Which is better: sling or carrier? Sling, baby carrier and kangaroo: medical aspects and safety

A mother with her baby “tied” to her can now be seen anywhere: both in the capital and in small town. Sometimes you can still come across the opinion that this way of carrying a child is a harmful modern trend. The debate about which is better: a stroller or a sling will probably never end. However, historically, the tradition of carrying a child in a special sling appeared much earlier than pushing a child in a stroller.

Contrary to all kinds of criticism, carrying a baby on yourself is physiological and safe, therefore it is suitable even for newborn babies. True, not all positions and means of carrying are suitable for babies. Read more about what slings are and what are the features of baby carriers below.

Why does mom need a sling?

The question is reasonable, because strollers have entered our lives so thoroughly that a baby in the arms of a mother is already perceived as something exotic and strange. Nevertheless, the sling has many advantages, and all of them are quite significant for both the mother and the baby.

• Mom with a sling significantly more mobile than mom with a stroller. She is not afraid of steps and the lack of a ramp, narrow doorways and heavy doors. Even trips to public transport unaccompanied ones become available when you choose a sling.
• The sling frees up mom's hands: It seems like the baby is with the mother, and the mother has both hands free, she can easily pay at the checkout in the store, lead the older child by the hand, hold the bag.
• The sling is convenient not only for a walk, but also at home. With the baby on them, many mothers successfully cope with all household chores: washing the dishes and the floor, cooking, hanging out the washed laundry. In this case, the baby does not need to scream heart-rendingly in the crib, calling for adults. In his mother's arms, he is involved in household chores and is always aware of what is happening around him, and this is interesting and educational for the baby.
• The children themselves, who are in physical contact with their mother most of the time, are calmer and more balanced, They sleep better and cause their parents much less trouble than babies separated from their mother by the side of a crib or stroller, and experiencing constant anxiety about this.
• It is very convenient to breastfeed your baby in a sling, and you can do this anywhere, almost on the go.

Slings for newborns

There are quite a lot of all kinds of baby carriers, but not every one of them can be called a sling, since this word itself means a fabric sling without any fasteners. For example, baby carriers and ergo-backpacks are not slings, although in the understanding of the average mother, these carriers also belong to slings. A hipsit (a carrier that is attached to an adult’s harness and allows older babies to be carried on the hip in a “sitting” position) is not a sling either. Slings are 3 types of baby carriers, and all of them are suitable for carrying children from birth:

Each type of sling has its own characteristics: putting it on, fixing it, the position of the child, the load on the mother - all this is very different. As a result, the same sling can be convenient for some purposes, but completely inconvenient for others.

Design:

The fabric is almost 2 meters long, 60-70 cm wide. Metal rings are attached to the strip of fabric at one end, the other end is free. The free end is threaded through the rings and fixed by them, as a result of which the sling takes on the appearance of a closed circle. A sling with rings is put over the shoulder, forming a “hammock” for the baby in front.

Pros

• A sling with rings is very simple to use; even a novice sling mother can master it.
• Convenient in hot weather, since it does not require dense wrapping with several layers of fabric.
• Easily adjustable, allowing you to change the position of the child.
• Allows you to take out and transfer the baby without disturbing him: the mother just needs to loosen the rings and “emerge” from the sling.

Cons

In a sling with rings, the load on the mother's shoulders and back is distributed unevenly. Of course, you need to regularly alternate the shoulders, but even in this case, walking in a sling with rings for more than 2 hours at a time is not recommended.

How to choose a ring sling:

• Rings are a very important element of a sling. They should be metal and quite large (about 10 cm in diameter). Only with this combination does the fabric slide well between them, allowing you to easily adjust the position, and is securely fixed.
• For a newborn baby, it is better to choose a sling made of 100% cotton. The fabric should not be too elastic so as not to stretch under the baby’s weight and should hold the baby’s position well. In addition, the fabric should not be too slippery. The best option for a newborn baby is calico or waffle fabric.
• For newborn babies, it is better to use a sling with foam sides: they better support the head.

