What they don’t come up with for caring forbaby! Diaper disposal, changing table, walker, vibrating chairs - this is only a small part of everything that is presented on the modern market of goods and services for mothers and babies. At the same time, in the parental environment there is a return to the roots - the so-called "natural parenting". Within the framework of this paradigm, many mothers prefer to refuse the use of nipples and diapers, long-term breastfeeding and, of course, slings. What is a sling? This is a very ancient device, invented by our ancestors for carrying babies. Today it has become very popular and has practically replaced bulky and uncomfortable strollers, in which until recently parents rolled their children, and even baby carriers. And there are reasons for this, because slings are incredibly convenient to use, much cheaper than strollers (you can even make them yourself), and the opportunities open up for a mother are simply incredible! Baby slings are a sling made of straps, the length of which can be adjusted. In such a patchwork holder, you can carry children from birth to two years. If in a baby carrier the child is always in a fixed position, then in a sling he can sit, and be semi-recumbent, and even lie down. In a word, babies in baby slings take a perfectly natural position, similar to their position in the arms of their parents. Thus, they develop well without any harm to their spine.
Advantages of using a sling
One of the main advantages of a baby sling isthe ability to change the baby's position without removing the straps. After all, our babies are very active when they are awake and do not like to wait while their parents fasten buttons and tighten straps, as is the case with baby carriers. In a sling, the baby can be safely breastfed, he can sleep there, play and explore the world, being completely safe. Slings are quick and easy to put on and take off and do not restrict movement. Doctors are of the opinion that such a sling is the best option for holding a child. Some types of such modern holders cause excessive tension in the lower back in children, which ultimately leads to spinal pathology. Slings practically eliminate such situations. They support the baby's neck well when he is not yet able to hold his head up on his own, and allow babies to sit at a later age, crossing their legs in the Turkish style. Thus, in slings, the child can be in a position that provides an even load on his spine. In other types of holders (for example, a baby carrier), the baby's legs hang down, and the baby's still fragile spine is subject to a lot of stress. Slings are not only a worthy replacement for a baby carriage, but also a way to ease household chores during the period when the child is still very small and requires increased attention. At the same time, this is a wonderful way to maintain close contact between mother and baby during the transitional existence. Just think about it: a child grows for nine months, being one with the mother's body. And after birth, which in itself is a stressful event for the baby, he either lies in a crib or in a stroller, occasionally contacting his mother during feeding. A sling helps solve this problem, providing closeness and continuing the symbiotic relationship.
Types of sling
If you have decided to purchase and developsling, then you are in for a surprise. The types of slings, of which there are quite a lot, cause confusion in a young mother (especially considering how many other things need to be chosen for the child). Therefore, before buying, it is worth familiarizing yourself with their main characteristics and choosing the one that best suits your needs.
- Mei Tai is a rectangle made fromthick fabric, with straps coming out of its corners. The straps at the bottom are tied right at the mother's waist so that the "back" of the sling is in front (if you prefer the tummy position) or behind (if you prefer the back position). The upper straps are thrown over the mother's shoulders, crossed, brought back and crossed again at the baby's back. After that, you tie them at your waist - and that's it! In appearance, this sling strongly resembles a "kangaroo", but an important difference is that it maintains a physiological position for the child. The baby is usually carried in it on the back or stomach vertically, but it is possible to adapt to wearing in a horizontal position.
- A sling scarf is essentially a long stripfabrics from fifty to eighty centimeters in width and from three to six meters in length. Due to its simplicity, a sling scarf can be used to carry a child in a variety of positions: on the back, on the stomach, on the hip and in a “cradle”. There is a gradation of scarves depending on their length. A classic sling scarf is four to five meters long, and when used, the load is distributed over two shoulders, which makes it quite easy to carry a child. Short products are usually up to three meters in length and they are tied exclusively on one shoulder. Medium sling scarves can be used for both carrying options.
- Sling-pipe or sling-pocket is aa ring sewn from a fabric, with a circumference of about one and a half meters and a width of about seventy centimeters. It is tailored in such a way that there is a small pocket under the baby's ass, due to which the baby is deeper located in the carrying, and its back is much better fixed thanks to the upper edge. They are often made to order under a certain size, or they have buckles on their back that help to adjust the sling. He is worn on one shoulder, and the child can occupy different positions: "cradle", on the back or on the thigh. Advantages of this sling are in its lighter weight than in the slings with rings, the impossibility of weakening the tissue and the absence of uncomfortable knots, like a scarf. But, at the same time, it must be carefully selected, taking into account the complexion of the mother.
- A ring sling is a strip of fabricThe sling is a sling that is about two meters long and about seventy centimeters wide. At one end there are rings and a shoulder pad, and at the other end there is the actual end of the sling, or “tail,” which is tucked into the rings. This simple mechanism makes it possible to adjust its length and change the child’s position. The baby can be inside in a variety of positions, as described above. This sling is worn exclusively on one shoulder, and it is recommended to alternate them. One of the main advantages of this option is that the child’s position can be quickly changed (which is sometimes very necessary — for example, when moving a sleeping child) — all you need to do is loosen the fabric and get out of the sling. However, it has a significant drawback — uneven distribution of the load on only one shoulder.
You can buy the most suitable baby sling,by contacting an online sling store, which offers a wide range of such miracle holders. However, this is not the only option. Currently, this product has become so popular that various types of slings are sold almost everywhere: in stores selling goods for mothers and babies, in children's clubs, and sometimes even in the most ordinary retail outlets. So buy it and enjoy the joys of motherhood! We recommend reading:
