Sling for a newborn. Which is better?

The main thing is not to harm the baby, especially a newborn. After all, children in the first months of life need our comprehensive care and guardianship more than ever.

When choosing a carrier, always pay attention to its physiology

– corresponds to the child’s anatomy.

Safe carrying should provide the newborn with:

• full back support
• cervical and head support
• support of the pelvis and hips in a bent and spread position (M-position)

It is important that it is not the child who adapts to the design of the carrier, but that the carrier adapts to the smallest features of the body

baby!

Those. safety is physiological.

And taking into account the fact that the child’s dimensions will change rapidly, this will also affect the versatility of the carrier.

Sling selection

Let's take a closer look at which slings for newborns are better, taking these criteria into account.

Comparison table between physiological and non-physiological carrying

Types of slings and carriers, kangaroos

Physiological ones include soft fabric carriers, in other words, slings :

1. Sling scarf, woven and knitted
2. Ring sling
3. May-sling
4. Ergo backpack. Yes Yes! Ergonomic backpacks are also slings that meet most of the criteria for physiological carrying
5. Hybrids of a May-sling and an ergo-backpack: fast-slings, sling-backpacks, scarfs.
6. Sling pockets

Non-physiological transfers include

1. Kangaroos . As a rule, they do not imply any adjustments, which means the child “hangs” on the perineum. They do not allow the child to be placed in a physiological position (hips remain without support). And their design is rigid, frame. A distinctive feature of kangaroos is that the baby sits facing away from the mother, and his legs hang down without the support of the hips.

2. Non-adjustable sling tops - the so-called “pre-tied” knitwear.

When buying a non-adjustable baby carrier, you are leaving everything to chance. These carriers are sold by size. But the size of the mother changes after childbirth, and the size of the child, naturally. Maybe you and your particular baby will be a good fit for this carrier, maybe not. Please note that it is not the carrier that will suit you, but you – whether or not the carrier will suit you. After all, it is simply impossible to reduce or increase the volume of tissue. The service life of such models is very short, it is not always possible to place the baby physiologically, and the cost is comparable or even more than the price of universal slings.

3. Hip sit . This carrier is not a sling and is recommended from the moment the child can walk independently, not earlier.

4. Featured 5-in-1 carriers .

In reality, it's just a frame with uncomfortable thin straps and no adjustment options. There is no talk about any physiological position of the child in such models. Don't waste your money, it's better to just carry your baby in a regular car seat.

Buy a sling for newborns

Before purchasing, you need to finally decide which sling to choose for a newborn, what composition of material should prevail in the so-called favorite. Some models are expensive, while others will cost the young mother much less. It is important to understand that this is a valuable acquisition for not even a single month, which is currently used by a newborn, but after some time the baby will need it, including for breastfeeding. Below is a ranking of the leaders that dominate free sales.

Sling backpack

After the birth of the child and the mother’s discharge from the hospital, the daily wearing of any device is additionally discussed with an obstetrician-gynecologist. If there are absolutely no medical contraindications to wearing such a bag on the chest, it’s time to decide which sling is best for newborns, how to properly wrap the sling in order to place the newborn and not worry about his safety. Below are the favorite models in a given direction. Here's the first option:

• model name: Amazonas;
• price: 7,000 rubles;
• characteristics: material – 100% cotton, age – from newborn to 3 years, product parameters – 90x145 cm;
• pros: original design of the product, maximum safety for a newborn, the ability to accommodate a month-old or older child;
• cons: overpriced.

Here are competing products that will cost slightly less, but are in no way inferior in quality to the competitor described above:

• model name: Miracle-Chado (Russia);
• price: 2,600 rubles;
• characteristics: double-sided fabric with a plant pattern, carrying children from 4 to 15 kg, composition – 30% linen, 70% cotton;
• pluses: pocket for small items on the back, proper distribution of the load on the mother’s spine, reflective label on the fabric for greater safety of the newborn;
• cons: lack of forward-facing position, high price.

The third option for wealthy mothers is:

• model name: Manduca;
• price: 9,500 rubles;
• characteristics: permissible child weight from 4 to 20 kg, original checkered pattern, dense material;
• pros: head support function, adjustment to the child’s height, several mounting methods;
• cons: high price.

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May-sling

The main advantage of this modification is the possibility of fixation in several positions for greater convenience for the young mother. Domestic and imported accessories for newborns are equally popular, but before purchasing you need to enlist the support of your local pediatrician. Here's what doctors advise and which baby carrier is considered the best purchase in a given direction:

• model name: AMAMA;
• price: 1,300 rubles;
• characteristics: length – 3 m, material – pure cotton, blue color, three fixation positions;
• pros: a practical device for a newborn for every day at an affordable price, of good quality;
• cons: completely absent.

The second option, ideal for a newborn baby:

• model name: Miracle-Chado (Russia);
• price: 2,000 rubles;
• characteristics: optimal combination of linen and cotton in a ratio of 70:30%, maximum child weight – up to 15 kg;
• pros: convenient and safe design for the baby, which can be ordered and purchased in the online store cheaply at a discount;
• cons: none.

