Carrying your baby in your arms can be beautiful and romantic, right? But what about carrying them for hours on end, especially when you need or want to take a stroll somewhere you can’t bring a stroller? Your arms start to ache and it’s not comfortable at all for either mom or baby. That’s when two accessories come into play that can make a big difference in the comfort of carrying your baby: the sling and the baby carrier! But which one is more beneficial for both baby and mom, which is best without causing any future problems? Let’s take a look:

About the Sling

The sling has only recently arrived in Brazil, about six years ago on average. It came from abroad and is quite a novelty among moms as an alternative to the baby carrier, allowing comfortable babywearing1. Usually, the sling is made of a long cotton fabric with or without a ring at the end, which is used for the final knot to get the desired shape. With the sling, you can make various shapes: one for breastfeeding, to carry the baby lying down, seated, and even, for those who prefer, on the back. The sling was inspired by the way indigenous women carry their babies, and the most common types are:

Types of Sling

  • Wrap Sling: A fabric about five meters long that wraps around both mom and baby.

  • Ring Sling: The most common type, also made of fabric but a bit shorter, about two meters long. It has a ring at the end for tying.

  • Pouch Sling: Hammock-like design to comfortably carry very small or sleeping babies.

  • Baby Carrier: Very similar to the conventional baby carriers made with thicker materials, babies are usually carried seated in front or on the back like a backpack.

Benefits of the Sling

The main benefit of the sling is the safety it gives the baby by keeping them very close to mom, hearing her heartbeat. The convenience for the mother is also significant since being hands free is a huge plus. And the downsides? The sling does have some drawbacks, especially if the baby is positioned incorrectly, as this can cause pain for both the person carrying and for the baby.

You also need to pay close attention to how the sling is tied, as improper tying could result in the baby falling. The child could slide through gaps in the fabric if not tied securely, and the one carrying could also fall, since all the weight would be concentrated in one area.

Sling vs. Baby Carrier

The baby carrier is the older method, but it is still widely used by moms, especially for outings that require them to have their hands free, like at the supermarket. The baby carrier sits on the mother’s chest and is supported by the entire torso with X-shaped straps on the back2.

The benefit is really for the mother, as it evenly distributes the weight, but for the baby, the position isn’t ideal. The weight is concentrated on the pelvis instead of the bottom (buttocks). The baby also ends up “dangling” with their legs hanging outside the carrier. Ideally, the baby should be positioned with their legs bent to better support healthy joint development.

Care When Using a Baby Carrier

With the baby carrier, extra care should be taken to keep the baby in the correct position. To check if the baby is well accommodated, make sure their legs are symmetrical on both sides. If so, weight is evenly distributed and there should not be any misalignment that could cause future issues. There’s a saying that babies who spend a lot of time in baby carriers may develop bowed legs as they grow. Whether this is myth or truth, it’s worth consulting a specialist to clarify.

Time Limits for Sling and Baby Carrier Use

Both slings and baby carriers should be used for a limited time because the baby’s position is restricted. Choosing good, comfortable, hypoallergenic fabrics is highly recommended, and of course, avoid using them for too long. In my view, both methods are good options. What might place the sling ahead is the ease of changing the baby’s position each time you use it. It’s up to mom to try both and see which feels best for her.

Baby carriers come in various brands (Chicco, Ergobaby, Stokke, and others) and may cost about R$150 to R$250. Slings are more affordable and cost around R$60, but must be tied very securely to avoid accidents. Learn the proper way to use a sling.

See also: Baby Layette – Additional Essentials

Photo: Tianshek