There are many baby carriers for babies, although not all of them belong to slings. For example, the popular "kengurushniki", hipsters and backpacks can not be called sling, although most people in ignorance think that way. Only three types of tissue carriers are directly related to the slings: a scarf, a model with rings and a May-sling. All of them are great for newborns. Each of these species has both its advantages and disadvantages. Our guide will tell you about all the characteristics (construction, fixation, position of the child, the load on the adult, etc.) and the differences, so that after reading you know exactly what purposes each of the existing commercial slings is for.
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The best manufacturers of slings - which company to choose
The Russian market offers a wide selection of slings. Successfully engaged in the production of such products are not only foreign, but also domestic companies.
There are enterprises in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other major cities. Products from companies from Russia are much cheaper, since they are made from our materials.
Buyers with special care approach to the acquisition of slings, carefully studying the finished product. Large brands, including many European representatives, enjoy special confidence.
Here are just some of them:
- Didymos;
- VMeste;
- Hoppediz;
- BabyHawk;
- Ellevill.
Since the sling is a product designed to serve the child, it must have mandatory quality certificates, as well as sanitary-epidemiological findings confirming the safety of the raw materials used in the manufacture. All serious firms must provide documentation upon request.
When deciding on a brand, pay attention to the presence of a catalog with an image of the products, a description of the models, instructions and information about the benefits. If all of the above is present at the manufacturer, then you can safely give him preference.
Those who are already interested in finding a specific model, we recommend to go to our rated best slings.
The principle of operation and the device sling
Sling - a device for easy carry baby. All slings are made of fabric, they have a certain length and width.
The product works as follows: the mother ties one of the suitable methods to the canvas on herself, forming a special pocket where the child is subsequently placed. It is worth noting that this method of wearing babies was popular in antiquity. He allows his mother to free up her hands and go about her business, always staying with the baby.
Sling is an alternative to hands, because the location in it also allows you to maintain a natural posture. Due to this, such products can be used from the earliest months of life of the baby.
There are many types of slings, but only three of them are the most convenient, safe and suitable for children:
1. Scarf slings;
2. Models with rings;
3. Mai slings.
With such carriers, it is much easier to travel in public transport, to run to the shops, where not to pull the stroller, to feed and rock the baby.
From the point of view of safety, for health, the vertical position in the sling allows the legs to be properly and widely spread apart. Thus, the weight is distributed more evenly, and the load does not press on the lower parts of the spine, as it happens in “kengurumniki”.
Types of slings
Sling Scarf
It is a fabric cloth, which usually has sizes from four to six meters long and up to 80 cm wide. With the help of such a scarf a parent can position the child in the abdomen, back or thigh.
Such a sling is fastened most often on both shoulders, which affects the uniform distribution of the load over the body. Very young kids easily fit in a horizontal position as if in a lullaby, and grown up and heavier in weight are transferred without difficulty on the back or abdomen.
Advantages:
- uniform load distribution;
- the child is closely pressed to the mother;
- baby legs do not hang out;
- easier to carry heavy children.
Disadvantages:
- required training with tying;
- fixing the sling scarf takes time.
Sling with rings
This fabric cloth has slightly smaller sizes: in length up to two meters, and in width up to 70 cm. One end of the matter is equipped with a soft lining and rings. The sling design is fixed only on one shoulder of the parent.
The fabric is pushed through special rings, thus allowing adjustment of the size of the sling. Baby in a similar carrying can be laid both horizontally and vertically seated. The location of the baby, as in the previous species, occurs in the abdomen, back, thigh.
Advantages:
- quick adjustment;
- no need to dress the sling to shift the baby;
- if necessary, the baby is easy to remove from the sling.
Disadvantages:
- uneven load on the parent's body;
- need to alternate shoulders.
Mai Sling
Such a sling is a fabric square or rectangular canvas, where long and wide straps are sewn at all four corners. The construction is fastened with the help of them: the lower ones are tied around the waist, thus forming a back for supporting the baby, and the upper ones are fixed on the shoulders.
The choice of fabrics in such models is much wider than the previous two. Visually, the May-sling is more modern, has no ethnic reference, and therefore will suit a larger circle of people.
Advantages:
- uniform distribution of the load on the parent's body;
- easy carrying on the back or abdomen;
- almost not felt the weight of grown children.
