Articles By Sling Type

Hip carrier

Hip carrier reviews and articles (1)

hybrid

hybrid reviews and articles (1)

Mei Tai

A mei tai is made from a square panel of fabric with straps are the top and bottom. The bottom straps go around the wearer’s waist and the top ones go over the shoulders, crossing on the back and being tied around the waist (either front, or crossing over again and going back round to the back). With a mei tai, the weight is taken through the hips, and distributed over both shoulders, so it tends to be more comfortable for older or heavier babies and toddlers. They can be used to carry babies on the front, back or hip, and due to the long straps, and lack of buckles, one size fits most. As with wraps and slings, mei tais carry baby in a natural seated position, which is best for their delicate spine and hip development, and also for their comfort.

Mei Tai reviews and articles (10)

Pouch Sling

Very similar to the ring sling, but the pouch sling is a fixed size, and it is very important to take accurate measurements prior to ordering to ensure a perfect fit (They're not usually a sling that mummy and daddy can share). Baby can be worn in the same positions as in a ring sling – lying down, on the hip or upright. There are no buckles or rings to fasten – it’s a case of pop it on and off you go! They are very convenient and usually fold up very small, so are fabulous for taking with you on shopping trips.

Pouch Sling reviews and articles (10)

Ring Sling

Consisting of a length of fabric with two rings at one end. The fabric is threaded through the rings to create a loop, and then placed over the wearers head and one arm, so that it sits across the body from shoulder to opposite hip. The size of the sling can be adjusted to make a perfect fit for both carrier and baby, giving excellent support and comfort. Ring slings can be used to carry baby lying down, as in a hammock, sitting facing in or out (in a “froggy” position, with legs crossed inside the fabric of the sling), or on the carrier’s hip. They are suitable from birth, and will usually last until baby is too heavy for your comfort. As they are a one-shouldered carrier, they can cause some discomfort when used with older, heavier babies or toddlers, or for prolonged periods.

Ring Sling reviews and articles (10)

Soft Structured Carrier (SSC)

Soft-structured baby carriers are essentially mei tai baby carriers with buckles. They comprise of a main body, with four straps that are fastened around the wearer and hold baby close. They use buckles, rather than wrapping or tying the carrier to your body, which can make them quicker to fasten than mei tais. It has the side effect of making them less versatile, since the straps need to be adjusted when transferring the carrier between wearers. The difference between brands is often more diverse than with ring or wrap slings, and just because one brand is not comfortable for a wearer, it does not mean that the type of sling overall should be ruled out. SSC's tend to be especially good for older babies and toddlers, due to the weight distribution, although many are suitable for newborn babies aswell.

Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) reviews and articles (10)

Wrap

Wrap-style slings come in two varieties – stretchy and woven. They are both the same design, which is basically a long length of fabric. This is used to wrap around both you and baby, so as to fasten you together. The simplicity means that they can be used in a great many positions, with one size fitting all. It is generally accepted that woven are longer lasting, and the stretchy wraps can sag once baby becomes heavier. However, woven wraps can take a little more practice to perfect the tying, and stretchy wraps are considered a better option for novice wearers. Both styles work in a similar way to the Mei Tai, distributing the baby’s weight through the wearer’s hips and back, with the shoulders being used for support. They can look very daunting to the first time user, as the fabric is so long, but after a little practice they are very easy to use.

Wrap reviews and articles (10)