Positioning and Safety

The way your baby or child is positioned in a sling is important for several reasons - so that you get the most from your carrier, you and your baby are comfortable and, most importantly, your precious cargo is safe.

The Basics
There are a few basic rules with regard to positioning in slings which, if followed, do sort out a lot of the can't-quite-get-this-comfy niggles, as well as making sure your baby is safe.

High & Tight - when in an upright carry the lowest point of your baby (their bum) should be at or above waist level so the top of their head is as close to your chin as is comfortable. A baby sitting too low will start to pull on your shoulders and back. This is also true of a cradle carry in a pouch or ring sling.

A common mistake when people first start using slings is that slings are not tight enough. It isn't always immediately apparent if your sling is not tied properly but a too-loose sling will start to sag and your baby will slump down in the sling over time. A sling should hug your child close to you so that their weight is supported by your whole torso - too loose and the weight pulls down which can make your back and shoulders ache. With most slings it is simply a case of tightening the sling more, the exception is Pouches which do come in different sizes and it is important to get the right size.

Frogged legs - a baby should be carried in a seated position, that is with their legs frogged in a squat position, knees higher than their bum (left) and the sling supporting along their thighs. This places the hips in the correct position and prevents the spine being weight bearing. In a wrap it is important to ensure the fabric is spread right to the back of the knees. Soft Carriers tend to naturally support a child in the right position, the exception are the ones which allow you to narrow the seat so that a tiny baby be carried with their legs out. It is important that you do widen the seat as the baby grows so s/he is supported properly. For an upright carry in either a pouch or a ring sling a babies bottom should be well down in the fabric, knees up and fabric supporting along the thighs.

Support - a baby's back should not allowed to slump or curl. For slings such as Soft Carriers and Wraparound Slings this simply means ensuring they are tied sufficiently tight enough so as to keep the back straight and well supported. In an upright position a young baby should also have their neck and head supported. When positioning a young baby in the cradle position it is very important that a baby is not curled up (see below).

Not Chin to Chest - very young babies do not always communicate their distress if they cannot breathe properly. A baby in an upright position in a wrap or soft carrier which is not tied tight enough may slump and this can partially close their airway. A baby in a cradle carry in a Pouch or Ring Sling can effectively be folded in half if not positioned properly. Always check that their chin is not pressed against their chest. For more information please read this article about Correct Positioning.

Forward Facing - many parents want to be able to carry their baby facing out and this is possible in several different slings however there are some issues to consider. Firstly, it is very difficult to keep a baby who is facing forwards with their legs-out in the seated position (the exception to this is the Pikkolo (left) which is designed to allow a forward facing position). Their legs will naturally straighten and, particularly in a wrap, the fabric will work itself back until the baby is effectively supported by the crotch only and the fabric will need to be adjusted regularly. Secondly, forward facing is not as comfortable for the wearer. When a baby faces outwards, their weight is pulling away from the parent and this can make your shoulders and back ache. Finally, a baby gains reassurance from being able to see your face and they learn about the world by reading your expressions. When they are tired or if they are in a very noisy or bright situation they can turn their head into your body. However if the baby cannot see your face they can become overstimulated and overwhelmed by everything going on around them.

It is possible to carry a slightly older baby (with good head and neck control) facing forwards with their legs in. This is possible in several types of sling including a pouch (see right).

It is worth getting your child used to facing inwards when being carried or adapting the carrying position you use. A slightly older baby can be carried on your hip or on your back which gives them a better view while still providing them with a way of retreating from the world.

All slings and carriers are supplied with wearing instructions - some printed, some in DVD form and more can be found online. We also stock the fabulous Tummy2Tummy DVD which has a section on each of the four types of slings - Pouches, Ring Slings, Soft Carriers and Wraparounds - taught by an expert. Each section shows many different carrying positions, from the basics to more advanced techniques, along with tips and troubleshooting. At 2.5 hours and only £20 we think it's a bargain and a fantastic one-stop resource for both the novice sling user and experienced babywearer alike.

If you want help with an aspect of positioning or have any questions about using your sling or carrier, don't hesitate to contact us.

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:

• one of the wearers has problems with their back, pelvis or shoulders and wants a carrier that distributes the weight well
  
• carrier needed for long walks especially in pushchair unfriendly places (often dog owners)
• a sling or carrier will be the main method of transporting the baby - someone on a budget, who does not drive and relies on public transport (London Underground is mentioned a lot!), lives in an upstairs flat or leans towards Attachment Parenting,
• need a sling for times that require two hands free and/or lots of bending so baby is well supported - housework/jobs around the house, pushing a buggy/wheelchair, even mucking out horses are some of the things mentioned by our customers
  
• older or heavier baby/child who isn't yet walking, who won't go in a buggy when they're tired, instead preferring to be carried, or has a physical disability
  
• baby suffers from reflux/colic or just likes being upright
• sling suitable from birth to toddler

That's not to say that someone might also have a specific need or priority that means we might suggest something else instead of or as well as a two shoulder sling. If you think that might be you and want to talk through your situation then please contact us.