Where and when is convenient:

Great for indoor and outdoor use as it is very easy to take on and off and adjust, but only for short periods of time. The limitation is due to uneven load distribution.

Video instructions for a sling with rings:

Design:

A sling scarf is a fabric 3 to 6 meters long and 45-70 cm wide. There are many options for winding the scarf, so that a child can be worn from birth to 2-3 years in different positions, including behind the back, on the hip . A newborn baby can be carried in a sling scarf either in a cradle position or vertically in a fetal position.

Pros

• The technology of winding the sling scarf is such that mother’s back does not suffer from uneven load.
• The design of the scarf allows you to use different options winding, and, accordingly, carry the baby in different positions.
• A sling scarf better secures the baby and supports a fragile spine, so being in a scarf is more useful and physiological for the child himself.

Cons

• For safe use Sling scarf requires certain skills. Videos with examples of winding a scarf can be found on the Internet, but mom will have to spend some time and effort to master all the intricacies and be able to tie a scarf even without a mirror and cheat sheets.
• Due to the design features, a sling scarf is not so easy to bandage in the field. If you do this outside, the ends of the scarf will touch the ground and get dirty.
• In hot weather, a sling scarf is not very comfortable due to the multi-layer winding.

How to choose a sling scarf:

• Success in mastering and using a sling scarf depends 100% on its material. In particular, from the weaving of threads and elasticity. By composition the best option for newborns it will be 100% cotton. The fabric should stretch in a transverse and diagonal direction. In this case, the sling scarf fits the baby’s body well and correctly distributes the pressure on the mother’s back.
• The width of the scarf depends on its elasticity. The better the fabric stretches, the smaller the width is acceptable. Thus, a sling scarf made from elastic fabrics can be 50-60 cm wide, and from non-elastic ones – up to 70 cm.
• If a manufacturer produces scarves different sizes, it is better to use the size chart. The maximum length of the scarf is 6m, but for sizes 42-44 this length is too much; the ends of the scarf will have to be wrapped around the waist, creating extra layers.

Where and when is convenient:

Once the sling scarf is fully mastered, it is convenient both at home and on the street. There is no time limit for wearing a baby in a sling scarf, there are no restrictions for the mother, so a sling scarf is the most convenient sling option for a newborn.

Video instructions for winding a sling scarf:

Design:

The May-sling is similar in design to an ergo-backpack, but thanks to the long straps and the absence of a frame, it is more physiological. In fact, it is a square or rectangle with long straps extending in all 4 directions. The two lower straps are wrapped around the mother's waist, and the upper ones pass over the shoulders, cross over the back, and are also fixed at the waist. A newborn baby is in a sling with legs tucked in, in a fetal position.

Pros

• Easy and simple to put on, the May Sling is much faster to master than a sling scarf.
• It looks aesthetically pleasing and neat, does not require many layers.
• In a May-sling, the load on the mother's muscles falls evenly.

Cons

• A newborn baby can only be in a sling in an upright position. The position in which the baby is on the mother is generally safe, but is not always comfortable for mother and child. It is impossible to shift the baby into the cradle position in a May-sling.
• Compared to a sling scarf, the straps of a mai sling are thinner and can cause discomfort by cutting into your shoulders.

How to choose a May Sling:

Note to moms!

Hello girls) I didn’t think that the problem of stretch marks would affect me too, and I’ll also write about it))) But there’s nowhere to go, so I’m writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method helps you too...

• Be sure to pay attention to the width of the straps. The wider the straps, the more comfortable it will be to wear the May Sling. It is better if the straps are lined with padding polyester. In any case, the width of the straps should be at least 14 cm. In addition to the fact that thin straps can cut into the shoulders, they twist and interfere with normal tying.
• The requirements for the May-sling fabric are not so high. The fabric should be durable and non-stretchy. The presence of synthetics in the composition is quite acceptable if the baby is not allergic to it.

Where and when is convenient:

For newborn babies, the May Sling is convenient for going out: visiting a clinic, going for a short walk. Basically, this type of sling is recommended for use for children older than 4 months.

