Ok, you’ve decided to give babywearing a go but where do you start? There are dozens of different types of baby sling and different ways of carrying your baby. Your baby can be on your chest looking at you or facing forward (or though many sling consultants/experts feel the forward-facing position isn’t condusive to a baby’s spine or hip development), on your hip, on your back or lying across you. Some slings can be adapted to different carrying positions but essentially there are five different types, as demonstrated in the following clips.
There are links to more detailed explanations and reading below the videos and don’t forget to add your comments at the bottom.
Ring Slings
Here are two ring sling videos – the first shows a woman putting the sling on:
And the second with the baby:
Wraparound sling:
Mei Tai
Pouch
Soft structured carrier
One way of seeing the range of styles available is to look at online retailers (see Bebe Cannelle for just one example) who have picture catalogues and often some good information.
See The babywearer’s page on choosing a sling for a lot more information about this as well as some very clearly laid out, easy to read and accessible information at Sling Babies.
However, reading, watching and chatting online is all very well but nothing replaces meeting up with other babywearers and trying out baby slings for yourself before you leap in and buy one – check out Slingmeet.
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