How to choose the best baby carrier or sling for you and your little one
Buying a baby carrier or sling for your child can be a nerve-wracking experience. Buckles, meh dais, woven wraps or ring slings – the choice and jargon of baby wearing can be overwhelming.
Luckily, a new breed of ‘sling libraries’, offering hire services, support and professional advice, can help you to find the right sling for your child. And it's very definitely a personal decision, according to Jacki Davenport, co-director of Slinging London CIC: “There’s no such thing as the “best” in terms of baby slings and baby carriers. The best carrier or sling is what works for a particular person and their child and it depends on several different factors. It’s like buying a pair of jeans: it needs to fit you properly, and reviews can’t tell you that.
With those words in mind, we spoke to real parents about the slings that have worked for them, and grilled Jacki about the various types on the market, as well as the best resources to help you choose (scroll down for her thorough guide).
Good for newborns: Close Parent Caboo+ Cotton
Recommended by: Dave Hornby, award-winning founder of parenting blog The Dadventurer, and Lori Taylor Arnold, founder of lifestyle and parenting blog Wild and Grizzly
"We really liked using the Close Caboo+ Cotton blend for the first few months when our son was a newborn," says Dave Hornby. "It's designed for babies from 5lbs so caters for small newborns and is somewhere between a sling and carrier, made from flexible fabric but with bit of structure to it. We really liked how comfortable it was to wear and how secure our son was within it, plus as it's made from fabric, it is quite compact when folded up so easily fits into a bag.
"As babies are pretty much attached to you 24/7 during those first few months, it worked really well wearing it in the house as it freed up our hands to do other things.
"It also proved to be the only carrier we've owned that allows you to sit down comfortably with the baby in it, for instance, when trying to eat a meal. The main downside we found was that it only really lasts for the first couple of months, as when your baby gets heavier, it lacks some of the structure and support for the parent wearing it."
A post shared by The DADventurer (Dave) (@the_dadventurer) on Feb 12, 2018 at 12:44pm PST
Taylor Arnold agrees: ""Being a second time mum I knew the advantages of using a sling and being able to have both hands free. We tried a lot of baby carriers and in the end we went for a Caboo when she was tiny, as the soft wrap allowed her to stay close and comfortable. However, a heavier baby might need more structured support especially if you’re nervous about using a baby carrier. Once my daughter got bigger (and she’s a big girl, on the 91st percentile) I needed to use one with more structure to feel safe when carrying outside.
"I was a little anxious about using a carrier outdoors at first but after that we swapped to the Ergobaby Omni 360 which is feels secure but still comfortable "
Good for beyond neonatal: Ergobaby Omni 360
Recommended by: Lori Taylor Arnold of Wild and Grizzly, and Dave Hornby, AKA The Dadventurer
"The Omni feels super supportive and soft even though structured, and has a useful sunshade and pocket," says Taylor Arnold. "It's easy to adjust when used by a partner. However, if you have any pelvic floor, issues avoid any carrier that supports from the waist as it can make it worse. You have to make sure baby’s legs are positioned correctly in the M position and that the back is rounded (it takes a little getting used to)."
Says Dave Hornby: "The carrier we're currently using with our five-month old son is the Ergobaby Omni 360. We're really impressed with it and it ticks all the boxes we'd expect from a carrier. It grows with your child as it allows you to change how you carry them – from inward facing on the front from newborn, to outward facing on the front from five months, through to backward facing when they're over six months.
A post shared by The DADventurer (Dave) (@the_dadventurer) on Feb 17, 2018 at 10:03am PST
"In the two front positions, we've found that our son is well supported and in the proper position, plus it's very comfortable to wear and distributes the child's weight really well. It also has a handy removable pouch, a privacy hood and the shoulder straps can be worn in two different ways depending on preference.
"We've not found any downsides to note."
Good for birth through to pre-school: Tula Baby free-to-grow carrier
Recommended by: Sarah Anguish, family lifestyle blogger at Boo Roo and Tigger Too
£139.90, naturalbabyshower.co.uk
"The Tula Baby I use is suitable from birth (babies weighing over 3.2kg) through to pre-school age children (20kg). It has a large padded waistband, so it's comfortable for me as well as supportive for the baby. The shoulder straps also make it easy to change the position of hold depending on baby's size or if they are awake.
