When can you start using a sling for newborns and is it harmful to the baby’s health? At what age can he be placed vertically in this carrier? Those mothers who want to purchase and use a sling are interested in the answers to these questions.
Many young mothers are familiar with the situation when a toddler constantly cries, asks to be held and annoys his parents with his whims. Some calmly tolerate such behavior of the baby, while others give up everything they are doing and begin to carry the whining baby in their arms all the time.
Constantly carrying a baby in your arms has a negative impact on a woman’s spine.
Over time, fatigue, pain and discomfort in the back and arms begin to be noted. Buying a carrier made in the form of a sling will help relieve stress on the spinal column and calm an unhappy child. [Hide]
Can a baby do without a sling: why do you need a carrier?
First of all, parents need a sling. Moms always have this problem: they need to take the child somewhere. Most often, parents entrust this task to the stroller in which the baby spends most of the time. But sometimes it happens that the child does not want to sit in the stroller at all and the mother is lost: whether to take the baby in her arms, or give it to the grandmother, or leave it as is.
Today there are such super things called slings - helpers in carrying children in their arms. There are a great variety of them: different models, designs, manufacturers. When choosing, you need to start from the age of the child.
Choosing a sling according to the child’s age
First, we will distribute the types of slings by age, and then we will analyze each in detail:
- Sling with rings – from 0 to 3 months.
- Sling scarf – from birth.
- May-sling, fast-sling - from 3 months.
- Ergo-backpack, sling-backpack - from 5-6 months.
A ring sling and a scarf sling are exactly the two types of slings that can be used from the first days of life. This is due to the fact that only two types of structures involve literally point-by-point adjustment along the child’s spine. It is possible to manually adjust every centimeter: at the top, in the middle, at the bottom, along the hips and shoulder girdle. Starting from 2-3 months, the weight of the child makes itself felt and it is already difficult for the mother to carry the baby on one shoulder.
For baby from 3 months. It is recommended to use a sling or sling scarf. From about 12 months, it is better to use an ergo-backpack, a May-sling or a fast-sling.
The weight of the baby will be evenly distributed between the shoulders, lower back and back thanks to the sling: it will be much easier for the mother. After a year, the child begins to walk: a sling is rarely needed, only when the baby is resting.
Choosing a sling: useful recommendations
Before buying a sling, you need to find out as much as possible about the chosen model, paying special attention to the following characteristics:
- ergonomic and versatile design - the carrier must correspond to the physiological parameters of the baby and be adjustable;
- fabric quality – it is better to choose products made from natural, breathable and hypoallergenic textiles;
- fittings and tailoring – the sling should be solid, with a minimum number of seams, and the fittings should be cast, preferably metal;
- design – the mother has to use the sling every day for 6-12 months, so its appearance should be attractive.
Another important point is correct winding. It causes some difficulties for beginners in slingomas, but if you watch the corresponding video and practice a little, everything will go like clockwork.
Video - How to properly wrap a sling scarf
A sling is a convenient device that literally gives a young mother an extra pair of hands. With the right choice, this device will become an indispensable assistant in caring for your baby.
Sling with rings for newborn
It is a piece of fabric, at one end of which metal or plastic rings are sewn into the fabric. The second side of the fabric is fixed in the rings. Worn on the shoulder. For carrying, the “cradle” position is usually used.
The ring sling is easy to use, just right for mothers with newborns. He transfers the entire load of the baby onto one shoulder, so the position needs to be alternated periodically: we go for a walk on one shoulder, and back from a walk on the other; or carry the baby on one shoulder for the first half of the day, and on the other for the second half of the day. Choose exactly how to alternate it, but you must do it. This is important not only for you, but also for the correct formation of the muscle corset of the baby’s back.
Design advantages:
- Allows you to adjust your child's position on the go.
- During use, it is easy to take the baby out and put it back.
- You can move the baby to the crib without waking him.
The load on one shoulder of the mother is a disadvantage of this carrier.
When choosing a sling with rings, pay close attention to the rings - this is a very important part of the design. Check the strength of the rings with your hands for bending and stretching.
The rings should be large: metal - about 8 cm, plastic - about 10 cm in diameter.
Rating TOP 5 best slings for newborns
Choosing the perfect sling is quite a difficult task. It will seem especially difficult to mothers who are buying them for the first time. As this type of carrying is gaining popularity, the number of models offered by manufacturers is also increasing. All this makes shopping for the perfect sling a torture. To make your search and purchase of a baby carrier easier, we suggest you familiarize yourself with the rating of the top 5 best slings for newborns. In the rating, we have collected only the best models based on reviews from moms and dads who have already tried them in action. Our list looks like this:
- Miracle Child with “Butterfly” rings;
- Mum's Era with Elephant rings;
- Boba Wrap;
- Velina Jacquard;
- Mum's Era Bloom.
Let's take a closer look at each selected model.
