the sling connection
What do you recommend for a gift?
You can’t go wrong with one of these
popular, one-size-fits-all carriers:
Top pick for the first year (birth through 20 pounds) $34.95
Top pick for older baby / toddler (5 months through 35 pounds) from $79
Or try a
Choose any amount from $5 to $100. Redeemable on-line or with a store visit.
(A gift from The Sling Connection comes with free personal consultation and a generous return policy. See our shop page for details.)
Do you have any sling comparison charts?
Why, yes, we do: Sling comparison
And another chart with photos: Basic wearing positions
Which sling is best for a newborn?
There are two slings that I recommend for new babies.
1. My first choice would be a stretchy wraparound (Moby wrap). Babies love it. Mom is so comfortable, she can wear it all day. It takes a little practice to learn, but is quite do-able. The EllaRoo wraparound also works well with newborns, but because it is woven rather than stretchy, it requires a bit more skill. (For more, go to wrap basics.)
2. A ring sling is another good choice for newborns (either the EllaRoo ring sling or the Maya Wrap ring sling). As with the wrap, you may hold baby heart to heart or cradled. Being a one shoulder sling, it does not offer wear-all-day-comfort, but it is actually easier for nursing (which can be a real asset with frequently feeding newborns) and is faster to take on and off. (For more, go to ring sling basics.)
Which slings are the most comfortable?
All of our slings are comfortable when used as directed under normal circumstances, but if you have a bad back, a very heavy baby, a high needs child who is worn for long stretches of time, or expect to do a lot of walking, you may be in the market for a two shoulder carrier (mei tai, soft structured carrier, or wrap) instead of one shoulder (pouch, ring sling, mei hip).
A Moby Wrap provides two shoulder support up to 20 pounds. A woven wrap (EllaRoo) can be used up to 35 pounds (but is more challenging to learn, especially when wrapping a newborn). A mei tai (both EllaRoo Mei Tai and the Kozy Carrier) also provides even weight distribution and is suitable from around 4 months up to 35 pounds (although your newborns will be more likely to like a mei tai with a headrest like our Kozy carrier). The soft structured carrier (Action Baby Carrier) is another great option for a heavy baby.
So, when even weight distribution is important, I generally recommend a wrap, a mei tai carrier, or soft structured carrier.
(Also, there are ways of wrapping simple pieces of cloth and traditional Asian carriers that do not put pressure your shoulders at all! They are demonstrated in our Tummy 2 Tummy DVD.)
Seriously, folks -- mei tai carriers, soft structured carriers, and wraparounds are some of the most comfortable baby carriers available (and much more so than even quality department store front-pack carriers). With either the mei tai or the wrap, you can carry even heavy babies for long periods of time with surprising comfort. Your feet might hurt after a long day, but not your back. You may have assumed, based on your experience with department store front-packs, that your toddler or your big 5 month-old has simply outgrown baby carriers and that there is no comfortable alternative to a stroller . . . Prepare to be pleasantly surprised . . . :)
My baby wants to face out -- all the time! Which carrier allows baby the best view?
Some babies go through a phase around 3 – 8 months when they love to be held in a face out position. They want to see the world! :)
Keep in mind that facing out in any carrier (including quality front packs) is just not going to be comfortable for long periods of time -- for you or your baby; their body is curving away from your center of gravity. Try not to think of this as your default position. Think of facing out as a position to use for brief periods of time and alternated with other wearing positions that allow a view that is -- almost as good. :)
Alternate face out (any carrier) with hip (any carrier, from 5 or 6 months) and high back (mei tai and wrap) both of which allow baby to see a lot while also giving her a place to hide her face if she needs a break. Also, keep in mind that the very comfortable snuggle and regular back carries in the mei tai and wrap can be done with the child’s arms out so that he can lean back and have a pretty decent view. (If you need to shorten the body of the mei tai to do this, just fold the bottom once before tying it on. . .)
While your child can face out in any of our carriers, a wrap (both Moby and EllaRoo) will allow you the most options in general and the most comfortable facing out positions.
I want to wear my baby on my back, but will I be able to do it by myself?
Certainly. It is really no big deal. I’ve been wearing my daughter on my back (in mei tais, soft structured carriers, and wraps) since she was 5 months old - and I’ve been doing it by myself. (You can wear a baby on your back from the day they are born in a mei tai or wrap if you learn how.) At first, you should have someone spot you. Then, check your work in a mirror. With practice and as baby grows, you will find you can get her on your back easily whenever, wherever -- and by yourself.
Here is a video clip showing a back carry in a mei tai. Also check the Kozy wearing instruction for how to put baby on your back using a couch, etc. Also, our Tummy to Tummy DVD demonstrates everything you could want to know about back carries. . .
