Baby Slings

Use caution with bag-style slings

Some parents, particularly nursing moms, prefer the privacy that slings provide. Sling carriers cradle the baby in soft fabric 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 the CPSC issued a warning in March 2010, advising parents and caregivers to exercise caution when using infant slings for babies less than 4 months of age. Babies younger than 4 months haven't developed strong enough neck muscles to hold their heads up adequately or to turn their heads if the airway is blocked, sometimes resulting in suffocation.

For example, Infantino voluntarily recalled one million slings in cooperation with the CPSC in March 2010 (SlingRider and Wendy Bellisimo styles). In addition, about 40 Sprout Stuff infant ring slings were recalled in June.  Both recalls were due to infant deaths as a result of suffocation (three in the case of Infantino and one in the case of Sprout Stuff). Consumers can contact Sprout Stuff for a full refund, while Infantino is offering consumers several replacement products.

As a result of the recalls, experts advise against using slings that carry a baby in a C-shaped position within a pouch that sits close to the wearer's body. Babies, especially those less than 4 months old, can suffocate if the infant's face is covered by excess fabric, if the face is positioned toward the wearer's body, if the infant's body is curved so much that the chin touches the chest, or if the infant is positioned too low in the pouch. Baby carrier manufacturers joined together in March 2010 to issue a news release, published on the Maya Wrap manufacturer's website, outlining the difference between these slings and other types of baby carriers.

There are other types of baby carriers that fall into the sling category. Woven and stretchy wraps both have long pieces of fabric that tie around a parent's body 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 because 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).

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 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.

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 be used as a front carrier, back carrier or hip carrier. They can also be used in the cradle style that has been the subject of recent controversy, so it's advisable to avoid using a ring sling in this manner. According to GranolaBabies.com, a retail website devoted to baby slings, it's easy to get a child in and out of a ring sling. However, user reviews on consumer review sites like TheBabyWearer.com for popular ring slings, such as the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling (*Est. $60), reveal that the one-shoulder design can contribute to back pain. As with all slings, it's a good idea to try these out in person before you buy.

Slings offer versatility

The Moby Wrap (*Est. $40), a woven wrap sling, is rated highly among our review sources. This product comes in 10 colors, three seasonal colors with contrast stitching (*Est. $40) and three prints (*Est. $50). A UV version is also available (*Est. $45) that is specially treated to protect your child from the sun's ultraviolet rays. The Moby Organic (*Est. $60) is identical to the Moby wrap but made of organic cotton in one of four solid colors or a swirl print (*Est. $65). 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.

More than 600 parents and caregivers across sites like Amazon.com, Diapers.com and Viewpoints.com say they like how secure and comfortable the Moby Wrap feels, but admit that it can be complicated to put on and can be hot for both the wearer and the baby. Parents appreciate the many ways the Moby Wrap can be used: holding a baby in the front, on the back or on the hip, and it can even be used with twins. Many reviewers say the Moby Wrap enabled them to calm a fussy baby for hours while having two hands free to tend to other children or chores.

If you prefer a more traditional, one-shoulder style sling, the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling (*Est. $60) is praised in a review on BabyTipsOnline.com. The Maya comes in four sizes and can also be adjusted for different wearers. The Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Sling has only a small amount of padding at the shoulder, designed to be cooler to wear than a fully padded sling. The Maya Wrap can be used with babies up to 35 pounds and, like most wraps and slings, can be used in a front, hip, back, reclining, nursing or kangaroo carry position.

The Maya Wrap generally gets positive reviews from consumers on Amazon.com, where nearly 25 owners contribute to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, and Viewpoints.com, where it gets similar ratings in about 60 reviews. Some parents do say the rings can slip during wear, loosening the wrap, and that the sling puts too much strain on one shoulder. While some say it's easier to get a baby in and out of this sling than with the regular Moby Wrap, and that the Maya Wrap is easier to put on, several reviewers on Amazon.com note that they don't feel as though their babies are secure in the Maya Wrap. The Lightly Padded Sling is made of cotton and comes in a total of 16 colors and patterns.