Miracle Child with “Butterfly” rings
This practical sling from Miracle-Chado will be an ideal companion for a walk. This model is equipped with rings and is the most affordable in the line. The carrier itself is designed for newborns and older children - up to three years. It is made of hypoallergenic materials, which, moreover, do not lose their shape over long hours of use.
Despite its accessibility and advantages, the model is recommended for mothers with experience. A sling with rings needs to be ideally selected to suit your parameters and then there will be no problems with its use. When purchasing, you need to pay attention to the size of the sling.
| Type | with rings |
| Child's age | from a month to 3 years |
| Length, cm | 175-200 |
| Maximum weight, kg | 15 |
| Textile | 100% cotton |
| Wearing method | on the hip, on the chest, on the back |
Price: 1,200 rubles.
sling Miracle-Child
- 100% cotton;
- various wearing options (on the hip, chest, back);
- fastening with button and ring;
- there is a soft shoulder.
- special care of the fabric is required;
- you need to choose the right size.
I use the sling during short walks: to go to the store and stuff like that. Quite a high quality sling. I washed it in the machine, then ironed it and nothing happened to it. My child is 8 months old, 11 kg. Judging by it, it’s quite comfortable, but when it starts to wobble, you have to hold it so that the butt doesn’t fall out. And so all is well.
Mum's Era with Elephant rings
The main production material is 100% cotton. The model itself is quite practical all year round. Even in summer it will not be hot due to the low density of the product - only 150 grams per square meter. The sling folds easily, does not take up much space and weighs little. This approach allows you to carry the sling with you almost everywhere and take it out at any time.
Rings add convenience to the sling - it is easy to fix and adjust the size. The carrier can be used at any time of the year; preference is given to it more in the warm season.
| Type | with rings |
| Child's age | from a month to 3 years |
| Maximum weight, kg | 15 |
| Length, cm | 195 |
| Width, cm | 70 |
| Textile | 100% cotton |
| Wearing method | on the hip, on the chest, on the back |
Price : 2,500 rubles .
Mum's Era sling with Elephant rings
- single size, adjustable with rings;
- the width allows the rear sights to cover the child;
- ideal for spring and summer.
- the weight rests on one shoulder.
Good carry, with a couple of nuances. Let me note right away: finding the sling was quite a task. In our city, no one brought it, we ordered it online. Upon receipt, I immediately inspected the purchase. I would like to note the high quality, natural materials. The child is comfortable and got used to it quickly. And when the child is already an adult, it’s harder to get used to it. I think the biggest drawback is the load on one side. After a couple of hours, my shoulder starts to ache. More suitable for babies.
Boba Wrap
Incredibly comfortable sling model. The model is aimed directly at newborns. The carrying configuration allows you to transport the child in different positions. For its production, soft knitted fabric with spandex is used. This composition ensures a perfect fit of the sling to the body. It has an increased load capacity of 16 kg.
You can start carrying your baby in a Boba Wrap sling from the age of one month. Young mothers who are new to using slings should pay attention to this model. The increased load capacity allows, in some cases, to carry children of three years of age.
| Type | scarf |
| Child's age | from a month to 3 years |
| Maximum weight, kg | 16 |
| Length, cm | 469 |
| Width, cm | 50 |
| Textile | 95% jersey, 5% spandex |
| Wearing method | on the hip, on the chest, on the back |
Price: 3,900 rubles.
sling Boba Wrap
- full support of the child;
- the size allows you to cover the baby when feeding;
- length (469 cm);
- versatility of sizes.
- small product width (50 cm).
The sling stretches just fine - beginners can quickly learn all the intricacies of wrapping. It is easy to change the baby's position without removing it from the sling. This model is almost the only one that can be used almost from the first days of life. It's also knitted. And your baby will definitely be warm in it.
Velina Jacquard
The attractive appearance of the sling made it popular among mothers. It is suitable for newborns and is made of 100% cotton. Special weaving in the form of diagonals gives the child the desired coverage. Despite the absence of spandex, the sling has good stretch. Consider a sling mainly for babies, since the maximum weight is 13 kilograms.
The carrier will not only become a practical thing for the housewife, but will also complement the image with a pleasant design. Has standard sizes.
| Type | scarf |
| Child's age | from birth to 2 years |
| Maximum weight, kg | 13 |
| Length, cm | 460-520 |
| Width, cm | 68 |
| Textile | cotton 100% |
| Wearing method | on the hip, on the chest, on the back |
Price : 3,050 rubles .
sling Velina Jacquard
- density and strength;
- reliable fixation of the child;
- ease of use and adjustment.
- to avoid sagging you will have to wind it;
- In summer, the child may sweat.
When purchasing, I didn’t know all the intricacies of slings. I bought it because of the cool color. Later, at the master class on winding, the master noted my sling as very high quality. Later, I was convinced of this personally more than once. It’s great that your hands are completely free, and the baby loves to sit in it. I highly recommend this sling to mothers.