"However, it can be difficult to clip the rear buckle together if you are on your own."
Good for toddlers: Beco Toddler carrier
Recommended by: Dave Hornby, AKA The Dadventurer
"Rather than use a pushchair, we preferred to use a carrier when our daughter got bigger. For this, we bought the Beco Toddler carrier, which as the name suggests, is designed for those around 18 months and upwards. This is wider than normal baby carriers, had really padded shoulder straps and a very supported waist band – as such, it barely felt like you were lugging around a preschooler.
A post shared by The DADventurer (Dave) (@the_dadventurer) on Jul 3, 2016 at 9:05am PDT
In fact, we were able to comfortably use it in front facing mode until our daughter was around three-years old, at which point she switched to being on our back.
"The only downside to note was that as the carrier is bigger, it's less portable when transporting, i.e. it's unlikely to fit in your bag."
Good for multiple positions: i-angel Hipseat carrier
Recommended by: Karen Edwards, founder of parenting blog Travel Mad Mum
"We love the i-angel hipseat carrier," says Karen Edwards. "As influencers, we’ve been in the lucky position to review many brands but always revert back to this one.
"I have a congenital hip defect myself so weight distribution and support was key. Equally, both of my kids are above average in terms of height and weight. I found it very supportive for carrying them long distance. I have worn my son on a round the world trip since birth till he was 1 in the i-angel. Likewise it’s fits our toddler girl who is nearly four-years old.
"We have two carriers, one for each parent to carry a child. "
Good for outdoorsy parents: Deuter Kid Comfort II
Recommended by: Clare Mansell, founder of creative family living blog Maybush Studio
"We have had a Deuter Kid Comfort II for the last six years and it’s been fantastic. It’s very well built and because it’s adjustable it is comfortable for both my 6’4” husband to wear and for me (5’7”). Both babies have loved it (as evidenced by the many photos we have of them asleep in it).
"The storage in it is big enough to carry dog leads, spare jackets, abandoned pairs of shoes or packed lunches and despite trudging through many muddy fields, up sand dunes and around lochs it also still looks immaculate. Each of our two children has had about three years of use to of it, making it hands down one of the best value pieces of baby gear we bought."
What is a sling library, how can I choose the right carrier for my baby, and why is it important to carry my child?
The North London Sling Library team are full of tips and advice on how to carry your child safely, whether you’re a parent, grandparent or carer. They point me in the direction of their favourite recommended resources: Carrying Matters and the how-to videos of internet star Wrap You In Love, a blogger from the Netherlands.
“We want to help people to buy the right sling, and show them options that can work for their child,” explains Jacki Davenport of Slinging London CIC, a not-for profit business that helps parents and carers to carry babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers safely and comfortably by offering a variety of carriers to try out in person and borrow on loan.
Together with her co-director, Becky Derham, they run the North London Sling Library based in Coram’s Fields, and another two sling libraries in North and East London, with the help of other trained sling consultants.
A post shared by Carrying Matters (@carryingmatters) on Jun 12, 2018 at 12:35pm PDT
"Most importantly with slings, you need to know you are using it correctly and it’s safe for your child," says Jacki. And it isn’t only “hippies” or those with certain parenting styles looking at slings – its become mainstream and that is our aim, safe sling use for anyone who might find it useful.”
“Carrying your child has an effect on both of you. Your baby will cry less (studies say 40pc less), it promotes secure attachment and leads to independence and confidence later in life.
"Touch is so crucial,” Jacki adds.“In our post-industrial society we lost our carrying culture, but now it’s coming back. We need sling libraries because we can’t just learn from our own families any more. Research shows many reasons for holding your child, and a sling is a practical hands-free option. If your child is always in a buggy, car seat or away from you, they miss out and so do you.
"We all crave that closeness: the oxytocin levels increase. From a purely practical level, it’s also easier to get on a bus with a sling than with a buggy. It allows parents to become more mobile and reconnect with the outside world: it gives you mobility, if you live in London with stairs and no lifts, you can’t easily get the buggy in and out.
