Maybe you’ve seen the long pieces of fabric and have been instantly overwhelmed. Or perhaps you’ve see a youtube video of a woman wrapping fabric around herself and then somehow there is a spot to place her baby in it. This is only one aspect of babywearing! These long pieces of fabric are typically called “wraps”. They are so versatile and accommodating that with knowledge and practice you can carry a grown adult, hands free! There are shorter pieces of fabric that go over one shoulder, using rings to adjust the length and secure the fabric called a “ring sling”. Another kind of sling doesn’t have the rings but is instead fitted to your size called a pouch sling. There are carriers with a body panel attached to buckles and straps, typically called “soft structured carriers”. Carriers that combine the features of wrapping (using a long piece of fabric) and a soft structure carrier (using the body panel) are mei tais and podaegi (or a pod).
Most people, if they are new to baby wearing and use anything, typically start with a soft structure carrier like a Baby björn or an Infantino baby carrier. There is a lot of controversy about the developmental effect these carriers have on a baby’s hips and spine. Some people are adamant that there are not to be used at all. Others support their use if they are altered with an additional piece of cloth tied for “correct positioning”. Still others that say it’s only a concern for babies that have a predisposition to developmental issues but suggest a different carrier for a more comfortable experience. From the most recent studies, narrow based carriers are safe for wearer and baby, though there may be more comfortable options. Read here for information from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) and great visuals about correct positioning for hip development.
I’m just going to pretend that I know you clicked on the link above and since there are pictures on the IHDI website of a soft structure carrier and a ring sling, we’ll start with those. Click here to learn about these two types of carriers.
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