Sling for a newborn: reviews of doctors. How to choose a sling: tips Best sling scarf for newborns

More and more modern mothers stop their attention on slings. Such a device for carrying a child attracts with its simplicity, convenience and ergonomics. The ability to always be near the baby and at the same time keep their hands free is very tempting, but many parents are afraid to use some kind of device for newly born crumbs, for fear of harming the body that has not yet grown stronger. We will talk about how to choose a baby sling in this article. The online store yustas-shop of children's goods today offers mothers a huge selection of products for babies, so choosing a comfortable sling will not be difficult.

The idea to fix the child on the chest or behind the back originated in Asia and Africa many years ago. Local women simply had no choice, they had to continue to work, despite the new status. In Europe and Russia, interest in such inventions appeared not so long ago, but today anyone can purchase a variety of types of baby carriers.

To decide which sling to choose for a newborn, we first list the most popular types of this device:

Sling scarf - a classic version, is a piece of fabric (a variety of natural materials are used, from cotton to linen) from 2.5 to 5 meters long.
Advantages of the model: suitable for mothers of different heights and builds, age marking 0+, there are many winding options.
Disadvantages of the model: it takes time to learn and practice how to tie, it is inconvenient to wind in public places.

Sling with rings - fabric thrown over one shoulder with the help of a special ring. At the same time, the child is placed in front of the mother in the "pocket", which is created with the help of ends wound in a certain way.
Advantages of the model: can be used from birth, relatively easy to roll up, well suited for feeding on the go;
Disadvantages of the model: weight is distributed unevenly, only one hand is free, not suitable for older children.

My sling is a simplified version, it is a square of fabric with long straps sewn on top and bottom. Conditionally applicable from birth.
Advantages of the model: easy to put on, can be used for children heavier than 10 kg;
Model Disadvantages: Not suitable for any newborn, requires head restraints.

An ergonomic backpack is an option for dynamic women with children older than six months (the child's ability to sit well on his own is the main criterion for readiness for this type of carrying).
Advantages of the model: the simplest answer to the question of how to choose a sling, it can withstand a lot of weight, both moms and dads like it;
Disadvantages of the model: most often not suitable for the smallest, has a rather high price.

So, congratulations: you became parents. So what is the best sling for the baby? The answer to this question depends on the purpose for which the mother purchases the carrier.

If you want to move a lot, use public transport, take long walks, etc., a sling scarf is your option. And let winding, difficult at first glance, not become an obstacle: it is enough to repeat it several times, and the movements will become almost automatic. Remember only that the baby needs to be moved to the "cradle" (horizontal) or "cross under the pocket" position.

If your goal is short walks or a trip to the clinic, then take a closer look at the sling with rings. Just do not forget to periodically change the shoulder under the ring in order to remove the extra load from your spine.

An infant May-sling (always with a headrest!) will look more solid than a scarf, but at the same time it will also allow you to make both horizontal and vertical windings.

Finally, an ergonomic backpack for babies, equipped with fastexes for better fixation, is suitable for a mother who often needs to take her baby out of the carrier (for example, at the airport or at a medical examination).

Just remember about your comfort and the health of the child, this is already enough to understand how to choose the right sling.

Variety of materials

If you are a mother of a newborn baby and are trying to decide which fabric to choose, a knitted sling is the best option. The plastic material will repeat the shape of the baby's body and hide the shortcomings of the winding. This carrier is easy to wash. However, knitwear is not designed for heavy weight, so for a child heavier than 8-9 kg, it will no longer be suitable. In the case when a mother needs to choose one option for several years, it is better to stop at a woven sling. It is somewhat harder to put on, but much more durable and will be a family helper for years to come.

"Ellevill" is a Norwegian manufacturer that has established itself in the market of ring slings and scarves. In terms of price, it belongs to the category of expensive, but at the same time it is distinguished by reliability and practicality;

Mom "s Era ("Mother Echidna") is a domestic company, well known for its affordable prices. It produces various types of slings, offers an assortment of scarf slings for children of any age;

"Manduka" is a world famous manufacturer of backpacks for all ages;

Guslyonok is a small Russian company specializing in May Slings.

Most companies sell their products through real or online resellers, some even offer a free trial consultation on how to use them. You just have to decide which sling is better to choose.

If you already know what a sling is and what they are, but are lost in their diversity, go straight to the chapter ""

What is a sling?

Photos from the sites http://rojana.ru and http://didymos.org

Sling (English sling- sling) is one of the oldest devices for carrying a small child. It is also sometimes referred to as a baby sling or patchwork holder. Slings are made of fabric, they come in different shapes and can serve for different purposes, but the essence of slings is the same - to free the mother's hands so that the mother can simultaneously take care of the child and her own affairs. In a sling, the baby is placed in a natural position, like in the mother's arms, so slings (unlike most kangaroos) can be used from birth. There are a lot of types and names of slings. The three most popular and convenient are: sling with rings, sling scarf And may-sling.

When is a sling needed?

The sling can be used in the same cases as the kangaroo. For example, if you need to drop into a store that is inconvenient to enter with a stroller, if you need to go somewhere by public transport, but again it’s hard to take a stroller with you, if you need to do household chores, and the child does not get away with it.

In a sling, it is easier and more convenient to rock or carry a child than just in your arms.

How is a sling different from a kangaroo?

From an orthopedic point of view, in vertical positions, a child in a sling has a wide, correct dilution of the legs, which contributes to the prevention of hip dysplasia. The weight of the child in this position is distributed evenly between the hips, booty and back: the booty sags slightly in the sling pocket, the load is distributed on the hips and removed from the lower spine. Whereas in a kangaroo, the child hangs on the crotch and the legs hang down, so that all the load falls on the spine.

A newborn baby in a sling can be carried horizontally, in a “cradle”, in the same position it is convenient to breastfeed a baby without taking it out of the sling.

In a sling, babies are carried facing themselves, and in kangaroos, very often, facing away from themselves. Psychologists say that it can be stressful for a baby not to be able to look on my mother, especially in an alarming unfamiliar environment: on the street, in transport, in a store. A child who is in a sling on his mother’s stomach or thigh sees his mother’s face and her reactions to surrounding situations, and a grown-up baby, if he is carried on his back, also always has the opportunity to bury himself in his mother and even doze off if he is afraid of something or just tired of impressions. Separately, I would like to note that wearing facing away from you violates the psychological contact between the mother and the child, which, in particular, can cause problems with sleep, as well as provoke breast rejection in infants.

