Baby Slings

Baby slings are one of the most popular styles in today’s baby carriers. Many moms report using a baby sling as the most comfortable way to carry their little ones, leaving their hands free for other tasks. Baby slings are made from fabric. They’re available in many fabrics and colors, meaning mom can look stylish while carrying baby. There are two basic styles of baby sling carriers.

True Baby Slings

A true baby sling goes only over one shoulder. These slings are made from fabric and are adjustable for just the right fit. Young babies can be carried in a laying down position and older babies and toddlers can be carried on your hip. Some baby slings are referred to as “pouches” and others are called “ring slings” because they contain a ring through which you adjust the fabric for just the right fit.

• Pouches are sized to fit the wearer, and are not as adjustable as ring slings. These baby sling carriers are considered the quickest and easiest of the baby slings to use. They’re very quick and easy to get off and on. The downside is that once you’ve bought one to fit you, you’ll likely be the only person who can wear it comfortably.

• Ring slings are far more adjustable and can be worn by more than one person. This adjustability, however, may make them more difficult to position correctly, and it may take longer to get baby in and out. They have far more fabric, which for some people is a plus; for others it’s a minus. The tail of the sling can be used as a cover up for nursing or can be tucked into the sling to make a pillow for baby. Some moms like the look of the long tail, while others choose to tuck it in.

The biggest disadvantage to using baby slings is that they fit over only one shoulder. This means that baby’s weight is not evenly distributed and can cause sore shoulders and back pain. Many parents with chronic back trouble report that they simply cannot use a sling.

Baby Wraps

Baby wraps are similar to baby slings, in that they are made from fabric and are used to position baby close to your body. However, but they go over both shoulders. They are reported to be the most comfortable, and are the most ergonomically correct, providing better support for both mom and baby. This is definitely the baby carrier for the mom with back trouble. The downside to these wraps is that they can be difficult to tie. In addition, they contain a lot of fabric, and many parents report that they get very hot. Baby wraps can be found in stretchy fabrics. Parents report that these are easier to use because you can usually tie them once, and slip them on and off without retying so often in the future.