Natural Nursery Blog

There are so many baby carriers to choose from, it can feel a bit daunting to know where to start. Add to this the various types of baby slings, the acronyms and we have some very confused parents. Here is a quick glossary to baby slings. We hope this helps

Asian carriers, Asian inspired baby carriers (ABC) – There is a lively tradition of baby carrying in the Far East. Each country will have a different variation: Mei tai (China), Onbuhimo (Japan), Podegi (Korea) for example. Many baby carriers available today are ‘inspired’ from these traditional baby carriers and adapted them to the needs of Western mothers. The Napsack baby is an Asian baby carrier.

Baby backpack – this wide term refers to the baby carriers which are most suited to back carries. It doesn’t mean that they can’t be used for front carries but they are particularly easy to use on your back. The Ergo baby carrier is an example of a baby backpack.

Babywearing – Babywearing is another word for ‘baby carrying’. Imagine baby slings being so comfortable that you could ‘wear’ them for hours, just like a coat and carry your baby in it as much as he needs/wants to.

Back carries – Back carries refer to all the positions where the baby is carried on the parent’s back. Most baby slings are suitable for back carries although some might be more suited than others. Soft carriers, like mei tai, or baby backpacks are easy to use on your back.

Braiding – Baby wraps are much easier to use when the fabric is soft and ‘floppy’. Some wraps are soft straight out the packet, others will need time and use to soften. To speed up the softening, you can sit on the wrap or braid it: knot it over and over until the fabric softens. Also true for some ring slings.

Calin bleu – A brand of baby wraps made in the UK. Calin Bleu specialises in light and soft baby wraps, easy to use and suitable from birth to toddlers.

DYI slings – Making your own baby sling can be fun. Many mums can make their own baby sling. For your safety, make sure you follow the sling sewing instructions carefully. Choose good quality material and rings (Slingrings.com are the best). For a wrap, a simple piece of cloth suffices. For a ring sling, a pouch, a soft structured carrier or a mei tai, you will find dozens of sling sewing instructions online.

Stay tune for the rest of baby slings glossary…

Prepare the next generation of babywearers!

Children love colouring pictures, and familiar pictures in particular. These images of mums carrying babies in their baby slings will appeal to them.

Award-winning British artist Susan Cook of Picture Dreams, has produced these beautiful drawings of babies in baby slings for your little ones to colour-in.

You can download the A4 version as a jpg (right click on the large image and choose print) or as as pdf. If you don’t have a printer, email us your address and we’ll be happy to pop some in the post for you.

Can be reproduced only for personal home use. For group use, please contact us.

Click on the images to see the high resolutions:

Most baby slings can be used to carry your baby on your back, at least that’s what it says in the product description. However becoming confident enough to carry your baby on your back when you’re out and about and others are looking can feel a bit daunting. Many parents give up and resort to using a buggy. It doesn’t need to be so, learning to carry your baby on your back takes a bit of practice but once you get used to it, it gives you a great sense of freedom and comfort.

Here are a few pointers to help you get started.

Choose your baby sling carefully. Make sure that it is suitable for your baby’s age. For example, the Ergo baby backpack is suitable from birth for front carriers with the insert and can be used on the back only from 6 months.

Read your baby sling instructions carefully, take the time to watch some videos on the internet.

Take your time. Don’t try to rush and do it as quickly a possible, it would only make you and your baby nervous and flustered.

Learn step by step. First pop your baby on your back without a baby sling, just the motion of placing your baby on your back as -you would play with your baby. Both you and your baby how his weight feels on your back, where he’s positioned, what feels the most natural…

Practice on a soft surface with another adult around. It doesn’t necessarily help if the person tries to hold the child on your back or help you with your baby sling but they can help make sure that your baby is safe.

Choosing a key phrase like ‘lie down’ and repeat it regularly will slowly teach your baby to sit still while you are getting him in the baby slings. You’ll be surprised how quickly this technique can help quieten the ‘wrigglest’ toddlers.

This is just the start… keep reading for more tips on how to use your baby slings on your back.

It is still pretty cold out there! Going out with your baby is difficult when you’re worried about the rain, the snow, the cold, the wind (or all of them pretty much at the same time!). You may wonder if your baby will be cold.

Time to get yourself a Calin Bleu fleece baby sling!