Video instructions for the May-sling:

Avid sling mothers believe that ideally it is better to have slings for all occasions, because different carrying options are convenient for different situations. Moreover, such mothers have slings of different colors to match their entire wardrobe. It turns out that a sling is not only a device for carrying a child, but also an element of the image of a modern young mother.

Sling backpack and Fast sling

In addition to the slings themselves, there are other types of carriers for children: the so-called sling-backpack and fast-sling. As was written earlier, these devices are not inherently slings, because a sling is just a fabric sling, and both of these carriers have frame elements, fasteners, etc. However, modern mothers use the word “sling” in relation to any type of carrier.

Whether in a sling backpack or a fast sling, a child can only be in a sitting position with his legs apart. This is why both carriers are not recommended for babies under 4 months. The minimum requirement is that the child must confidently hold his head and be able to lift it while lying on his stomach, that is, the neck muscles must be developed ( See the article about). It is better if the baby not only holds his head, but sits independently ( See the article about). The fact is that the back support in both carriers is regulated by the tension of the slings and it is rare that any mother can set the correct tension. You can tighten the lines too tightly or, conversely, too loosely. Incorrect tension of the slings loads the baby's spine inappropriately to his physical capabilities. All this dangerously affects the formation of vertebral curves and at an older age can manifest itself as curvature of the spine.

Ergo backpack, or sling backpack

Design:

Wide, dense straps that can be placed on the back either parallel to each other or crosswise. Back with headrest, darts, bolsters. Wide padded belt that fits mom's waist and hips. It is fastened with plastic fasteners, it is possible to adjust the tension of the back.

Pros

• Divides the load between the back and hips, so that the mother does not have to bend under the weight of the baby.
• Allows you to carry your child face to face, behind your back and on your hip.
• It is easy to unfasten and fasten, so there will be no problems with getting your child in and out.
• Suitable even for children 2-3 years old.

Cons

• Quite voluminous compared to carriers of other types and designs.
• Due to the presence of the frame and thick fabric It can be hot in summer.

How to choose:

When choosing a sling backpack, you should mainly focus on the manufacturer’s recommendations and the child’s parameters. All manufacturers indicate the recommended height, weight, and age of the baby.

Where and when is convenient:

Thanks to its design, the ergo-backpack is convenient for long-term wearing child, and it is perfect for older children.

Video instructions for using the ergo backpack:

Design:

It is very similar to the May-sling, but is fixed in a different way: the May-sling has long straps and a belt that are tied with a regular knot for fixation; the fast-sling has short straps and a belt that are fastened with fastex.

Pros

• Very easy to use: it’s easy to get your baby in and out of the fast sling.
• Lightweight and takes up little space, it is better ventilated, so in hot weather it is more comfortable to carry a child in it.

Cons

• The possibilities for carrying the child (only facing you) and adjusting the position of the straps (only crosswise) are limited.
• Due to the narrow belt, the entire load falls on the back, so carrying a child in a fast sling for a long time is not recommended.

How to choose:

When choosing a fast sling, it is important to pay attention to the strength of all fastenings. The straps and belt must be padded with padding polyester. By the way, a fast sling can be sewn to order, and skilled craftswomen can master the production themselves.

Where and when is convenient:

Best used for children who are not too heavy. Great for summer. It is also better to limit the time of continuous wearing so as not to provoke back problems.

Video instructions for using the Fast Sling:

1. There is another type of carrier - these are carrier bags.

You can also look into our online stores section and look for slings, carriers and backpacks in other online stores -.

We have prepared an article for you on how you can make a scarf sling and a sling with rings with your own hands -

When choosing a carrier for a baby, it is important to pay attention to what will allow you to maintain the position of the spine in its natural position, that is, a slightly rounded form, but at the same time well supporting and pressing the baby to the mother, maintaining the “frog” or “embryo” pose.

Personally, I was afraid to use all sorts of slings and backpacks until the child learned to hold his head confidently, and I didn’t have an urgent need to run out somewhere with my daughter in my arms. After reading some articles, my choice immediately fell on an ergo-backpack. I started using it when my daughter was almost 5 months old; somehow I couldn’t make friends with slings.

