Babywearing 101: Slings

Slings are basically strips or tubes of fabric worn over one shoulder and down to the opposite hip. Slings' best selling point is their ease of use: mama only needs about 2-5 seconds to put one on. They are fairly compact, so mama can easily stash one in an otherwise full diaper bag. And many sling styles have built-in pockets that fit a set of keys and small wallet, or even a diaper, for baby wearing on the go. On the downside, slings can become uncomfortable when wearing baby for a long stretch of time. And while bending down or actively working around the house, mama may need to lightly support baby with one hand, rendering the sling not entirely hands-free. Because most slings come in different sizes for different sized adults, mama may not be able to share her sling with another adult.

Because slings are so quick and easy to use, I like to wear my baby in a sling for short periods of time around the house. For a comfortable fit and no back strain, a sling should feel snug (almost as if it might be just a tad too small) and baby's bum should hit at or just above mama's belly button. Virtually all retailers have helpful sizing information, detailed wearing instructions, and great return policies. What works for one mama may not work the same for another mama - it's helpful and a lot of fun to buy a variety of baby carriers, try each one, then keep the one(s) you love the best.

Last, but perhaps most important, baby's bum should always, always, always be lower than baby's knees. This protects baby's spine, genital area, and hip alignment.

Types of slings

Basic pouch sling

(Cute Slings Baby Sling in the Cradle Carry position)
Pros: No adjustments necessary. Folds up tiny for stashing just about anywhere.
Cons: Cannot be adjusted, so some mamas may have trouble getting a perfect fit.
Variations: no padding vs. light padding (just where a toddler's legs hang)
Good brands: For a sling with no padding, try a New Native Baby Carrier. For a sling with light padding, try a Cute Slings Baby Sling.

Adjustable pouch sling

(Kangaroo Corner Adjustable Fleece Pouch in the Tummy to Tummy position)
Pros: Size is adjustable to accommodate weight loss/gain or clothing layers.
Cons: The snap or zipper adds just enough bulk that it is tough for narrow-shouldered adults to make the adjustments necessary to prevent the sling from sliding down the shoulder.
Good brands: My friend Ginny loves the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch! They also carry other fabric types, including a mesh pouch for water use.

Ring sling

(Zolowear Ring Sling in the Tummy to Tummy position)
Pros: Size is adjustable to accommodate weight loss/gain or clothing layers. The long tail can serve as a built-in nursing cover.
Cons: Because there is a limit on how much padding can fit through a ring, extra small women may not be able to completely tighten a fully padded sling.
Variations: no padding vs. light padding vs. full padding (along the edge of the fabric)
Good brands: For a sling with no padding, try a Zolowear Ring Sling. For a sling with light padding, try a Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling. For a sling with full padding, try the Balboa Baby Adjustable Sling.

Sling positions

Cradle carry - Baby is inside the pouch, cradled in the fetal position. This is a great position for newborns.

(New Native Baby Carrier)

Tummy to tummy - Baby is inside the pouch, upright and facing mama. This is a great position for babies of all ages, but especially newborns who prefer being upright (not horizontal).

(Zolowear Ring Sling)

Kangaroo carry - Baby is inside the pouch, upright and facing out. This is a great position for babies who can hold their heads up.

(Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling)

Hip carry - Baby is straddling mama's hip and the sling fabric forms a seat under his bum, holding baby tight enough to mama's body that she can be hands free. This is my favorite position for toddlers.

(Cute Slings Baby Sling)

Back carry - Baby is straddling mama's back and the sling fabric forms a seat under his bum, holding baby tight enough to mama's body that she can be hands free. This is a great position for toddlers, but is also a popular position for newborns in African cultures.

(Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch)