Which Way do You Sling?
November 18, 2008 at 10:56 AM by Cafe Suzanne - Comments (19)
photo by corrie0227
Baby slings have become incredibly popular in recent years. There's even a Baby Wearing Mamas group on CafeMom, which is just one of many. So many styles, so many patterns. I love 'em all. But I just read a really interesting article (which came out before the controversial Motrin ad I wrote about earlier today), in the Times online, "Are Baby Slings Good for Mothers and Babies?"
The article gives reasons wearing a sling is good for baby, such as:
1. Close contact is a bridge between the womb and becoming a separate person. The baby can pick up signals and make adjustments by being close to the mother.
2. A mother's heartbeat is a calming influence for a baby as she's heard it for the past 9 months. A sling is the perfect way to maintain that reassuring background noise.
3. Babies who are carried cry 43 percent less, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.
But is wearing a sling good for Baby Mama? According to a doctor in the article, it could hurt your back so follow these tips (it seems Motrin may have had a valid point).
1. Everyone's posture is different so there's no one sling that will work for everyone. If your sling is correctly adjusted and fits well, you shouldn't have any aches and pains. If the sling isn't comfortable, try another brand or style.
2. Make sure your baby's weight is distributed evenly. If you're already having back and shoulder pain from something else (breastfeeding, your job), a front-loading sling can make it worse, consider wearing one on your back—it may be more comfortable.
Are you a slinger? What kind do you use? What do you like about it?
FILED UNDER: baby gear, babywearing, bonding, health, newborns
Want to leave a comment and join the discussion?
Sign up for CafeMom. As a member you'll be able to leave comments, join groups, share photos, and more. Already a member? Click here to log in.
Or, leave a guest comment (guest comments are moderated and won't appear immediately)
I have the Ultimate Baby Wrap and I love it! It's super comfy and light-weight. Although, it is really long, so it's a little hard to put on in a tight space.
I had a moby wrap and a maya wrap. The moby was by far the best, just to much material!!!
I had several slings but liked my Kangaroo Korner -- http://kangarookorner.com/ -- the best. It was comfy, easy to adjust, and easy to get on and off. With both of my babies, I found a sling to be super-useful in getting them to quiet down and go to sleep. LOVED my sling.
I love my moby wrap even for my almost 11 month old.
lots of mamas i know love the ERGO carrier and so do their babys! I personally could never find a carrier that i liked so i ended up making my own. Its an asian style carrier with wide shoulder straps to evenly distribute the weight over my whole back or front depending on where i am wearing my little one. it allows me to wear him front, back or side and i can wear two if i need to. although at 4 and 2, my boys are getting a little big to wear together. i can wear them seperatly very comfortably though and they always enjoy going for a ride! my mother in law even wore our big boy (he weighs 40 pounds about) comfortably on a hike... anyways - i love wearing my kids - wish i would have known about it sooner. my little guy is more confidant and snuggly than the other two.
I use a side rider when in public walking around and a cradle sling in the house for hosework if he needs to be held or wants to sleep.
I LOVE baby wraps. I make my own, but have purchased several different brands. I also LOVE to wear my babies in Mei Tie carriers. Both of these are great on my back and my babies love them.
I am a hotsling addict. I have a Baby Bjorn (this is really good for dad, but not breastfeeding friendly and did not help with colic.) I have an infantino carrier (too many straps and adjustments - I never used it) a maya wrap (too much fabric, too hot, good for breastfeeding) but loved my hotsling. You have to get the right size for you, but once you do, it is easy to put baby in and out without help. There are 5 different carries depending on age and I used to 18 months before it got to be too heavy. There are no hooks or buckles to break or come unlatched. It is friendly for breast feeding and it packs in your purse so you can take it anywhere. They have lots of fabrics and colors, they wash easily and it is not as hot as others. I give this as a shower give all the time now. I have heard the peanut shell carrier is also comparable with a slightly different fit, but I have never tried it.
THE ERGO ROCKS MY WORLD. I love that thing - it's designed like a hiking backpack, with a thick waist belt, so baby's weight rests on your hips, not on your shoulders, back or neck. I tried the Maya wrap and couldn't wear it for more than 15 minutes when my baby was only about 16 pounds. I can wear him in the Ergo for hours.
Stay in touch with CafeMom wherever you are
- Study Suggests Link Between Autism and Parents' Ages
- Just Chute Me! (Or: Do We REALLY Have to Play with Our Kids?)
- Atlanta Billboards Proclaim 'Black Children Are An Endangered Species'
- Canadian Hospital Offers Surgery for Obese Children
- Celeb Clan Close-Up: Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Maddox Hit the Super Bowl
I use a Baby Bjorn, and so far am pretty happy with it! I knew it was right for me when I tried it on at the store, baby-free, and was more comfortable wearing it than not! My little guy is getting used to it, but it's been kinda slow go. I wear him facing me, which means I either need to wear layers or just try to enjoy the drool rolling down my chest, lol!
I also have a HotSling, but I can't get it to work! Even with my extra baby weight, I'm still within the size limits for the one I got, but I can't fit him into it! I tried when he was little bitty (well, as bitty as 9-4 can be!), but there was NO WAY to squeeze him in! Anyone know any tricks?
KatieCrandall Nov. 18, 2008 at 2:05 PM