Let's try to figure it out and highlight the positive and negative aspects of such an assistant for mom and understand at what age and which backpack/sling is best to use.

types of carriers

1) Sling(ring sling, scarf sling, may sling, fast sling, tube sling / pocket sling, onbuhimo sling) - the most popular type of carrier among mothers and probably the most ancient. Designed for children from birth. To make such slings, the most dense and natural fabric is used - linen, calico, jeans, etc. In slings, the child is positioned in a natural position, almost like in a mother’s arms, so some of them can be used from birth.

In order to decide which sling is right for you, I advise you to watch videos on the Internet about each type of sling in order to clearly see how it needs to be tied and how and in what positions you can lay the baby. This topic is still serious and not every sling is suitable for one or another mother.

In the CIS, the price of slings ranges from approximately 10 to 40 USD.

Don’t forget that when choosing a carrier for a newborn, it is very important to relieve the baby’s back, there should be no load on the spine. The sling (carrying) should allow you to maintain the position of the spine in its naturally rounded form, while well supporting and pressing the baby to the mother, maintaining the “embryo” or “frog” position.

Baby carriers. Should I choose a sling or a backpack? part 1 updated: September 1, 2016 by: Elena Sher

Several headlines were invented for this article. You see one of them above, and I still want to introduce two more to you.

Because all together they more accurately convey the meaning of what we are going to talk about today: how to carry a child if there is no one to leave him with at home, and you need to take the baby with you.

Here they are, these “spare” headers:

I carry everything I own with me or How to live without parting with your child

If you have no one to leave your child with: 6 ways to take him with you

I think now the general idea of ​​the article is much clearer to you. Well, now let's get closer to the topic. So.

If there is no one to leave your child with, then you need to take him with you! 🙂 This is the motto of many modern mothers. Those times when a woman infant I sat at home and only went out into the street to walk my beloved child, they are long gone.

But not everyone has numerous relatives who are ready to run and spend time with the baby at the first call. At the same time, our life now has such a rhythm and pace that it is impossible to fall out of it during maternity leave. We need to live, develop, maintain professional qualifications.

And all kinds of baby carriers produced by various manufacturers help a lot with this. The pricing policy in this matter is very flexible, so you can choose the most suitable option for any family budget.

Let's look at what devices are offered on the market for this type of product. We will not go into the technical characteristics of the products and the features of their selection and operation; enough has already been written about this. We also have several detailed articles on this topic on our website. I will provide links to them below in the text, but now it is important for us to simply know all the possible ways to move in space with a child.

Well, are you ready? Let's go!

Method No. 1 - in the arms . Well, or put the baby on your hip - that’s just what you’re used to. Yes, just dress the baby, pick him up and go.

To the store, clinic, to get money from the nearest ATM, etc. It’s inconvenient, difficult, but quite real and always available and free. You can use dad's hands if you can go together. 🙂

This is interesting! It turns out that you also need to carry a child in your arms correctly. The formation of his skeleton and muscles depends on how and how long you carry your baby. The correct methods are considered to be cradle, column, under the arm, frog, on the side, hip, etc. It is important to provide support to his spine.

Method number 2 - in a wheelchair . One of the most popular types of carrying, or rather, transporting children. Nowadays you can go to almost any shopping center with a stroller. Almost all modern buildings are equipped with ramps, so you can enter the desired premises without any problems.

There are a wide variety of strollers in stores:

• classic - have only a supine position;
• transformers - with a slight movement of the hand they transform from lying down to sitting;
• universal “winter-summer” - universal due to removable modules (seat - cradle - sometimes car seat);
• walking: cane and book, differ in folding method and weight;
• stroller-backpack - made like a walking stroller, but folds in such a way that it can be worn as a backpack.

Strollers are produced with four and three wheels, for one child and twins. In general, you have to rack your brains to decide.

Although, of course, most of us, when choosing a stroller, are guided primarily by our financial capabilities and operational goals.

After all, you can buy a stroller for 1 thousand or 140 thousand rubles.

And to do it correctly you need to know many nuances and technical issues.

