Suppori sling review

It is sold on being super-strong, lightweight and completely compact – no straps, clips or complicated bits and it sits over one shoulder and your little one, very basically, sits ‘slung’ around your waist.

In that respect it’s easy to see why it’s an increasingly popular rival to other well-known wraps available, such as the Boba, Baby K’Tan, Wallaboo Baby and Rocking Baby wraps.

What’s in the box?

• Suppori sling

Any additional extras?

• None needed

First impressions?

When I first got the sling, I didn’t know much about it, there was very little online about this brand, other than it seems to be loved my many parents, especially dads in the US.

Arthur is a little over 10kg now, and his previous carriers include a cloth ‘Kari-me’ sling (£48.95) which was brilliant to wear. We also used a Baby Björn original (£64.95) which was okay until I realised carriers could be much, much better for both baby and wear. And we used an Ergobaby ‘bundle of joy’ carrier (£104) this was by far the best we’ve used so far.

With all that said, I was still very eager to try this new type of carrier.

How comfortable is Suppori sling?

Boy, was I surprised at how uncomfortable it is! For a product that has won so many awards, I was expecting to be able to use it for more than five minutes.

My partner was the first to try it – he put it on, put Arthur in it, said ‘Hey, this seems alright!’ and then asked my opinion.

He was leaning crazily to the left, his left shoulder compensating madly for the weight on his right side. He was also, without realising it, holding Arthur with one hand – and if you’re doing that instinctively, something’s not right.

How is the sling when out?

Not great, not only is it awkward to get Arthur into (he’s the correct dimensions for the large size, but seems pretty squashed in it), it’s very awkward to walk around in.

I tried it on and went to the shops with it. By the time I had returned, I was desperate to get Arthur out of it and take the weight off my back. And he was wriggling like mad – I wondered if the sling had cut the blood supply off to his blessedly chubby little legs.

Does it feel secure when carrying your little one?

No, not really, although this may be more of a general issue with ring slings. Arthur has to hold himself up in it, which is part of the design.

Now this is fine if carrying him up the stairs at bedtime: it’s just like carrying him in your arms, and therefore it’s about as far a distance as you would want to use it for.

But of course, if your baby’s tired, maybe still a bit wobbly in his balance and doesn’t yet reliably know to hang on to you to stay safe, there’s no way you’d let go of him.

So you may as well carry him up yourself – you’ll have more control that way. It even states on the packaging, ‘Suppori is to be used for a baby in the sitting position. Baby to be maintained by wearer.’ This leaves me a little confused – what’s the point? Is it just to save your arms?

Is the Suppori sling durable?

Yes, it is made of strong, well constructed, lightweight yarn and should last for years. Saying that, there are no straps, which is a pro if you don’t want to faff about, but a con as you are not able to adjust the sling.

Presumably then, when it’s outgrown, it’s outgrown – and back in the bag of pregnancy/newborn clothes that’s probably still doing the circle of your new-mum friends.

Is it easy to clean?

It goes in the washing machine and could probably fit into a clutch bag.

Made for Mums verdict: Frankly, I do not see the point of this product. It could only be handy for short distances, in which case, it would be more convenient to carry your child yourself rather than going to the trouble of fishing it out of your handbag. If it saves your arms, it is at the expense of your back – and post-pregnancy joints are vulnerable enough as it is. I am genuinely surprised at how well it has done in the US.