crunchy parenting

So many carriers out there, so little time to research! Here’s the cliff notes version for busy parents-to-be. Most slings fit into one of three categories: pouch slings, wraps, and soft-structured carriers (SSCs).

Pouch sling (Mamma's Milk)

Pouch slings

These are often the easiest for new parents to get the hang of. Imagine a strip of cloth sewn together to form a circle. You drape the circle across your body (from one shoulder to the opposite hip). The circle is crafted in such a way that now there is a pouch across your chest/belly. This is where the baby goes.

The ones without buckles or adjustors are usually sized-to-fit, which means that different caregivers may need separate ones. But the downside to the adjustable ones is that they may be uncomfortable. The same goes for padded slings – some people like the padding, others find it bulky and unnecessary.

Pros: easy to use, compact, great for newborns, quick for hip-carrying toddlers, often no buckles to adjust or get in the way, can be breastfeeding-friendly

Cons: some babies outgrow these FAST, may be uncomfortable if sized wrong, badly placed buckles or fasteners, hard to use for middle-aged babies (not newborns, not toddlers), rarely “one-size fits all”

Some well-known pouch slings: Hotslings, Mamma’s Milk

Woven wrap (Vatanai)

Wraps

A wrap is basically a piece of cloth, usually ranging from 2-5 meters. You can wrap the cloth around your body in various ways to create a variety of ways to carry your baby (on your chest, on your back, on your hip, etc.)

The materials can vary greatly, from thick cottons that are great for cold weather, to breezy gauze for carrying your baby in hot, humid climates.

Pros: no buckles to dig in, infinite uses, newborn to toddler, breastfeeding-friendly, longer wraps can fit many caregivers, long-lasting, many have high resale value

Cons: challenging learning curve

Some well-known wraps: Moby Wrap, Girasol, Didymos, Storchenwiege

Soft-structured carrier (Angelpack)

Soft-structured carriers (SSCs)

SSCs come in all shapes and sizes, the basic idea being that of a square cloth, with varying kinds of straps. The baby/child sits in the square portion, and you can tie/strap them to your front or back. (Some variations that use simple straps without buckles make it possible to wear your child on your hip, too!) Mei tais and pod egis are other forms of SSCs, called “asian baby carriers” (or ABCs).

SSCs can also come with buckles, pockets, padded straps and more bells and whistles. Picking the right one is entirely a matter of personal preference, both yours and your child’s.

Pros: quick learning curve, can be easy to use, often adjustable, often very comfortable for older babies & toddlers

Cons: sometimes limited ways to carry, buckles/straps may be uncomfortable, can be bulky, maybe be tricky with newborns, not usually breastfeeding-friendly

Some well-known SSCs: Angelpack, Beco Butterfly, BabyHawk, Pikkolo, Ergo

Look for local baby-wearing groups or clubs in your area. Your local La Leche League (however you feel about them) might have more information on local babywearing groups or stores in your hometown. (If you’re in Los Angeles, be sure to check out Koala LA!)

For those curious about what I have stashed in my closet, I’ll happily tell. I’m the proud owner of a lovely 4.6m Green Tea Girasol woven wrap, a 4.6 Vatanai Maruyama woven wrap, and a wonderful organic Lotus AngelPack SSC. They’ve been around the world with me & Spice, and I can’t wait to use them with the new baby this winter!