So if you think a soft carrier or wraparound sling would be the best for you how do you know which one? Well for a start, the two types are pretty different and often someone finds that one type appeals to them more than the other. This is always a good place to start, after all there is no point in buying a sling that you think might work for you if you don't like it. Odds are it will sit in a cupboard or drawer and not get used and we don't like to see slings being unloved! So if you really don't like the look of one type and don't think you will use it then it's probably best to rule it out. If you now know which type you want to go for then you can toddle off and read more about Soft Carriers or Wraparounds to help you narrow your choice further. Still not sure? Then keep reading........

Buckle vs Tie-On vs Stretchy vs Woven????
It may be that someone likes both types and really doesn't know which one would best suit their needs. The answer may be more than one type (however unhelpful that sounds!) but there are a few things which would cause us to either recommend a soft carrier or a wrap rather than both.

Soft Carrier
Quick to learn how to use
Quick to put on
Mainstream looking
Less fabric so not as overwhelming

Wraparound Sling
Easier for breastfeeding
More carrying positions possible
Most suitable type for premature/tiny babies
Poppable (stretchy wraps)

Simple really! Only joking, we do appreciate how confusing choosing your sling can be so if after reading these articles you still have some questions do get in touch.

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.

Advantages of Wraparound Slings

• Extremely comfortable - wraps hug your child close to you which means their weight is supported by your whole torso. Even a heavy baby can feel weightless in a correctly tied wrap. This also makes them very good for people with back problems.
• Ultimate in adjustability - with no restrictions on tightening the wrap and no padding to get in the way the sling can be tweaked to suit the individual wearer.
• Versatility - a wrap is arguably the most versatile of all slings, suitable from birth onwards and allowing both one shoulder and two shoulder carries on your front, back and hip.
• Great for breastfeeding - due to a wrap being so adjustable they are possibly the easiest sling to breastfeed in and mean you can do it hands-free and on the go!

As with Soft Carriers there are two types of wrap - Stretchy and Woven. Although they are basically used the same way they are quite different so here's some info about each type.

Stretchy Wraparounds, such as the Moby or Tricot-Slen, are made of a stretchy material (funnily enough!) such as jersey cotton or fleece. They are gorgeously soft and a wonderful sling for a newborn, suitable for really tiny or premature babies and great for kangaroo care. You tie the sling before you put the baby in which means you can effectively leave the sling on all day and just pop the baby in and out when necessary. From day one you can carry a baby upright or in the cradle position and the latter is suitable for breastfeeding, the sling is tied the same way for both positions. It looks confusing but the tying method is pretty straightforward and once you get the hang of it will be able to tie it in under a minute. Stretchy wraps usually come in one length (over 5 metres) and are a one size fits most sling making them a great choice for parents who wish to share one sling. The designs are mostly quite plain making them very dad friendly.

The only real disadvantage of a Stretchy Wraparound is that the stretch of the fabric means they are not always supportive enough to carry heavier babies so do have a limited lifespan. When a baby reaches a certain weight some people find that the material can start to sag and this can pull on your back and shoulders. When this happens is impossible to predict, it will be at different weights for different people and can certainly be minimised by ensuring that the sling is tied tight enough and the fabric is well spread. Most people find they can use a stretchy wrap for at least 6-9 months (unless you have a very chunky baby), some a lot longer than that. Another issue is that as a baby grows and inevitably gets longer front carries become more difficult. In order to keep a baby in the correct position (with their bum at or above waist level) so it is comfortable for the wearer a tall baby will have their head in your face! Also carrying a heavy baby on your front does become less comfortable and will make your back ache more, for this reason most babywearers do start to use back carries at some point. While it is possible to do back carries in some stretchy wraps it is something we urge great caution over. Because the fabric is stretchy and also not as wide as a woven wrap there is a danger of a baby leaning back and not being properly supported, for this reason we would certainly not advise a back carry be attempted by anyone who is a novice.

Woven Wraparounds are the ultimate in versatility making possible a variety of front, back and hip carries from birth to toddler. As a result they do have the steepest learning curve of all slings but for the sling user who is prepared to take a bit of time to practice they do not take long to get the hang of, they all come with very good instructions and there are plenty more to be found on the net. The fabric has a special weave with just enough diagonal give to mould around you and your baby and making the wrap super supportive, even for heavy toddlers. Unlike their stretchy siblings, woven wraps come in different lengths. The shortest are usually around the 2.5 metre mark and the longest around 6 metres. The length you need depends on the carrying positions you want to be able to achieve as well as the size of the wearer. A short wrap will only allow you to do a few positions and some of the most comfortable front and back carries require a longer length of fabric. We recommend that for most families a wrap of around 4.6 metres will give you the most versatility although if either parent is very tall or broad a wrap over 5 metres may be better. Do contact us if you are unsure which length is right for you. Another difference between the different brands of woven wrap is the thickness of the fabric. Big Mama stocks a variety from the light and airy Calin Bleu gauze which is perfect for summer to the much thicker Didymos and Storchenwiege which are very supportive even for toddlers.