"Plus, if you’re carrying correctly, your core and pelvic floor actually improves and your back doesn’t get worn out. It’s the same with buggies: the height and technique is so important.”
How can I carry my baby safely?
"An elephant can walk across a lawn, but women in stilettos can’t: it’s about spreading the weight," says Davenport.
"A child should sit in all slings the same way, whether it’s a one-day old or a four-year-old; whether held on the sling user’s front, hip or back. This is often called the “spread squat” position where the child is facing the user’s body with legs bent, knees higher than their bottoms, and the sling is supporting the full width knee to knee. This position allows the pelvis to be tilted forwards so the child’s back is more relaxed, and giving them a stable base in the sling; newborns also get added head control from this supported spine.
"Newborns have additional positional requirements, for example their arms up by their face, because having their hands free supports brain development. The knees should be up and pointing in to your tummy, more like a frog than doing the splits, tilted up in an inverted V (from the sling user’s point of view). Babies often pull their knees up when lying flat, because it relaxes their back muscles.
"Watch out for narrow-based slings which cause a starfish effect (flat against you with no curved back), which is uncomfortable for both of you. It’s like holding a parcel out in front of you, which strains you and uses your lower back muscles, rather than close to you which correctly uses your core.
A post shared by Wrap you in love (@wrapyouinlove) on Jun 17, 2018 at 9:04am PDT
"When carrying a baby on your front, their head should be just below your chin, two fingers’ worth of gap under their chin to ensure an open airway, and the waistband of the sling should be wherever the baby’s bottom ends up – on a tall adult with a small baby this could be as high as the rib cage.
"It’s a myth that a baby learns more facing out: they gain a lot from facial recognition and interaction with a carer, this is called “triangulation”: it’s a reference point. It’s a biological imperative for babies to look at faces to interpret through gesture and tone of voice. It helps you to engage with each other.
The TICKS guidelines from the Baby Sling Safety website are a great summary for safe carrying.
What are the different types of carrier and the best brands available?
Buckle carriers
“These are the most popular option on the high street; we call soft structured carriers like this “buckle slings or just “buckles”. They’re simple to use and click in and out: easier for many parents who feel secure with the clips," says Davenport. "Some people love them but it’s all about personal preference: I prefer things I can tie. It’s all about body shape - I prefer softer double knots tied to fit around my body, but that doesn’t mean I can’t help others to find the perfect buckle for them."
"We stock a huge range of brands in this category because the wide variety in thick or thin waistbands, cross straps or ruck style, adjustable width or not, all make them fit differently Brands like Connecta and IntegraBaby – they’re popular because they’re squishy and soft, with no structured waistband and so fit more body shapes. You can use them from newborn but you have to be careful about positioning. They also work well later as a holiday sling or to chuck in the buggy when your baby is a bit older.
"Brands like Tula, Ergobaby, Lillebaby have wide solid waistbands and some parents love them for that, but visible support doesn’t always translate to feeling comfortable, so these styles do need to be tried on for fit."
"We generally recommend waiting until your child is three months plus for buckles unless parents really can’t get on with the stretchy wraps. Some buckles require infant inserts to be safe for newborns and they can feel hotter in warm weather."
Some popular brands: Beco Gemini, Connecta, Ergobaby, Integra Baby, Lillebaby, Mamaruga Zensling
Stretchy wraps
"What we usually refer to as “stretchies” are long lengths of stretchy fabric used to hold small babies," Davenport explains. "Brands will vary by thickness and amount of stretch but all do the same job. The Caboo is a version of a stretchy that has been sewn with rings to make it faster to put on and adjust.
A post shared by Hana Baby (@hanababyuk) on May 1, 2018 at 4:25am PDT
"They are ideal for newborns as the Lycra content allows you to wrap around the baby’s natural position, and are “poppable” – ie the user can leave the sling tied all day and pop baby in and out for feeding and changing, but this also means they have a limited time of use. Babies will begin to feel too heavy in a stretchy at some point (often between three-six months) and the parent will then come to try a more supportive sling."