Mum's Era Bloom
Simple and high quality sling. The product is 100% cotton. Has jacquard weaving. The sling provides for the position of the child only facing the mother. Some consider this arrangement to be a disadvantage. Domestic product. Great for newborns and children up to 15 kg.
This sling is equally suitable for experienced mothers and beginners. The sling can easily be transformed into a beautiful scarf. High density increases the strength of the sling, but during the hot season it can cause discomfort for the child.
| Type | May-sling |
| Child's age | from 4 months to 3 years |
| Maximum weight, kg | 15 |
| Length, cm | 190 |
| Width, cm | 40 |
| Textile | cotton 100% |
| Wearing method | sitting facing the parent, on the chest, on the back |
Price: 4,200 rubles.
sling Mum's Era Bloom
- fast winding;
- reliable fixation of the child.
- not detected.
Excellent sling. When I’m not carrying my baby in it (he’s lying in a stroller), I calmly wrap myself in it. It's beautiful and always stays on hand. The child feels very comfortable in it and loves to sleep. I like it when the baby faces me. Sometimes, of course, he wants to turn his head and explore the world, but at such moments you can take the baby out, fortunately it’s easy to do, and hold him in your hands.
Sling scarf for newborn
It is a piece of fabric measuring up to 0.7x6 meters. This type of carrying assumes a symmetrical position. There is no need to alternate shoulders here; you can use all the basic windings. The load is distributed evenly across the shoulders, back, and hips.
Knitted slings-scarves
For the smallest children, you need to use knitted slings-scarves, because they stretch, unlike woven ones, which do not stretch either in width or in length. Knitted slings are created not on looms, but on knitting machines. They are intended for newborns and premature babies.
The older the baby gets, the heavier it becomes. The heavier the child, the more the knitted fabric stretches, sagging under the weight of the baby.
A knitted sling involves a winding called a “cross under a pocket”: the carrier is put on the mother completely tightly and the baby is placed in the finished winding. If we need to get the baby out, we take him out, the sling remains on the mother, there is no need to rewind.
In summer it is hot in a knitted sling, because it is stuffy. Woven fabric allows air to pass through much better.
The best kangaroo slings for newborns
This is an innovation in the world of slings, combining a convenient backpack for carrying and the familiar kangaroo, which was so popular in its time. This type of carrier is also made from natural materials; their comfortable design will immediately be appreciated by mothers. Here, without touching the baby, you can quickly adjust the position, evenly distributing the weight. At the same time, it can be perfectly adjusted to the parameters of your figure.
Ergonomic backpack Panama
Withstands weight up to 20 kg, which you will not even feel, thanks to the uniform distribution. Intended to be worn on the back and hip. A high-quality sling backpack is safe to use and has safety straps. The straps are lined with a thick layer of foam rubber and have an ergonomic high-density belt. These parameters suggest that even if worn for a long time, such a backpack will not cause discomfort.
Advantages:
- natural material
- Ease of use
Flaws:
- high price
Ergonomic sling backpack Provence
Light and summery, bright colors, made from natural materials. Easy to use, easy to put on and take off. There is a hood that will help your baby fall asleep anywhere, regardless of the time of day. The universal size allows you to order it online without worry.
Advantages:
- high quality
- presence of a hood
- long service life
Flaws:
- not found
May-sling and fast-sling
This is a fast and easy to learn sling. Typically, a May Sling is used from 3-4 months, but some designs are suitable for children from birth. Summer has arrived, it has become hot, and you realize that the scarf sling has thick, warm fabric. When it is already 20-25 degrees outside, it is recommended to use a thin and light May-sling: it will be ventilated and not at all hot in it.
My-sling is structurally different from a scarf-sling: it is more rigid, and the child already feels differently in it.
The baby may have an adaptation period: he will cry or break out. But gradually both mother and child get used to it, receiving only pleasure from using it. The fabric of May- and Fast-slings is very durable; they are designed to bear quite a lot of weight.
Is it possible to use an ergo-backpack and a sling backpack?
A classic ergo backpack is a wide, rigid belt with a back and straps. A backpack is the same as a sling, and the rules of a sling must be followed: the correct position of the child’s legs and a tight pull towards the mother removes the load from the spine. You can pull the baby towards you with adjusting tapes, which create quite high pressure for a newborn.
If your child does not yet sit independently, then using an ergo-backpack is not recommended.
Each ergonomic backpack has a specific back pattern, which is shaped like a smile: this shape is supposed to match the baby’s bottom. Naturally, everyone's bottom is different, and the shape may not suit your child specifically. Therefore, before buying, you need to try on different sling backpacks and choose the one that suits your baby.
The backpack pattern has all kinds of inserts, seams, zippers, and pockets. That is, it is not just a layer of fabric that is evenly stretched, but a structure made of material, seams, zippers, zippers, and a hood in a pocket, which a priori creates an uneven load on the child’s spine. No matter what marketing slogans manufacturers come up with, you should not use an ergo-backpack for newborns. Be a conscious parent.
