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Cuddle Up!

Slings and Baby Carriers

By Jennifer Rosenberg, CD (DONA)

Of all the gadgets, gewgaws and clothing items I associate with parenting, none has been more fundamental to me than my sling. Humans have been tying babies on since knots were invented (before then we were hairier, and the kids could just hang on themselves!) and there are as many different ways to tie a baby on as there are ways to make a baby laugh.

There are many, many different kinds of slings, ranging from a simple strip of fabric tied at the hip or shoulder to highly-constructed, formed baby carriers, front packs and back packs. Everyone seems to have their own favorite ... I love them all. It is clear from my experience that no one carrier is perfect for every family. But I do know that almost every family can find a carrier that works well for them. In this article, I will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of carrier, ways of making your own baby carrier and reviews of specific brands of "ready-made" carriers.

Baby slings are useful any time you would be carrying your baby in your arms for an extended period of time. They can substitute for a stroller, bouncy seat, playpen, plastic carrier and (outside of the car) the infant car seats many parents use as a carrier. They are useful when you are up and moving or sitting and feeding. I've used slings for toddlers when we were walking farther than their legs were willing to go. I've used slings to make breastfeeding private. I've used slings to give me an extra pair of hands to fold a stroller while getting on the bus. I've used a sling as a way of getting a sleeping baby into and out of a car seat without waking the baby up. I've used a sling, shifted around to my back, to hold Baby while I was cooking dinner. I've used a sling to enable a busy toddler to safely visit his hospitalized mother – it kept him out of the reach of the buttons, cords, IVs, etc.

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