This is interesting! Did you know that the first stroller was invented by William Kent in 1733? In appearance it resembled a small carriage. It was harnessed to a small domestic animal, usually a goat or pony. In 1840, thanks to Queen Victoria, nannies began to push strollers. In 1880, they began to be considered a means of transport, and nannies were required to have a driver's license.

Method No. 3 – in a carrying bag, cradle, car seat. We combine these types of carrying into one, since their essence is the same.

The child lies in a cradle, a carrier bag, a car seat (for newborns it is also called a car seat), mom or dad takes the vehicle by the handle and carries it like a regular bag. This method is suitable for carrying babies over short distances.

For example, carry it from the car to your home or clinic. This method is not particularly suitable for long-term wearing, since the hands, although taking turns, are still occupied, and the load for the parent is distributed unevenly.

This is interesting! The first child car seat was developed by the Swedish scientist B. Aldman in 1963. It was installed on the front seat against the direction of travel (similar to the astronaut seats developed inNASA). Now, for transporting children without a car seat or a special restraint device, you will have to pay a fine of 3,000 rubles.

Method number 4 - in a sling. The very first, probably, type of “mechanized” carrying of children.

The most common are 5 types of slings:

• sling with rings - worn on one shoulder, so the load is distributed unevenly. Can be used to carry children from birth;
• sling tube and its modernized version sling pocket - a ring made of fabric that needs to be worn in a certain way. The second option has an arc-shaped dart, which creates a small recess for more comfortable placement of the child. Suitable for children from 3 months;
• A sling scarf is a rectangular piece of fabric of various lengths (there can be a short, medium and long sling scarf). Requires knowledge different way windings and dexterity. It can carry children from the first days of life;
• May-sling and fast-sling are a square or rectangular piece of fabric with 4 straps. In the second case, the straps are fastened with fastex. It is better to use for children who can already sit;
• Babywearing – provides compartments to accommodate the baby. Babywearing jackets are especially popular.

In addition, there are traditional, ethnic slings: Kanga - African sling, Podegi - Korean sling, Onbuhimo - Japanese sling.

This is interesting! Prototypes of slings appeared almost simultaneously with the advent of humanity. Our ancestors made a sling from animal skins, in which they carried the baby. Later they began to use fabric for this. In Rus', it was customary for children to wear an apron or hem (as a type of apron was called). Therefore, the expression “brought in the hem” had a very real, and not figurative meaning.

Method number 5 - in a backpack. The simplest and most convenient type of carrying. And we’re not talking about backpacks at all, but about specialized backpacks for carrying children. In stores you can find 3 types of backpacks:

• kangaroo - the carrier is not suitable for long-term wearing, since the child often ends up hanging on the crotch, and the mother’s main load is on the shoulder girdle; In general, you need to clearly understand
• ergonomic backpack (ergo backpack) - recognized as the most physiological and comfortable, the mother’s load is shifted to the waist and hips; By the way, we talked in detail
• easel (frame, shoulder) backpack - similar to a tourist one, but with a metal frame, great for trips into nature.

All backpacks can be used to carry children who can already sit. The exception is designs with an additional horizontal position.

This is interesting! In 1973, Björn Jacobson, inspired by the then popular idea of ​​the value of physical contact between mother and baby, invented the first baby carrier. It was called "Close to the Heart", and, unlike slings, did not require putting on skills. The creator himself tried it on his fourth child.

Method number 6 – in hipsite. Relatively new look carrying children, in which the load is removed from the shoulders and lower back of the parent and completely transferred to the hips and waist. Hipsit is a seat attached to a tight belt for a child aged 6 months to three years. They come with and without a backrest. Worn around the parent's waist or hips. Ideal in cases where the baby constantly asks to be held. Raise the child and place him in the seat. Very simple. The main carrying position is on the hip.

There is also a variety of it - ergo-hipsit. This is a combined model of a hipster (seat) and an ergo backpack (straps and back).

This is interesting! The English company Hippychick began producing hipsites for the first time in 1999. In Russia they are just beginning to gain their popularity. Therefore, buying a hip sit is not as easy as, for example, a stroller or a sling.

