Parent and Baby

Our baby is the most precious thing in the world and we always want to keep him safe and near us. Our babies also want to be near us always, to feel our love and warmth. To provide for this need, we have to carry, hold and cuddle our baby but  we can’t do this all the time because we have to work and we have other things to attend to. Hence the soft baby carrier  and baby sling are invented. Soft baby carriers and slings are very useful baby essentials, not only to make our life  easy but also providing our babies need for love and warmth. These are great, hands-free way to keep our baby close and  cozy while we are doing other things or on the go.

In as much as we would like to spend time with our baby, we have other things to attend to like our other children and  the household chores. Soft baby carriers and slings make this easy but, take note that not every baby likes to be put on  a carrier or sling. So before you rush to buy one, you have to make sure that your baby does not object to be placed on a  soft carrier or sling. If you can borrow one, then do so and try it on your baby much like a dry run. This way, if your  baby does not like it, you don’t need to buy one. But if your baby likes it and you are comfortable using it, then you  have to buy your own soft carrier or sling.

There are two types of soft baby carriers. The first one is a strap-on model which holds the baby in an upright position.  The baby will either by facing you or facing front. The carrier is a padded fabric pouch that have leg holes and is  attached to an adult shoulder strap and waist strap. The second type is the sling. The sling is a length of fabric that  you wear over one shoulder and around your waist and some can be worm around your hip. This forms a comfortable nest for  your baby. Both types of carriers have a maximum weight limit.

The strap-on soft baby carriers are designed for infants that are 7 pounds to 26 pounds, depending on the brand because  there are brands that have baby carrier lines for smaller infants and even twins. Soft baby carriers now have adjustable  leg openings to fit your baby and eliminate to possibility of your baby slipping through the leg opening. The carriers  also now have a seat insert for newborns and smaller babies to ensure a snug fit. You have to adjust the straps to ensure  a snug fit for you and your baby and you will both be comfortable, your baby inside the carrier and you as the one who  carries him. Some strap-on models even allow easy and discreet nursing. If you like using a carrier and your baby likes
it, too and that’s very important, you may even be able to postpone buying a stroller for a few months, until your baby  can sit up. If your baby will fall asleep while inside the carrier and you want to lay him down, most models have a side  exit which will allow you to extract your baby from the carrier without waking him up. So infants don’t like being carried in an upright position and so, the baby sling might just be for you. Although many carriers are designed to adjust and “grow” with your baby, some parents complain of lower back pain with front carriers once their baby reaches about 20 pounds. A simple rule is to stop using a carrier when you sense you’re approaching your own physical limits. You’ll know.

The infant sling has a marsupial feel to it. It is made of fabric which are pleated or padded and form an over-shoulder  hammock for holding a young baby across your front in a semi-reclined position, as you’d naturally carry your baby. Mush  like the strap-on baby carrier, it also frees up your hands so that you can do other things. You can carry your baby  lying down or in an upright position and some slings can also be worm with your baby on your back or hip. However, you  might find using a sling uncomfortable especially if you’re petite and your baby is big. Extra-special care is needed  with slings, since they generally aren’t secure enough for activity more rigorous than leisurely walking. For maximum
comfort with a sling, a baby should ride above your waist and below your bust line.

You might feel awkward the first few times that you use a soft baby carrier or sling. You have to figure out for yourself which is the comfortable way of wearing it. Make fit adjustments before putting your baby in the carrier or sling.  Mastering the adjustment of rings and folds so everything fits correctly takes time, even with clear, printed directions. But getting it right is critical to keeping your baby safe, since improper use can put your child at risk of injury. If  your back or neck hurts from carrying most of a baby’s weight on one side, give that shoulder a break and put the sling  on with the strap on the other shoulder. Lastly, just as it takes time to master wearing the carrier or sling, it also takes time and practice how to place your baby inside properly and securely. Learning how to move with a sling or strap-on carrier can take practice. You can’t lean over too much, and your back, shoulders, and legs must adjust to the added weight. You’ll also have to be mindful of your extra dimensions when you go through doorways and around corners so your baby won’t bump into anything.