From the point of view of wearing comfort, in a kangaroo, the legs of a grown-up child hang down and hit the mother on the legs, making it difficult to walk, it is especially inconvenient to climb the stairs and get into transport, and just sitting with a kangaroo is uncomfortable. In the sling, the child's legs are spread apart, which is not only orthopedically useful for the child, but also convenient for the mother. In addition, the sling is more adjustable than the best kangaroos, making it easier to carry the baby in the sling.
(Comparing a sling scarf and a BabyBjorn Active kangaroo, I can say that after 10 kg in BabyBjorn it is already very difficult to carry a child, and in a sling scarf the child’s weight is distributed much better, and I can easily carry my already 13 kg son, if there is such a need. Author's note)

Many choose kangaroos at the expense of convenience, because they look "more solid". However, recently sling manufacturers have begun to pay more and more attention to the design and materials from which slings are made, so now it is quite possible to choose a stylish, fashionable and beautiful sling to your taste.

Separately, I would like to note the relatively recently appeared on the market ergonomic backpacks for carrying children (for example, "Manduca", "Ergo Baby Carrier" and others).

Photo from the site http://kengurusha.ru

They are also sometimes referred to as "backpack slings", although the word "sling" is unlikely to apply to them, since it means a patchwork holder, and not a design with straps and fastexes. Ergonomic backpacks do not have the disadvantages of kangaroos - the child's legs are correctly separated in them, the weight is distributed evenly. By "landing" they resemble a sling in vertical positions. The disadvantage of backpacks is that they cannot carry a child in a horizontal position (and therefore cannot be used from birth), and also that they need to be sized more carefully than slings. However, it is easier to get used to them, especially for dads, due to adjustable straps, like tourist backpacks.

In this article, we will not touch on the features of ergonomic backpacks, since in the strict sense they are not slings. You can get information and ask questions about backpacks on the forum in the ““ section.

So what are slings?

It is a strip of fabric about two meters long, about 70 cm wide, at one end of which there is a soft lining for the shoulder and rings, and the other end of the sling is tucked into the rings so that the size of the sling can be adjusted. The baby can be placed in a sling with rings, like in a cradle, or carried vertically on the stomach, on the hip or on the back:

Photos from the sites http://rojana.ru, http://didymos.de and http://taylormadeslings.com

The convenience of slings with rings lies in the fact that you can adjust the position of the child on the go, quickly transfer the child from the abdomen to the hip or back; a sleeping baby can be easily laid in the “cradle” position without bandaging the sling. You can quickly take the baby out of the sling with rings and put it back in just as quickly. A sleeping baby can be easily transferred to the bed without waking.

The disadvantage of slings with rings is that they are worn on one shoulder (remember that the shoulders must be alternated).

It is a long strip of fabric, four to six meters long, 50-80 cm wide. With the help of a sling-scarf, a mother can "tie" the child to her in various positions: on the stomach, on the hip, on the back. The sling scarf is usually worn on two shoulders, so that the load is evenly distributed on the mother's back, shoulders and lower back. A newborn baby can be comfortably laid in a sling scarf, like in a cradle. An older child can be comfortably carried on the stomach or on the back.

Photos from the sling meeting in St. Petersburg and from the site http://didymos.de

The advantage of slings-scarves in the even distribution of the load on the shoulders, back and lower back of the mother. Since in the sling-scarf the child is pressed closer to the mother than in the kangaroo, his legs do not dangle, but half-hug the mother around the waist, the weight is distributed better, and it is easier to carry the baby. The sling scarf is perfect for carrying heavy babies.

The disadvantages of scarf slings are that you need to practice tying them in various positions, that tying takes time, and that the ends of the scarf sling will drag on the ground at the beginning of tying and can get dirty in bad weather.

It looks like a square or rectangle made of thick fabric, with long straps sewn into the corners. The lower straps are tied at the mother's waist so that the square supports the child's back, after which, with the help of the upper straps, the child is fixed in the chosen position on the mother's stomach, thigh or back.

Photos from the sling meeting in St. Petersburg
and from the sites http://www.sun-sling.ru , http://kozycarrier.homestead.com and http://babyhawk.com

The advantages of May-slings include their rather “technogenic” appearance; the fact that they, like scarf slings, are worn on two shoulders, as well as the possibility of a greater variety in the choice of fabric for sewing than other types of slings.

The disadvantages of the may-sling include the fact that in the may-sling, although it is possible to put the baby in a horizontal “cradle”, not all mothers can breastfeed in a horizontal position, and also the may-sling has the disadvantage of a sling-scarf, and precisely with long straps, which, when tied on the street, get dirty on the ground.
It turns out that on the one hand, each sling can be universal (that is, used from birth to two or three years), but at the same time, there is no ideal sling. Each sling has its advantages and disadvantages, which compensate each other in different life situations.

How to choose a sling?

Let's find out which sling is right for you!

The choice of a sling depends on the needs of the mother, as well as the age, weight and nature of the child.

If you plan to use a sling only at home(for example, to rock the baby, or to often take him in your arms without looking up from household chores), then a sling with rings will suit you. From a sling with rings, it is easiest to shift the baby to bed without waking. It is enough for mom to bend over the bed with the baby in the sling, loosen the sling a little and “emerge” from it. The baby won't even wake up!

However, in a sling with rings, mom usually only one hand free, the second hand must be sure to support the child. Therefore, if you have a very “tame” child, a sling scarf or may sling is more suitable for household chores.

If you are going to use the sling only on the street(for shopping, for business trips by public transport, for hiking), then a sling scarf or a may-sling is suitable for you, as they best distribute the weight of the child. In the sling-scarf there is also an opportunity to wrap the baby's head under one of the scarf panels if he fell asleep on the way. To sleep in a May Sling, you need a special headrest.

If you are confused by the somewhat “ethnic” look of a scarf sling, a May sling will suit you. However, the May-sling has not as wide adjustment options as a scarf sling, and it is less convenient to carry a child in it for a long time (for example, if a headrest is not provided in a particular May-sling model, a sleeping baby will have to support his head with his hand). But the May-sling certainly wins over the scarf-sling due to its appearance. It is also very comfortable to wear a baby in a May-sling. on the back.