In general, we can say unequivocally that currently there are ways to carry children for any occasion. Everyone can choose what is most suitable for their specific situation.

The main thing is to remember that the chosen option should be safe, comfortable for both the baby and the parents, and the location of the son or daughter in it should not harm the musculoskeletal system.

Well, which of the proposed options do you like best? Let's conduct a small survey and see which of all this is more popular.

Many mothers know what to wear today infant in a special baby carrier, also called a sling. But here how to choose a sling not all parents know correctly. In this article, we will help you learn about the types of slings, which type is best suited for each occasion, what slings are made of, and how to choose the right baby carrier.

Arriving at a children's clothing store, a mother may get confused by the huge number of slings on offer and buy something that is not exactly what she needs. When choosing and further purchasing a sling, it is important not to get confused and buy the carrier wisely. Some parents may ask questions right in the store, for example, “Which carrier to choose, there are so many of them!? What would be better suited me and my child. Which type of sling is better to buy: a backpack, a scarf or with rings.”

In this article we will figure out which carrier a mother should choose for herself and her child, and why. First, a definition for those who are not familiar with this incomprehensible word. Sling is a convenient fabric carrier, sling, baby sling designed for transporting small infants. The carrier is placed on the adult’s body over the shoulders or one shoulder. This simple solution in the form of a carrier allows mother and baby to merge, as if into a single symbiosis with their baby. With a sling, you will be inseparable at home and on the street.

So for the right choice sling you need to be guided by the following parameters:

• Weight and age of the baby;

• Purposes for which the sling is purchased;

• Places where the carrier will be used (at home or outdoors).

List of main types of baby carriers:

1. May-sling;
2. Sling backpack;
3. Sling scarf;
4. Sling jacket;

Babywearing jacket for transporting infants

Suitable for walking with a child different times year, winter, autumn, spring. In addition, the babywearing jacket can be worn before the baby is born or without it, like a regular jacket. Sling jacket good because it protects mother and child from bad weather, wind and precipitation. When using a babywearing jacket, the baby is protected. Jacket models are sold for both mothers and fathers.

It is worth noting that the jacket does not hold the child, but they still do it as a baby sling. The jacket, thanks to special inserts and little things, such as slots for the baby’s arms and legs, comfortable deep pockets with fasteners, drawstrings, a tightly fitting cupichon, etc., make the babywearing jacket indispensable.

Basically, jackets are made from high quality materials. The sling jacket consists of an outer material, inside there is an insulating layer and a lining.

Baby carrier sling on rings

It is presented in the form of a sheet of fabric, or rather, it is a fabric strip, the length of which is approximately 2 meters, and the width of the sheet measures 60 - 70 centimeters. One end of the carrier is equipped with a soft shoulder pad and rings, and the other end of the fabric is simply tucked into these rings. The length of the patchwork carrier can be adjusted using the rings.

Benefits of a ring sling

Comfortable, generally great for use at home, very easy to put on and take off from the shoulder. If the baby falls asleep, you can very easily remove him from your shoulder and put him in the crib. To do this, mom needs to lean over the sofa, slightly loosen the sling and “emerge” from it.

You can adjust the length of the worn sling.

It is possible to change the baby's posture from lying to sitting. You can change the baby’s position on the go without changing the baby carrier.

Well suited for newborn babies and small children who are still in their early stages. The little one is easy to put in a carrier and or from a bottle.

Cons of ring slings

The carrier is worn only on one shoulder, which is conveniently chosen by the mother herself. Shoulders can be changed, for example, when the load on the shoulder increases.

Choosing ring sling Please note the following:

It is better to choose for newborns and infants sling with sides, with them the child will be softer and more comfortable. It is best if the sides are thin.

Carrying rings must be metal. Plastic and wood may crack. The diameter of the rings should be 5 - 6 cm (in calico and linen fabrics), 6 - 7 cm (waffle fabrics), 5 cm (for sliding fabrics).

The fabric may vary, but it is best to choose 100% cotton, especially for. Bandages made of calico and waffle fabric are also optimal.

