A Parent's Guide to Slings, Pouches and Other Kinds of Baby Carriers
Babywearing, according to Wikipedia, is defined as "the practice of wearing or carrying a baby or child in a sling or other form of baby carrier." Despite its recent popularity, a lot of people may not be aware that wearing your baby has actually been practised around the world for hundreds of years. I actually realized this when our family and I visited places like Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei, and I would get these questioning looks whenever our toddler was in the ring sling we used. It seems that there is a need to explain, if not promote, this practice and the benefits it gives among families, especially in the more developed countries of Southeast Asia.
It has been proven that babies who are worn cry less, are able to learn more, experience less colic, and are easier to get to sleep. In fact, studies done by American paediatricians John Kennel, Marshall and Phyllis Klaus, who wrote the book "Bonding: Building The Foundations Of Secure Attachment And Independence", show that "even 3 hours per day of babywearing reduces infant crying significantly, and at 13 months, babies who have been in soft carriers regularly are significantly more likely to be securely attached than babies who are carried in hard carriers." So why NOT try babywearing? Just like me (and my husband – YES, babywearing is for dads too!), you'll personally discover how convenient and advantageous it is, not just for Baby, but for the whole family.
There are many ways to wear your baby. For your reference, here are the more favoured choices:
1. Ring Slings
A ring sling is made up of a long piece of fabric with 2 rings (the material of which is usually either nylon or metal) firmly sewn on one end. The other end of the fabric, known as the "tail," is threaded through the rings, making the inner fabric like a "pouch" for Baby. The tail is adjusted to change the size of the pouch, depending on the size of the wearer and the baby.
I was not able to wear our first child much, but with our second, she was in the ring sling one month after she was born. Personally I like the adjustability of the ring sling, which means it can fit wearers of different sizes, like my husband, who is a bit beefy in size. Also, the tail doubles nicely as a nursing cover when I need to breastfeed our baby-now-turned-toddler.
1. Baby Pouch Slings
Baby pouch slings, also known as baby pouches or tube slings, are made up of a simple length of fabric shaped like a tube, which is folded in such a way as to form a pocket or pouch for the baby's bottom.
The advantage of baby pouches is that they are the simplest to use – because they have no rings or buckles, you just slip Baby in and off you go. (This is why I'm seriously considering buying one to use with our next baby!)
2. Baby Wrap Carriers
These kind of carriers consist of long narrow pieces of fabric that are used by wrapping the entire piece of fabric around the baby's and the babywearer's bodies, securing the baby by tying up the ends without any special fasteners like rings, buckles or snaps.
The fabric can be wrapped around the wearer's body in many different ways and used in many different positions. What is good about the wrap is, it can fit all sizes of Baby and wearer alike. Some people have even used the Baby Wrap Carrier to carry baby twins at the same time, using only one Wrap.
3. Backpack Baby Carriers
These make up a certain type of structured carrier, and usually have a nylon seat for Baby and an aluminium frame for support. These can be used only when Baby can sit up by herself, and the babywearer usually needs help to get the baby on his or her back.
There are numerous other types of carriers available out there, and although most can be quite pricey, they are good investments in the long run. Babywearing is a great way for Baby to bond, not just with Mummy, but withDaddy as well! In fact, more and more husbands are joining their wives in the babywearing trend.
One such husband is Indonesian Paulus Wanandi, who shared his babywearing story on The http://www.Babywearer.com. Paulus found out about babywearing as a "great way for fathers to bond with their babies" from "The Baby Book" by William and Martha Sears. After trying out babywearing when his son was merely a day old, Paulus became "a converted babywearer," and testifies that babywearing not only "promotes bonding," but also is "practical, convenient and safe." He also shared about how babywearing had enhanced his relationship with his wife, and how it helped him feel "empowered" as a father. With that in mind, it is no wonder then that even celebrity dads like Brad Pitt have taken to wearing their little ones!
Indeed, worn babies don't just equate to happier babies, but happier mummies AND daddies as well! So what are you waiting for, dear parent? Join the latest "fashion trend" - go wear your baby today!
If you are based in Singapore, you may want to try checking out the Babywearing Specialist Boutique Shop located at #01-56/57 Square 2 Mall
(above Novena MRT Station). They also have a website at http://www.babyslingsandcarriers.com/
If you want to try to make your own baby carrier this link is very helpful: http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/
