Keep calm and carry!
There are numerous benefits to carrying your baby at least some of the time. Dr Sears and other sling advocates believe a baby who is carried for much of the day thrives on the closeness they provide. He also believes slings help build a strong attachment between the baby and its parents, and he is especially keen on the relationship they can provide with dad and baby bonding, especially for breastfed babies. They are also incredibly useful for anywhere too crowded or uneven to easily take a stroller, and can allow you to get your life back in those challenging first few months as you have your hands free to do jobs, go shopping or tend to older children.
Some parents choose to solely carry their children, either for the first few months or until they are old enough to walk. Others use them occasionally or for walks, or - like us for much of our baby's first year - alternate between a pram and the sling depending on her mood. We certainly don't know what we would have done without one to get her to sleep. Until she was about eleven months, it was the only reliable way we could get her to nap. |
WHICH SLING IS THE ONE FOR ME?
The world of slings and carriers can seem like a confusing one to a first-timer. Many new parents are given, or buy a narrow-based type carrier. Most people stop carrying their baby after a few weeks or months as they think the baby is too heavy. The reason for this is that these carriers are not designed to carry larger babies, and the support they provide for both baby and parent is much poorer than less mass-market carriers.
There is almost a 'subculture' of slingwearers who know that there are in fact 1000s of alternatives to these type of carriers, some that can last your child until they are four or older, but your average high-street shopper has no clue because most decent ones are sold solely online. One of the best ways to find the right one for you is to go to a babywearing group with a sling library where you can try on, and even borrow, lots of different types. Some websites such as Granola Babies do postal hire.
Some slings are sold as being suitable all the way from birth until toddlerhood and beyond, and while many people do find this is true, others prefer different carriers for different ages. You can often sell second-hand ones on Facebook and eBay for almost as much as you paid for them (sometimes even more for limited-edition patterns), meaning it's not necessarily too expensive to go through two or three if you choose to.
There is almost a 'subculture' of slingwearers who know that there are in fact 1000s of alternatives to these type of carriers, some that can last your child until they are four or older, but your average high-street shopper has no clue because most decent ones are sold solely online. One of the best ways to find the right one for you is to go to a babywearing group with a sling library where you can try on, and even borrow, lots of different types. Some websites such as Granola Babies do postal hire.
Some slings are sold as being suitable all the way from birth until toddlerhood and beyond, and while many people do find this is true, others prefer different carriers for different ages. You can often sell second-hand ones on Facebook and eBay for almost as much as you paid for them (sometimes even more for limited-edition patterns), meaning it's not necessarily too expensive to go through two or three if you choose to.
Soft structured carriers
For us, ease of use was always key so we have mostly used 'soft-structured' carriers with buckles. This type of carrier is the most similar to the high-street type of carrier but they are much more comfortable and tend to last a lot longer in terms of the weight they can carry.
Some models, such as the Ergo, Ergo 360, Manduca and Beco Gemini & Soleil, are designed to be used from birth (though some require a newborn insert). However, many moms and dads find they aren't quite secure and cosy enough for their newborns so tend to progress onto these for older babies and toddlers. Some carriers, such as the Gemini, allow you to have your baby on your front facing inwards and outwards, on your back and even on your hip. Others only allow one or two positions, but many people find that forward facing in and back carry are sufficient. There are also mei-tais, which are similar to the buckled ones but with ties instead. These can be a lot more affordable than buckled carriers and some people find them comfier. One of the most popular makes is Babyhawk. |
Wrap-type slings
Many parents start out with a 'stretchy' wrap sling (basically a long piece of material) such as the Moby, Happy Wrap or Boba Wrap. Then there's the very clever Baby K'tan, which is similar to other stretchy wraps but with no wrapping involved! We prefer this over a traditional wrap for its easiness of use, but others prefer the wrap style because it is more adjustable.
When your baby gets older, you might choose to progress onto a woven wrap (like a stretchy but designed to carry older babies and children). Some popular brands are Didymos and Hoppediz. Wraps are more adjustable than some of the other sling types and some find them more comfortable, plus you can use them to carry the baby in a number of different positions including a high back carry, which is ideal for nosey, fussy babies. Woven wraps come in a multitude of different colours, patterns and lengths and some parents end up collecting tens, even hundreds of them. |
Ring slings
Ring slings are a piece of fabric with a ring to adjust the fit. Some mums really rate these for breastfeeding while others love them for how quick they are to get the baby in and out of. They can be great for use around the house when you might want to keep picking your baby up and putting them down.
They're also great as an emergency sling for babies who suddenly don't want to be in the buggy anymore or to keep in your car for nipping into shops. Other parents find them really useful for demanding toddlers when they keep wanting to be carried and then to walk, and then to be carried, and then to...you get the picture! Some ones to consider are the Maya Wrap and the ones by Bibetts. Note, your baby does need to have good head control to be in a ring sling. |
Hiking carriers
Backpack or framed carriers can be great for hiking as they often have roomy pockets and do away with the need for a separate bag.
However, although the newer types are generally comfy for baby and wearer, they can still be pretty heavy, and probably aren't as good for a baby's posture for everyday usage as the carriers above. Kelty is a favourite brand while others love the ones by Osprey such as this one. They are suitable for babies who can sit up fully unaided. |
HIPPYCHICK hipseat
One product I wish I had discovered much earlier than I did is the Side Ride Hip Seat. This is a fantastic invention. While other babies are happy to be scooted round the house in a more traditional sling, I found that after about eight months my daughter would feel too constrained by being in a sling or carrier while in the house. And when she started crawling, and then walking, she would constantly want to be picked up and put down. Sometimes she'd literally be up and down ten times in as many minutes.
This is where this fabulous product comes in. While it doesn't allow you to be completely hands-free, you can easily hold a baby who can sit up well with one arm resting loosely round them. It's also way easier and comfier than just carrying them on your hip. Like a ring sling, it can also be used for walks with toddlers who tire easily. It comes in a range of different colours. |
A word of warning!
Beware of bag-type carriers - these are dangerous and should not be used because of risk of suffocation. There are other types occasionally still sold that are also not safe. If in doubt, contact your local sling library for information. It's also paramount to follow the TICKS rules for safe babywearing - see here. Finally, be aware that positions where the baby facing is outwards are generally not regarded as optimal for the baby's or the wearer's comfort so should be limited to short periods of usage only.