Baby Sling Styles

Baby slings supports infants and toddlers.

A baby sling, often referred to as a baby carrier, is a piece of cloth that supports an infant or a small child by strapping her to the carrier's body without using your arms as the main source of support. These types of slings comes in different styles that you can pick based on your preference and what you're comfortable with.

Ring Slings

The ring slings style carrier uses a pair of metal or nylon rings attached to one end of the cloth, and the other end is a narrower strip of cloth that can be easily threaded through the rings. This style baby sling can be worn to carry your baby in many positions, including on the hips, your front and on your back. The cloth wraps around the carrier's body from one shoulder to the opposite hip, and the end is threaded through the rings. The baby can either sit or lie in the pocket that's created when using this sling.

Pouch Slings

The pouch sling is a strip of fabric sewn into a loop that is worn like a sash. It doesn't have knots or rings to secure it into place. Some pouches come with snaps or buttons that allow you to adjust the pouch size. To use this pouch, the carrier has to slip the pouch over his head and onto one shoulder, creating a pocket or seat to hold the baby in. This style of sling is very simple to use.

Wraps

Wraps, also referred to as wraparound carriers, have fabric used to wrap around the baby, the carrier and then tied. There are two types of wraps available, which also determines the different carrying positions possible. The short wrap makes it possible for the wearer to do a one-shouldered position secured with a double knot. The long wraps are wrapped around the wearer's body a few times, using both shoulders. Various secure, carrying positions can be created with this wrap. It is the most versatile of them all.

Asian-Style Carriers

Asian-style carriers are constructed of rectangular fabric with straps coming out near the corners. Inspired by the Chinese mei tai and other traditional Asian carriers, this sling can be used for infants up to as heavy as the wearer can support. The straps are used to wrap around the baby and wearer's body in various ways and tied for security. These carriers can be worn on the back or the front.

References

• Description of Baby Carrier and Baby Sling Styles
• The Baby Wearer: Pouches and Slings