Ask CBB: Wraps, Slings, and Pouches

We’ve received several emails from readers asking about soft baby carriers. What are the differences between wraps, slings, and pouches?

Wearing your baby is one of the best things you can do to promote healthy bonding and attachment between you and your little one.  Did you know that babies that are worn cry less and are easier to soothe?  Babywearing is good for baby’s physical, emotional, and mentaldevelopment. Babies who are worn by their caregiver are generally in aquiet alert state, and cry less because they feel constant security.When you’re baby is worn, it can feel your body warmth, breathingrhythm, and hear both your heart beat and your voice, which remindsthem of being in the womb.  For more on why babywearing is great foryou and your baby (and the scientific studies that back it), read Great Things About Babywearing at thebabywearer.com.

There are four main types of soft baby carriers: wraps, mei tais, slings and pouches. All are excellent for different types of carries and or different aged children. 

Pictured left is Danielle’s current favorite pouch from Karma Baby. Danielle’s note – I’m not pregnant again – it’s just an unflattering photo!

Click here to continue reading about the four types of carriers, our recommendations, and to save 10% on your purchase at AttachedtoBaby.com.

Comments

Danielle – are you pregnant again???? I don’t mean this is a derogative way, but you look pregnant in this picture!

- A. on October 30th, 2006

I agree with the first poster.

- Kresta on October 30th, 2006

Anya is so beautiful! She would make a wonderful older sister .. That is, if you are pregnant !!!

- Joanne on October 30th, 2006

I learn a lot from this site about things like this, but with posts such as these, I’d love to get more solid information. Statements such as ” babies that are worn cry less and are easier to soothe” pique my interest and I’d like to see more about this, because as it stands I don’t know much. Could you possibly link to scientific studies we could read or more in-depth sites pertaining to these things? It isn’t that I don’t take what you say at face value; I’d just like to know the reasons behind these things. I like the fact that this site has gone beyond just celebrity babies and into baby products and information, but it would be nice if this were done as completely and factually as possible, especially for those of us who don’t have children — yet. Just a suggestion for making a great site even more informative and better

From Danielle, CBB Publisher:
Scientific studies backing this can be found at the bottom of the page here: http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/WhyTo/GreatThings.htm

- Chiara on October 30th, 2006

Hey, that was fast! Thanks!

- Chiara on October 30th, 2006

Or maybe I just missed that extended post the first time. Oy, it’s Monday.

- Chiara on October 30th, 2006

No! Bite your tongue! It’s just the angle. In fact, I am thinner than I’ve ever been so it’s funny how round my belly looks. It’s that damn lycra swim top I was wearing.

- Danielle, CBB Publisher on October 30th, 2006

As a first time single mom I love this site it always has the best advice and great baby product info. Danielle- what is the name of that pouch that u are wearing? I love the way it holds Anya.

- Natalie on October 30th, 2006

Eeek, sorry Danielle. If it makes you feel any better, I have had people ask me the same question at times.

- Kresta on October 30th, 2006

The first three posters should be ashamed! That is one of the rudest things that we women do and say to one another! I have been a recipient of rude comments like these and I am just overweight – never even been pregnant! Danielle was very gracious in her response. Kresta: Does it make YOU feel any better when your feelings have been hurt, that you hurt someone else’s feelings??

- chicki20716 on October 30th, 2006

You can make your own baby carrier very similar to those that you can buy. Here is a link to a bunch of different websites with patterns: http://www.kellymom.com/parenting/sling.html#sewing. My MIL is making one for me for Christmas!

- Amy on October 30th, 2006

I find when I am holding my son on my hip I tend to puff out my abdomin. A co-worker asked me once if I was pregnant when I was leaning back, puffing out my stomach to keep my balance when I leaned back in an elevator. I said no, are you? She WAS overweight, and a grandmother 5 times over, so I think she realized how rude it was.
Anyhow, I plan to do more baby-wearing next time around. I just need to find a comfy sling because I have a bad back. I have some mean biceps from carrying my son for nearly 3 years.

- Kori on October 30th, 2006

Chick I agree with you. I don’t think the posters meant to be rude at all with Danielle, but that question in general comes out rude to most people, especially when the person is not pregnant. I’ve seen people ask people all the time, omg your pregnant when are you due. And the person says nope not pregnant at all, guess I’m just carrying a few extra pounds or something like that. I never ask anyone if they are pregnant, because if their not I feel bad implying they look pregnant. I also don’t like when people ask other people so when are you getting married, why haven’t you had a baby yet, do you want anther child etc, all those type questions that are very personal IMO. I think we discussed this under a sandra bullock thread recently, when she got pissed when someone asked her if she is pregnant. Now if someone themselves brings up those things, than it’s different. But when it comes to people lives, I try not to assume anything, unless they themselves open that discussion up.

- gabriella on October 30th, 2006

chiki, I am thick-skinned so it has never hurt me when people have assumed that I am pregnant. I just laugh and tell them I’m not. Then I forget about about it. It wasn’t my intention to hurt Danielle and I did apologise to her. I didn’t say that Danielle looked overweight but the photo does make her hips look as though she has a cute baby bump. And, how many times are photos of celebrities posted on here where we are asked on our opinion as to whether they are pregnant or not? Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon come to mind.

- Kresta on October 31st, 2006

I’m not so convinced about the link between “baby wearing” and babies being more content. I didn’t “wear” my babies, and they are very content, independent, socialable, and downright pleasant (always have been). My best friend has done the baby wearing thing for 2 years now and her little boy was a very late walker, he’s whiney and overall, very high needs. I just think it depends on a child’s personality and how they are raised. Just my opinion though!

- kate on November 2nd, 2006