A ring sling and a pouch will do back carries, but only for short periods of time and only with toddlers. The mei tai, soft structured carrier, and wrap do great back carries from birth through the toddler years. However, I recommend a mei tai or a soft structured carrier if your main concern is fast, easy, secure back carries. You will be surprised at how easy, safe, and comfortable it really is!
I’m not really wanting to carry my older baby on my front or my back. Which one is a good hip carrier?
I want a sling, not a collection. Which one will do it all?
A woven wraparound such as our EllaRoo wrap may be the thing for you. The back carries can be challenging to learn, but with this one woven wrap, you’ll be able to do everything and then some! :)
I don’t DO complicated. Give me something easy.
You may be happiest with a pouch / soft structured carrier combination. A pouch for when your child is small (and later use it for a nice easy hip carry). For your older baby, a soft structured carrier for secure, comfortable front or back carries. Both the pouch and the soft structured carriers are quite easy.
Which brand do you recommend?
If you need a ring sling, I recommend the Maya Wrap for comfort and ease of use. However the EllaRoo ring sling is also a good sling for beginners and they come in beautiful and soft organic cotton sateen.
If you are in the market for a mei tai, I say go with the Kozy. The design provides more of a seat for your child, a nice headrest, and a little more wiggle room for his arms. The shoulder straps have adequate padding. The width will create a safer carrier for a newborn and a good seat for an older child. However, some parents prefer the smaller body of the EllaRoo mei tai. They find that it holds their child closer to their body and is therefore more comfortable. They also like how the longer top straps allow more tying options. (Note: the headrest on the EllaRoo mei tai does not really work as a headrest, but it can be flipped under and out of sight.)
If a wrap is what you want, go with the Moby Wrap if low price and soft stretchy double knit fabric appeal to you and you see it as primarily a carrier for your newborn. If you need a more breathable carrier (hot summer months) or want to be sure it is supportive enough to carry your child as he grows and feel up to a slightly more challenging carrier, go with the woven EllaRoo wrap. Both are great. They just serve different purposes. (Wrap basics)
How do I decide between the mei tai and the soft structured carrier?
They are very similar. Mostly, it will be your personal preference for the way they look and how comfortable a fit each one is for you.
The soft structured carrier (Action Baby Carrier) won’t have straps dragging on the floor when putting it on or off, but you may prefer having a simpler carrier like the mei tai with no hardware. The buckles on a soft structured carrier offer a more mainstream look which appeals to some parents, especially dads. The mei tai carrier (Kozy, Ellaroo) offers a little more versatility.
Also, some body types work better with one over the other. Sometimes petite mamas find a soft structured carrier more comfortable, but this is not always true. (Try them both when you make an appointment or buy both with the intention of returning one.)
What is best for a premature or very small baby?
The Moby Wrap (stretchy wraparound carrier) is wonderful for premature babies! The material is very soft, like baby clothes only thicker. You can tie the wrap on your body then pick up baby and just pop her in. You can shift his or her position without retying. Also, the Moby Wrap is wide enough to keep you covered and warm when holding baby skin to skin on your chest. (Learn more about this here.)
My second choice would be a ring sling. The rings will allow you to adjust the size and depth of the “pouch” (pocket where baby is) to perfectly fit your baby. You can also adjust how high baby is on your body.
Both the ring sling and the Moby Wrap will allow your child to have good head support for sleeping and allow you to nurse easily in the sling and with privacy. In both of these you can cradle baby or hold them upright in a snuggle position.
Has my child outgrown baby carriers?
Is your child under 35 pounds? Are there occasions when you’d like to be able to comfortably strap him onto your back when he gets tired of walking? If so, then you will likely get some good use out of a mei tai (Kozy or EllaRoo), a soft structured carrier (Action Baby Carrier) or a woven EllaRoo wrap. All three are very comfortable. (The mei tai is easier to learn than the wrap, but the wrap gives you more options. For a long legged 3 or 4 year old, you may prefer a wrap.)
Actually, from around 6 months up to 2 or 3 years, you may find that wearing your child on your back is the way to go. It is quite comfy, they are happy because they are close to you, and you have your hands and the whole front of your body totally free! Think about those high needs times like when she is sick. You can comfort her while going about your day. Also, at the mall or a walk in the park, he can get a ride on moms back when he gets tired of walking. (You can also wear an older child on your front in the mei tai, soft structured carrier, and the wrap.)
You might also enjoy having a Hotslings pouch or a ring sling for your older child. They provide a fast and easy hip carry up to 35 pounds. It is not a position for long periods of time since it is a one shoulder carrier, but might come in handy. Keep in mind that you can also use your mei tai or wrap on your hip; they just aren’t as “pop-able” as a pouch.
A note about wearing a heavier child and comfort: Just like any other physical activity, babywearing uses certain muscles. If you begin babywearing with your newborn, you will gradually build those up without noticing. However, if you start babywearing with a 20 or 25 pounder, you may need to begin gradually and build up to being able to wear your child for longer periods of time. Don’t push it; ease into it. Remember, babywearing should be comfortable. (If it isn’t, stop and get some advice from us or other experienced babywearers.)
