Positioning and Safety

Information regarding positioning in slings, plus additional information on safety following the media storm in March 2010 after the Infantino sling recall, has now been moved here.

Two-Shoulder Slings

When a customer emails us asking for help narrowing the bewildering range of slings it really helps us advise them if they give us a little bit of information, both about the person(s) who will be using the sling, as well as how the sling will be used. Most people have a list of things they want from a sling and not everyone is going to find one sling that ticks all the boxes so it may be a case of prioritising what is most important. Everyone's needs are different so obviously the mythical beast that is "the right sling" (and we believe there is at least one sling out there for everyone) will be different for different people but quite frequently our response is that the best sling would be a two shoulder sling - either a Soft Carrier or a Wraparound. These are some of the things that are mentioned in the emails we receive that mean we may recommend a two shoulder sling:

Wraparound Slings - Stretchy or Woven?

Wraparound slings are the slings that are most likely to scare people! Admittedly they can be pretty daunting, especially if you are new to the world of babywearing - all that fabric and the different tying methods makes them seem very complicated and it is true that wraps have the steepest learning curve. However, using a long piece of fabric to carry your baby has lots of advantages and wrapping doesn't take that long to get the hang of if you have a bit of patience and are prepared to spend some time practising. As any die-hard wrapper will tell you, the rewards make it well worth it. Read on for information to help you decide which one is right for you.

Slinging in the Rain!

Well not just rain, all the grotty weather that the British climate throws at us. We get emails from customers asking how best to sling during the winter months whilst still keeping you and baby warm and dry.

Sling under or over a coat? The short answer is either but there are things to consider. If your baby is wrapped up for the cold and the sling or carrier is on top of your coat you can bet your little cherub will fall asleep which leaves you with a problem if you then go indoors. In order to get your coat off and to remove their warm clothing to prevent them overheating you have to wake them up.... I'm sure not all babies turn into Grumpy from the land of Grump when they are woken from a sling sleep but mine does! If they are under your coat with just a hat on you can remove them and let your baby keep sleeping.

What are the clothing options? The most obvious option is a Babywearing Coat such as the divine Mamajacket (see photo above). These have an extra panel which zips into the front or back and provides extra room for your baby and a hole for their head. The coat can be worn without the panel and is a rather yummy fitted coat. You can also buy covers which go over a sling. The MaM Babywearing Cover (right) provides a wind and rain proof layer over your baby and the carrier. If you want a cheaper option you can use a slightly-too-large fleece jacket or even a big cardi (the long maternity styles with a belt work well) which you can do up around you and your baby.

To Buckle Or Knot To Buckle...

...that is the question! There are two types of Soft Carrier - structured Buckle Carriers and the more traditional Tie-On. Both are based on the design of traditional Asian carriers such as the Chinese Mei Tai (even though many Tie-On carriers retain the name they have been westernised) and are very comfortable, distributing the weight of even heavy toddlers well. Basically both types are a square (ish) panel with straps that come off the corners - the bottom two tie/fasten around your waist and the others go over your shoulders. They can be used on your front and back and, in some cases, hip as well.

Pouch or Ring Sling?

For parents who need a quick 'pop and go' option, have a child that is in the up-down-up-down stage, like the idea of a one shoulder sling, or want a sling for hip carries (or none/all of the above!) a Pouch or a Ring Sling is a good option. Some people email us and say they prefer the look or design of one style over the other but for someone who is unsure which would suit their needs the best, there are a few things to consider.