Ask CBB: Wraps, Slings, and Pouches

We’ve received several emails from readers asking about soft babycarriers. What are the differences between wraps, slings, and pouches?

Wearing your baby is one of the best things you can do topromote healthy bonding and attachment between you and your littleone.  Did you know that babies that are worn cry less and are easier tosoothe?  Babywearing is good for baby’s physical, emotional, and mental development. Babies who are worn by their caregiver are generally in a quiet alert state, and cry less because they feel constant security. When you’re baby is worn, it can feel your body warmth, breathing rhythm, and hear both your heart beat and your voice, which reminds them of being in the womb.  For more on why babywearing is great for you and your baby (and the scientific studies that back it), read Great Things About Babywearing at thebabywearer.com.

There are four main types of soft baby carriers: wraps, meitais, slings and pouches. All are excellent for different types ofcarries and or different aged children. 

Wraps and mei tais distribute the weight of the baby evenly onyour shoulders and around your waist. However, there is a learningcurve to putting them on and it does take longer. After trying it a fewtimes, you should start to feel confident about it. Mei tais are arectangular piece of fabric with straps attached to each corner.  Youtie the short ends around your waist and criss-cross the long strapsaround your back, with baby going between you and cloth.  (Think of itas a front backpack.)  We like these mei tais from Catbird Baby (pictured left) and Happypouch. Mei tais are Danielle’s carrier of choice.

Wraps are long pieces of fabric that, as the name implies,you wrap around your torso to create a cocoon for baby.  They offertremendous head and neck support for a newborn or sleeping baby. A wrapdistributes your baby’s weight inwardly throughout your torso, insteadof feeling like it’s pulling you forward. If it seems complicated touse, you need not to worry because they come with free instructionalvideos.  Wraps are made of knit (stretchy) or woven (not stretchy)fabric.  Other popular wraps include the Australian hug-a-bub (pictured left), the German Storchenwiege, the Canadian Cuddly Wrap (which Danielle has), the German Didymos, and the Ultimate Baby Wrap (which is available at Babies R Us and is used by Jennifer Garner).

Pouches aregreat because they are easy to put on and you don’t have to worry aboutadjusting. However, because pouches are sized to fit you and not thebaby, if you and your husband are different sizes it won’t fit both ofyou. For example, if you are petite, you’ll need a small (orextra-small) and if your husband is average build, he’ll need at leasta medium or larger depending on the brand. So if one of you is going todo most of the pouch wearing, it’s best to have it sized for thatperson. Some pouch companies like Hotslings have a size calculator, to assure that you find the best fit. Other companies have adjustable pouches like Mamma’s Milk and Kangaroo Korner. Danielle’s current favorite is her Karma Baby pouch (pictured left). Our Reviews Editor Teba has a love for Hotslings that borders on obsession!

Slings, also known as ring slings, aregreat because a person of any size can use one (in most cases). Theyare adjustable and  accomodate the size of  your growing baby anddifferent wearers as long as their body sizes aren’t that different.Like wraps, sometimes it takes practice adjusting a sling but there ismuch less of a learning curve. Once you’re comfortable,  it’s easy toslide the sling on and off.  Many slings like those from Rockin’ Baby (pictured left), Oopa Baby and Zolowear come with extra fabric that can be useful for covering up while nursing, or keeping your baby’s face out of the sun. 

Each have their merits. We recommend getting more than one type ifyou’re able to, because they will come in handy at differentactivities.  For example, when you need to quickly position the baby, apouch or ring sling rules, while for long walks, a mei tai or wrap ismore comfortable and worth the extra time needed to put it on.

Most baby carriers now come with instructional guides and DVDs. Ifyou’re still unsure about which babywearing accessory is for you, or ifyour guide wasn’t thorough enough, then check out this instructionalDVD called Tummy 2 Tummy. Itincludes safety instructions, different wearing positions for differentages, feeding positions, and troubleshooting, all for ring slings,pouches, carriers, and wraps. With these instructions from fourprominent babywearing experts, you should be on your way to wearingyour baby with comfort and success.

Our favorite sites for mei tais, wraps, slings, and pouches are Rockin’ Baby Slings, Peanut Shell, Zolowear, Oopa Baby, Hotslings, Happypouch, Catbird Baby, and Karma Baby and AttachedToBaby.com which sells many different kinds and is offering 10% off to our readers through November 10th!  Use "CBBLOG10"

Read our other posts on babywearing as well as a Hotslings (pouch) review by our Reviews Editor Teba,who mentions that even her husband enjoys wearing their Hotsling.Confused about whether a ring sling or a pouch is best for you?  Read this comparison on TheBabyWearer.com. Also check out their excellent guide to choosing the right type of carrier for you.

Do you have a question about baby products, general parenting info or what a celebrity kid is wearing?  Email Ask CBB at askcbbATcelebrity-babies.com.

What kind of carrier do you wear your child in?  Do you recommend it?