Baby Slings

Slings are popular in multiple styles

Some parents, particularly nursing moms, prefer the privacy that slings provide. Sling carriers cradle the baby in soft fabric both vertically and horizontally and often drape across the parent's body and over one shoulder. Some products are made of a single layer of fabric, while others are padded. It is important to note that experts do not recommend using slings during activity as they will not adequately support an infant -- so if hiking is on your agenda, this product is not right for you. The good news: If slings are your carrier of choice, you'll encounter a lot of options.

Woven and stretchy wraps both have long pieces of fabric that tie around a parent's body in to create different carrying styles, including front, back and hip. Stretchy wraps, as the name suggests, are made with a flexible fabric, although they are not capable of holding as much weight as woven wraps since the fabric can stretch out. Despite their differences, both of these baby wrap carriers distribute weight across a parent's body (wrapping around both shoulders and across the back).

Other options include ring slings, which consist of a long piece of fabric attached to a pair of rings that are used as fasteners. They are draped across one shoulder. Ring slings can also be used as a front carrier, back carrier, or hip carrier, and for newborns they can be used in a cradle style. According to SlingsILove.com, it's easy to get a child in and out of a ring sling. However, some parents complain that ring slings can cause back pain. As with all slings, it's a good idea to try these out in person before you buy.

Mei tais, another sling style, consist of a triangular or rectangular body piece attached to four straps that go around the shoulders and waist. Mei tais are adjustable, and they tie on -- something that requires some practice on the parent's part. They can be used in front, back and hip carrying positions. Mei tais are only one-shouldered when used in the hip-carry position; otherwise, weight is distributed over both shoulders.

The Moby Wrap (*Est. $40), a woven wrap sling, is rated highly among our review sources. This product comes in 11 colors, and is also available in a version (*Est. $45) that is specially treated to protect your child from the sun's ultraviolet rays. The Moby Select (*Est. $70) is identical to the Moby wrap but made of organic cotton or a batik print. Unlike other slings, which wrap fabric around one shoulder, the Moby Wrap distributes weight evenly across a parent's shoulders and back by wrapping the fabric around both shoulders. Many parents say they like how secure and comfortable the Wrap feels but admit that it can be complicated to put on and can be hot in the summer. The Moby Wrap can be used to hold a baby in the front, on the back or on the hip, and it can even be used with twins.

If you prefer a more traditional, one-shoulder style sling, the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling (*Est. $60) is praised in both professional and user reviews. You can carry a baby up to 35 pounds in the front, on the hip, in back, reclining, nursing or in a kangaroo carry position.

The Maya can also be easily adjusted for different wearers. Since the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling has only a small amount of padding at the shoulder, it's cooler to wear than a fully-padded sling. While some say it's easier to get a baby in and out of this sling, several reviewers on Amazon.com note that they felt that their babies were more secure in the Moby Wrap baby wrap. The Lightly Padded Sling is made of cotton and comes in more than a dozen colors.