Babywearing has been around for centuries. It was not only a way to soothe a baby but a way for people to get things done. We can all picture the photo of the old woman carrying her grandchild while working in the fields. Well, what they might not have known back then is how babywearing also promotes healthy emotional development in children.

It is definitely more practical way of getting around with your baby. You no longer have to try to get a large stroller in and out of the car. It is as easy taking out your favorite baby carrier from your diaper bag. But besides the practicality and ease of it, babywearing also promotes and strengths the emotional bond between parent and child.

You are able to interact with your child more when they are being carried. Everything in the world is new to an infant. But with you by their side, they have the feeling of security to explore and look and absorb their surrounds without fear. It is said that babies that are carried are known to cry less than those left in their crib as they are getting their needs met.

With the emotional bond between a parent and child strengthened, babies that are carried are easier to discipline as they have the attachment to their parents. Furthermore, they are more self confident, more empathic, social and affectionate to others.

With all that in mind, plus the added bonus of getting your shopping done with a calm baby, I hope that babywearing becomes apart of your family.

Ring slings and Pouch slings… the lingo in this section can sometimes be a bit daunting to new parents and it can be quite confusing as they are all referred to as slings.

Pouch Sling

The difference between them is that the pouches are one loop of fabric folded with a curved seam in where the baby sits. They are actually sitting in a deep pocket, therefore the pouch of the sling. This style is sometimes called the fitted pouch as it has to fit the wearer’s body exactly.

For all baby carriers, it is important to have a good fit so that your baby is securely attached to you.  With this pouch sling it is even more important as it cannot  be adjusted. If the baby rides too low, it can hurt the wearer’s back, and if it is too high, it is unsafe for the baby.

But once you get a good fit, these slings are the best for first time users as it is very easy to pop it on and go. They are both lightweight and easily packed into a diaper bag or suitcase.  There is a much shorter learning curve and are very dad friendly. They are also usually much easier on the pocket book.

The cons, however, are that they can’t be adjusted and to initially find a good fit may be challenging. This also means you usually can’t share a sling with your partner. 

 The Ring Sling

The ring sling is made up of a long rectangle pieces of fabric that is draped across the body and threaded through two rings and can be adjusted for sizing. Usually the tail piece hangs down and can be used like a belt to tighten up the sling. These slings usually come with or without padding in either the shoulders of the rail (the side) of the fabric.

This type of sling is adjustable each time and you can obtain a good fit. They can also be shared between different wearers making it more economically than buy or bring 2 different carriers.

Unlike the pouch sling, you can breastfeed fairly discreetly and you can do the favorite tummy to tummy hold that newborns love. These slings can be used from preemie to preschool aged kids. And with a little practice, they can even be quick to put on.

The cons, however, are that they do have a longer learning curve. You also need to carry a lot more fabric around. Many users dislike the bulkiness and the “tail” piece that you end up with… especially dads. With the unpadded versions of this sling, some find the ring uncomfortable.

So hopefully this clears up any questions you may have between the two styles that are both classified in my blog, as well as on most websites, under the general title of Sling style baby carriers.

Click here to see all the articles on Baby Slings.

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