Slings - acquaintance

Modern mothers, even after the birth of a baby, want to stay up to date and be able to be mobile at any time. To help them, special devices have been created, thanks to which you can comfortably fit a newborn baby or an older baby and go to an exhibition, walk or travel. In this article, we will understand what types of slings exist and how to use them correctly.

Ring sling

The ring sling is a two-meter scarf, 60-70 cm wide, which is threaded into rings designed to adjust the length. This type of wearing device is most popular with parents. Unlike a sling-scarf, it is very convenient to use it, you do not need to study various types of windings, and the child can be placed on his back, on his side or closer to the chest - due to this, you can feed him without removing from the sling.

Advantages of a ring sling over other carriers:

1. If you learn how to use it correctly, you can find many positions to wear. baby from birth to three years.
2. In a conveniently chosen position, the baby can sleep or stay awake for several hours in a row.
3. Such devices can be made of lightweight summer material and denser fabric for winter. The scarf must be durable and made from natural, breathable materials.
4. The rings are made of durable wood, metal or plastic, this allows you not to be afraid that the baby will accidentally fall out.

Sling jacket

A baby sling jacket belongs to the category of upper things, to which a separate element (sling insert) is fastened, it has a special hole for the baby's head. Thus, the mother can put the baby in a sling backpack or sling scarf and go for a walk with him in the cold season. Such devices are intended for children who already know how to fix the head in an upright position on their own, this usually happens at 4-6 months.

Why are parents around the world increasingly acquiring such a device for themselves?

1. Mom no need to worry about whether their child will freeze in an open stroller or in children's outerwear. The baby is always in a safe and warm place, because such jackets are made of dense materials.
2. Parents are not tied to a stroller or sled, at any time they are ready to go to the store, for a walk or visit.
3. Modern baby jackets are equipped with spacious hoods for mom and baby, as well as a special insert to support the baby's head.
4. For the child to be able to explore the world, the insert has separate slots for the handles.
5. Manufacturers offer an extensive selection of babywearing jackets - they come in different colors and all kinds of styles.

Sling backpack

At the moment, there are two main types of slingoruk - "kungaroo" and an ergonomic backpack. In both, you can carry the baby from birth, if the devices are equipped with special inserts for newborns. But doctors recommend using these funds no earlier than 5-6 months, when the baby can sit down on its own and the vertical position will not harm its spine.

Previously, the most common way of transporting a child was "kangaroo". It has special straps and an insert that is securely fastened with buckles and straps to the mother's waist. In the resulting "pocket" is placed kid, who has the ability to turn his head, exploring the world, and swing his legs freely. However, many parents abandoned this remedy in favor of an ergonomic backpack, as orthopedists around the world recognized that the position of children in a "kangaroo" is non-physiological and can lead to the development of hip dysplasia.

The ergonomic backpack is recognized as one of the safest means for carrying, because the child, sitting in it, takes the correct posture - the knees are just above the butt, which sags a little without creating pressure on the spinal column. In addition, the backpack, unlike a kangaroo, has a soft, not hard back, thanks to which all parts of the child's spine are securely fixed.

Sling scarf

A sling scarf is one of the most practical and reliable ways to transport newborns. It is a woven piece of fabric about 80 cm wide and 4 to 6 meters long. There are several types of wearing - on the hip, on the back, on the stomach, in a horizontal and vertical position.

Experts say that this is the best type of carrying, as the baby is in the most natural position. At the same time, if you correctly wind up, of which there are a lot, the child's weight will be redistributed evenly on the mother's neck and shoulders, which is very important during long walks.

Pros of using a sling scarf:

• parents' hands are free;
• there is no heavy load on the mother's back;
• you can breastfeed the baby without removing it from the device and without attracting the attention of strangers;
• some winding options have a head support function baby.

