It’s You and Me Baby

When you try to do a search for a baby sling the search engines will bring up the phrase best baby slings.  So which are the best?  Well, since wearing or holding your baby this way has become more popular there has been a dramatic increase in products on the market for carrying your baby this way.  That’s why it’s difficult to say which one or ones are absolutely the best.  It really boils down to what you prefer.  Here’s a few thoughts on how to choose.

Baby Slings

A baby sling typically means a one-shouldered carrier. These types of slings are great for infants including newborns as well as toddlers. Newborns and young infants are usually carried in a cradled position and they often will fall asleep in it. Slings are great for fussy babies who often calm more easily when held close and tight. For older infants and toddlers you can use the sling to carry them on the hip.  Baby slings that have rings usually have a generous amount of fabric that hangs down from the rings, referred to as the ”tail.”  This can be used as a cover up for nursing.  Maya Wrap ring slings have a pocket at the bottom of the tail which can be used to hold things like keys, an extra diaper, a small wallet or your cell phone.  This allows you to leave a bulky diaper bag in the car.  It’s very versatile.

Wraps

Stretchy wraps, such as the CuddlyWrap, use both shoulders. This provides great comfort and support for both wearer and child. It distributes the child’s weight evenly across the wearer’s back. They are easy for beginners. There is only one tying method. They are great for newborns and infants. Easy in. Easy out. Better for carrying your child in the front–either reclining, upright, facing in, facing out or side sitting. Carrying on the back is not recommended with stretchy wraps. There is alot of fabric so it can get hot.

Back Carriers & Buckle Carriers 

The Mei Tai (pronounced “may tie”) is the asian style back carrier but your child can also be carried on your front.  The child’s weight is supported by both shoulders and one’s hips. It can be used to carry a child, newborn to 3 years.  Buckle carriers like the Action Baby Carrier allow you also to carrier your child on your frnt or back but not on the hip.

Today’s mother is arguably the busiest person around. She’s trying hard to juggle her young children, the household, and a job. This is a stressful balancing act for many women, and they are constantly looking for ways to get everything done without neglecting any part of their lives. For this reason, many women have learned creative and interesting ways to multitask in order to get everything done.

After all, it’s a common fear that the thing that will get pushed to the wayside is quality time with the children. Mothers who are concerned about choosing chores over their newborns should look into purchasing a Maya baby carrier. This is an easy way to hold your baby close while having your hands free to perform small tasks like doing the dishes or paying bills. It’s also an easy way to take the little one with you to the grocery store without having to haul around a bulky stroller.

We all want the best for our babies, right?  Well, then consider what you use to hold, carry, and transport your baby.  Unlike strollers, baby slings provide complete comfort to your child.  Because of the environment of a baby sling your child experiences the motion, pressure and warmth sensations they actually want.  When you see a baby in a fabric baby sling or wrap they aren’t crying or trying to get out.  Baby slings also provide safety, security and an on-going opportunity for bonding.  What more can you ask for?

Once you have a newborn you realize how hard it is to get anything done.  And although it is a joy to hold your baby there are other things that need to be done–like making sure you eat!  So instead of using a swing or bouncy seat join the growing number of parents who use fabric infant slings or wraps to hold your baby as you move through your day.  You will get the pleasure of holding your baby and your baby will enjoy being near you.

 Wanting to hold your baby is of course a natural desire and the truth is that you really can’t hold your baby too much.  You can’t spoil him or her this way.  There are a number of physical and psychological benefits to holding your child.  In fact, you may want to consider “wearing” your child in a fabric baby sling carrier, pouch, or wrap.  Holding or wearing your baby reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51%.  It enables the child’s caregiver to be more acutely aware of the baby’s needs and heightens one’s perceptions of the baby’s needs.  It increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion.  It provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing the nervous system.  It decreases the baby’s levels of stress hormone which results in a more relaxed baby.  It also helps a child feel safe and secure ultimately resulting in a greater self-esteem.  Follow your natural instinct to hold your baby and reap the benefits! 

Wouldn’t be nice to just have more time to hold your baby?  Well, since more time is difficult to come by then take advantage of the time you have.  Babies love to be held and it’s wonderful to hold them.  In our industrialized countries we conveniently have so many devices to hold our babies for us.  For babies who don’t mind the swing, bouncy seat, jumpy seat or walker that’s fine but for babies who are more needy and demand being held or for parents that enjoy holding their baby there is a great alternative.  Wear your baby in a fabric baby sling or baby wrap carrier.  Typically there are so many demands on us that carrying a child around in our arms is a luxury.  If you take advantage of wearing your baby then you can enjoy having your child close while you go through your day and still get things done.  Your baby will enjoy the closeness and you’ll have more cuddle time.

Baby slings are so popular with mothers who breastfeed that they are often referred to as nursing slings.  It makes sense that babywearing–carrying your baby in a fabric baby sling or wrap–goes hand and hand with breastfeeding because babies want to be attached to their mothers.  When they aren’t nursing they are held close by mom in a sling and can smell her scent and feel the rhythm of her breathing and heart rate.  If you either chose not to breastfeed or breastfeeding didn’t work out then wearing your baby in a sling can help you bond with your baby and get that added closeness that you may be missing out on by not breastfeeding.  The good thing about babywearing is that you can succeed at it no matter how your baby is being fed.

As a parent of a newborn, you become part of a whole new world. Newborns need and deserve our full attention. They are new to the world and only understand it through your eyes and love. Newborns are fragile and vulnerable, and patience and gentle care is required of parents and all caretakers of newborns. When I had my first child, I was scared about letting other people hold her, so I purchased an ergonomic sling for them to use when carrying her.

Share with others the need to be respectful of, and patient with, your newborn. Call upon others, such as family members and friends, to help you with your infant in order to be able to take care of yourself. Sleep when your baby sleeps, and eat regularly-you will need your strength to care for your infant.

How would you ever be able to push a stroller on the terrain in this picture?  Well, wearing your baby makes perfect sense in this scenario but it also makes sense in so many situations and ways. Babies like to be held so wearing them in baby sling carriers keeps them content.  By using a sling or wrap baby’s weight is distributed throughout your upper body which takes the strain and fatigue off one arm or side.  Babies can easily fall asleep which allows you to go about your activities without disturbing them.  Baby slings are also easily transported and stored.  Loading and unloading strollers just adds to the demands on your body.  It makes sense that a high-quality baby sling is essential baby gear.

The days with your baby may seem long now and you’re exhausted by the end of the day.  There is one solution that has many benefits for you and your baby.  So since your child won’t be a baby for long try wearing your baby before it’s too late and they are grown.

Research has proven the many benefits of babywearing. Babies cry up to 40-50% less when held.

They often nurse better (sometimes baby slings are referred to as nursing slings), and gain weight better. Being held enables mom or other caregiver to notice their baby’s feeding cues earlier, before crying starts, as crying is a late cue for hunger in babies. And if you are able to start a feed before the baby is crying frantically usually the feeding goes better.

Babies who are often called colicky or fussy often do better if the time they are carried is increased. The rocking motion and the tight swaddle effect of some carriers is just what they like.

Dads and other caregivers can also enjoy bonding with baby through holding and providing comfort to baby.  This can be done with a baby sling.

Wearing your baby keeps them safe. Since they are held in your personal space strangers are less likely to touch baby and this can be great during cold and flu season and to prevent the spreading germs.