The “it” pouch sling is definitely hotslings, and I’ve been stalking the website ranking all the fabrics since Kate was born. I don’t own one, I make my own pouches, but there are a few prints I would love to have. Anyhow, I’ve been speculating about my size for years, and today when I was walking around an outdoor shopping plaza with the girls, I decided to pop into a gallery that had all kinds of original art and natural baby things and they sell hotslings! I was finally able to covet in person and try a few on. It was really fun. You can enter to win a free hotsling here, by the way. And if anyone has a bounding blossoms reversible, bebe luv or mendhi in size 3…
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Black Ecru Floral Stretch padded!!!
Aesthetics aside, between the hot sling and http://www.sleepingbaby.net/, which would you recommend as a more useful sling?
Rebekah
Sarah,
I found that the non-sateen stretch cottons were really stiff — stiffer than than material I used for your sling. I’d lean towards getting a sateen if you are really interested. It’s much smoother and more huggable.
Rebekah,
There are some things you just can’t do with a pouch, like the tummy-to-tummy carry. Lexi’s reflux made it so she HATED being carred in a cradle hold but has loved tummy-to-tummy from birth. Plus, you can’t beat being able to gently slip a sleeping baby off with a ring sling. But a pouch is more compact and easier to get on when you have a more active baby who just needs to be popped onto your hip for a quick trip into a store. I guess it’s just what you value more. I am glad I have the option of both (and if you have rudimentary sewing skills and four or five hours, you could make one of each!)
Do hotslings come in sateen? I didn’t see that option.
I ideally I think I’m looking for a pretty cloth sling that can be worn in front, on the side, on in back, and that is really, really easy on my poor back.
Some of the stretch fabrics are sateen and are way softer than the others — you often have to click on the full description to see it.
The best thing for your back is probably a sturdy wrap. Not cheap, but GREAT resale value. I want to get one of these someday: http://store.attachedtobaby.com/detail.aspx?ID=6
ETA:
I would stick to a storch or a didy, very reputable for woven wraps.
What do you think of hers? I kind of know her from Live Journal. http://www.thegoodmama.com/
I had one of those when Lexi was born!
It’s a stretchy wrap, so it really only works well for the first six months or less, depending on the size of your baby. The weight of the baby will pull them away from you because the fabric is stretch and strain your back. When they are smaller, the process is slower, but it still happens. A woven wrap doesn’t stretch, so if you knot it well, that won’t happen. I ended up selling the Moby after two weeks because Lexi HATED having her head covered and there was no way for me to support her head well and have her happy.
I have to respectfully disagree with Kristen on the tummy-to-tummy hold in a pouch…it is totally possible. My babies (both reflux-y, too, by the way) both lived in a t2t hold for the first six month of their lives–in a fleece pouch. Quality fleece is the key–it has excellent stretch and recovery, making a supportive t2t possible and ever so much more comfortable than anything cotton. I never enjoyed the t2t hold in a ring sling, no matter how many I tried.
Funny how we all prefer different things? Good thing there are so many sling options.
And Kristen’s right–a well-tied wrap is great on your back. It’s also the most versatile sling, with infinite possibilities for positions and ties. My favorite is Didymos, but I haven’t tried a Storch yet.
I am just not a fleece pouch girl — but I know why that is. Kate what born in Texas in July. A friend had a KKAFP but it seemed way way too hot for me. I didn’t know you could do a t2t in them, that’s interesting. I think t2t is easy in a ring sling, and a lot of my local customers prefer that hold, too! It may be the fabric I use…
I couldn’t ever figure out the tummy to tummy hold with your sling. All I did was the cradle hold and then about the time she was strong enough for a hip hold I was on bedrest.
Sarah,
I wish I would have known :o( Check out http://www.zolowear.com/Wearing.aspx#2 for good instructions (and video.) Everything at thebabywearer.com is also excellent as far as instructions go. They have forums there (including a FSOT board) that are also hoppin’!
Check out the t2t pic about halfway down the instrucions on this page:
http://www.kangarookorner.com/k_how_afp.shtml
That’s the hold that sold me on the KKAFP! I live in it, summer or winter. I just avoid long walks or direct sunlight with it (that’s where airy wraps work best).
Kristen, where did you get your pouch/sling patterns, and how do you know which fabrics will work? I’m weighing making my own vs getting a good deal on ebay, as well as pouch vs sling… too many choices! I figured that if I make my own and don’t like it, at least I’m not out too much money and can possibly resale at cost…
So glad you’ve had this conversation- I didn’t realize how helpful a sling could be before this post, especially now that I’ll be able to nurse #3!
PATTERNS
I looked at several patterns online, but I do my ring sling shoulder differently than most (I like it the best) It has definitely evolved over time, and I have done some in just about every shoulder style out there, and they all work fine.
Here are some ring sling patterns:
http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/index.html?Baby/sling.htm
http://www.geocities.com/sling_a_ma_bob/instructions.html
Here are some pouch patterns:
http://www.ida.net/users/stace/sling.html
http://crafts.sleepingbaby.net/pouch.html
FABRIC AND MATERIALS
I almost always use the stretch sateen from Joann’s for both pouches and ring slings. It is in the bottomweights section, near the twills. Use your 40% off coupon, if it’s not on sale, it’s $8.99 a yard, but it is fantastic fabric — soft but VERY sturdy, washes well, etc. The slight stretch is especially good for pouches, but useful for ring slings, too.
I ALWAYS use rings from slingrings.com They are designed for slings and each and every one is tested before being sent out. I don’t trust welded rings nearly as much.
OTHER THOUGHTS
Pouches are definitely cheaper to make, you can get two from one width of fabric, you need less length of fabric & you don’t need rings. Pouches are harder to nurse in, some women find them impossible to nurse in. So if nursing with a sling is really important to you, I’d consider that. I don’t usually use it to nurse, my habit is to take the baby out, but lots of people like to use them that way.
Hope that helps!
This is GREAT. I thought I’d have to buy a pattern, extra-expensive super-strong fabric, rings, etc.
I’m looking forward to getting started!
Yeah, they aren’t difficult to sew and the stretch sateen is nicer than what most of the WAHMs on ebay are using. :o) Let me know how it works out (or if you need any help along the way!)