Some popular brands: Close Caboo, Kari Me, Moby, Boba, Hanababy, Izmi wrap, Je Porte Mon Bebe
Meh dai or beh dai Asian-inspired baby carriers
"The meh dai or beh dai has the same basic shape as buckle slings, but the straps tie instead of clip, so it’s more low tech: it is based on traditional Asian slings used for centuries. I find them easier – I found tying a knot was easier than finding a buckle to clip," says Davenport.
"You can tie it exactly where you want to, so it won’t dig into you in the wrong spot. I also liked the wide variety of pretty patterns available, sometimes it makes a change from the standard black of many buckles."
Some popular brands: Babyhawk, Bondolino
Woven wraps
"A woven wrap is simply a piece of cloth, a sheet, a blanket, a towel – it could be anything. We like GSW (German style wovens) that are specially woven with a bit of stretch and bounce but strength.
"Traditionally in many cultures children would carry brothers and sisters in whatever cloth was produced locally. Scots used to use plaids, and nursing shawls were used in Wales," explains Davenport.
A post shared by DIDYMOS (@didymos_babywearing) on Jul 1, 2018 at 9:55pm PDT
"There are thousands of ways you can tie it, following videos or online insructions: you can make them up yourself. You can use them from newborn all the way up to pre-schooler and beyond (if you wish). We teach a standard Front Wrap Cross Carry first, which you can do for as long as you want. They’re very flexible and versatile. You can also use them as a sunshade, towel or hammock. They can be either expensive or cheap. There’s loads of different lengths, brands and blends. Styles, colours, shapes. ..you can get really geeky about collecting wovens.
"You can pay a lot of money for them - but you don’t need to. Pay £700 for camel hair blend if you want, or just buy cotton from brands like Little Frog, Baie Slings, Didymos or Firespiral. A good solid 100pc cotton wrap for, say, £50-£60 can easily last you through toddlerhood and beyond, or you can collect and try all the blends and brands.
A post shared by Oscha Slings (@oschaslings) on Mar 27, 2018 at 1:43am PDT
"Ring slings are woven wrap slings worn on one shoulder with the child sitting on the opposite side of the adult. They are generally made of woven wrap fabric and are adjusted and secured with two rings (sling rings) to create the “pouch” for the child to sit in.
Some popular brands: Baie, Didymos, Firespiral, Girasol, Little Frog, Oscha
The conclusion?
"As outlined above, there is no 'best' sling, only what is safe and suits you and your child, and this is likely to change as your baby grows and your carrying needs change," emphasises Jacki. "However not all brands are equal, so a newcomer to the sling world would be safest buying a recognised brand from an authorised retailer.
"Bag slings have been banned as dangerous and are no longer sold, and sadly there is a whole world of fake slings, sold online via third parties. These are potentially equally dangerous and could contain unsafe dyes or unreliable buckles.
"Using a sling according to the manufacturers’s guidelines is the safest place to start, but not all instructions are clear (especially to sleep deprived new parents!) and no two babies are the same shape and size, so seeking trained advice from sling libraries or consultants is advisable if you have any concerns. Sling libraries are a great way to find out about current brands and to try before you buy to make sure it fits you and your child comfortably.
A post shared by Carrying Matters (@carryingmatters) on Feb 8, 2018 at 2:01pm PST
"Once safety has been addressed, it is all about the comfort and this is where sling libraries really make a difference. They can advise on current and new brands, discuss pros and cons of the various sling types and ensure you and your child are happy and safe with your choice. There are slings out there for all sizes and budgets and the most expensive or best reviewed sling is not necessarily the one for you, so trying before you buy will ensure your money is spent wisely.
"It is also worth noting that slings may have become more mainstream, but the high street has not kept up, so many of the slings in libraries will only be available to buy online, but not in a shop.
"Sling libraries are all different and so their range of slings for hire will also differ – customer budget and preference will be a huge influence, as too will the library’s budget to keep up with buying new models and storage for it all. If there are two brands/models that have similar styles then certainly we at Slinging London we will always stock the more affordable one and are happy to discuss these sorts of decisions with our customers.
"If you haven’t got a sling library near you, fear not: there are postal sling libraries where you can get support by mail-order."
To find out more about sling libraries in your area visit slinginglondon.co.uk or slingpages.co.uk. The National Childbirth Trust (NCT) also provides information and advice on their website nct.org.uk
