Anne McEwan, Carrying consultant – WrapMyBaby
Best sling?
A question that crops up time and time again is what sling is the best sling to use. The person asking the question usually has a criteria in mind ; For a newborn, for a heavy toddler, for a tall mama, for a big dad. Answers to these questions can confuse as much as they clarify as it can be very much an individual decision. Here are some suggestions for different situations.
Newborns
Every newborn is different it is entirely possible that what worked for someone with their first child does not meet their needs with a following baby. Recovery after birth, how often the sling is used, temperament of the baby, the season in which the baby is born and whether there is an older child in the family who may need chasing after are all things that need to be taken into consideration.
A stretchy wrap is great for longer carries and once you get the hang of how to use it very straightforward. It is however not so suitable for babies who feed a lot as it can be hard having to untangle and retie. In this case a ringsling can be invaluable. For someone who has some experience using a sling a woven wrap may be a much more logical choice as it prolongs the usage time.
Toddler carrying
If you are a natural wrapper then using a wrap maybe a hemp or linen blend for extra sturdiness can be a great solution whilst for someone who dislikes the idea of wrapping a wrapconversion may be the perfect solution. A pod is another carrier that really comes into it’s own when using it with a toddler.
Plus sized carrying
Because wraps come in so many different sizes using a size 7 (5.2-5.4 m) for front carries will give you more space for the knots ( at a size 22 I could do most carries with a 7). Some stretchy wraps also come in longer sizes as do some ringslings. When using an asian style carrier check whether the straps are long enough to tie behind your back in a front carry if that is how you want to tie it. There are also some brands of structured carrier that come with a waist extension where needed.
Petite carriers
When wrapping you can usually select a size below standard so for example a 5 may be long enough for a Front Wrap Cross Carry. Some soft structured carriers do a petite version which means that it will be easier to tighten the shoulder straps tight enough. You may find that asian style carriers with extra long straps leave you with having to tie the straps round and round but shortening straps is an easy and straight forward job which does not affect the structure of the carrier.
Questions to ask
So how do you find out which carrier is right for you? Questions to consider are:
- How many people will be using the carrier and is there a big difference in size?
- How heavy/tall is the child?
- How often do you want to use the carrier?
- How long are the carrying sessions?
- Do you have anything you need to consider regarding your body shape or size? ( eg broad or narrow shoulders)
If you have already decided which carrier type you are after then asking in the relevant section is a great way of getting a specific response whilst general babywearing will get you help if you are unsure which type will suit you.
If you are still stuck and have no idea where to start then Sling Guide is a great impartial resource. Have a good look at the pictures. Which picture do you feel most drawn to? Generally this is a good place to start. Another thing to consider is to see if there are any sling meets or libraries near you so you can have a feel and a play before committing to a carrier. And most of all keep an open mind just because something that worked for someone else does not work for you does not mean that there is no sling to suit you. With so many choices in colour, shape, material, design and size there really is a sling out there for everyone!
