1 Trend, 3 Ways: Stylish Baby Slings

Babies love to cuddle, but that’s not always easy to do when you’re on-the-go. Fortunately, babywearing has become an increasingly popular way to keep your tot close and leave your hands free to run errands, etc.

But with so many slings on the market — from the ring version Mayim Bialik used with her son Fred, to the pouch Joely Fisher used with baby Olivia or the wrap Tisha Campbell-Martin chose for Ezekiel — finding the right one for you (and your baby!) is no easy feat.

To make things easier, we’ve created a guide to chic, functional options in every category at prices that fit everyone’s budget. Check out our favorites below!

Mark Wilkins / Meet The Famous; Ray Mickshaw/Fox/Getty; Jen Lowery / Splash News Online

Click below for more slings!

Courtesy of Amazon

Ring

Splurge: Crafted from super soft Indian dipioni silk, Sakura Bloom‘s Essential Baby sling ($198) is definitely a splurge. But the luxurious, breathable fabric makes this sling well worth it!

Affordable: Soft and adjustable, Zolowear‘s cotton sling ($89, left) features a handy zipper patch pocket. Plus, it comes in eight different prints and offers six comfy carrying positions.

Bargain Buy: Made of a cotton and linen blend, TaylorMade Slings linen sling ($50) keeps baby cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Have a fabric that you love? TaylorMade takes custom orders too!

Courtesy of Peanut Shell

Pouch

Splurge: Available in a variety of stylish prints and colors, Serena & Lily‘s Market slings ($129) are lined with super soft 100% organic jersey cotton. No wonder they’ve become a must-have baby item for celeb parents like Camila Alves, Nicole Kidman and Jennifer Meyer Maguire.

Affordable: The name says it all! Puj‘s Go Sling ($48) works well for busy moms. Just fold it up, stash it in your purse and pull it out when you’re ready.

Bargain Buy: Currently marked down to $18, Peanut Shell‘s Flor Cafe pouch (left) is totally a two-for-the-price-of-one steal! Not feeling the mod floral pattern? Flip it over and go with the solid espresso color instead!

Courtesy of PacSun

Wrap

Splurge: With six edgy embellished designs — Peace, Skull, Fleur de Lis, Crown, Dragon and Angel Wings — metromama‘s Bling Metrowrap ($130, left) is the perfect gift for a hip mom. Added bonus: It’s easy to clean. Just throw it in the wash and go!

Affordable: Buy Gypsy Mama‘s Bali Breeze ($69) guilt-free. Each beautifully-crafted wrap is hand-dyed under fair working conditions in Indonesia and then packaged in an eco-friendly reusable fabric bag!

Bargain Buy: Equipped with wide straps to make carrying baby a breeze, Picara‘s Baby Wrap ($39) can be worn three different ways: on your chest, on your back or even on your hip.

— Anya

Comments

I have to say, the way Mayim and Joely are wearing their babies doesn’t look extremely comfortable – for the mothers, at least. It would help if each of the women spread the fabric so that it covered more of their shoulders, a way of distributing a baby’s weight more evenly. I also wonder if Joely’s pouch is too big for her, since Olivia is riding very low.

I don’t mean this as a criticism of the women in the pictures, just a tip for wearing slings and pouches without hurting your back!

- ess on February 3rd, 2010

Have to agree – Mayim’s looks like it should be spread out on the shoulder more, and I completely dislike how Joely is slinging that baby – too low!! That’s hard on the back (not to mention, one of the major bonuses of babywearing is bonding/cuddling – hard to do with the baby at your bellybutton!

However – I’m just happy to see babies NOT in bjorns!!

- Leah on February 3rd, 2010

I completely agree. A sling is meant to hold your baby up near your chest, and if the sling is sitting as low as Joely’s is here, it’s either too big, or not being used correctly.

I personally did not like the slings so much, but found that a wrap was a great way to when my daughter was smaller! I was able to use it anywhere and everywhere, up until just a few weeks ago. And she’s over 1 1/2 now!

Another great option for mom’s with bigger babies and toddlers is a mei tai. Baby sits in it similar to a Bjorn, but their legs are spread out more to be more comfy and better for them. Also, rather than having hooks and clasps, it just ties on, and has wider straps to make it very comfy for mom to wear. I’ve carried my 3 year old son in mine, and I barely notice it!

- Shannon on February 3rd, 2010

I don’t have any experience with slings or wraps, but I just had to comment on how cute it is that Ezekiel Martin’s wrap is very tasty!

- Jenn on February 3rd, 2010

Shannon – totally agree on the meitai. I found it had more support for me & baby, even when she was a young baby (younger babies ride legs-in). I do love my wraps for the newborn stage and around the house – and I keep a hotsling in the car for quick trips once the baby is old enough for a hipcarry – but I don’t like the typical sling.

And yes – I’m a total babywearing addict All in all, I have 7 different slings/carriers/wraps.

- Leah on February 3rd, 2010

I don’t even have any children, but when I do I’m so rocking the Baby Sling! I love them!

- Maddie on February 3rd, 2010

Where are the Mei Tais? Those are the easiest carriers for most people to use! BabyHawk, MeiTai Baby, Kozy Carriers, Napsack Baby?

And soft structured carries like the Beco, ERGO or Pikkolo?

- MC on February 4th, 2010

Also, those wraps, while very gorgeous, are better for smaller babies. Woven wraps are better for bigger babes–Didymos, Girasol, Storch. The wrap was such a useful carrier for my babe. I love being able to put the baby on my back.

And Mei Tais and wraps are really hands free compared to pouches and slings.

I love my peanut shell too, especially at that pre-walking and new walker stage when they are up and down non-stop. You can pop them in and out.

- MC on February 4th, 2010

I love my baby wrap! My 2 week old baby daughter and I spent a lovely afternoon at the museum and she slept AND ate as I walked through and enjoyed the art! I have the Didymos. It even came with a helpful dvd.

- nicole in paris on February 4th, 2010

I agree with the sling comments. I like to have my sling well spread out over my shoulder for comfort. Otherwise it ends up riding on my neck. And, now that my baby is 10 months, I’m using the Ergo whenever I want to carry her for very long. The sling is still useful for short trips.

Three cheers to babywearing!

- Olivia on February 4th, 2010

I love my sling. Makes it so easy to make around.

- Something About Baby on February 4th, 2010

that babe looks ready to dump right out! And mom looks very uncomfortable, agreed! I love the mamas milk sling I have for my grandaughter… very stylish and comfy! they even make one in a uv protective fabric that’s protection doesnt wash out! Lots of bling and the softest most beautiful fabric with quickchange accessories it has everything you need- no diaper bag! PERFECT!

- brenda s. on February 10th, 2010

Great Article! While I understand it is almost impossible to cover every brand of baby carrier there is one brand that seems to be made from a unique fabric and as a result is worth mentioning. The Swaddlesport Pouch Style Carrier is made of a moisture wicking fabric (like a golf shirt) that actually wicks sweat away from the wearer and the baby. This sling is much cooler than the others we have tried. We were even able to get my husband a Swaddlesport, aka his “man sling”, in his college team’s colors. Now our baby will be attending this year’s college football season in style and comfort.

- Anonymous on April 14th, 2010