For newborn best fit sling, which has the ability to use a horizontal position, as well as the ability to quickly shift the child from a horizontal position to a vertical support. Ring sling for newborns is ideal. For newborns, you can also use a sling scarf, but in order to transfer a sleeping child from a sling scarf to bed, you need to unwind almost the entire structure - so shifting the baby without waking up, mothers do not learn right away, but this is not always required : many are quite satisfied with carrying a sleeping baby on themselves, especially since it is very easy due to the good weight distribution in the sling-scarf.

After 2-3 months every day it becomes harder and harder to carry a child on one shoulder, so it will be more convenient to use a sling scarf or may-sling, in which the weight is distributed on both shoulders, back and lower back.

After a year the child already usually likes to walk, but cannot walk much. Therefore, at this age it is convenient to take with you for walks. sling with rings, fast sling or hipsit to put the baby on the hip or on the back for a while, and then again easily and quickly take it out and give the opportunity to continue walking with the legs. But if the mother needs to travel with the baby for a long time on business, then sling scarf indispensable: it will be easier to carry the baby in it. However, if a mother plans to rock her baby for a daytime sleep on a trip, and then put him out of the sling (for example, when visiting), it makes sense to take sling with rings"to sleep." If laying out of the sling is not planned, then again it will be more convenient to use a sling scarf or May-sling, and the baby may well sleep vertically in the sling, resting his head on his mother’s chest:

What if the child does not want to sit in a sling?

The most important thing to keep in mind is that the sling is not needed for the child to “sit” there. And not even at all in order to "carry a child"! Although, of course, this is the most common phrase used in relation to slings ... The main idea is not at all to carry the child in a sling (as in a bag), but to use a sling as a support instead of mom's arms or in addition to mom's arms.

Based on this, when putting on a sling, you need to hold the child in the position in which you usually hold him in your arms, and gradually change the holding hand to the fabric of the sling. Well, and tighten the sling in the process. And of course, it is important not to forget at this moment to walk or at least squat a little, dance - that is, by moving to distract the child from the fact that something is changing, and instead of your hands, the sling fabric is already holding him. Over time, the baby will get used to the sling, and such tricks will not be required.

Remember: if the child likes to be in your arms, then he will like it in a sling! It's the same thing. With proper use of the sling the child in the sling is located in the same position as the mother in her arms.

Something does not work?

Of course, when you are just starting out with a sling, it is good to get support or an experienced sling user. Maybe such a “slingomam” lives on your street or in a neighboring yard, but you don’t know about it? On our site, it was opened to slings of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. On the map, slingomams can find neighbors and enter themselves.

On the Internet, questions about wearing different slings can be asked:

Good luck in mastering all kinds of slings!

July 2005 - July 2009, May 2013
© Evgenia Shulman (Siparova), sling consultant
[email protected]
Skype: jenyashulman

LJ: sunwater
In contact with.

A mother with a “strapped” baby can now be seen anywhere: both in the capital and in a small town. Sometimes you can still find the opinion that this way of carrying a child is a harmful modern trend. The debate about which is better: a stroller or a sling will probably never end. However, historically, the tradition of carrying a child in a special sling appeared much earlier than rolling in a stroller.

Contrary to all kinds of criticism, carrying a baby on oneself is physiological and safe, therefore it is suitable even for newborn crumbs. True, not all positions and means of carrying are suitable for babies. Read more about what slings are and what are the features of carrying for newborns, read below.

Why does mom need a sling?

The question is reasonable, because strollers have entered our lives so thoroughly that the baby in the arms of the mother is already perceived as something exotic and strange. Nevertheless, the sling has many advantages, and all of them are quite significant for both the mother and the baby himself.

A mother with a sling is much more mobile than a mother with a stroller. She is not afraid of steps and the lack of a ramp, narrow doorways and heavy doors. Even unaccompanied public transport trips become available when you opt for a sling.
The sling frees mom's hands: it seems that the baby is with the mother, and the mother has both hands free, she can easily pay at the checkout in the store, lead the older child by the handle, hold the bag.
The sling is convenient not only for a walk, but also at home. With a baby on them, many mothers successfully cope with all household chores: they wash the dishes and the floor, cook, hang out the washed clothes. At the same time, the baby does not need to scream heart-rendingly in the crib, calling for adults. In the hands of his mother, he is included in household chores and is always aware of what is happening around, and this is interesting and informative for the baby.
The children themselves, who are in bodily contact with their mother most of the time, are more calm and balanced, they sleep better and give parents much less trouble than babies separated from their mother by the side of a crib or stroller, and experiencing constant anxiety about this.
It is very convenient to breastfeed in a sling, and you can do it almost anywhere on the go.

Slings for newborns

There are quite a lot of all kinds of carriers for babies, but not every one of them can be called a sling, since this word itself means a fabric sling without any fasteners. So, for example, “kangaroos” and ergo backpacks are not slings, although in the understanding of the average mother, these carriers also belong to slings. It is not a sling and a hipsit (a carrier that is attached to the reeds of an adult and allows you to carry grown-up babies on the hip in the “sitting” position). Slings are 3 types of baby carriers, and all of them are suitable for carrying children from birth:

Each type of sling has its own characteristics: putting on, fixing, the position of the child, the load on the mother - all this is very different. As a result, the same sling can be convenient for some purposes, and completely inconvenient for others.

Design:

The fabric is almost 2 meters long, 60-70 cm wide. Metal rings are attached to the strip of fabric from one end, the other end is free. The free end is passed through the rings and fixed by them, as a result of which the sling takes the form of a closed circle. A sling with rings is put on over the shoulder, forming a “hammock” for the baby in front.

pros

Sling with rings is very primitive in use, even a beginner slingo mother will master it.
Convenient in hot weather, because it does not involve dense wrapping with several layers of fabric.
Easily adjustable, allowing you to change the position of the child.
It allows you to get and shift the baby without disturbing him: it is enough for the mother to loosen the rings and “emerge” from the sling.

Minuses

In a sling with rings, the load on the shoulders and back of the mother is distributed unevenly. Of course, the shoulders should be rotated regularly, but even in this case, walking in a sling with rings for more than 2 hours in a row is not recommended.

