Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of carrying my baby?There are 6 reasons to carry your baby:
Why do you recommend carrying my young baby on my front facing me in the spread-squat-position?After nine months in the womb babies are born with a round C-shaped back which needs to stretch gradually to the adult S-shaped back. This is a gentle process and takes 1 - 2 years until your child does his first steps. By carrying your baby on your front facing you with his knees higher than his bottom and legs spread at the hips you ensure that his back is slightly rounded and not stretched or even takes up a hollow position. This position ideally supports your baby's hip and spine development and is certainly better than lying straight in a stroller.
Which baby or child carrier is most comfortable for both the parent and the child?This really depends on the age of the child, how often you plan to use your carrier and personal preference. Soft structured baby or child carriers can be used for babies and toddlers up to 20 kg in weight and they are generally very comfortable and easy to use. However, they do require reasonable back strength if you plan on using them for extended periods of time. Baby slings or wraps are widely considered a very comfortable option, particularly for extended wear, as they use the whole of the upper body to support the child's weight. Ring slings which are worn across one shoulder are also comfortable for short walks and wearing around the house; however since they do put all the weight onto that one shoulder, they may not be suitable for parents who have suffered with shoulder problems in the past. Baby carriers which provide the option of wearing baby on your hip are a good choice too, as the weight is distributed evenly across the shoulder, hip and lower back. Mei Tais and a number of pouch slings can offer this flexibility.
How safe are baby slings?As long as they are being used correctly, slings are completely safe to use. There are, however, 5 basic but important rules which you must be aware of:
Which baby carriers are best for a premature or small baby?Stretchy baby slings are great for carrying a preemie. They are very soft and warm and are with the right amount of stretch and support to hold your tiny baby closely to you. Elastic slings are the perfect carrier for providing valuable skin to skin contact, something which is highly beneficial for premature babies. The Boba / Sleepy Wrap or Tricot Slen are examples of a stretchy sling which is especially suitable for preemies and can be used safely for small babies weighing as little as 2.5 kg.
Which baby carrier would you recommend for a newborn?Any baby sling, ring sling, pouch sling or Mei Tai carrier will provide excellent support for your newborn, as well as plenty of comforting closeness. There are also special soft structured baby carriers like the Bondolino, Manduca or Storchenwiege BabyCarrier which can be used from birth onwards. Some carriers (Manduca) have an infant insert which you use when your baby is still small while others (Bondolino and Storchenwiege BabyCarrier) allow you to adjust the size of the carriers' bar between your child's legs.
Which is the best style to last me from newborn to toddler?Virtually all styles of baby carrier can be used from birth and for up to 2 years or longer. Baby slings (Baby wraps) are a great choice of infant carrier, as they are perfect for newborns but equally suited to carrying older, heavier babies. The less stretchy the sling, the more comfortable it is with a heavier child, so woven slings like the Carry Sling are recommended if you are looking for a product that will really last and last. A Mei Tai carrier also offers a wonderful closeness for a newborn, but it is sturdy enough to last for 2 years and beyond. It is also very adaptable, since you can choose between the front or back carrying positions and select whichever feels most comfortable at your child's different stages. Pouch slings and ring slings are also pretty versatile, because when your baby gets older you can switch them over to a hip carry position, which offers better weight distribution, making it more comfortable for the parent. A soft structured carrier naturally adapts to the changing needs of your child. When they are tiny babies, they are safely cocooned in the soft fabric, and when they are toddlers, they are well supported thanks to strong straps and clever design. This type of carrier can be easily switched from front carrier to back carrier and can be used for many years.
Which type of slings are good for breastfeeding in?You can breastfeed comfortably while using any baby wrap, pouch sling or ring sling. A baby wrap or sling is great for virtually hands-free feeding, which can particularly suit mothers who have older siblings to attend to. As your baby gets older, it becomes a little more difficult to feed in the cradle position, but many mums find they are able to continue with their baby in more of an upright position. Stretchy baby slings wraps are slightly easier to feed in than woven ones, as the flexibility of the fabric can make positioning easier. In a pouch sling, you will generally need to use one hand to support your baby's head, since it is not possible to hold your baby's position at the breast through tightening the sling. Ring slings are an excellent choice for extended breastfeeding because even large babies can be positioned comfortably at the breast in these types of carrier. To enable you to breastfeed discreetly in a sling without having to show your tummy, front fastening blouses or scooped neck tops can be very helpful, too!
