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Baby Carrier Slings - Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions
Aren't they rather scrunched up?
Yes, and they love it! Babies have spent 9 months in the womb curled up and to replicate this out of the womb
feels comforting. As they get bigger they will stretch out and be ready for different holds. Babies tend to
quite able to tell you when they are not happy. Often at full volume!
Can they breathe OK?
This is obviously an important question! Slings are made from breathable fabric so they can breathe through them.
However it is crucial to make sure that your baby's breathing is not restricted, or that their chin is not pushed
down onto their chest by the cloth. If in doubt take the baby out and reposition. For newborns a small folded
towel or pillow under their heads can help the positioning
Don't they fall out?
As slings are a natural style carrier they are not strapped in so it is important to ensure that baby is in the pouch
fully. Always take care when stretching and leaning over, with a protective arm. Make sure that baby is co-operative
when using any baby carrier.
Isn't that heavy?
The joy of using a sling, once you get the positioning right, is that the weight is spread across your shoulders and
back, making the weight easier to take. Particularly when they are very small, I found I hardly noticed I was
carrying my baby. As they get heavy then you might find the duration of babywearing gets shorter. My second baby -
a boy - got very big very quickly. I found that I could combat this by using two slings, one over each shoulder. It
is also very easy to have them on your back for longer periods. This is when I developed the Keepapi papoose carrier.
Aren't you spoiling that baby?
This one also goes with 'Won't that make him dependant on you' and the popular 'they'll never learn to walk/crawl'.
This one has been the focus of many studies, all of which actually point to the opposite. Carried babies can become
more independent and self-assured and often walk/crawl earlier.
The reckoning being that by fulfilling a baby's need to bond with its parents when it is paramount, that need is filled and
it then goes onto the next phase of development without insecurity. With the motion of the sling and the body contact a baby
learns about movement, and develops a sense of balance. Babies who are left in cots/strollers don't get this kind of motion
and can 'stiffen up' more than sling babies.
Isn't it too hot using a sling?
Obviously having a baby next to you can be warm, as can an extra layer of material. However we do 100% cotton slings which
are breathable and cool. The fleece pouches are generally for cooler weather/humidity. As your baby is next to you it makes
monitoring their temperature easier.
My main answer to this question is dress accordingly, both you and baby. I invariably take my jumper off before putting a
sling on. The plus side of this is in really cold weather you don't have to over layer your baby.
I tried a sling but didn't get along with it/ baby cried in it.
A bit like the first time you tried to unfold/refold the pushchair or get that carseat to work, these things take practice. It
is important to get the positioning of the sling correct and then the baby's position. With the fitted slings, the sizing makes
all the difference between a chilled-out partnership versus backache and grumps all round. See notes on troubleshooting. If you
have the wrong size we offer an exchange service, although we endeavour to get it right first time.
It is crucial to practice using the sling when both you and baby are calm and happy. If baby cries take them out and try again
another time, or try nursing in it, or gentle motion. I found that sometimes I couldn't get our positioning right, particularly
with newborns and so would take baby out and reposition.
Troubleshooting
Baby not 'sitting' right
Take baby upright in your arms with head on the sling shoulder (ie the shoulder which your sling is on) and open the pouch with
the other hand. Lower the baby's legs & bottom into the pouch and then lower their head into the top part of the sling.
Sling feels too tight/too loose
The sling should sit approximately on your hip bone. If it is too low then the baby swings about on the top of your leg. While
this might be fine for baby it will give you lower back pain. If the sling is too close to you it can be difficult to get baby
in and generally feel a bit restrictive and makes breastfeeding very tricky.
With the adjustable ring slings it is important to ensure that you have created a pouch with the cloth, and you can do fine
adjustments on either side to get the perfect fit.
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