How to choose a sling with rings:

Rings are a very important element of a sling. They should be metal and large enough (about 10 cm in diameter). Only with this combination, the fabric slides well between them, allowing you to easily adjust the position, and is securely fixed.
For a newborn baby, it is better to choose a 100% cotton sling. The fabric should not be too elastic so as not to stretch under the weight of the baby and fix the position of the baby well. In addition, the fabric should not be too slippery. The best option for a newborn baby is coarse calico or waffle fabric.
For newborn babies, it is better to use a sling with foam sides: they support the head better.

Where and when is convenient:

Great for indoor and outdoor use as it is very easy to put on and take off and adjust, but for short wear. The limitation is due to the uneven distribution of the load.

Video instruction for a sling with rings:

Design:

A sling scarf is a fabric 3 to 6 meters long and 45 to 70 cm wide. . A newborn baby in a sling scarf can be worn both in the cradle position and vertically in the fetal position.

pros

The winding technology of the sling scarf is such that mother's back does not suffer from uneven load.
The design of the scarf allows you to use different winding options, and, accordingly, wear the baby in different positions.
A sling scarf fixes the baby better and supports the fragile spine, so for the child himself, being in a scarf is more useful and physiological.

Minuses

For safe use, a sling scarf requires certain skills. Videos with examples of winding a scarf can be found on the Internet, but mom will have to spend some time and effort to learn all the tricks and be able to bandage a scarf even without a mirror and cheat sheets.
Due to the design features, a sling scarf is not so easy to bandage in “field” conditions. If you do this on the street, the ends of the scarf will touch the ground and get dirty.
In hot weather, a sling scarf is not very comfortable due to the multilayer winding.

How to choose a sling scarf:

Success in mastering and using a sling scarf is 100% dependent on its material. In particular, from the weaving of threads and elasticity. The composition of the best option for newborns would be 100% cotton. The fabric should stretch in the transverse and diagonal direction. In this case, the sling scarf fits the baby's body well and correctly distributes pressure on the mother's back.
The width of the scarf depends on its elasticity. The better the fabric stretches, the smaller the width is acceptable. So, a sling scarf made of elastic fabrics can be 50-60 cm wide, and from non-elastic fabrics - up to 70 cm.
If the manufacturer produces scarves in different sizes, it is better to use the size chart. The maximum length of the scarf is 6m, but for sizes 42-44 this length is a lot, the ends of the scarf will have to be wound around the waist, creating extra layers.

Where and when is convenient:

After the sling scarf is fully mastered, it is convenient both at home and on the street. There is no time limit for carrying a baby in a sling scarf, there are no restrictions for the mother, so a sling scarf is the most convenient sling option for a newborn.

Video instruction for winding a sling scarf:

Design:

May-sling is similar in design to an ergo-backpack, but due to the long straps and the absence of a frame, it is more physiological. In fact, it is a square or rectangle with long straps extending in all 4 directions. The two lower straps are wound around the mother's waist, and the upper ones pass through the shoulders, cross on the back, and are also fixed at the waist. A newborn baby is in a May-sling with tucked-in legs, in the fetal position.

pros

It is easy and simple to put on, mastering the May-sling is much faster than the sling scarf.
It looks aesthetically pleasing and neat, does not involve many layers.
In the May-sling, the load on the mother's muscles falls evenly.

Minuses

A newborn baby can only be in a May-sling in an upright position. The position in which the baby is on the mother is generally safe, but not always convenient for the mother and child. It is impossible to shift the baby to the cradle position in a May-sling.
Compared to a sling scarf, the straps of a may sling are thinner and can cause discomfort by cutting into the shoulders.

How to choose a May Sling:

Be sure to pay attention to the width of the straps. The wider the straps, the more comfortable it will be to wear the May Sling. It is better if the straps are padded with padding polyester. In any case, the width of the straps must be at least 14 cm. In addition to the fact that thin straps can cut into the shoulders, they twist and interfere with normal tying.
May-sling fabric requirements are not so high. The fabric should be strong and not stretchy. The presence of synthetics in the composition is quite acceptable if the crumbs are not allergic to it.

Where and when is convenient:

For newborn babies, May-sling is convenient “on the way out”: a trip to visit, a clinic, a short walk. Basically, this type of sling is recommended for children older than 4 months.

Video instruction for May-sling:

Avid sling moms believe that ideally it is better to have slings for all occasions, because different carrying options are convenient for different situations. Moreover, such mothers have slings of different colors to match their entire wardrobe. It turns out that a sling is not only a device for carrying a child on oneself, but also an element of the image of a modern young mother.

Sling Backpack and Fast Sling

In addition to the actual slings, there are other types of carriers for children: the so-called sling backpack and fast sling. As it was written earlier, these devices are not inherently slings, because a sling is just a fabric bandage, and both of these carriers have frame elements, fasteners, etc. However, modern mothers use the word “sling” in relation to any kind of carriers.

Both in a sling backpack and in a fast sling, the child can only be in a sitting position with legs apart. That is why both carriers are not recommended for babies under 4 months old. The minimum requirement is that the child must confidently hold the head and be able to lift it while lying on the stomach, that is, the neck muscles must be developed ( See the article about). It is better if the baby not only holds his head, but sits on his own ( See the article about). The fact is that the back support in both carriers is regulated by the tension of the straps and rarely any of the mothers can set the correct tension. You can tighten the slings too tight or, conversely, weakly. Incorrect tension of the straps loads the baby's spine inappropriately for his physical capabilities. All this dangerously affects the formation of vertebral bends and at an older age can manifest itself as a curvature of the spine.

Ergo backpack or sling backpack

Design:

Wide tight straps that can be placed on the back both parallel to each other and crosswise. A back with a head restraint, tucks, rollers. A wide padded belt wrapping around the waist and hips of the mother. It is fastened with plastic fastexes, it is possible to adjust the tension of the back.

pros

Divides the load between the back and hips, so that the mother does not have to bend under the weight of the baby.
Allows you to carry the child face to face, behind the back and on the hip.
Easy to unfasten and fasten, so getting in and out of the child will not be any problem.
Suitable even for children 2-3 years old.

