MAIN SLING TYPES
RING SLINGS
RING-SLINGS are long pieces of fabric with two rings sewn into one end. The fabric is looped through the rings, like a belt, and worn over one shoulder. Pulling the fabric through the rings adjusts the size of the pouch making them very quick and easy to adjust.
- Suitable from newborn to approximately 2.5 years old;
- Very quick to put on and baby can be popped in and out in seconds;
- Multiple wearing positions (front upright, front cradle, hip and back);
- Independently adjustable hems allow for a nice high and tight hold.
- Their adjustability and wide tail fabric make them great for discreet breast-feeding;
- Difficulty rating: Medium
- Versatility rating: High
- Suitable from newborn to approximately 2.5 years old;
- Very quick to put on and baby can be popped in and out in seconds;
- Multiple wearing positions (front upright, front cradle, hip and back);
- Independently adjustable hems allow for a nice high and tight hold.
- Their adjustability and wide tail fabric make them great for discreet breast-feeding;
- Difficulty rating: Medium
- Versatility rating: High
Ring Slings available to try or hire:
- Lenny Lamb Gathered shoulder
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" Gathered shoulder
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" Box Pleat shoulder
- Pouchlings "Thrifty Range" Gathered, Pleated and Padded Box Pleat shoulders
- JPMBB stretchy Ring Sling
- Little Frog Gathered shoulder
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" Gathered shoulder
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" Box Pleat shoulder
- Pouchlings "Thrifty Range" Gathered, Pleated and Padded Box Pleat shoulders
- JPMBB stretchy Ring Sling
- Little Frog Gathered shoulder
BUCKLE CARRIERS
BUCKLE CARRIERS, or SOFT-STRUCTURED CARRIERS consist of a body panel, a padded or un-padded waistband, and two short shoulder straps which fasten to the body panel via a length of webbing and buckles. They come in two main styles - those with a rollable, un-padded,apron-style waistband and those with a wide structured waistband.
- Some Buckle carriers are suitable from newborn whereas others are only suitable from about 5 months;
- Some buckle carriers are adjustable in height and width whereas others are sized for different aged babies;
- Very quick and easy to use;
- Suitable for front carries and back carries; Some are specially designed for facing forwards;
- They distribute the weight very evenly over both shoulders and down through the hips – so good for heavier babies/toddlers
- Great for back carries and prolonged wearing;
-Popular with dads as they are more “conventional” looking!
- Difficulty Rating: Low to Medium
- Versatility rating: Low
- Some Buckle carriers are suitable from newborn whereas others are only suitable from about 5 months;
- Some buckle carriers are adjustable in height and width whereas others are sized for different aged babies;
- Very quick and easy to use;
- Suitable for front carries and back carries; Some are specially designed for facing forwards;
- They distribute the weight very evenly over both shoulders and down through the hips – so good for heavier babies/toddlers
- Great for back carries and prolonged wearing;
-Popular with dads as they are more “conventional” looking!
- Difficulty Rating: Low to Medium
- Versatility rating: Low
Buckle Carriers available to try or hire:
- Beco Gemini - Standard size
- Boba 4G
- Boba Lite
- Connecta - standard size
- Emeibaby Standard Size
- Izmi
- Lillebaby adjustable carrier
- Manduca
- Olives and Applesauce - Toddler size
- Pouchlings Thrifty Range - all sizes
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" Unstructured - all sizes
- Pouchlings "Deluxe Range" Structured - all sizes
- Rose and Rebellion Infant size
- Soul Anoona adjustable carrier
- Boba 4G
- Boba Lite
- Connecta - standard size
- Emeibaby Standard Size
- Izmi
- Lillebaby adjustable carrier
- Manduca
- Olives and Applesauce - Toddler size
- Pouchlings Thrifty Range - all sizes
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" Unstructured - all sizes
- Pouchlings "Deluxe Range" Structured - all sizes
- Rose and Rebellion Infant size
- Soul Anoona adjustable carrier
WRAPAROUND SLINGS
WRAPS are simply very long pieces of fabric (up to 5m) which are wrapped around both the wearer and the baby in a large variety of tying styles. They can be made of either a light stretchy material or a denser woven material.
