Little Ones Needs / Mama Needs

Baby Wearing

by ~Just Your Average Mamaon
In order from Left to Right: Tula Ring Sling, Beco Soleil, Tula Carrier, Summer lightweight ring sling

I want to start this by saying there are two VERY important rules when babywearing. ONE never ever have the baby’s face pressed into your skin or the fabric. The face must be clear of anything. TWO your baby’s head should be in kissing range. Meaning without lifting your baby you should be able to lean your head down and kiss the baby’s head. The other thing I just want to mention is make sure your fabrics and straps aren’t twisted. This is unlikely but can lead to a baby falling out.

I’m a huge fan of baby wearing, and did so with all 4 of my children. There are a million reasons why, but I mostly do them for 2 main reasons. The number one reason is because it doesn’t make your arms hurt. The second is you are able to have that bond that soothes the baby and yourself.

I have had several types, and these are my most preferred ones. The Tula Ring sling is my #1 best in all categories, go to carrier. If someone asks me about a carrier this is the one I recommend.

So let’s start with the Tula Ring Sling. This is the carrier that I gravitate towards. I can use it for my newborns all the way up to my 5yo. (When my 5yo had just turned 5 he was having a ‘I need mommy moment’. and he was too heavy for me to carry around so my trusty ring sling helped this mama out immensely!) It’s fabulous for nursing in also because the wing (leftover fabric) acts as a cover. When they are a little older, and can sit easily, and have head control I just lower the sling down, and they can nurse sitting on my hip in it. It rolls up nicely, and fits in a backpack sized diaper bag with ease on top of all your needs. If it needs washed you just toss it in the washing machine no problem. I will say that I have tossed it into the dryer from time to time, BUT you should really line dry it. The Mermaid Tula Ring Sling that I have shown is something that I purchased in early 2015 as a mother’s day gift to myself, and I’m so glad I did! It’s snuggled 4 babies, gone through a washing machine more times than I could remember, and saved my arms and back. I’ve also been able to wear the babies while pregnant in this ring sling with ease. When I tandem baby wear it’s with this sling, and a carrier on my back. In the end if you are looking to invest in a carrier this is the kind you’d want to put your money into. The resell value is also really good on them. If you don’t want to spend money on a brand new one Facebook always has a few for sale that are used and much less.

Next is the Beco Soleil carrier. This is great to wear on the front or back. I did not purchase the infant insert so I cannot say how well it does for newborns, but when they have head control and are a little bigger this is a great one to use. I personally wait until they are larger, and their legs can open vs having them sit like the frog pose in a ring sling. This has a pouch that snaps on and off where you can put things like hand wipes, keys, phone, and ID. There is also a cover that snaps on and off that you can use when the baby is sleeping, or your nursing, or it’s just too sunny and you want to take some of that off the baby. You can adjust this from all areas of the carrier which makes it great for customizing to you and your growing baby. There is also a little pocket pouch in the waistband under the baby’s bottom. This also machine washes really nicely. I’ve also tossed this into the dryer a time or too but you should really line dry it. As much as I like this one there are some negative things I have to say about this carrier. One of the snap ripped off after a year for the detachable pouch. The pocket is very hard to get into. and out of when the baby is in the carrier. Lastly the cover is great but it needs to be about 4-5 inches wider in order to be the most effective. After 5 years of having this carrier I honestly can’t decide if the extra little lock on the buckle is a positive or negative though. It’s a great concept, but when you’re in a hurry to get it off (like needing to pee), or trying to be a ninja to transfer a sleeping baby it isn’t such a great feature.

Tula Toddler carrier is a great one and I’d suggest this one vs the Beco. You lose the detachable pouch, but it has everything else. The waist buckle doesn’t have the extra buckle lock either, but I honestly don’t think that matters at all because the buckle clip is a really nice one. I really like where all the extra pads are on this one, and the fabric just feels softer. I have tossed this into the washer several times and placed in the dryer a time or two but it should be line dried. When I tandem wear I’ll use this one with my mermaid ring sling. Even though it’s a toddler my babies just came out large so I’m able to use this with my younger babies easily. (Just make sure they can breath withOUT obstructions in their way.) I bought this one over 4 years ago, and I feel it’s barely faded. The only negative I have about this carrier is that the cover that it comes with would be better if it was at least 4-5 inches wider as well.

Lastly my on the go infant ring sling. This one I purchased for $19.00, but is only good for newborns because any bigger and the sling sags. I’m still really glad I found, and purchased this years ago for our second who came in May. Not sure about anyone else, but after I’ve given birth I still have a bunch of baby weight I need to shed, and I’m attached to a child or two often, and those things make me extra warm. Knowing that the summer heat was about to hit I was worried I was going to be a sweaty mess all summer long with a newborn attached to me all the time. For this purpose it worked out great, and it ended up being my emergency carrier for the next two also. I loved this one just because I was able to wear the baby and felt like I wasn’t being draped in a coat lol. The fabric is very thin and sheer looking which makes it nice and breathable.

Not shown but I’ve used:

  • Moby wrap– Now I know a lot of folks that do like this one, but for myself after using a variety of them i have to say I’m not a fan. Yes they work great for newborns and you can nurse in them but they are just so long and can fall on the floor and become loose. Who wants something that’s been on a dirty floor to touch their newborn, or constantly have to tighten the wrap and not feel secure the whole time? I’d get myself all set up and tied then when we got to the store or restaurant I’d take the baby out and just adjust. It was nice for flying though because there isn’t any metal at all in them. If you’re not wanting to spend a lot of money this will work but the older the child gets the bigger and quicker the sag gets.
  • Joovy Baby Sling – This thing gave me the worst headache every single time I used it. It was difficult to tighten well, and was difficult on the baby. I got rid of this thing so quickly. I really wouldn’t waste your money on it.
  • Seven Baby Sling – This is the free one you get if you ever get a new mom package from anywhere so naturally I got one. The thing about this one though is there is zero adjusting. They make it look so nice on the site, however, if you look you’ll see the same size model in every photo and the babies are a bit older. (head holding up age) There aren’t any postpartum bellies or milk engorged breasts to be found. I was bummed because the one I chose was beautiful, but there was absolutely no way whatsoever for me to use this safely.

If you are nervous about using them there are a bunch of YouTube helpful videos to check out, and if you go to a more natural baby store they will help you get fitted and teach you a few tricks. Just follow the rule that the baby’s head should be within kissing distance, and you should always be able to have the baby’s face free and clear of everything.

Make sure your baby is dressed appropriately though. They are snuggled up against you with a carrier covering them so they’ll be very warm. I’ve sometimes only had them in a diaper when going somewhere because I didn’t want them to over heat. (I’m not the only mama who’s done that either. I’ve seen plenty also do this as well.) Remember if you want to nurse in a carrier wear a shirt that you can access easily enough.

Don’t forget they work great for dads also! Dads and babies need the bonding just as much!

Carriers and where to find them

Till Then Enjoy and God Bless!

~Just Your Average Mama

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