For many new parents, the latest Bugaboo or Maclaren stroller is no longer the go-to method of baby transportation.  Taking their place are a variety of baby carriers – wraps, packs and pouches – that many caregivers are choosing for the ease of use features, as well as the attachment parenting benefits.

The number of choices in baby carrier styles has exploded in the last five to seven years.  In 2003, the Moby Wrap and ERGObaby baby carriers debuted on the national scene and have increased their sales steadily each year.  The overall sales of industry-certified carriers is now over $25 million, a far cry from the years when parents looking for baby carriers often resorted to searching out women who manufactured custom carriers in their homes.

The increased popularity of baby carriers ultimately means more choices for parents.  There are many more types of carriers available, and many creative new accessories or carriers designed for specific uses, like wearing in cold weather or in the swimming pool.   Color and style choices abound from the huge variety of manufacturers who are making industry-certified carriers.

And if you’re one to want a closet full of choices, making your own carrier is an even easier option now as well.  At AboutBabywearing.com, we have a great selection of patterns and DIY tips for making baby carriers to fit babies of all sizes.

This illustration issued by the CPSC shows do’s and don’ts suggestions for how to position young infants in a soft baby carrier.

View the full size illustration

The CPSC is advising parents to be cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than four months. In a study covering 20 years, the CPSC has found that baby slings can cause injury or death by pressing against a baby’s nose and mouth, or by allowing the baby to lay in a position that could compromise their airway.

If you are a sling user, use the guidelines of keeping your baby’s face uncovered, and consider a using a tummy to tummy hold, instead of the cradle hold for babies under 4 months of age to reduce the the risk of airway compromise.

The CPSC has found that slings can pose two different kinds of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies are not able to control their heads because of weak neck muscles. The sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two. When a sling keeps the infant in a curled position, with the chin bent towards the chest, the airways can be constricted, limiting oxygen suppy. The baby will not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.

In researching reports from the past 20 years, the CPSC has found and is investigating at least 14 deaths associated with sling-style infant carriers, including 3 in 2009. Twelves of the deaths involved babies younger than 4 months.

The CPSC has noted that many of the babies who died in slings were either a low birth weight twin, were born prematurely, or had breathing issues, such as a cold. The CPSC warning urges parents of preemies, twins, babies in fragile health and those with low birth weight to consult their pediatrician about using an infant sling.

To read the full CPSC release, click here

Related:
Read the NY Times article covering Inez Tenenbaum” target=blank”, head of the CPSC, speaking at the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association meeting, the industry trade group that certifies certain children’s products, including baby slings.

Ring Slings are baby carriers made out of a length of cloth, with one end having two rings sewn into it. The Ring Sling wraps around your body, from the shoulder to the hip, then back up to the shoulder, threading the loose end the rings, and pulling it secure.

This is a great video from Zolowear, a company that makes quality Ring Slings, about how to thread and put on your ring sling

Your baby sits inside the pocket that is created in the fabric. His weight tension on the fabric, and the sling is locked into place. Because you can adjust the length of the sling by threading fabric through the rings, the Ring Sling is a one size fits most baby carrier.


A variety of feature options are available through different manufacturers, including padding on the shoulder, padding on the sides or “rails”, pockets sewn into the tail and more. Some Ring Slings have curved seats sewn into the body of the sling. The sling style is most similar to the rebozo, a traditional Mexican baby carrier which uses a knot instead of rings.

Ring slings can be used from newborns through toddlers. A sling is very convenient, given the number of hold positions you can create using a sling, and, because they roll up so small, it’s easy to tuck inside your diaper bag or purse.

See complete instructions for nursing with a sling at Mamma’s Milk
You’ll be able to nurse quite privately in a ring sling, and that’s one of the reasons why this style of baby carrier is such a favorite of mom’s with newborns who nurse frequently throughout the day. The Mamma’s Milk website has very thorough demonstrations of nursing techniques you can use when wearing a sling, showing several different holding positions, like the Cradle Hold, Tummy To Tummy and Hip Position. Scroll to the bottom of the linked page to view.

The NO SEWING REQUIRED Cotton Wrap
To make one for yourself, you’ll need 5 yards of cotton t-shirt material. Depending on your height, and how long you’d like the tails to be, the optimal yardage could be a little less or a little more, but 5 yards will be perfect for almost everyone.

Now, cut the fabric straight down the middle, lengthwise. You’ll have two 5 yard strips of fabric. You won’t need to hem the t-shirt fabric, it will roll up a little on the end and look perfectly fine.

That’s it! If, after tying your wrap a few time, you find that you don’t need the 5 yards of fabric, cut off the extra amount making sure to leave enough of a tail to be able to finish with a tight knot.

You’ll spend more time picking out the fabric than you will making this t-shirt fabric wrap!

The Minimal Sewing Woven Wrap
This wrap is also super easy to make, with the only sewing required being the hem.

To make a woven wrap, select fabric that has a tight weave. A nice linen or 100% cotton fabric is what you’re looking for.

Cut the fabric down the middle, lengthwise, so you have two 5 yard strips of fabric. Sew roughly a 1/2 inch hem on the sides of your wrap, and that’s it!