Ring sling

Before using a sling, it is recommended that you carefully familiarize yourself with another popular product for newborns. This is a stylish and eye-catching accessory with rings, which is chosen by modern mothers for the long-awaited addition to the family. A sling scarf with rings is not entirely convenient to use, but it looks impressive in combination with any style of women's clothing. It can be worn at home and worn in public, while transporting your newborn comfortably and safely. Here are the products of famous brands:

• model name: Boba;
• price: 3,900 rubles;
• characteristics: material – cotton, maximum weight – up to 12 kg,
• pros: natural material, convenient pocket for placing a child, safe transportation of a newborn;
• cons: high price.

The second no less successful modification with rings, which is suitable for all newborns:

• model name: Mum's Era;
• price: 2,900 rubles;
• characteristics: cotton composition, fastening method - on one shoulder,
• pros: ability to adjust pocket parameters, several comfortable positions for the baby;
• disadvantages: uniform distribution of the load on the spine.

The third and no less popular sling with rings:

• model name: Velina;
• price: 2,900 rubles;
• characteristics: length – 1.7 m, material – cotton, fastening – on one shoulder, correction of the position of the newborn;
• pros: comfortable, practical, stylish, eye-catching option, you can get a sling at a promotion, affordable price;
• cons: none.

Sling scarf

This progressive design for personal use is especially convenient, since the height and position of the baby can be independently adjusted for greater convenience. This fashionable carrying scarf is convenient for feeding a newborn, transporting and sleeping. Here are the most popular accessories that modern pediatricians highly recommend:

• model name: Elleville Zara;
• price: 3,700 rubles;
• characteristics: length – 4.2 m, material – cotton;
• advantages: you can order, buy in an online store, get a discount on products, arrange delivery by mail;
• cons: none.

The second type of domestically produced sling is presented with the characteristics and advantages below:

• model name: Echidna (Russia);
• price: 4,200 rubles;
• characteristics: material – cotton, length – 4.7 m, design with patterns, several positions of the newborn’s body;
• pros: stylish design, even distribution of the load on the mother’s spine, affordable price, natural material, opportunity to buy on sale;
• cons: none.

The third imported accessory with characteristics is presented below:

• model name – LittleFrog;
• price – 4,400 rubles;
• characteristics – material – 100% cotton, comfortable and practical design for mother and child, natural fabric;
• pros - affordable purchase not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, high quality, long service life;
• There are no cons.

Results. Which sling is better?

• Safe, i.e. physiological
• Comfortable for you and baby - ergonomic
• Suitable for the tasks and situations in which you plan to use it

According to our many years of experience, the easiest sling to master in the first three months of the baby will be a knitted scarf sling

.

If you choose a sling for a baby over 3 months old, then the priority goes to a woven scarf sling.

After 6 months, the best slings are a woven sling scarf and an ergo backpack.

A few general recommendations:

• In the first month after birth, do test windings. Many slings are safe for babies from the first days of life.
• carry the baby in your arms facing you . This is the best thing you can do so that your baby can easily agree to sit in a sling. After all, babywearing begins with carrying it in your arms.
• It is recommended for mothers to actively start carrying babies after 30–40 days after birth. Don't overburden yourself. Give yourself time to recover.
• if the position of the child in the sling is physiological, i.e. corresponds to its anatomy, and all winding quality criteria are met, then during wakefulness you can carry children for up to 40-60 minutes at a time . Next, rest yourself, stretch your baby, change the diaper. This wear-break-wear algorithm can be used as many times a day as you like.
• if the baby falls asleep , then let him sleep in a sling until he wakes up . At the same time, its position must also be physiological, and all winding quality criteria must be met.
• give preference to the vertical position! Especially during long periods of sleep in a sling and/or walks. Only the vertical position is physiological! Use the “cradle” as necessary.

How to tie a sling scarf for a newborn?

Beginners often find it difficult to use scarf-type slings, although the design of the product seems primitive.

If you fix the product incorrectly, then carrying the child will be uncomfortable and even dangerous to the baby’s health.

Each age has its own version of fixation; there are more than ten of them. There are five leaders that are liked by parents and convenient for children.

Instructions on how to properly tie a sling scarf:

1. Lay the fabric Cross on the opposite thigh. Wrap around your lower back several times. Secure the strip into several knots. Option for a sitting position.
2. Lay the scarf in half over your shoulder. Use a flat knot to secure the scarf at hip level, and then move it to the shoulder blade area. Relevant for newborns.
3. Place the fabric on the lower back, and place the front ends diagonally on the shoulders. We fix the ends under the canvas.

It is still better to wear a product of this type at home. You can check the safety of the fastenings and perform the winding technique carefully and quickly. Winding the product outside the home is difficult and impractical.

A sling is convenient and simple, and the choice of which one to use is yours. Don't forget to consult your pediatrician.

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Still have questions?

If you still can’t decide which sling to choose for your newborn, or doubt the safety of the existing carrier, or the quality of your wrapping, consult our sling consultants for free!

The author of the article, Yulia Burlakova, is a certified sling consultant.

• more than 5 years of experience
• Member of the Russian League of Sling Consultants
• certificate from the German babywearing school Trageschule
• advanced training – training from the Israeli KlauVi school