New fluff to add to the sling stash

My two passions (other than my husband and kids) are my slings and the cloth nappies. I am trying to curb these addictions, but the FSOT (for sale or trade) board on the Natural Mamas forum isn't helping.

I've recently managed to acquire two beautiful second hand slings from a lovely mama in Switzerland.

These are my new beauties:

Petrol Pfau

Burgundy Pfau

Both are size 6 Didymos Pfau. I LOVE THEM!

They are already nicely broken in (one of the benefits of buying second hand) and beautifully soft and blankety. They are a dream to wrap with - Check out the back carries!

Back carry!

We've achieved back carries!

It has taken a while to feel confident enough to sling Esme on my back. But I started with a BWCC (Back wrap cross carry) which went a bit wrong!

How not to do a BWCC

I should have crossed the wrap over Esme's body rather than tucking it to the side and under her bum.

So anyway a few days later, I thought we'd try again with a different type of carry and also a different method to get her on my back.
This time I used the "Santa toss" to get her on my back. This involves laying her in the middle of the wrap an creating a hammock. Then you basically sling baby over your shoulder. It sounds scary (and it was!) but it does get the baby nice and high. I should add that Paul was my spotter and I was kneeling in the middle of the bed!

The carry I tried to do this time was the Double Hammock (DH) or Chunei carry. I actually found this really supportive as there are a couple of layers under the baby's bottom. Most of the weight is carried on your chest rather than your shoulders which I found more comfortable. I found YouTube videos on how to do this very helpful.

first DH attempt

Unassisted!

The picture on the left is our first attempt!
I don't think I got Esme's knees high enough as her knees should be higher than her bottom. I also should have done the chest pass a little tighter.



Still practice makes perfect, so the next day we tried again (without Paul's assistance) and don't think we did too badly. Esme fell asleep within minutes and I carried on cooking supper!

Rear view shot

enjoying a snuggly Kangaroo carry

I'm going to keep practising the back carries at home, as I need to keep checking Esme's position in the mirror. For now. I'll stick to front carries when we go out as its also a good excuse for snuggle.

Favourite wrap front carries

When I started using the wrap slings I was daunted by all the different carries there were. I was determined not to be put off and spent hours trawling through youtube to try to work out what I was doing. I also went to my local sling meet and was given lots of advice as to which carries to try.

Here is my rough guide to front carries and also some links to youtube clips showing how to tie them.

FCC = Front Cross Carry
I mainly use this carry as a "pre-tied" when I'm going out in the car, so that I can just pop Esme in and out without having to mess about trying to tie the wrap in the car park.
Instructions:
http://www.youtube.com/user/WrapYourBaby#p/u/15/aRLK36ix-3E
Can also be pre-tied:
http://www.youtube.com/user/WrapYourBaby#p/u/12/-ekpqs0b6KA

Kangaroo Carry
This is my carry of choice when going out for a walk as it spreads the load evenly across my back. I can then chuck a rucksack on my back and away we go.
Instructions: http://www.youtube.com/user/WrapYourBaby#p/u/20/m2XT9GbJrWk

Kangaroo

FWCC = Front Wrap Cross Carry
I use this one around the house. You can either cross the tails over the baby (useful when they drop off to sleep) or push to each side so that there is only one layer of fabric across the baby (good for hot days)
With a newborn:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-VHUEM6K0Q
with an older baby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2RnoqVlyno

FWCC - single layer across baby

Wrapsody Bali Breeze in FWCC

When I'm in a hurry I usually just grab the mei tai or the Ergo, but I do find the wraps by far the most comfortable.

Mei tai

There are loads of other videos on you tube with variations on these carries.

I've managed a couple of hip carries and also one back carry. Once I get to grips with these then I may even post about them, but for now I need a lot more practice!

cloth nappies and slings

I've been denying it for a few months now, but I think the time has come to admit that I have a cloth nappy and sling addiction. I can't help myself. I keep seeing all these gorgeous prints on the woven slings and as for the fluffy nappies...well!


Esme showing off her motherease wrap and huggalugs



Our nappy stash

Bumbles (for night / long car journeys)

Teddys

Bumgenius V4

Blueberry Minky

Issy bears

Wraps: Motherease Rikki, Nature babies, Tots bots



Our sling stash

Storch Inca stripes

Kari me

Ergo

Ellaroo Mei tai

Wrapsody Bali breeze gauze wrap



Modelling the Storch Inca stripes



At the moment I haven't mastered carrying Esme on my back. It's actually more a case of nerves rather than lack of know-how. Just can't bring myself to toss her over my shoulder and onto my back, she is still quite small afterall!

Thomas refuses to be carried in any of the slings and announces that they are the baby's. He prefers to walk, but if he needs to be carried then his position of choice is on Daddy's shoulders.