• Skip to content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Shop ModernMom
  • Become An Insider

ModernMom

The premiere destination for moms

  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Kids
    • Tweens and Teens
    • ModernMom Monday Videos
  • Cooking
  • Living Healthy
    • Breast Cancer
    • Health & Fitness
    • Body after Baby
    • Beauty
    • Relationships
    • Love
  • Lifestyle
    • Crafts
    • At Home
    • Education
    • Travel
    • Pets
    • Decorate
    • Money
    • Brooke Burke
  • Celebrate
    • Holidays
      • Easter
      • Valentine’s Day
      • New Year’s
      • Christmas
      • Hanukah
      • Halloween
      • Thanksgiving
    • Birthdays
    • Parties
  • Must Have
  • Contests
  • Entertainment

Types of Baby Slings

October 11, 2009 by ModernMom Staff Leave a Comment

Baby wearing can be a beautiful experience for both baby and parent. Not only does it provide the opportunity for bonding, but it also allows the parent to have one or both hands free to do other tasks. If you are considering baby wearing, you have no doubt discovered that there are several styles of slings and carriers available to you. The most popular styles are discussed here, as well as their biggest strengths and weaknesses.

Basic Sling

Though there are many types of slings, there is one style that is simply called a sling. This easy to use sling looks a lot like an oversized hobo bag. It is worn over one shoulder and across the chest with the bag resting against the hip. Though they are the easiest to use, these slings only provide one carrying position and are best suited for sleeping newborns.

Ring Slings

A basic ring sling is simply a long piece of fabric with two metal rings attached. After you fold and wrap the sling around your body, you thread one end of the fabric through the rings in order to secure it. Some ring slings go beyond the basic design and have added features like padding in the shoulder area or a pocket to stash your keys, a pacifier, or other necessity. Ring slings are relatively easy to use but do not always provide long-term comfort for the wearer.

Wraps

A wrap is also a long piece of fabric but instead of threading the fabric through a ring, you simply wrap it around yourself and tie the ends in a knot. One nice feature about wraps is that they can be tied in a variety of ways so that you can carry your baby in different positions. Wraps are perhaps the hardest type of baby carrier to learn to use, but they are the most comfortable to wear.

Pouch Slings

A pouch sling (also known as a tube sling) is simply a ring of fabric that is worn over the shoulder and across the chest with the pouch area resting near the hip. Almost as easy to use as the basic sling, the pouch sling allows for a few variations on the basic carrying position.

Mei Tai

A Mei Tai is the style of baby carrier that has been used in Asia for centuries. It is made of a square or rectangular piece of fabric with straps extending from all four corners. The straps are then tied to the wearer, creating a pouch to hold the baby. Some Mei Tais come equipped with buckles so that it is not necessary to tie the straps. Mei Tais are fairly easy to use and allow you to wear your baby on your front or your back.

Pack Carriers

A pack carrier looks remarkably like a backpack that can be worn on the front or the back. There are holes in the bottom of the pack that allow the baby’s legs to dangle. Though easy to use and comfortable for the wearer, pack carriers are thought by some to be uncomfortable for the baby.

Comments

comments

Filed Under: Parenting

About ModernMom Staff

Reader Interactions

Primary Sidebar

Search

Tell a friend

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

ModernMom TV

Featured

Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Everywhere I look, I hear about a new fitness fad, a quick … [Read More...] about Brooke Burke: My Slim Down Secrets

Must Have

STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

April has arrived which means it’s time to pull out the food … [Read More...] about STEM-related Toys to Include in Your Child’s Easter Basket This Year 

Did you know?

Mild Cramping During Early Stages of Pregnancy

tricks to get pen stains out of light clothes

Tricks to Get Pen Stains Out of Light Clothes

Baby Hair Growth

Baby Hair Growth

How Does IVF Work

How Does IVF Work?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Does Pregnancy Cause Flu-Like Symptoms?

Night Sweats During Pregnancy

Night Sweats During Pregnancy

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

Signs of Water Breaking in Pregnancy

Cravings & the Sex of the Baby

Cravings & the Sex of the Baby

what causes baby hiccups

What Causes Baby Hiccups?

diabetes in infants

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetes in Infants

Footer

  • About Us
  • Contact ModernMom
  • Advertise With Us
  • Press
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Contributors

Copyright © 2023 Modern Mom. All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction of any portion of this website only at the express permission of Mom, Inc.

The information provided on ModernMom is for educational use only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.