Baby Slings and Carriers
You seem to hear about baby wearing
everywhere these days. Moms at the park are
talking about it and everywhere you turn a
new celebrity mom or dad is wearing their
baby and making it the next "hip" thing to
do. So what is all the buzz about?
Only the latest, greatest, way to carry your
baby.
Natural families often practice some method
of attachment parenting and wearing your
baby close to you in a sling, wrap or other
baby carrier is often a big part of that. In
ancient days women wore their babies to keep
them close and safe while they traveled,
hunted, or gardened. Natural moms of today
also carry their babies close to them while
they work and play. Even breastfeeding is
made easier when your baby is cuddled
against you in a sling or wrap.
Ring slings and wraps are adjustable, allowing the most flexibility
and freedom in how you wear the baby. They can be easily worn by
people of different heights (and widths) making it easy for dad or
grandma to wear the baby too. You can even get shorter or longer
tails depending upon your size. Wrap slings are simply one panel of
fabric that is wrapped around the body and tied (or tucked) creating
a pouch for baby. The baby can be worn in front, in back, on the
hip, facing in, facing out, or lying down. Ring slings are wrap
slings that secure by threading one end of the sling through a ring,
like a belt, instead of knotting. Some ring slings come with padding
on the edges (also called rails) so that the baby doesn’t get red
marks on their legs and to provide greater stability. It is
easy and discreet to nurse while wearing a ring or wrap sling though
it can take a little bit practice to learn how to adjust and wear,
but instructions and even video tutorials
are available.
Pouches and tube slings have less of a learning
curve. Slide it over one shoulder, slide the baby in, adjust the
sling so that baby doesn’t fall out and so all the fabric isn’t
bunched on your shoulder, and you’re off and
running. Pouch and tube
slings are not adjustable as they are one or more pieces of fabric
sewn together into a single unit. Baby can still be worn in all the
ways as a wrap sling, though baby may outgrow the sling
before mom is ready to stop. But what mom needs an excuse to have
more than one sling or wrap right?
Asian style carriers use less fabric. The baby is supported in a
rectangle of fabric and it is secured to the body with four straps:
the two at the lower corners tie at the waist and support most of
the baby’s weight and the two at the upper corners cross around
mom’s shoulders and tie in front. Baby can be worn facing in
or out and on the back, hip or front. As
there is less fabric, nursing may be more
problematic but they are very stylish.
There are many choices in which type(s) of sling is right for you.
Try them on at stores or ask your friends if you can try theirs out
for a day or two and see which feels comfortable to you. Ask
family and friends and online acquaintances for recommendations.
There are even discussion forums and groups
dedicated to helping you find the right
sling for you. It just couldn't get any
easier.
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