Minuses

Sufficiently voluminous compared to carrying other types and designs.
Due to the presence of a frame and dense fabric, it can be hot in summer.

How to choose:

When choosing a sling backpack, you should mainly focus on the manufacturer's recommendations and the parameters of the child. All manufacturers indicate the recommended height, weight, age of the baby.

Where and when is convenient:

Thanks to its design, the ergo-backpack is convenient for long-term carrying of a child, and it is perfect for older children.

Video instruction for the use of the ergo backpack:

Design:

It is very similar to the May-sling, but it is fixed in a different way: the May-sling has long straps and a belt that are tied to a regular knot for fixation, a fast-sling has short straps and a belt that fastens with fastexes.

pros

It is very easy to use: it is easy to put the baby in and out of the fast sling.
Lightweight and takes up little space, it is better ventilated, so it is more comfortable to carry a child in it in hot weather.

Minuses

The possibilities of carrying the child (only facing you) and adjusting the position of the straps (only crosswise) are limited.
Due to the narrow belt, the entire load falls on the back, so it is not recommended to wear a child in a fast sling for a long time.

How to choose:

When choosing a fast sling, it is important to pay attention to the strength of all fasteners. The straps and belt must be lined with padding polyester. By the way, a fast-sling can be sewn to order, and skilled craftswomen will master the production themselves.

Where and when is convenient:

Best used for not too heavy kids. Great for summer. It is also better to limit the time of continuous wearing so as not to provoke back problems.

Video instructions for using the Fast Sling:

All slingomams, future and present, are faced with the problem of choosing a sling for a newborn. There is an unimaginable amount of slings, information and reviews - too. After reading thematic posts, only questions remain in my head instead of clarity: a scarf or May? With silk or linen? Short or long? 6 or 5? Didymos or Elleville?
Of course, it is very difficult make choices when to navigatefor the birth season, its exemplary weight, temperature of the habitat, family budget, physical condition of the parent, the purpose of the sling, mom's wardrobe, just a desire and a favorite color.
Our hypermarket team slings babysling.ru tried to systematize the available information, which resulted in writing a review article on the topic: “Choice withlinga for a newborn.
General rules for choosing the "first" sling:

1. Purpose of purchase
Before you drown in a sea of information and pictures, you should determine for yourself why you need a carrier. At least for a start. Start from the current problem or situation.
Because it’s impossible to pick up one sling, “so that it’s comfortable on the plane, and go to the beach in hot Egypt, and pick berries in the country, and it’s not cold to get to the clinic in winter,” it’s impossible to pick up. Moreover, “the most inexpensive, and so that it looks modern, and the husband could wear it. The child is 1.5 months old. We were advised some linen. What do you say ??? ”Hands drop, words disappear.
Do not try to buy the only sling for all occasions and for all future children. Decide: why do you need it now and in the first place!
Traveling with a baby, going to work / errands, taking an older child to kindergarten / developmental activities, satisfying an increased need for breastfeeding, carrying belly to stomach during evening colic, doing many hours of household chores - this is one thing.
Running to the store, to the clinic, warming up lunch, rocking the child to sleep, walking to the car or the beach is another thing.
If a balanced decision does not come to mind, you want both, feel free to rent a sling and try, try, try! 2. Type of carrying

To make the right choice between a ring sling (cc), a scarf sling (scarf), a mai sling (mai), an ergonomic backpack or (hopefully not) a baby carrier for your baby, you need to have a general understanding of all types of carriers and the physiology of newborns. You can get this knowledge from articles slingomamy.livejournal.com/4955239.html and slingokonsultant.ru/articles/sling/babywearingnewborn.php (must read!!!)

Our little summary:

We advise you to stop your choice on: a scarf, ssk and may-sling made of scarf fabric (sharfomai).

Woven sling scarf

Woven sling scarf - optimal carrier for newborns and babies, well suited for long walks. The scarf evenly distributes the load on the shoulders and lower back of the parent, it is always possible to breastfeed and lull the baby.
Due to the special weaving of the threads (double diagonal weaving), when the fabric does not stretch along or across, but diagonally, in scarves, the possibility of a tight attraction of the newborn to the parent, thorough adjustment of the sling and support for all parts of the spine and neck of the child are best ensured.
In a scarf, you can wear a child in horizontal and vertical positions.
Slings-scarves come in several sizes depending on their length.
For a slender and short mother (up to size 44), you can take size 5 (length 4.2). But for additional lumbar support, it is better to take a 4.7 meter sling (6-ku), then it will be possible to bring the ends of the sling forward.
For mom 44-48 fit size 6 (4.7 meters).
For mom from size 50 - 7 (5.2 meters).

Sling with rings

Sling with rings will also serve as a great help to you. Due to the speed of dressing, it is convenient to use it for short runs (from the car to the house, from the house to the beach, for example), to do household chores. A sling with rings is also good because you can easily put the baby away with the carrier without waking him up by unwinding.

Your choice of ssk (sling with rings) should be stopped on the option of scarf fabric, without compacted sides, with rings of large diameter and an unsewn tail. So you will have a better chance of learning how to attract the newborn well, adjust the fabric in the rings and straighten it.
The ssk can be worn in a horizontal and vertical position.
When buying a good (scarf fabric, without sides and with an open tail) sling with rings, sizing for moms with clothing sizes from 42 to 48 is largely a matter of personal preference of the wearer: whether you like a longer or shorter tail in cc. For mothers with larger sizes of clothes, it is better to choose a larger size for yourself. You should also pay attention to the fact that the length of standard M-s from different manufacturers can vary quite a lot, which means that if possible, it is better to try on a sling before making a final purchase decision.

Sharfomai (mai-sling made of scarf fabric)

scarfomaiattracts by the speed of winding and a more modern look. May-sling is better to have not as a first carrier, but in addition to a scarf or a sling with rings. May-sling can be worn with a baby in the "quick walk to the store" mode, and the full and longer use of May should be started from 4 months.
May-sling for a baby is also worth buying from scarf fabric, with wide straps and with the possibility of good adjustment in width and height of the back. In a scarf, it is better to learn to wear it in an upright position. The horizontal position of the "cradle" with babies is best used by experienced sling mothers who know how to straighten excess may-sling fabric and ensure even distribution of the load on the baby's back.
3. Budget

Make a budget for buying a baby sling. And choose from the highest price segment for you. Your comfort and the formation of winding skills depend on the quality of the sling and its composition. And high-quality mercerized cotton carriers, as a rule, cost more than Vologda linen, but they will not leave you indifferent and will not seem rude or unyielding.
4. Style

Choose your favorite color or pattern based on your wardrobe or just your preferences. A baby in a carrier will involuntarily attract the views of others. You will be pleased if the sling does not look like just a piece of fabric, but a stylish accessory that emphasizes the color of your eyes or creates the integrity of your image.

