Sling Baby Carrier (Sling Pouch)

The sling carrier is most similar to the traditional carriers used in Africa or Central America. It is a simple tube of cloth that is worn over one shoulder. The fold in the middle creates a pouch in which a newborn can lie in a cradle carry. A larger baby can sit up in a front carry, a hip carry, a carry facing out or even a back carry. Traditional slings are simply a piece of cloth that is knotted on one end, but many parents in the west prefer the tube style. No tying, no knotting, no snaps, no adjusting. Just put the sling on and pop the baby in. This is the only carrier that can truly be used in less than 1 minute to put your baby in.

Although there is a variety of carrying positions possible with the sling pouch, they are all easy enough to master that you don't have to buy a book about it, and you don't need to enroll in a course on it either! Because they are so simple and easy to use, slings are one of the most versatile baby carriers available. They look streamlined and elegant and can be worn with even the most formal of dresses or suits.

Some slings are made with stretch, and this makes them much easier to use and more comfortable for both parent and baby. Without the stretch it is nearly impossible to get a sleeping baby out of the sling without waking them up. Stretch also makes it possible to share slings between parents of different sizes, since it puts some give into the otherwise stiff form.

Sizing is important with slings, though, and they may never fit as exactly as the tradional knotted style. Please read about sling sizing to make sure you get one that fits you properly.

 

 

 

Blogposts about Baby Slings:

Babytragen von bumbaumel: die Video-Trageanleitung ist da!

“Eure Babytragen sehen super aus, nur die Trageanleitung ist etwas bedürftig....”, schreibt mir eine Mutter neulich per Email. Ja, wir wissen es schon lange. Unsere 1-2-3-Trageanleitungen sind zwar überschaubar, aber es könnte auch etwas mehr an Information sein. Und jetzt gibt es mehr: Die...

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Close enough to kiss? International Babywearing Community on Sling Safety

Last night I received an anonymous comment to the website from someone who was concerned about sling safety. This person wanted me to know that "international babywearing standards" recommend that a baby always has to be "close enough to kiss".  Anyone who has spent much...

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Wie sicher sind Slings für Neugeborene?

Gerade junge Eltern sind oft unsicher mit ihrem Neugeborenen. Wie muss ich das Kind halten? Kann ihm nichts passieren? Kann es in dieser Körperhaltung gut atmen? Warum schreit es jetzt? Gut gemeinte Ratschläge sind oft alles andere als hilfreich: man darf auf keinen Fall..., sagen die einen, die...

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Über Ring Slings und noch viel mehr Meinungen

Neulich schrieb ich hier etwas von meiner Vorstellung einer freien, weltoffenen Tragekultur. Eine Szene, wo jede(r) eine eigene Meinung haben kann und darf und diese auch frei äußert. Und jetzt haben einige sich geäußert, teilweise mit großer Vehemenz. Ich finde es OK, auch wenn es schöner wäre,...

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A mother, a baby and a sling in Daman, India

The outdoor restaurant was right across from the beach in Daman, India.  Palms lined the edge of the elegant pavilion, where neatly dressed waiters balanced platters of chicken vindaloo and fish masala.  Our table was along the edge of the restaurant, and right outside of it was a busy...

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Focus on the baby sling

5 Tips for Wearing your Newborn in a Baby Sling

Baby slings are easy to use and great for carrying your newborn baby. Our 5 Tips should help you get off to a good babywearing start with your sling.
  1. With baby in the cradle.

The cradle carry is really the...[more]

The African tradition of babywearing

We don't have babies that cry all the time

Many African women like prams and strollers because of their modern image. But in everyday life, mothers still carry their children in wraps. It is so much more convenient. “We have both of our hands free”, says Helen Schultheiss. She is a...[more]

Lessons learned from Mayan mothers

A Mayan mother carrying her baby in Chiapas, Mexico

A personal account of babywearing in Chiapas

As an anthropology student, I spent a lot of time living around Mayan women in Chiapas, Mexico. These women all carry their babies for much of the day, either in handwoven lengths of fabric that are tied and knotted over one shoulder, or more...[more]

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