Again, so easy that you’ll be able to have matching wraps to coordinate with practically every one of your outfits!

Now that you’ve got your wrap, check out the tying instructions:

The Wrap – Carrying Techniques

Ring Sling Patterns and Instructions

Sling Rings
Sling Rings is a US based business manufacturing nylon and aluminum rings for slings in an assortment of sizes and colors. At less than $4 for a pair, this is a great resource.

Celg Photo Tutorial – DIY Sling Step By Step Guide
This design is modeled after the “hot dog” style of sling construction.

Elizabeth Lee Sling Pattern
This sling pattern by Elizabeth Lee has been popular for many years. It contains a basic padded sling pattern that can be adapted to different fabric weights, including denim, silk, and mesh fabric for use at the pool. It’s available at her website for only $12.95. Elizabeth Lee Designs also features many clothing patterns designed for a breastfeeding mom’s needs.

Pouch Sling Patterns and Instructions

These do-it-yourself instructions are for making your own pouch sling, like a HotSling:

Maya Wrap – Sew Your Own Baby Sling.

Sew A Baby Sling by Staci Steadman. Has clear directions with printable illustrations.

Simple Unpadded Sling Instructions by Jan Andrea.

Cotton Crochet Baby Pouch Sling.

Asian Style Carrier Patterns and Instructions, like Mai Tei

Jan Andrea has found a great pattern for a Mai Tei style baby carrier, and illustrates the steps with pictures.

For more information about the types of fabric she likes to use and more helpful hints, visit her blog at slingyourbaby.blogspot.com

Flickr: finally, perla accepts the moby; molly, day 146

The Wrap style of baby carrier is also known as a Wraparound or Simple Piece Of Cloth (SPOC). It’s the simplest form of baby carriers: a long piece of fabric that you wrap around you to wear your baby on you.

A wrap is one of the most versatile baby carrier types, as there are so many different ways you can tie it. With the various wrap tying techniques, you can cradle carry, front carry, back carry and hip carry. And a wrap is great to use while you’re breastfeeding, both for hands-free breastfeeding and for privacy. Generally, most new parents learn one or two positions first that work best for them, and then add more positions as the baby grows and as they get more confident tying the long piece of cloth.

If you haven’t seen a someone tying a wrap before, take a look at this video by Juansan76 to see how you can quickly tie the piece of cloth into the basic front carry positions.

How you tie your wrap will determine how your baby’s weight is distributed. Each carrying position and/or tying method may distribute weight differently across the back, shoulders, hip and waist. That makes the Wrap a great baby carrier for people who may have a physical problem, and for pregnant moms that are still carrying toddlers. The wide material spread over both shoulders helps distribute your child’s weight evenly across your body.

Wraps are available in many fabrics, but there are two main types to keep in mind: Stretchy Knits and Woven. The stretchy knits allow for a snug hold on the baby, and newborns love to be cuddled close in a cradle hold using a stretchy wrap. The woven wraps are good for heavier babies, like toddlers or preschoolers, where you want to create a tighter tie, for instance, in a back carry position.

The Wrap style of baby carrier is highly recommended for premature infants. Parents of preemies are often prescribed to practice “kangaroo care”, as skin-to-skin contact has been shown to increase birth weight. A wrap does not put extra material or padding between you and your baby. Your baby hears your heartbeat, feels the warmth of your body, and experiences your rhythmic movement within the cuddly nest created by the wrapped fabric.

Wraps are generally one size fits all for the wearer, with extra lengths of fabric being tied up or hanging free. The wrap is long enough to adapt to your growing baby, and most models will hold up to 45 lbs, however most people feel comfortable carrying up to 35 lbs.

Here is another video by Juansan76, who is showing us how she puts her 22lb. son into the front carry position

The term “Babywearing” simply means holding or carrying a baby or young child using a baby carrier. Humans have been holding babies since the beginning of time, and we almost instinctively know the comfort it gives to the child. Holding a baby using a baby carrier makes it easier and more comfortable to do, and really enables parents and caregivers to carry their children about while going on with everyday life.

When you’re using a baby carrier, tasks that could normally be more challenging while holding a baby, like doing the dishes, making a sandwich or folding laundry, are not only easier to do, but your baby is safe, more content, and also can be breastfeeding. Being in a carrier, next to you also provides your child with the opportunity to be involved in social interactions and to see their surroundings from the same level as an adult.

The renowned pediatrician, Dr. William Sears, coined the phrase attachment parenting. One of Sears’ principles of attachment parenting is babywearing, and he attributes many benefits to babywearing and the in-arms style of parenting. Read about the benefits of babywearing, including bonding, calmer infants, and social development.

There are several different fundamental types of baby carriers, both commercially made and homemade. Many people and cultures simply use pieces of cloth to safely and comfortably carry their babies. As with any baby product, there is some investment of your time and attention to select the baby carrier that best suits your needs, and to learn how to use it safely and appropriately.

Most commercial baby carriers, like the Baby Bjorn, are pretty straightforward to use out of the box. Some of the more intricate methods of babywearing, involving wrapping and tying pieces of cloth, may take slightly more effort to learn. But soon you’ll have the babywearing techniques mastered, and will appreciate the result of being closer to your child and being able to transport them in a safe, comfortable way.