Which Wrap?
If you are interested in a wraparound, here is a quick guide:
Sling for newborn up to around 9 months - Stretchy
Birth to Toddler - Woven
Sling that is poppable - Stretchy
Quick to learn how to use - Stretchy
Lots of carrying positions possible - Woven
Breastfeeding on the go - Either

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.

Why choose a Soft Carrier? There are a few situations in which we would recommend a soft carrier, either alone or alongside another type:

• one of the wearers has back/shoulder problems - soft carriers distribute the weight well and don't place unnecessary strain on your back or shoulders
• for long periods of use such as a long walk and/or carrying a heavier baby/child
• for use in the house/while doing chores - these support the baby well and leave the wearer hands free
• a quick to put on carrier - buckle carriers tend to be marginally quicker than a tie-on but both are pretty quick to put on and certainly quicker than a wraparound
  

Okay so a Soft Carrier seems like a good idea, but which type? Quite often people find they can comfortable use at least one carrier of each type but there are differences which might make one type more suitable than the other. The obvious difference is the way they are fastened but there are others that might be relevant.

The age/weight range of the carrier is the most important aspect to get right to ensure the safety of your baby as well as the comfort of the wearer. There have been a few new buckle carriers on the market in the last few years such as the Pikkolo and Manduca which means there are now buckle carriers which are suitable from birth without the need for a separate insert. These carriers enable a facing in with legs out position from day one. All Mei Tais are suitable from birth although most do not allow a legs out position straight away, instead a baby is carried with the legs "frogged" inside the carrier until they are big enough to have their legs out (usually between 4-7 months). As an inbetween stage some babies who want a bit more freedom can have one leg in and one leg out. Both types can comfortably carry a child up to minimum 30lbs, some much more than this (for exact weight limits see the individual product page or refer to our Comparison Chart)

The design of a buckle carrier is often quite different as they have a padded waist belt which offers additional support for the wearers lower back. In contrast to this a Mei Tai is usually worn 'apron style' (short straps tie around the waist and the body hangs down like an apron then the body of the carrier is folded up to form a seat) and has no padding. As with all slings this tends to be a very personal choice - some sling users prefer using a carrier with a waist belt, others prefer one without. Both types have varying amounts of padding in the shoulder straps. There are also carriers such as a Connecta (right) which, although fall in the category of a buckle carrier (for obvious reasons!), are technically a hybrid known as a Buckle Tai. They have no padded waist belt and are worn apron style but do fasten with buckles. Buckle carriers used to be pretty plain in design but there are now carriers which come in prettier fabric options. Mei Tai have a pretty fabric on the body usually but have the added bonus of being reversible to a plain side which is good for dads! It may come down to simply aesthetics rather than comfort why someone chooses one style over another and every style will have its fans.

The size of the wearer can have an impact on which carrier is most suitable. Buckle carriers tend to be much more personal in terms of the way they fit and some people find that certain buckle carriers don't fit them as well as others, particularly people who are bigger or smaller than average. Women who are petite/short and/or have narrow shoulders or people who are very tall and/or very broad sometimes have problems with some types of buckle carriers. The padding on the straps can restrict how far a carrier can be tightened which means it can be too loose for small people. Larger wearers may find that straps dig in under the arms and are not as comfortable. Because this depends on several different factors there are no hard and fast rules and it is a case of try it and see (good job Big Mama has such a good returns policy so you can swap it if you find it doesn't suit you!). Tie-on carriers can be tightened as much as necessary, petite wearers may find straps slip off their shoulders in a back carry although there are tips to prevent this.

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.

How many people will be using the sling? If more than one person will be using the sling you will probably find you will need a pouch each as these need to be sized correctly to the wearer. Unless two people are of vastly different size you will more than likely both be able to use the same Ring Sling. If you will be the only person using the sling and you want something that needs no adjusting then a Pouch may be simpler.

Does your baby prefer being upright? The way a baby is carried is something that can be an issue, especially if a baby suffers with colic or reflux. Many babies will have a preference for a certain position and in our experience an intolerance to a cradle/lying down position, even if only temporarily, is quite common. A Ring Sling gives you the option of an upright carry from day one whereas this is not usually possible in a Pouch until the baby has good head control and can be carried in the Buddha position.

Do you want something that is quick to learn to use? Pouches are arguably the simplest slings to get to grips with whereas there is a small learning curve with a Ring Sling while you get used to adjusting the sling and threading the fabric through the rings. Pouches are also the most compact and often the cheapest option.

Do you want a sling you can breastfeed in? Ring Slings are generally much easier to breastfeed in as it is possible to adjust the sling so that it holds the baby in exactly the right position. This is more difficult with a pouch as the sizing has to be just right or it will not support the baby in the correct position to stay latched on.