Which slings are best for discreet hands-free nursing?
We want something both mom and dad can use.
All of our baby carriers are suitable for both men and women. Men may, of course, prefer the more neutral colors.
My main recommendation for a carrier for mom and dad to share is a soft structured carrier (Action Baby Carrier). It is simple, comfortable, and fastens with buckles. It has a mainstream look, comes in basic solid colors and is generally a favorite with dads.
A close second would be a mei tai (Kozy or EllaRoo). The mei tai is fully reversible so that dad can wear the solid natural or black canvas. It is truly one-size-fits-all and fairly easy to use.
But what your husband prefers is really up to him. . . He could use any of them.
The MobyWrap is also one-size fits all.
If he wants to use a Hotslings pouch, he’ll need to get one in his own size unless you happen to wear the same size.
The same size ring sling will probably fit both of you (If he is a bit larger than mom, the “tail” will be shorter when he wears it, but that won’t be a problem since he won’t need it for a nursing coverup).
In order to share an EllaRoo woven wraparound carrier, you will want to buy the size that fits the larger wearer.
What will work well for running errands? I want to be able to quickly put my baby in his sling, then quickly put him back in the car seat.
What we are talking about here is a sling’s “pop-ability,” how easy it is to pop baby in and out frequently. This may come into play running errands in the car or when your little one reaches an age when they want to play on the floor one minute, then they want to be held the next, . . .then back to the playing, etc.
With experience, any carriers will become easier to use. Plus you can learn some nifty pre-tying tricks to make any carrier more pop-able. . .
However, the sling that is the most “pop-able” by far is the Hotslings pouch! Just pop baby into a cradle, face out, or hip position, go into the bank, then back out to the car. It was easy, baby is held close to you, and you left that car seat in the car!
I expect to loose some weight after giving birth. Will my sling still fit?
This is only an issue with a pouch since all the others are so adjustable. A pouch, however, is sized to fit the wearer like clothing. If you loose weight, it may no longer fit you. However, you may be able to shrink it down to size in the dryer. Ask for details.
I’m looking for a carrier that provides good head support for a sleeping child.
A Kozy carrier will provide the kind of head support that will allow a child to turn their head side to side, but keep a sleeping head from flopping back, and cradle an infant’s head so they can look up at you. (It will not hold the head securely against your chest so that you can bend over and they don’t move.)
The Action Baby Carrier (a soft structured carrier) comes with a sleeping hood which can clip into place, providing very good support for a floppy sleeping head.
A wrap (both Moby Wrap and EllaRoo wrap) will provide excellent head support for a child of any age in almost any position. After the child falls asleep, you can pull the fabric over the back of the head so that it holds the child’s head securely against your body.
My baby is very wiggly. Which carrier will hold him securely in place?
When worn correctly, all of our carriers are quite safe. However, is this is of particular concern to you, either a mei tai (Kozy or EllaRoo) or a soft structured carrier (Action Baby Carrier) may be your best choice. The design allows for very easy, secure carries (on your front or back).
I like to buy products made from organic cotton, hemp, and natural fibers whenever possible. Do you sell products like this?
Almost all of of our fabric is 100% cotton (pouches are 3% spandex). Check out our hemp Hotslings pouch. Also, the EllaRoo ring slings and the EllaRoo mei tai carriers are 100% organic!
What is best for wintertime?
The short answer is any carrier works great for wintertime. If you will be wearing your hotslings pouch over your sweaters, you may need to size up. If the sweaters are worn as a layer over the pouch, there is no problem. The other carrier styles will adjust to different types of clothing.
Babywearing is wonderful in the wintertime. Share your body heat with baby, keeping her little fingers and toes perfectly warm. Share your personal space with baby, protecting him from the unwanted touches of strangers and from all those germs.
And share your coat! You will be able to use the same coat that saw you through last winter. Whether it was maternity or simply “roomy,” the coat that fit over your pregnant belly is perfect to wear over a sling baby. Keep in mind that since you won’t want to cover baby’s head completely, he will need a warm hat and you’ll need a good scarf. For cold weather back carries, fitting a regular coat can be tricky. Consider a specialty babywearing coat such the Kinder Coat.
How many slings will I need?
If you only have one baby carrier, it will be a huge help to you, but in my opinion, most families will do well to have two slings.
Maybe. . .
one for newborns and nursing, one for comfy back carries or
one that is “pop-able” and one that is very versatile or
one for mom and one for dad or
one for around the house and one for when you are out and about or
one to wear while you wash the other one, etc.
Every family is different. . . Happy shopping!
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So many beautiful carriers to choose from. . .
Which sling is right for you?
Choosing Guide
