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How to choose the perfect baby sling / carrier
Choosing a sling or baby carrier can seem like a daunting prospect: the vast range of options - different carrying positions, fabrics choices and so on - can seem bewildering at first, and most slings are fairly new to the market. However, there is at least one perfect sling out there for every family! Taking a bit of time now to think about what you want and need from your sling will ensure a happy and long babywearing relationship. Confused by the terminology? Check our glossary! If you would like to compare baby slings and carriers our charts outline the main features and carrying positions of all of our range. There are several different ways you can choose a sling or baby carrier. There may be a particular style of sling or carrier which appeals to you, or perhaps something else is important for your family situation. For example you, or someone else who will be caring for your baby/child, has a bad back, you have a baby with reflux and need to be able to carry him/her upright or you need a sling that several family members can share. Use the menu above to navigate to the section that is relevant, or start at the top and work through!Age
Ideal for older babies: Structured Soft Carriers, Hip Carriers Ideal for both: Traditional Soft Carriers, Woven Wraps Back to Top
Carrying Positions
Ideal for babies who like being held upright: Ring Slings, Soft Carriers, Wraparound Carriers
Ideal for back carries: Soft Carriers, Woven Wrap
Ideal for hip carries: Pouch, Ring Sling, Woven Wrap Back to Top
The Sling User(s)
Ideal for use by different size wearers: Ring Slings, Stretchy Wraparound Carriers, Soft carriers, Hip Carriers
Ideal for those with bad backs: Soft Carriers, Wraparound Slings
Easy to use, 'pop and go' carriers: Pouches, Hip Carriers, Soft Carriers Slight learning curve: Ring Slings Larger learning curve: Wraparound Carriers
Modern, Simple looks: Pouches, Hip Carriers, Structured Soft Carriers Traditional designs: Ring Slings, Traditional Soft Carriers, and Wraparound Carriers How Sling Will Be Used
Ideal slings for short periods: Pouches, Ring Slings, Buckle Soft Carriers, Hip Carriers Ideal slings for prolonged carrying: Soft Carriers, Wraparound Slings
Most hands-free slings: Soft Carriers, Wraparound Slings Back to Top
Style of SlingThere are five basic styles of sling/carrier: Pouches, Ring Slings, Soft Carriers, Wraparound Slings, Hip Carriers. Many experienced babywearers
will own one sling from each type, as they each have their own strengths. However,
you may find that one style of carrier will fit your needs better than others PouchesPouches
are essentially a simple loop of fabric worn over one shoulder.
Suitable for use from birth to  around 30lbs they are an excellent
simple 'pop
and go' carrier. For best fit most pouches come in a range of sizes
and it is
important to find the right size otherwise they can be uncomfortable.
Some designs
are adjustable with either poppers or buttons. Very simple to
learn
to use and a huge variety of colours and patterns available.
Babies
with reflux or who prefer to be held upright may not like these
carriers until
they are a few months old and can be carried upright in the Buddha
position
or on the hip. These carriers tend to be the most inexpensive
and are compact so can be popped in a changing bag.Pouches at Big Mama Slings Hotslings | Lifft Baby Slings | Peanutshell Pouch | Rockin' Baby Pouch Back to Top
Ring SlingsRing
Slings are similar in design to pouches except they can be
adjusted
by a simple tug on a tail of fabric that fits between the rings.
Available in
both padded and unpadded styles, these slings are again Ring
Slings at Big Mama Slings Ellaroo Ring Slings | Maya Wrap | Storchenwiege | Sakura Bloom | Rockin' Baby Back to Top
Soft CarriersSoft carriers are based on traditional Asian baby carriers and are excellent for people with back problems
as they distribute the weight evenly
 through the whole of the wearer's torso. Babies are held in an upright position
on the wearer's front or back which is preferred by those with reflux
and colic/gas problems. They are less
easy to breastfeed in than other styles. There are two styles of soft carrier - tie-on carriers and buckle carriers.The less structured traditional tie-on carriers (Mei Tai - pronounced May Tie) can be used from birth upwards although young babies are carried inside the carrier in the 'froggy' position until they are big enough to be carried in the legs-out position and some babies are not keen on on having their legs inside the carrier. They are very suitable for a family where there are two wearers of very different size as the lack of any buckles makes them very adjustable. They are totally reversible, usually to a plain side the same colour as the straps which is a great option for dads not wanting to wear a pretty pattern! The straps tie with a simple double knot, and although not as quick to put on or get the hang of as a buckle carrier, they do not take long to learn how to use. Tie-On Carriers at Big Mama Slings Babyhawk Mei Tai | Kozy Carrier | Freehand Mei Tai | Napsack Baby Carrier | Ellaroo Mei Tai | Toddlerhawk Mei Tai  Structured buckle carriers are easy to learn
to use and more 'mainstream' looking, although some styles of buckle carriers now have the option of the colourful and attractive fabrics and designs used on the more alternative looking tie-on carriers. Buckle carriers used to be only suitable from when a baby was sitting with good head support (usually between 4-7 months) and, while this is still true of some structured carriers, in the last few years some new buckle carriers have been developed which are suitable from birth.Buckle Carriers at Big Mama Slings Beco Butterfly Baby Carrier | Connecta Baby Carrier | Manduca Baby Carrier | Yamo Baby Carrier | Babyhawk Oh Snap! | Patapum Back to Top
Wraparound SlingsWraparound Slings (commonly known as 'wraps') are available both in stretchy and woven fabrics
and are the perfect from birth onwards carriers. Although they
have a steeper learning curve than the other styles of carriers they are also
the most versatile. They are also easy to breastfeed in
unless you have very large breasts. Both styles
are available in a variety of colours and fabrics to suit almost every
taste. Stretchy wraps tend to work best with smaller babies and are a truly 'hands-free' carrying experience,  as the baby is carried almost
weightlessly on your front. The stretchy fabric does usually mean as your baby gets heavier there is a point when they become less comfortable although this will depend on how quickly your baby gains weight and can be minimised by ensuring the sling is tight enough and the fabric is well spread. They are not the best style of sling for back carries as the fabric is usually not wide enough and, due to the stretch, does not provide sufficient support. Stretchy wraps tend to come in one length only (usually over 5m) therefore are a one size fits most sling and an excellent choice for several people to share.Stretchy Wraps at Big Mama Slings Moby Wrap | Close Baby Carrier | Tricot-Slen Woven wraps are also ideal for use from
birth although the thicker fabric takes a Woven Wraps at Big Mama Slings Didymos | Storchenwiege | Ellaroo | Calin Bleu Cool Cotton Baby Sling Back to Top
Hip Carriers
Hip
Carriers at Big Mama Slings If this has helped you decide, then head back to the Sling Shop for a browse! Still not sure? You can email us and we can
help you choose!
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available in a
huge
range of materials and colours from silks to hemp. Although they come
in various
sizes, the only real difference is in the length of the tail and
therefore most
parents can share one sling. There is a small
learning curve
in getting to grips with adjusting the sling using the tail and threading the fabric
through
the rings but once mastered these are amongst the easiest slings to use
and are
ideal for breastfeeding in. Ring Slings have the advantage over pouch style slings of allowing an upright carry from newborn making them often more suitable for babies with reflux. Ring slings can become uncomfortable over
long periods
of time when used with heavier children. Wearers with bad backs should
also
be careful to alternate wearing sides, ensure their child is high on their body and to be mindful of any ache in
their
shoulders during use.
little longer to get used to; these
carriers can be used up through toddler-hood on the hip and back as well as
the front and become softer and more pliable the longer you use them.
Woven wraps are available in a 
Hip
carriers