Baby carrier May-sling

May-sling baby carrier resembles a kangaroo backpack, but has the advantages of a sling. In a May-sling, unlike a kangaroo, the baby is positioned physiologically, the fabric holds the hips, and the straps of this carrier are wider. The baby can be carried on the hip, back or stomach.

Pros and benefits of May-sling:

• The appearance of the carrying backpack is very beautiful and stylish.

• The load is distributed evenly across the back, lower back and shoulders.

• Puts on easier and faster than a sling scarf.

• Large selection of fabrics for sewing.

Pros and cons of May-sling:

Not suitable for moving babies in a horizontal position (lying down);

The width of the straps is not adjustable;

Choosing a May Sling please note:

Choose a carrying backpack with wide straps, approximately 10 - 14 cm. The straps should be filled with padding polyester. It is better to choose fabric 100% cotton or calico, denim, corduroy, it should not stretch.

Baby carrier Sling scarf

Sling scarf- this is a long strip of fabric from 3 to 6 meters in length and 45 - 70 centimeters in width. With the help of a sling scarf, a mother can tie her baby to her in a lying or sitting position. This type of sling can be worn on one shoulder or both. You can carry newborn babies in it, placing the child in a cradle.

Pros of a sling scarf:

• The load is distributed evenly on the mother's shoulders, lower back and back.

• The child can be positioned; both horizontally and vertically.

Cons of a sling scarf:

Tying skills required;

It is difficult to change the sling on the go;

It is inconvenient to use at home.

Choosing a sling scarf Please pay attention to important details:

For newborn babies, a carrier made of cotton fabric composed of 95 - 100% cotton is suitable. For older babies, non-stretchy fabrics are suitable. The width of the sling scarf for stretch fabrics is 50 - 60 cm, and for non-stretch fabrics it is 10 cm wider.

To choose the right baby sling size We suggest using the sizing table.

Convenient carrying hipsit

Carrying a child on your hip for long periods of time is very difficult. After this, the mother may experience back pain, and over time, her posture may deteriorate. To prevent this from happening and to ease the heavy burden, it was invented Hopsit carrier. The seat shelf in the form of a belt is fastened to the parent’s belt and helps to avoid spinal curvature and pain. This carrier can be used from the moment the child begins to sit up to 3 years.

To summarize, we can say that any baby carrier is universal and can be used for children from birth to 3 years of age. Each of the listed baby slings has its own pros and cons. Choose the carrier that is optimal for the situation and purpose.

Happy babywearing! Subscribe to our website updates Mom and baby, then you will know how to properly care for your child.

Currently, young parents are striving to acquire modern devices to help take care of their child. After all, mothers also need to go somewhere, and with a large stroller this is not always convenient. To help young mothers, slings and baby carriers were developed, which have already gained enormous popularity. What is the difference between these unique devices, and what age children are they made for?

A kangaroo carrier is a special purpose device for carrying children and newborns. The kangaroo is fixed on the shoulders and belt of an adult using safe fastenings. The child is either seated or placed in a carrier, depending on the age of the baby.

The child is secured in the kangaroo with a belt specially designed for this purpose.

This device is very popular due to the presence of a large number of positive properties:

1. The child is always nearby and in front of the mother.
2. Mom's hands are always free, which gives her the opportunity to go shopping, or just relax and walk.
3. Babies can be safely fed without getting out of the kangaroo.
4. Feeling the closeness of the mother, the child will be calm and can easily fall asleep.
5. “Kenguryatnik” is a fairly economical and profitable purchase compared to a bulky stroller.

What age is appropriate

Many parents wonder what ages baby carriers are designed for. Kangaroo care can be used almost immediately after birth. This is also an advantage of this device. It is very important to select a specific model for a newborn, in which the baby can sit in a lying position. This model is recommended for children under five months.

In it, the newborn is in front and lies facing the adult. However, the model for newborns has some disadvantages:

1. The presence of thin straps creates inconvenience when children are worn for a long time.
2. Despite the presence of a rigid back, there is no orthopedic effect in a kangaroo, which can lead to problems with the spine.
3. If an adult bends down, then the child changes his position with him.

