I do know that it took awhile, but after she got used to it, she was fine.

I tended to be the one who was more concerned with it. I was always scared that she wouldn't be able to breathe.

(PS ~ nice to see you on the board again Nadino!

)

Fluttergirl · 10-10-2007, 09:00 AM

I tried every kind of sling imaginable with my daughter. I bought a few, borrowed more, and nothing made my daughter happy. I had to carry her everywhere. Some kiddos just aren't sling babies.

badbaby_87 · 10-10-2007, 01:02 PM

try a ring sling. i actually have a pouch style, and my baby loved it at three weeks, but now she's getting a bit big for it (20 lbs.). anyways, i heard the carriers, like infantino, and such are bad for a baby's spine, and are bothersome for babies who cannot yet hold their heads up. mine allows baby to be cradled, sitting up in front of me or ride on my hip, and hands free! it's so easy to use, too. just put it over your shoulder.

i suggest a ring sling, though, because it's adjustable, and can grow with your baby and you can adjust it to fit you perfectly as well.

jlkhorn · 10-10-2007, 03:08 PM

Definitely try a ring sling. A pouch may work well too. It really takes a lot of trial and error to find the right sling and carrying position that makes mom and baby happy. Also, be sure he is content before trying it and you may want to use it for short periods until he gets used to it. Also, even if he ends up not liking it now, he may when he gets a little bigger. I HIGHLY recommend visiting TheBabyWearer.com for tons of sling info. They can help you better than anyone. Good luck!

Cookie2 · 10-10-2007, 04:02 PM

My DD hated a sling. Of course we adopted and she had a pretty hard life before coming to us. Turns out she has a deep-seated fear of being smothered and the sling just made it worse. I ended up carrying her as much as I could then I transitioned to a stroller pretty quickly.

Mama2mygirls · 10-11-2007, 12:35 AM

It is possible that some babies just don't like being worn. In my limited experience, though, it tends to just be something that you keep trying and they eventually get used to is and learn to LOVE it. Neither of my girls liked being worn but after a week or two of consistent effort they got used to it. After that they loved it and I loved having them so close to me.

I second thebabywearer. I

love

that site. I don't frequent that site like I used to now that my girls are beyond babywearing but it was a wonderful resource back in the day.