Disadvantages:
- breastfeeding in a horizontal position can be difficult;
- has adjustment restrictions;
- not recommended for long walks.
Sling selection options
Rings
Rings in slings should be strong, preferably made of metal or strong plastic. In diameter, they cannot be less than 8, or even 9 cm, although in some models six-centimeter are permissible.
Usually this parameter depends on the type of fabric used, the thicker it is (velvet, jeans, fleece), the larger the diameter. Products with rings up to 6 cm will be inconvenient to adjust, individually pulling the bumpers. Before buying, be sure to try to bend the rings to check their reliability.
It is very important that the purchased sling with rings is not great for you, do not forget to try on the product you like before purchasing. If the edges of the sides reach the rings, then the sling does not suit you. In this model, it will not be possible to tighten the fabric so that both the baby and you are most comfortable.
Very often, manufacturers indicate compliance sizes, check this point with consultants. Under the condition of border size, it is best to prefer the smaller one. In order for both parents to use the sling, purchase a model without beads.
Straps
Buying May-sling, pay attention to the straps. They should be wide enough and made of dense fabric. Their length is usually about two to four meters, which is suitable for most body builds. But if you are larger than 54 sizes, choose straps 10 cm or more longer.
The width of the May-sling in the back is from 30 to 40 cm. It is important to look that this parameter is maximal for the grown-up child.
Newborns, which may-baby sling may be too big, we advise you to part the legs, girdling mom's waist.It is easy to shorten the high back, it is enough just to tighten it before putting on around the bottom of the strap.
Material
Try to choose only natural fabrics, especially if you plan to carry the newborn in a sling. Such materials are hypoallergenic and will not harm either the child or the parent.
Knitted fabrics very gently fit the baby, but when growing up, there is a chance that the heavier child will begin to sag in his pocket, and this may adversely affect the formation of his body. That is why experts advise to immediately purchase slings from non-stretchable fabrics.
It is advisable to abandon the completely inelastic options, as they are able to cut the shoulders of the parent. The best option would be jacquard fabric with a diagonal weave of threads. Their free movement guarantees perfect fit for both the baby and the parent’s shoulders.
Width
1. Sling scarves are different in width, it all depends on the fabric. For stretching ones - 60 cm, for non-stretching ones - 80 cm.
2. Slings with rings usually have a width of 70 cm.
3. Mine slings can be up to 40-45 cm wide.
The size
1. If your clothing size is up to 44, then you need to buy a sling up to four meters long.
2. For larger ones, up to size 52, the optimum length will be five meters.
3. For those wearing 54 and up, a six meter sling is required.
Which sling to choose
1. Only for home use or for babies who do not like to sit in one position for a long time, you need to choose a sling with rings. It will provide an opportunity to remove the child without any difficulties, if necessary.
2. If you need a sling for the street, then you should buy a mine-sling or a scarf. In them, the baby can be a decent time, and he has the opportunity to sleep in a comfortable environment.
3. Those who purely aesthetically do not fit a scarf, you can stop paying attention to the mine sling, as it looks more modern. But do not forget that the possibilities of adjustment in such a model are narrower.
4. For newborns, a sling with rings will be ideal.
5. Older slings and scarves are suitable for older children, since the load in them is distributed evenly.
6. One-year-old kids often can walk, but quickly get tired. For a walk with them, it is better to buy a sling with rings, in order to give rest from time to time, but be able to quickly take out and let them walk again by themselves.
7. A calm child, preferring to be in the hands of parents, will feel more comfortable in the mine-sling and scarf, having the opportunity to be near the mother or father for long hours.
8. Choose a sling with strong metal or plastic rings of large diameter.
9. Straps at the mine-sling should be sewn from durable, soft fabric. In width, choose the best option, about 30-40 cm.
10. Buy models of non-lacing fabrics so that you do not have to buy two sling.
11. If the sling is planned to be used only for the first time after birth, then give preference to knitted, elastic materials.
12. Choose only natural and hypoallergenic fabrics.
How much is a sling
1. Low-cost models of slings are usually sewn from simple fabrics like calico. The cost of such models ranges from 800-1.500 p.
2. Slightly more expensive will be products made from jacquard, knitwear and other materials. Buy similar slings for 2-3 thousand rubles.
3. Slings made of rare fabrics, such as silk, are also the most expensive ones, as well as designer canvases. Pay for a model will have from 5 to 20 thousand rubles.
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