The main cons:

• proper winding requires a lot of experience;
• it is not very convenient to use at home, you have to support the back of the crumbs;
• it will take a long time for beginner sling moms to prepare a scarf for wearing;
• due to the length of the scarf, it is not very practical to wind it outside in the cold season;
• in the hot season, the baby can overheat due to the density of the fabric.

How to tie a sling

The easiest way to tie a sling scarf is the horizontal position of the "cradle".

How to wear a sling

The most devoted love of parents was rightfully won by a sling with rings, because it allows you to carry the child in a position convenient for him, while completely freeing his mother's hands.

Basic rules of use:

1. The child needs to be pulled tightly to you so that kid did not sag - the fragile spine of a newborn is not ready for such loads, because he does not yet hold the back on his own. The wrong position will cause inconvenience to the mother, creating unnecessary stress.
2. All folds on the scarf, including on the strap and in the rings, must be carefully straightened, otherwise the fabric will chafe the baby's delicate skin, and the incorrect weight distribution will make the baby seem heavier than it really is.
3. If you buy a carrier from a store, you get it ready-made. But when sewing to order, you must prepare the sling yourself for wearing. Fold the scarf in half and hold the ends in separate hands. Pass the "tail" through both rings at once. Then wrap the upper ring with a cloth, and pull the lower end into the lower ring and smooth out all the folds. Before you put the baby in a sling, throw it over your shoulder, while tightening the rings should be in the area of ​​the collarbone or slightly below. Then place the baby in the "cradle" position - for this it is necessary to eliminate all irregularities, and then lay him on the barrel, while the head is at the level of the mother's chest, and the legs are directed towards the rings.
4. The "front" position is also actively used, when the mother places the baby in a sling, slightly spreading his legs, and then tightens the scarf, fixing the baby, while the knees should be located just above the waist.
5. Another popular type of carrying a slightly grown baby is the "side" position. Its principle is similar to the previous one, only the child in this case is not in front, but just above the thigh.
6. From 6 months, toddler Can be worn in the back position for great research and observation opportunities.

Which sling is better

When choosing a sling, you must first of all take into account the age and weight of the baby, as well as the needs and requests of the mother.

1. If you only use a sling at home, then give preference to a sling with rings, it is easy to feed the baby with it and, if necessary, you can put the baby in the crib without waking him up. However, with this device, you will have to constantly support the back of the crumbs, which is not very convenient when doing household chores. In this case, a sling scarf or a may sling will help out.
2. These same carriers are ideal if you plan to transport your child outdoors, when shopping, or on walks. The weight in them is distributed best of all, so you save your spine from unnecessary overload. Mai-sling also has a special insert, it will come in handy if the child falls asleep on the road.
3. May-sling can be used from 3-4 months, when the baby begins to hold the head a little and can be carried in an upright position. The weight of the heavier child is evenly distributed over the neck, spine and lower back mom.
4. Upon reaching the year, the little researcher already knows how to walk independently, however, he is not able to master long distances. In this case, a practical solution would be a ring sling or an ergonomic backpack, in which you can quickly seat your baby and can be worn on the hip or back. On long journeys, you can use a sling scarf, it will be much easier to carry the child in it.

Sling harm

Some ten years ago, a sling was a very exotic thing for us. Parents quickly realized how practical this device is in comparison with bulky strollers, because thanks to it, you can move without any restrictions and even take your child on trips. In fact, such devices appeared long before the invention of the wheelchair. In the days of our great-great-grandmothers, children were worn in a scarf tied around them, which allowed them to work and manage the household.

Over time, slingomania literally captured the whole world and many mothers began to unite in communities, arguing their choice by the fact that the child is always close to his parents, feeling their love and care. There is a lot of research on the dangers and benefits of wearing a sling, but the controversy of ardent fans and opponents about this issue continues to this day. Let's try to objectively understand the need to wear a sling.

