The Basics of Baby Slings

When we think about parents of infants, pushing a bulky, expensive stroller is a common image. However, not every parent chooses to push their infants around town out in front of them. More and more parents are looking at infant slings and carriers to carry their babies around in.Babywearing is a growing trend among parents for many great reasons.

Using infant slings has many advantages according to some experts. Dr. Sears, pediatrician and author of several parenting books, advocates wearing infants in a sling for many reasons.Some of the benefits he claims are that infants who are carried more tend to cry less often, feel more safe and secure, and are more able to interact with their parents because of the way they are held. Being held in such a close position, according to Dr. Sears, gives infants more chances to pick up on human behaviors and social cues. They become "humanized" sooner by this.

There are many different styles of slings and carriers available to parents today. Each style has certain benefits and drawbacks that parents should consider. The most common style of sling used is the basic ring sling. This is a long piece of fabric wrapped around the torso and held firm by a pair of metal rings. These rings allow the carrier to be adjusted easily by pulling the fabric through the rings back or forward. This makes it easier for people of various shapes and sizes to share one sling, perfect for families to take turns carrying the infant.

The next most common is the pouch carrier. This is a solid piece of fabric sewn together that does not adjust. Though this style is less convenient for sharing among family and friends, it is designed to fit perfectly the first time and every time. The perfect fit makes this style fairly popular and offers security for parents.

The third common style of sling is the Asian styled carrier. These carriers are designed to hold an infant straight up and pressed against the body, perfect for infants suffering from reflux and older infants who enjoy looking around. Though these kinds are often more difficult to breastfeed in, the many straps that hold the baby firmly in place make some parents feel more secure.

Wearing a baby in one of the styles of infant slings is becoming more popular each day. The many benefits of babywearing are becoming more widely known. Infant slings are sold in a wide variety of colors and patterns to fit any parent's style and image. Many parents are choosing to ditch the bulky, inconvenient strollers for easier to manage infant slings.