Have you noticed that more and more parents are choosing to carry their baby around in an unusual looking baby carrier?
Have you seen the pictures in magazines and wondered why parents are using this method? Maybe you have heard about baby wearing and are wondering what it is? Is it just a fashion or is there some real advantage to carrying your baby which convinces parents to go back to the ancient art of carrying your child?
As well as being a convenient way of transporting your baby, slings also offer numerous benefits to your little one such as providing them with comfort, stimulation and even promoting physical development. Baby wearing has so many benefits for both parent and child that it is easy to see why so many parents are now choosing to carry their youngster in a sling.
Benefits for Parents
Being a parent is extremely rewarding however it can also be a demanding and daunting role. At times it is difficult to get daily chores completed when your baby is demanding so much attention. Even making a telephone call can seem a major task when your youngster requires soothing. It is essential that your baby feels happy and content for both your and their emotional well-being. Baby wearing is a great way to offer children your physical presence while allowing you to get on with the everyday tasks. You can keep your baby close and content while providing a stimulating learning environment for them. Baby wearing ensures that you are hands free so that you can make that phone call, do the housework or go for a walk.
If you have other children in your
household, a sling can help you to meet their needs, while also offering your baby the stimulation that he needs. This goes a long way to ensuring that sibling rivalry is reduced as your older child sees that you still have time to play with them and fulfil their needs. Baby wearing is particularly useful when you are out and about, if you are using public transport, it eliminates the need to fold up a bulky pushchair and carry it on board. A sling provides a safe and secure environment for baby when shopping or in crowds.
Baby wearing allows nursing mothers to breastfeed on the move. This ensures that you can continue with an active lifestyle even when her youngster is demanding a great deal of satisfying. It is also an excellent way of breastfeeding discreetly while outside the home. Because babies feel comfortable and secure in a sling they are very happy to be fed in their sling and some babies actually feed better on the move.
When worn correctly a sling can ease back and shoulder pain as the babies weight is evenly distributed. It is also a must-have for parents of larger babies who may find the weight of carrying their youngster leads to aching arms and shoulders.
Slings can also be useful for times when you are feeling tired but your baby is wide awake. Certain positions are less stimulating for the child and can be sleep inducing.
Using a sling is also a good way for babies to bond with their fathers. Fathers tend to have a different body rhythm to mothers and the baby will learn to appreciate these differences and respond accordingly. Fathers report that baby wearing helps them develop a sense of closeness that taking baby out in a pushchair just can’t provide. Mothers suffering from post-natal depression may also find baby wearing a useful yet non-intrusive way of bonding with their baby.
Benefits for Baby
Baby wearing is also good for your baby’s emotional and physical development. The closeness of carrying your baby ensures that your and your baby’s body rhythm synchronise quickly. Research has indicated that babies who are carried in a sling cry on average 43% less overall than other babies. They were found to particularly cry less during the evening hours with 54% of babies crying less during this time. Parents of babies that have found it difficult to settle have also reported a significant decrease in the amount of fussing that their youngster does.
Research has shown that this helps newborns to adapt to life outside the womb at a faster rate than those not carried in slings. Being close to the mother helps baby to make the transition from the womb to the outside world more easily. The womb ensures that they baby’s systems are regulated yet birth temporarily disrupts this regulation. The baby can feel the same rhythms that were felt in the womb such as the mother walking, the sound of her heartbeat and the rhythm of her breathing. Attachment parenting researchers all agree that the continued presence of the mother, such as during baby wearing is vital for a youngsters well-being.
Carrying babies is also an excellent way of developing their mental well-being. Whilst being in a sling, babies spend more time in an alert state which is ideal for learning. They also have a better view of the world, as they see the world from your perspective rather than from the confines of a cot or pram. This added visual stimulation benefits the brains development. The baby is able to tune into adult conversations due to the position that they are being held in and this may enhance speech development. Being held at voice and eye level certainly ensures that he is more involved in conversations and listening skills are usually much more developed in sling carried babies. Emotionally babies benefit from being carried in a sling as they are able to develop a stronger sense of security.
While babies do enjoy being carried by their parents best, they will adapt to a caregiver better if a sling is worn. Once baby is used to being carried they will associate the sling with comfort and security and then settle better with any other adult who carries them such as a babysitter, grandparent or foster parent.
With so many benefits for both parent and child is it clear to see why so many babies are now being transported in a sling. The baby wearing style of parenting will bring out the best in your baby and yourself ensuring that a positive relationship is created with your child that will last a lifetime.
