  What is a baby sling?
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A baby sling is a form of what is now being called babywearing. It is one of the most popular types of infant carrier today.
A baby sling is usually a soft cloth used in a way to help support the weight of your baby (or young child) while the baby is being carried by someone. Fabric formed front pack or back pack carriers are also popular.
Attachment parenting families around the globe have known about and used baby slings for generations.
They have become very popular as an infant carrier because of their ease of use and because they suit newborns to toddlers (to about age 3) in a number of positions (to suit age or mood) - reclining, sleeping, nursing, kangaroo, hip straddle, and piggyback.
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Who would use a baby sling? |
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Do you have, or know of, a young baby that only seems content when being held (usually only by the mother)? Then a baby sling would be ideal for this situation, giving baby the closeness it desires as well as the flexibility and mobility for mum to do what she needs to do.
A baby sling is very easy to transport around with you. You can keep a baby sling in your baby bag or hand bag - no more pram or other ehavy baby carrier to lug around.
Breast (feed) refusal - One solution that has been suggested is to walk around with your baby in an upright position against your body with her head level with your nipple. Walk and feed simultaneously. You could try putting your baby in an baby sling but remember to have your bra undone so that her face is touching the skin of your breast and she can find your nipple. The sling will need to be worn lower than normal for this purpose.
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Why would you use a baby sling? |
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A baby sling will to a large degree imitate the motion and balance that your baby enjoyed in the womb, it provides a closeness and familiarity with mother and baby.
It has been suggested that baby slings are better for your babies than either backpack or frontpack baby carriers, because they tend to force your baby's legs apart and into very small openings. This position is not ideal for your baby's soft spine, pelvis and other developing organs. A baby sling supports your newborn baby's head and developing spine, with legs kept comfortably together.
A baby sling is very easy to use and very comfortable to wear and will soothe your baby.
Baby slings also promote bonding between mother and her new baby with the added benefit of also keeping nursing easy, comfortable and discreet.
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When would you use a baby sling? |
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A baby sling would be used whenever you need mobility whilst carrying your baby. A sling will also help you soothe your baby.
A baby sling is usualy used during the age that your baby is breastfeeding. Depending on the age of your baby, the baby sling can often be worn in different ways, ie. when your baby is 4 months or older it may require better head support, and when it is older the baby sling can be reconfigured when the baby head support is not as critical.
Most baby slings can be used to safely carry a baby up to around 14Kg.
Baby slings are also available for older babies or toddlers and are made stronger with more padding on the sling for extra comfort for you and your baby / toddler.
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Where can you buy a baby sling? |
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Baby slings can be bought from many baby item retailers and in some instances you may know someone crafty enough with fabric and design who could make a good baby sling?
Your best bet is to research online for the best baby slings to suit your needs, fashions, requirements and designs (etc) and then make comparisons until you find the most ideally suited baby sling for you and your baby. This will potentially same you a lot of time, money and running around.
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