The pouch sling drapes over one shoulder and the baby is secured in the fabric carrier. A popular brand of sling is HotSlings. As slings can be used from birth, expecting parents often choose these to start wearing their baby. On the other side, slings are designed for a particular body type and are not adjustable, so mom and dad can’t share and if there are any significant changes to your body you may find yourself needing to purchase a new sling. Frequently, parents discover that bearing all baby's weight on one shoulder can be painful after long periods.
 A variation of the traditional sling is a ring sling. If you expect to lose a lot of weight post partum, the easily adjustable ring sling is an excellent option for you. Plus sized moms find this style very well-liked.  An alternative to traditional or ring-style slings are baby wrap carriers, or wraps. Of all the carrier options available, the wrap is both the most versatile and challenging type of carrier to master. A popular brand of wraps is the Ellaroo. As the name suggests, your baby is held to you by a rectangular piece of cloth which is wrapped around you in such a way as to support him.
The wrap carrier can be tied in many ways which makes the wrap the most versatile carrier to use but also can be the most daunting to parents. Â An emerging carrier on the market which originated in China is the mei tai. A mei tai carrier is a rectangular piece of cloth with parallel straps emerging from each corner. Baby is secured to your front or back or even side via the rectangular cloth and held in place by 'tie-ing" the straps around you and baby's back or bottom. Suitable for newborn through toddler-age children, mei tai carriers are very versatile and, with its adjustable-length, strap-style design, the mei tai is easily shared and is well-suited for larger parents.
 Lastly, there are the more commonly used baby carriers of today. These are almost like backpacks that you strap to your front or back and your baby sits in it like a seat. Some popular brands are Graco, Eddie Bauer, and Baby Bjorn. This carrier type is often a preference of parents who spend a lot of time on hikes or long walks with their child. This carrier keeps your baby securely held in place while providing parents as much mobility as possible.  Regardless of the type of baby carrier you choose you and your baby will benefit from the advantages of baby wearing.
When you wear your baby it is easier to care for your other children. Traveling and going out become less cumbersome when you do not have to cart around large strollers. Wearing your baby is a wonderful way to cultivate a strong and healthy relationship with your baby while tending to the mundane tasks of your day.
Maria Cummings is a mom that has devoted herself to helping kids and families in the community. As Manager of Bustling Baby, Maria enjoys sharing her experience of natural parenting with new parents and supports parents in finding the best natural baby products, such as Fuzzi Bunz cloth diapers.