Made of ultra light micro fleece, the Calin Bleu baby slings have many advantages:

• Ultra light fleece to make sure you’re just comfortable: not too cold, not too hot.
• No need for a bulky coat, just pop your coat over your baby.
• No need for a bulky baby snow suit, the fleece counts as one layer.
• Some warm baby socks and a baby hat are all you need.
• Easy to use, the perfect baby sling to learn to wrap your baby.
• Easy to care for, pop it in the washing machine. It dries so quickly you don’t need to tumble dry it.
• Perfect for reflux babies, can be wiped down until the next wash.
• Extremely soft, softer than most micro fleece you will have ever seen.
• Suitable for children with sensitive skin.
• No buckle, no rings, easy to adjust.
• One size baby sling can easily be used by parents of different sizes.
• Durable, it can be used with a second baby
• Light (less than 500g), can be kept in your handbag or the bottom of the buggy
• So light it can be worn indoors.
• Lovely new baby gift.
• Double as a changing mat if need be when you’re out and about.
• Made in the UK
• Come with a colour booklet and step by step instructions.

And now the Calin Bleu baby slings are even more affordable than ever. Starting at £29.50 for the plain fleece baby slings and only £34.50 for the designer fleece baby slings.

baba baby slings

You will soon be able to find a whole new range of baby slings at Natural Nursery: ring sling, soft structured carrier, mei tai, wraps, babywearing accessories… We will have everything you need to carry your baby comfortably.

On special offer today are the Baba ring baby slings. At only £19.99, the Baba baby slings are a good introduction to ‘babywearing’. You can choose red, navy, black or natural.

These hammock style baby slings allow you to carry your baby in 7 different positions and is suitable from birth up to 2 year old. They provide essential bonding for both parent and child. The patented Baba baby slings adjust in seconds to fit mums, dads and babies of all sizes.

Why choose the  Baba Baby Slings?

* You can use it to carry babies and toddlers (0 – 2+).
* You can choose among the 7 different carrying positions.
* You can breastfeed your baby in the BabaSling
* You can easily adjust it to fit you and your partner.
* It is made from 100% sturdy cotton.
* It has safety features for your peace of mind.
* It is machine washable.
* It is produced in a Fair Trade environment.

Ergo baby carrier

Like many things about parenting,using a baby sling for the first time can be a bit intimidating. Follow these simple recommendations and soon you will be on your ‘babywearing‘ way!

It sounds of obvious but this is the place to start: read the instruction manual or watch the DVD carefully. If you don’t have one, contact the manufacturer or research on line for babywearing videos for your type of baby sling. The baby carrier manufacturer will usually recommend one carry to start with, just stick to that until you’re comfortable with it.

The easiest is to practice with a doll or a teddy bear. Even a cushion would work, or your bump if you’re pregnant.

Start when your baby is relaxed, fed, burped and changed. Don’t wait until your baby is cranky and tired to remember your brand new sling.

Ask a supportive friend to give you a hand, read the instructions for you or just hold the baby while you’re putting on your baby sling.

It can help to practice in front of a mirror, take a look at the photos in the instructions and see how it looks on you. You can also take a photo (front, back and side) of yourself and compare them with the manufacturer’s photos.

For all types of baby slings, there are a few principles to remember:

• Baby should be held high in the baby carrier. You only need to tilt your head forward to kiss her forehead. Your baby’s bottom should never be below your navel.
• Baby should be sitting in the baby sling, not with her legs dangling down. Her thighs should be wide apart in a frog-like position, her knees flexed and higher than her bottom.
• The fabric of the baby sling or the straps of the baby carrier should be spread wide and not twisted. The baby sling should feel snug in order to keep the centre of gravity inside your body. There should be no need to lean forward, back or sideways.

Once your baby carrier is properly worn, you can carry your child for hours without the baby carrier feeling loose or stretched out.

Are you trying a baby sling for the first time? Did this article help? Do you have more questions? We’d love to hear from you if you have more advice for someone trying a baby sling for the first time.

baby slings video

baby slings video

September 21st to 28th is the 2nd edition of  International Baby Week. It’s the time to celebrate the joy of carrying our children. Whether it’s a small baby or an active toddler, children thrive when held close to their parents. These special moments help them build the self-confidence to venture out when the time is right for them. Perched on your back or snuggled up against your chest, they have discovered the world from your height, making it a much less intimidating place when they are are back on the ground.

The theme for 2009 is Close enough to kiss, highlighting that babies should be carried high in a baby sling, their bottom never lower than your navel and their head close enough to kiss. It’s one of the most important tips for carrying your child comfortably in a baby sling. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need any advice on how to choose your baby sling or how to use it.

To celebrate this Babywearing Week, Babywearing International released this lovely video with heart-warming photos of baby slings: baby slings video