What is the difference between a stretchy sling and a woven sling?An elastic baby sling is a long piece of fabric with a significant amount of stretch. It is very soft and the high elasticity allows it to be tied very simply and without complications, making it suitable for beginners. You can first fully tie the wrap and then put your baby in. The stretchy sling feels just like a second skin and can hardly be felt. This style of sling tends to work best with smaller babies and is particularly to be recommended for newborns and premature babies. A woven wrap or sling is made from woven fabrics and usually has a little stretch from the unique weaving method, but it isn't as stretchy as the stretchy slings. For some of the carrying positions this means you need to tie the baby wrap around your baby rather than tying the wrap first. Although there is a slight learning curve, once you have mastered the simple tying techniques woven slings are a joy to use. The advantage is that you get superior back support for the adult wearing the wrap, so they are more suitable for using with heavy toddlers.
I have back problems, which carrier will suit me best?If you have ever suffered with any kind of back problems, you should choose a baby carrier which will distribute the weight as evenly as possible across both your shoulders and the rest of your body. If you are purchasing for a newborn, slings are best for distributing the weight more evenly, meaning less strain on the back area. If you are buying for an older baby, slings are still very supportive, or you might want to consider a Mei Tai carrier. They are more structured types of carriers and they distribute the weight onto your hips very effectively, thereby saving your back. Soft structured carriers, both front and back, distribute the baby's weight very evenly: it's much like wearing a rucksack or backpack. However, your back is going to bear the brunt of this weight, so if you have suffered in the past with serious back problems, you might want to be careful before using these carriers for extended periods of wear. If you wish to carry your baby on your front, then be sure to adjust the carrier so that your baby is held high up on your chest and close to your body, and so that the weight is not putting any unnecessary strain on your shoulders. If you are currently suffering with back problems, then you really should consult with your doctor before using any kind of baby carrier. If it ever becomes painful, do listen to your body and allow your partner to do more of the carrying.
Is it possible to use a baby carrier while recovering from a caesarean section?Yes. Most women who have a normal recovery from a c-section find they can use a baby sling or wrap somewhere around 2-4 weeks after the operation. Any of the baby carriers that are suitable from birth can be used after a caesarean. If you are using a carrier which ties around the waist however, you will want to tie it fairly high so that it won't press on your scar. As with back problems, please be cautious about carrying your baby if you're recovering from a c-section and do ask your doctor for advice if you are at all concerned. If you first try a baby carrier and it feels at all uncomfortable, then leave it for a few days before trying again.
My partner and I are very different sizes - will be both be able to use the same carrier?It really depends on which type of carrier you opt for. Most soft structured carriers (both front and back) are fully adjustable and therefore suitable for sharing. Mei Tais also have long and adjustable straps, so they can be used by just about anyone. Stretchy wraps will fit all shapes and sizes as they are very long, and if you are small and slim you can simply wrap it around your waist an extra time before tying. Ring slings do fit most people but if one of you is particularly tall or broad, you might need to order a larger sized item. With pouch slings, however, the sizing is very important and in most cases, you would need to purchase different sizes. However there are a few pouch slings like the one from Minimonkey which can be altered to fit most sizes.
Which baby carriers are easiest to put on and take off?All types of carrier require a little getting used to, but once you have the hang of it, they are all really very easy to put on and take off. Many parents find pouch slings are particularly easy to use, since they are essentially a sash worn across one shoulder - there are no straps or fastenings to adjust. Soft structured carriers come with simple click-in fastenings and straps which merely adjust to ensure a snug fit - much like any other backpack or rucksack - so most people find these very straightforward, too. Ring slings, Mei Tais and baby slings can take a little longer to master - mainly because they involve methods of tying and fastening which are unfamiliar to most of us - but with practice, assembling these carriers really does become second nature and you can have them on and off in less than a minute!
My husband isn't keen on using a carrier, which style will he be most comfortable with?There are a number of plain-looking front and back baby carriers (e.g. Boba Baby Carrier) which look just like rucksacks - they tend to appeal most to sceptical husbands and partners! Pouch slings are also quite popular with men, provided you choose a neutral colour. Bear in mind that many fathers do change their minds about using a baby carrier once your bundle of joy has arrived, so don't worry too much if they don't appear overly enthusiastic prior to the birth. |
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