1. The most common argument against a sling is that it causes irreparable damage to the spine. baby... In fact, most doctors are not against this method of carrying, but with some caveats:

• The design of the rings must be reliable and safe, and the fabric must be natural and of high quality
• The sling should be used based on the age limit.
• The main claims are made to kangaroo carriers - the weight in them is not distributed correctly, the baby, sitting in it, seems to sag. This position can actually increase the risk of developing hip dysplasia and cause disorders in the spine. In addition, baby sling bags are made of dense material with rigid inserts, the child may overheat or suffer from lack of air.

Another opinion of opponents of the sling is that the child is in a scarf in an uncomfortable position, for example, with legs wide apart or, conversely, with knees too tightly closed. But orthopedists agree that such positions are physiological and are even considered to prevent dysplasia. If the scarf is wound correctly and the baby is securely fixed, its back and hips are adhered to thanks to the dense fabric.

Well, and, the last argument "against" - the baby, accustomed to constant and close contact with the mother, during weaning from the sling will become capricious and restless. However, doctors and experienced mothers say the opposite. A child of the first years of life needs care and attention. In any case, the baby will require to be carried on handles, and the sling will become a practical alternative to this, so the children cry much less, feeling confident in their mother and her love. In addition, thanks to a better perception of the world around them, such children develop faster.

Sling from what age can sling be used

Beginner slingomas often ask at what age a child can be placed in such a device. I must say that this question is not entirely correct, it is not about the age of the baby, but about the experience of the parents. If the mother is able to arrange the baby correctly, according to his physiology, then you can carry the baby in a carrier from the first days of life.

1. In a horizontal position, you can arrange the baby immediately after his birth. The child is warm and comfortable there, like in a cradle. Some babies refuse to lie when they reach 1-2 months, then you can leave the horizontal position only for feeding and motion sickness before going to bed. You can wear the baby in this way until the moment he likes it and is comfortable for you in any of the 4 types of sling. In a May sling (a rectangular piece of fabric with straps sewn into the corners) and a sling pocket, this will be more difficult, this option is suitable for more experienced parents.
2. In an upright position in a frog or embryo position, an infant can be worn from the first days of life; it is worth starting with a few minutes of the child's stay in a sling, gradually increasing the time. However, most toddlers are arranged in this way at about 3 months, when they learn to keep their head straight. At the same time, the load on the spine is minimized, this is compensated by a dense attraction to the mother.
3. Russian doctors recommend wearing a sling on the thigh no earlier than 3 months. This option is similar to the front position, the child is positioned symmetrically, with legs apart. But holding the head in this case is very problematic. Therefore, it is worth using such a winding when the baby's spine gets stronger and he learns to easily fix his head.
4. The supine position is the most difficult. It is allowed from the first days, however, seating the baby in this way and breastfeeding is an almost impossible task. When the baby is able to independently hold the head and back in an upright position, feel free to purchase a may-sling or a sling-scarf.

Slings by age

There is no universal way to carry a baby, because what is good for a newborn is not at all suitable for a more active older baby. Therefore, when choosing a sling product, experts suggest focusing on the age of the child.

1. From birth to three months, the baby has not yet formed a muscular corset, his spine is very fragile, any wrong movement can disrupt it, so a carrying device with a horizontal position is needed. The head, back and neck must be fixed, keep this in mind if you plan to carry the baby for a long time. A ring sling or a sling scarf is ideal for such an occasion. From a sling with rings, the baby can easily be transferred to the cradle without waking him up, if he suddenly falls asleep.
2. From 4 months, the child already knows how to roll over on his stomach and hold his head, it's time to teach him to gradually be in a sitting position. For vertical carrying of the crumbs, it is better to purchase a sling-scarf or a may-sling, the disadvantage of which is the impossibility of transferring the sleeping child to the crib, since you will have to take it out of the backpack.
3. When the child reaches 8 months, you can use any carrying means that have the function of an upright position. Ergonomic backpacks are especially popular with parents. A significant disadvantage is the presence of dense fabric straps - prolonged wearing can lead to overheating of children.

Sling how to wear: video