5. Composition

But perhaps the most important criterion in choosing a sling for a newborn is what it is made of. The composition of a scarf, scarf or sling with rings determines their lightness, breathability, plasticity and huggability.
The existence of slings from different materials and mixed composition is due to the desire to create carriers for different needs and parameters of a parent-child pair. It is thanks to the different composition and weaving that you can choose a sling for a fluffy newborn and a heavy baby runner, for hot summers and harsh winters, for a weak mother's back and hardy father's shoulders, for back windings or rebozos.
Every sophisticated sling mom has a list of silk-cashmere-bamboo slings that she would buy for the birth of her next baby.
But, if you are just planning to become a sling, our team recommends buying the first sling made of 100% medium-weight cotton to fill your hand, learn how to wind and experience the joy from the first days of wearing. Indeed, often very thin and plastic scarves cannot cope with winding errors, they begin to crawl and cease to properly fix the position of the child.
But after 2 months of practice, training and daily baby wear, while your baby is still a baby, you should definitely try dessert in the form of silk and bamboo scarves.

Let's take a closer look at slings made of different materials suitable for newborns and babies:

100% cotton slings- a compromise between the tenderness of silk scarves and the holding, non-slipping of thick linens. Cotton slings offer plasticity, breathability and the possibility of good adjustment on the one hand, and the stability of even not very careful winding, on the other.

Manufacturers: Ellevill, Didymos, Neobulle, Nati, Girasol, Vatanai, Kokadi, Oscha, Diva Milano, etc.
Example: Vatanai Reims

Slings with silk in the composition are a plastic "oily" canvas. For the most part, slings with silk are thin, so they are well suited for summer babies, for hot climates or trips to the sea. They are very pliable in winding and hugging.
Manufacturers: Didymos, Ellevill, Heartiness, Nati, etc.
Example: Elleville Caelum He

Slings with silk and cashmere- a dream for kinesthetics. An indescribable feeling of tenderness, warmth and comfort :) Among sling appraisers, they are considered the most desirable acquisition for babies. The unique composition allows the sling to "cool" in the heat and "warm" in the cool.

Manufacturers: Didymos, Heartiness, etc.

Example: Didymos Ellipsen Silk Cashmere

Slings with silk and woolhave the softness and suppleness of silk scarves and a warming effect.
Manufacturers: Didymos and others.
Example:Didymos Indio Eisblau mit seide und wolle

Slings with cashmerewell suited for cool evenings and for imperfect thermoregulation of babies. Warm, but not prickly, thin and gentle to wear.
Manufacturers: Didymos, Nati and others.
Example: Didymos Indio Cashmere Graphite

Slings with bamboo- silky, flowing, superbly draped. Thin and not hot, good for the summer.
Manufacturers: Ellevill, LennyLamb, Nati
Example: Elleville Paisley Grasshopper

Bamboolen slingssoft and gentle, with excellent support and airflow. Great for heavy kids.
Manufacturers: Elleville and others
Example:Elleville Paisley Linen Linger Sling Scarf

6. Quantity Although everyone is looking for a sling for a newborn, it would be more correct to look for slings. At least two pieces. Here are a few combinations in which two slings are inseparable from each other and act as indispensable helpers for mom:

1. One for home, one for outdoor.
Coming home from the metro / minibus / bus / car, clinic or guests, it is so nice to lull a child in a “home” scarf, ssk or scarf, smelling of comfort and tranquility. And you won’t wrap a naked baby in a soiled street sling.
2. One scarf, another sling with rings.
For different tasks - different slings.
For tiring walks around the city, trips by public transport, hiking and traveling, a scarf is ideal. Quickly change the position in the sling from vertical to horizontal, put the baby to bed, make purchases in the nearest store - for this it is better to use a sling with rings.
3. For dad and mom.
One type of sling is bright and elegant for mom, the other is discreet and versatile for dad.
You can also mention the situations of the birth of twins, “one sling is washed off - dries, the other is worn”, “a separate sling for each mother's outfit”, but we will not do this. And so everything is clear :)
Using a similar algorithm, your own sense of taste and the flow of information from the sling consultant, the slingomam community, the community of sling-scarf lovers, didi_everyone and other sling communities and sites, you can choose the first sling to make life easier, freedom of movement and closeness with the baby.

Here is a small example-illustration of how the algorithm we proposed can be used:

1. Purpose: I need a sling to take my older child to developmental activities, walk with both children daily + I want to establish breastfeeding and feed on demand.

2. Type of sling and size: Because I will have to walk long and often, and right from birth, so I will take a sling scarf.
I am a size 44, so I choose a 6-ku (4.7 meters).
3. Budget: 4000 - 4500 rubles.
4. Style:I want something in the color of the sea wave under the breastfeeding dress and summer raincoat.
5. Composition : No experience, I'll start with 100% cotton.
6. Quantity: I only have money for a scarf, I'll rent it.
Outcome: Didymos Wellen Acqua

Small F.A.Q. baby slings:

1 . But what is still better for a newborn: a sling with rings or a sling scarf?

The question is incorrect, because these carriers cannot be compared in this way. These are equally useful devices for different situations and conditions.
If you are still in doubt, then buy a woven sling scarf. This is a carrier that has no drawbacks (and the fear of windings and the length of the fabric is the first impression (exaggerated besides), which passes very quickly, it is worth watching video master classes, attending a sling meeting or visiting a sling showroom).

