Babywearing
Happy Baby, Happy Family
- Calmer Babies - Babies who are carried in a sling have more calm, alert periods. They cry and fuss less. Slinging can help babies with colic by reducing susceptibility to vomiting and excess spitting up. Babies also sleep longer and more comfortably when in a sling.
- Cares for Tiny Backs - A sling conforms to a baby's body, eliminating pressure on the developing spine.
- Close and Secure - Sling carriers allow babies to see and feel their mother or father, while increasing the time the parent is able to comfortably hold them.
- Baby's Favourite - Babies prefer being held. (Think of the times you see mothers holding a baby with one arm and trying to push a stroller or shopping trolley with the other.)
- Discreet Nursing - A sling provides for discreet nursing in public while also attending to other tasks.
- Weight Distribution - Slings, as opposed to strapped carriers like backpacks or front packs, distribute the baby's weight evenly over the parent's back, reducing strain.
- Enhanced development - Babies who are touched and cuddled develop physically and mentally at a faster rate and have a lower mortality rate than babies who are given only maintenance care.
- A spare hand! Older siblings are less resentful of a new baby who is carried in a sling, since the mother has her hands free to help with the older child's needs. Parents who carry their baby in a sling can more easily accomplish other daily activities.
How to choose a baby carrier
The Baby Wearer has a
lot of information about different styles of carriers and a guide to
choosing one that will suit you and your baby. Join the Australian
Baby Wearing support group on FB for similar assistance.
How to wear a baby carrier
You can find lots of ways of wearing slings and wraps by online searching - and don't forget to browse Youtube as well.
If you can make it to a sling meet you will always find people willing to help you sort out a new carry. And if you can't, then a visit to a Baby Wearing support group is sure to help you on your way!
but i've got twins!
With twins or more, how
often do you find that they both (or all) want - or need - to be
held at the same time.
There are a number of Youtube videos showing how to carry twins at the same time. One of the easiest ways is a tandem hip carry.
This is the "Jasmin's tandem hip carry" and you can find detailed clips of how to make and wear the carry online.
Amanda and her delightful twins are demonstrating the carry. She used a long wrap and a pair of large sling rings that she bought here.
Baby Carriers that we like
Unpadded Ring Sling
The Unpadded ring sling is probably my overall favourite baby carrier - it is infinitely adjustable, light to carry, easy to nurse in, flexible in carrying positions (at least 7 that I can think of off the top of my head), cool in hot Australian summers and I make them in lots of fantastic fabrics! Different positions make carrying any baby from newborn to toddler comfortable and convenient.
Pouch and tube slings
A stretchy pouch (also known as a tube sling) is our favourite for winter or any time we want to snuggle. It is simple to put on, easy to nurse in, very light to carry and fairly flexible for carrying positions. I have a stretch cotton pouch for summer days when we want to use a pouch. This sort of carrier is my daughters' favourite - they have a rainbow of them!
Wraps
When we are heading out on a long bushwalk, I often start wearing a knit wrap. This is a long piece of fabric that is tied over both shoulders and distributes the weight across shoulders, back and hips. It is light and very adjustible; however it takes some practise to tie well and you need help for some of the back positions until you are competent with it.
make your own baby carrier
You can make your own wrap, sling, pouch or other carrier, even if you are not an expert with the sewing machine. An extensive source of links to sew or improvise a baby carrier is given at The Babywearer and you can easily find others using a search engine.
Sewn Ring Sling
Some fabric, a straight stitch sewing machine and a little time is
all that is needed to make yourself a tube sling or mei tai. With a
pair of sling rings, you can quickly make
your own ring sling.
Jan Andrea's wonderful Sleeping Baby website has links to a number of good tutorials for making yourself a baby carrier.
No Sew Ring Sling
It is possible to make a ring sling without any sewing - you just need about 2.25 metres of fabric and a pair of sling rings. Check Sling Your Baby for full details on how to do it.
Related Items
All prices in AUD. Shipped worldwide from Australia. Copyright 2003-2024 - Marnie Holmes -