- Stretchy Wraps are suitable from newborn to approximately 12 months,
- Woven Wraps are suitable from newborn to 4+ years.
- They distribute the weight very evenly over both shoulders, back and hips so are good slings if you suffer from a weak back or want to carry a heavier toddler.
- Multiple wearing positions (front upright, front cradle, hip and back);
- Great for back carries and prolonged wearing;
- Difficulty Rating: Medium to High
- Versatility rating: High
- Stretchy Wraps are suitable from newborn to approximately 12 months,
- Woven Wraps are suitable from newborn to 4+ years.
- They distribute the weight very evenly over both shoulders, back and hips so are good slings if you suffer from a weak back or want to carry a heavier toddler.
- Multiple wearing positions (front upright, front cradle, hip and back);
- Great for back carries and prolonged wearing;
- Difficulty Rating: Medium to High
- Versatility rating: High
Wraparound slings available to try or hire:
Woven wraps:
- Pouchlings woven wraps - all lengths
- Didymos Size 6
- Didymos Size 2
- Calin Bleu Gauze wrap Size 6
- Oscha Tzun Size 6
- Storchenwiege Size 5
- Lenny Lamb Size 7
- Lenny Lamb Size 6
Stretchy Wraps:
- Boba Organic (2-way stretch)
- Moby (1-way stretch)
- Tricot Slen (1-way stretch)
- Kari-me (2-way stretch)
- JPMBB (1-way stretch -shortie)
- Pouchlings woven wraps - all lengths
- Didymos Size 6
- Didymos Size 2
- Calin Bleu Gauze wrap Size 6
- Oscha Tzun Size 6
- Storchenwiege Size 5
- Lenny Lamb Size 7
- Lenny Lamb Size 6
Stretchy Wraps:
- Boba Organic (2-way stretch)
- Moby (1-way stretch)
- Tricot Slen (1-way stretch)
- Kari-me (2-way stretch)
- JPMBB (1-way stretch -shortie)
MEI TAIS and HALF BUCKLES
MEI TAIS consist of a rectangular body with a waist strap and long shoulder straps that tie around the wearer and baby.
HALF BUCKLES are similar but have a buckle waistband on rather than a tie on waistband.
- MT's are suitable from newborn to approximately 4 years;
- Very quick and easy to use;
- Front upright, hip and back carries;
- They distribute the weight very evenly over both shoulders – so good for heavier babies/toddlers
- Great for back carries and prolonged wearing;
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Versatility rating: Medium
Meh Dais (Mei Tais) and Half Buckles available to try or hire:
- Pouchlings "Thrifty Range" MT and HB
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" MT and HB
Pouchlings "Deluxe range" MT and HB
- Hoppediz Hoptye
- Babyhawk MT
- Pouchlings "Plush Range" MT and HB
Pouchlings "Deluxe range" MT and HB
- Hoppediz Hoptye
- Babyhawk MT
POUCHES
POUCHES are loops of fabric, of a fixed length, that are folded in half to create a pouch for the baby. They are very easy to use but need to be fitted well to each wearer as they cannot be tightened or loosened very much.
- Suitable from newborn to approximately 18 months old;
- Very quick to put on and baby can be popped in and out in seconds;
- Multiple wearing positions (front upright, front cradle, hip and back);
- Small enough to fit into a hand bag;
- Popular with dads as there is less fabric than for other slings!
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Versatility Rating: Low
- Suitable from newborn to approximately 18 months old;
- Very quick to put on and baby can be popped in and out in seconds;
- Multiple wearing positions (front upright, front cradle, hip and back);
- Small enough to fit into a hand bag;
- Popular with dads as there is less fabric than for other slings!
- Difficulty Rating: Easy
- Versatility Rating: Low
Pouch Slings available to try or hire:
- Pouchlings
- Kangaroo Korner
- Kangaroo Korner
HYBRID SLINGS AND CARRIERS
"Hybrid" slings are carriers that combine the main features of different types of carrier.
Hybrid slings to try or hire:
- Scootababy Hip carrier
- Close Caboo
- Emeibaby
Hybrid slings to try or hire:
- Scootababy Hip carrier
- Close Caboo
- Emeibaby