2. Is it possible to carry a baby in an ergonomic backpack with a special insert for newborns?

Many manufacturers do offer to buy special inserts in ergo backpacks or put a diaper inside to reduce the volume of the carrier so that the newborn does not fall out of there and for a tighter attraction.
In fact, this is not an option at all. Firstly, this insert does not add more huggability to the backpack, but simply flattens the child closer to the mother. The ergo backpack still has excessive attraction in the shoulder area (in the places where the straps are attached), but the upper and lower parts of the child’s spine remain poorly attracted without the possibility of adjustment and tension. In addition, the baby with this insert is very hot.
We recommend using carrier bags from the age of 6-7 months.A knitted sling scarf is very good for learning the basics of sling wearing: different windings, straightening the fabric, tying knots, and so on. But a knitted scarf is a sling for a very short time (for a couple of months, up to about 6 kg), because when a child reaches a certain weight, it becomes difficult to wear it (knitted fabric stretches a lot under weight). In addition, it is hotter in a knitted scarf than in a woven cotton one. Ideally, buy knitwear during pregnancy, train your husband and relatives on it, and with the birth of a child, purchase a woven sling scarf.

4. The sling scarf scares me, it is so long and so difficult to wrap. I will never master. What should I do?
The complexity of the scarf is greatly exaggerated. For a newborn, you will need to master one or two simple windings. This can be done through video tutorials, at a sling meeting or in a sling showroom. If you are still afraid of not coping and doing something wrong, then you can always invite a sling consultant to your home, who will explain to you the basics of baby wearing and teach you how to wind the sling and adjust it correctly.

5. Can I wear in a sling "facing the world"?

The answer to this question is well stated in the article mama.tomsk.ru/babywearing/carriers/sling10/ on the mama.tomsk portal. In short, the world-facing position of the baby deprives the sling of its benefits of good support and comfort, and the baby can be adversely affected by the abundance of impressions and visual information.

6. Can twins be carried in a sling? How many slings do you need for this?
Need to! You can wear twins in slings in combination: one parent - one child. Then you need two slings: ss or scarves.
If a mother plans to carry two children on herself at the same time, then you can learn how to wind two children in one scarf (together in the position on the stomach or one on the stomach, one behind the back) or buy 2 slings-scarves: one for the back winding, one for the position front.

7. How long can I wear a newborn in a sling?
The duration of babywearing for newborn babies depends on the needs of mother and child.
Some children need long-term babywearing, while others want to quickly change position and look around. But in general, newborns are worn in a sling as much as in their arms.
The main rule for wearing baby slings is that an awake baby needs to be taken out of the sling to warm up, exercise and change position approximately every hour. With a sleeping baby, you can do these manipulations after waking up.

8. Can I wear a newborn in a sling in winter?
It is possible and necessary! A couple of additional purchases will be required for comfortable winter wearing of a baby sling: namely, a special insert in a mother’s jacket or a sling jacket that will warm mother and baby in a sling. And a sling overall for the period of frost with elongated legs for ease of wearing.

The first weeks after the birth of a child are always warmed by some special warmth, tenderness for a tiny creature lying in your arms ..
But...
Sometimes mom wants to eat :)) . Go visit or shop. And in the end, how many circles can you wind around the house ?! :))

As many moms say, "sling gives mom wings!" And this is so - you become more mobile, you can go to the store, guests, cook dinner and do other things.

A small child needs close physical contact with his mother, the feeling of her warmth and smell, so when he is in his mother's arms, he feels more calm, relaxed, shows more interest in the world around him. In the arms of the mother, the child receives that basic feeling of security, warmth and trust, which are so important for the formation of a healthy psyche of the child. However, if the mother needs free hands (for example, to prepare dinner), then they need to be released somehow, for example, using a device for carrying a child.

Remember that a child is not a small copy of an adult. That's why in order to correctly choose a sling for carrying a newborn, you need to know the features of his physiology characteristic of infancy and the first year of life.

Let's dwell on this in more detail.

Part 1. Features of the physiology of the first year of a baby's life.

Spine

As we have already said, a child is not a reduced copy of an adult, neither in terms of his skeleton, nor in terms of his functioning. Ossification and complete formation of the spine ends by the age of 25. Until the end of the second month of intrauterine life, the baby's skeleton consists only of cartilage. As it grows, it will harden and turn into bone. By the end of pregnancy, some parts of the skeleton ossify (for example, the femur), and from birth a second wave of ossification begins - at the ends of long bones (bone heads).

Our spine is not perfectly straight. If we look at an adult from the side, we will see four small bends, thanks to which the spine resembles the Latin letter S. Thanks to these bends, we are flexible, able to balance and absorb loads while walking, running and jumping.

However, these spinal curves are not congenital. They are formed gradually as the child's physical development as a consequence of adaptation to gravity.

Stages of development of the spine:

The spine of a newborn child is bent and resembles a slight arc or the letter "C". He still has no curves and not enough strength to hold his head. When carrying the baby in her arms, this function is performed by the mother for him: she supports his back and head. If we want to carry the baby in any device, it should allow the child's head to be fixed at the same level with the body, or allow the mother to support her with one hand.
From about 6 weeks, the baby begins to raise his head from a prone position and by 2.5-3 months he can confidently hold it already in vertical positions. Formed cervical lordosis.
Thoracic kyphosis is formed in a child by six months, when he begins to sit on his own. Lumbar lordosis is developed from the moment when the child begins to gradually stand up.
Sacral kyphosis appears after the child begins to walk and is formed up to 6-8 years.

Physiological position for a newborn in terms of spinal development:

The newborn does not straighten itself, it is possible to straighten it only by force, for example, if you swaddle it with a “soldier”. If the child is placed on his back, he will reflexively pull his fists to his chest, and he sleeps with his legs wide apart in the “frog pose”. The fetal position is the most natural position for babies, it is calming and helps to adapt to the new world for the baby.

The vertical and horizontal position of the baby "belly to stomach" in the position of the embryo is very comfortable for the baby. In this position, children digest food better, thermoregulation is more effective, because the stomach area is closed. On the back, the subcutaneous fat layer is thicker, and the thermoregulatory cells are stronger.

When the child is picked up, his legs remain instinctively bent and divorced. Together with the grasping reflex, this posture helps the baby to cling to its mother. In this way, we provide him with a natural posture that his body instinctively adopts to ensure comfort, warmth and safety.

Total:

When carrying a newborn in your arms, it is important to provide support for the back and cervical spine. When choosing a device for carrying a child during this period, pay attention to the fact that there is:

Possibility of fixation of the cervical region. This will prevent the head from tipping over.
Possibility of UNIFORM support of the entire back of the baby. This means that any devices with rigid backs or without the ability to fine-tune the tension of the fabric will not be suitable for wearing a newborn and infant.