Different Types of Sling
So you have decided to buy a sling to carry your baby? Welcome to the wonderful world of baby wearing. The next question is what type of sling will you choose? What are the differences? Below I will guide you through the vast array of baby carriers that are now on the market.
Wraparound Sling
This is probably the most versatile of all the slings currently on the market. Wraps are also called “Simple Piece of Cloth” as they are constructed from a piece of fabric that is tied around your body ensuring that your baby is held securely in place. The wrap can be used to carry the baby in many different positions and offers a versatile travel system. A baby or toddler can be carried on the parent’s front,
back or hip or with shorter wraps they can be carried on one shoulder if desired. Most carries involve the sling being worn over both shoulders and often around the wearers waist in order to offer maximum support to the baby.
Wrap slings are made from either a stretchy fabric or woven cloth. The length of the fabric varies but is usually between 2 and 6 metres long. The stretchy wraps are usually made from materials such as jersey or micro fleece and allow the baby to be lifted in and out of the sling as desired. This type of wrap is particular popular for young babies but they may not be as comfortable for the parent as the youngster gets heavier.
Woven wraps are often available in a wide range of colours and designs. Cotton is the most common type of woven wrap available but hemp, silk, linen and wool are also used in their manufacture. Most weaves used provide some stretch allowing the fabric to conform to the baby and wearer’s body. Woven wraps tend to give more support to heavier babies and toddlers.
As the fabric is wrapped around your waist and shoulders, the baby’s weight is well distributed which ensures that they are a comfortable choice for the wearer. They are particular suited if you suffer from back pain. It may take time to learn how to tie the sling correctly but the effort will be worthwhile. Excess fabric may be used for more discreet breastfeeding while the wrap may also double up as a blanket or changing mat while out and about.
Ring Slings
This sling consists of a piece of fabric threaded through two rings, forming a loop. The cloth wraps around the wearer’s body, from shoulder to the opposite hip and back up to the shoulder. The end of the fabric is then threaded through the rings to create a buckle effect. The baby can then be placed into the pocket of fabric in either a sitting or lying position. The sling can be taken off and put back into place without rethreading.
The baby’s weight creates tension on the fabric causing the friction between the fabric surfaces and the rings to lock the carrier in place. This type of sling is easily adjustable to suit different wearer’s size and different wearing positions.
Ring slings are available with padded shoulders, some models also have padded edges. Some rings slings also have a curved seat sewn into the fabric. A variety of fabrics is used in ring sling designs including cotton, hemp, rayon and silk brocade. Most commonly used are homespun fabrics and lightweight twills. It is important to ensure that the rings are sturdy and have been stitched repeatedly to the fabric.
Ring slings can be used from birth and are also suitable for toddlers. They are an excellent sling for breastfeeding as they are adjustable allowing them to be lengthened to allow easy access to the nursing mother’s breast. They can also be quickly adjusted once feeding is done.
Pouch Slings
Pouch slings are formed by a wide piece of cloth sewn into a tubular shape. Simple pouches do not tend to have rings, adjustable pouches may adjust using a variety of methods including zips, buckles and press-studs. Most pouches have a curve sewn into the fabric that will hold the baby more securely in place. The sling is slipped over the wearer’s head and worn sash-style across the body. Most baby wearers find that they adapt to using the pouch sling very quickly.
Pouch slings can be used from baby to toddler and are an excellent choice for situations in which the baby is frequently removed from the pouch and being placed back into it. The asymmetrical weight distribution can make carrying heavier children more challenging. .
Pouch slings offer excellent value for money and are relatively easy to make.
Soft Carriers and Backpacks
Many different types of sling fall into the soft carriers and backpack category. Although there are many different types of designs most are structured and often have shoulder straps and waist straps. Some of these carriers are suitable from birth and there are models that are ideal for carrying older children. If you're not sure, double check with the vendor.
Some carriers are closed with buckles. Chinese inspired mei-tai are tied at the waist and under the baby's bottom. They are usually quick to put on and can be a good option for heavy toddlers.
Now that you understand the different types of sling that are available on the market it is time to consider which option will best suit you and your family. Things to take into consideration will include how you wish to wear the sling, whether you intend to keep the baby in the sling or keep removing from the sling, if you require a sling to provide discreet breastfeeding and also how willing you are to practise using your sling until you get it right. Armed with this information it just remains to wish you and your child many hours of very happy baby wearing!
We had a fantastic day out at Alton Towers. The first thing we did on arrival was hire a locker for the day for just £3 which meant we didn’t need to carry all our money and lunch around with us.
Baby's First Weeks