You can switch to other models with vertical placement of children when children begin to sit down on their own, and their spine is ready to support their body weight.

Almost all models are designed for one year of age, that is, for children up to 12 kilograms. Next, the child is interested in exploring the world on his own, so the interest and need for carrying disappears.

The device itself is very easy to use. However, before purchasing, you should check the condition of the fasteners.

Selection rules

Very often, parents are in a hurry and make the wrong choice of carrier, and then complain about back pain. To avoid pain, you need to pay attention to the straps and belt. The latter should be adjustable, and the straps should cross on the back. In this situation, the load on the spine is evenly distributed. Therefore, no pain or discomfort should occur.

There are kangaroos in which the straps cross on the back, but there is no belt. In this situation, the load is placed on the upper back, and parents complain of pain in the neck and lower back.

Experts advise purchasing carriers for children that have a shoulder strap width of at least 7 cm, and the straps are adjustable so that parents themselves can choose the desired length to position the baby. The belt material must be dense and durable.

It is better that the headrest or back of the device is fixed above the child’s shoulders. After all, many kangaroos have attachments at the level of the child’s armpits. It is also desirable that the clamps be as simple as possible, so that the device will be more comfortable to use.

• Quality of manufacture of the carrier - it is necessary to purchase a carrier made from high-quality materials due to the sensitivity of the skin of newborns.
• Reliability of fastenings - the safety of the child and your peace of mind will depend on this.
• Comfort – applies to both children and parents. A comfortable model should be easy to put on and have both shoulder straps and a lumbar belt so that the load on the spine is even.

• The child should also feel comfortable. To do this, there must be enough space in the carrier so that the child’s movements are not constrained. After all, if the child is comfortable, he will be happy to go for a walk.
• Consider the age for which a particular model is designed.

Chicco Kangaroo

Nowadays the Chicco model is more popular. The Italian brand Chicco is rightfully considered to be of high quality, as it produces safe and environmentally friendly devices. The specialists of this brand research the interests of parents and their children and, based on extensive research, produce their own devices.

Chicco kangaroos are affordable for every family. All Chicco models are comfortable and reliable to use, which will provide you with assistance in raising children.

The most popular models:

1. ChiccoGo Baby.
2. Chicco You & Me.
3. Chicco Soft & Dream.
4. Chicco New Soft & Dream.
5. Chicco Go.

Chicco function – delight children and their parents, starting their journey in comfort.

Sling

A sling backpack is an excellent alternative to a kangaroo. The sling has wide straps, a safety belt, and many different straps. The answer to the question whether a sling backpack is intended for newborns will be negative.

You can place a child in this device when he weighs at least seven kilograms and reaches 70 centimeters. After all, vertical carrying is inappropriate for a newborn. The baby's head will recline and the spine will bend, which is absolutely unacceptable. The shape of the sling is large enough for the baby’s small body, and panties and straps can harm the skeletal and muscular corset of the newborn. Therefore, it is not recommended to use a sling backpack before the prescribed date.

At what age is it best to use a sling backpack? From the age of four months, the baby can be placed in a sling backpack. But a sling scarf or sling belt can be used earlier. However, you should know that 4 months is the minimum age, and it is not advisable to rush to use a sling. It would be better to wait until the baby gets a little stronger and begins to sit down on his own.

The sling is easy to use and takes up little space. The child will be comfortable in a soft model that does not restrict his movement.

Medical experts believe that a sling backpack can be used without harm to the health of a child from 6 months. In more early age There may be a risk to the baby's health.

What is the difference between a kangaroo and a sling?

In a sling, the baby feels as if he is in his mother’s arms, since his position is extremely close to the physiological position. The baby's legs are separated in an upright position as if they are hugging the mother's waist. The baby's butt falls into the sling pocket. The fabric is equally directed from one knee to the other, which prevents the baby from sagging at the crotch. The sling presses the baby tightly against the adult's body, distributing the weight on the hips rather than on the spine and pelvis.