Another important feature of newborns is

immature hip joint.

The hip joint (HJ) is one of the largest joints in humans. It is formed by the acetabulum of the pelvic bone and the head of the femur. Along the edge of the acetabulum there is a cartilaginous tissue that increases the area of the joint. From all sides, the joint is covered by muscles.

The articular cavity of the TB joint of the child is flattened, it is located more vertically, in comparison with the "adult joint", and the ligaments of the joint are excessively elastic. In violation of the development of the joint (dysplasia), excessively elastic ligaments and the articular capsule are not able to hold the head of the femur in the articular cavity, it shifts upward and outward. With certain movements, the femoral head can extend beyond the acetabulum. This condition of the joint is called "subluxation". In severe hip dysplasia, the head of the femur extends completely beyond the acetabulum, a condition called hip dislocation.

The angle at which the femoral head is inserted into the acetabulum is very important. If you draw a line through the edges of the acetabulum (AB) and a line through the middle of the head and neck of the femur (CF), then the line CF should pass through the middle (point O) of the line AB. The angle formed by these lines should approach a straight line (90 degrees): this ensures a uniform load on the head and acetabulum and the normal development of these structures. This position is very similar to the letter "M" and is known in Russia as the M-position.

As noted by Novosibirsk professor Yakov Leontyevich Tsivyan, one of the first in Russia who dealt with the problem of diseases of the hip joints, “when the hips are abducted, the femoral head is centered in the acetabulum. Due to the early and constant centering of the femoral head in the underdeveloped acetabulum, the latter, under the influence of such centering, begins to develop correctly ", and in the end, the former underdevelopment of the cavity is eliminated. Consequently, the conditions for the occurrence of dislocation disappear. And by the time the child stands on its own legs, dislocation cannot occur - the conditions for its occurrence have been eliminated. "

A direct connection between increased morbidity and the tradition of tight swaddling of straightened baby legs was noted. In peoples who carry children in carriers with straightened legs (Indians of North America and Canada), there is an increased number of cases of hip dysplasia. But in those countries where newborns are not swaddled, their freedom of movement is not restricted, children are carried vertically with divorced legs, the incidence is much lower. For example, in Japan, as part of a national project in 1975, the national tradition of tight swaddling of straightened legs of babies was changed. Result: reduction in congenital dislocation of the hip from 1.1 - 3.5 to 0.2% (Yamamuro T, Ishida K. Recent advances in the prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment of congenital dislocation of the hip in Japan. J. Clinical orthopaedics and related research 1984 Apr;(184):34-40).

For the treatment of dysplasia, various orthopedic remedies are used to keep the baby's legs in a divorced state. All of them are designed to keep the legs of the child in the breeding position. In children of the first 2-3 months, if hip dysplasia is suspected, therapeutic and preventive measures are used - dilution of the legs with the help of soft pads (wide swaddling, Freik pillow, etc.), gymnastics with the use of abductor-circular movements in the joint, massage of the gluteal muscles.

The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) has released a white paper for baby carrier manufacturers, parents, and anyone interested, stating that splayed wearing is essential for proper hip development.

Remember that babies' joints are cartilaginous and very flexible. If the regular and long-term position of the child's legs does not imply the correct entry of the femur, then the cartilage may develop poorly.

What does it mean? This means that if you often and regularly carry your baby, for example, in a "kangaroo", where the baby's legs just hang, then you create the preconditions for problems with the formation of a TB joint in a child.

Carrying a baby with legs inside a sling/carrier.

This way of carrying babies can still often be found in old instructions and articles on websites. However, it can be recommended only in exceptional cases (very strong hypertonicity, prematurity). In a healthy full-term baby, the legs from the knees should be outside and be able to move freely.

When the baby's feet are inside the sling, the spine has to absorb the shock of walking that would otherwise be absorbed by the wide spread of the legs. In addition, the location of the legs completely inside the sling / backpack often contributes to the formation of voids and prevents even tightening of the sling fabric for competent support of the spine. If you are carrying your baby in a fetal position with legs inside the sling, remember to massage and stretch your baby's legs regularly. If the baby's legs are inside, then it is better to walk less and sit more in the sling.

What is the physiological position of a newborn in a sling?

Based on physiology, When carrying a baby in both arms and in a sling, it is important for us to ensure three important factors:

cervical support (cervical roll or cloth)
uniform support of the spine (only slings with the possibility of point adjustment)
hip joint support (M-position). The legs are separated to a comfortable angle for the child and are free from the knees.

Photo from http://jeportemonbebe.com

In real slings, the vertical position of the baby looks like this:

A head-supporting fabric or bolster runs under the back of the head or over the head at ear level.
The back is slightly rounded and evenly stretched by the fabric.
The pelvis is, as it were, "twisted", tucked up to the mother (the knees rest on the mother's stomach)
The legs are symmetrical, set apart at a comfortable angle (in newborns it is very small), free from the knees (M-position).

Carrying a baby in the "cradle" position has a number of its own characteristics:

Firstly, it does not involve the placement of the hip joint in the M-position, and therefore, both when worn on hands and in a sling, it is important to alternate between horizontal and vertical wearing.

Secondly, the child is located in a sling a little differently. The sling should provide support for:

in the back of the head
back
pelvis and thighs

The child is located diagonally. The lowest point of the diagonal is the child's buttocks, the highest point is the head, the knees are higher than the buttocks. The child is half-turned to the mother. at a height, comfortable for mom, half-side to mom.

Third, and very important! Mom should always see the face of the child. It should not be under the chest, under the arm, be covered with a cloth. Maximum fixation - along the line of the crown and ear.

During feeding, it is necessary to support the neck (!) of the baby on the elbow bend in order to be able to control the condition of the child and the correct attachment. The chin should not be pressed against the chest, one or two fingers should fit freely between them.

In real slings, the horizontal position of the baby looks like this:

So we figured out the main features of the physiology of the baby in the first year of life. It remains to choose a sling :). As you probably already understood for yourself, not all slings will be equally useful for a newborn and an infant - some will fit perfectly, and some will not at all. Let's figure it out!

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