Choosing a sling and learning how to tie it: in detail with photos and videos

Sling scarf for newborns

A sling (from English - sling) is a simple fabric design for carrying children from the beginning of life until the age when the need to hold the child in your arms for a long time passes.

There are several types:

• scarf;
• with rings;
• pocket or pipe;
• May;
• Ombuhimo.

The sling scarf is the most versatile of all. You can put or sit a child in it in different ways of any age . The position of the baby can be adjusted up to a centimeter.

A scarf is a long material that is tied around an adult in a special way. The baby is seated or placed in the resulting pocket.

The sling supports the baby, freeing the mother's hands. Moreover, when wearing it, the load is distributed over the shoulders, back and lower back, allowing you to not feel discomfort for a long time. At this time, the child is in a comfortable physiological position, without experiencing stress on the spine and joints.

For parents of twins, a sling scarf will be a real salvation.

You can purchase a sling scarf at a baby store or wrap it yourself. There are many videos on this topic on the Internet, and here are clear and simple instructions.

To do this, you will need a piece of fabric of double diagonal, diamond and jacquard weave (so that it does not stretch along the length) 60–70 centimeters wide and from 250 to 600 centimeters in length (depending on the parameters of the adult and baby, and the tying method used).

Advantages of the model

Mai-sling (also known as ChineseMeiTaiBabyCarrier or AsianBabyCarrier) is a rectangle of fabric with special straps sewn into the corners for attaching it to the shoulders and waist. The length of the shoulder straps is on average about two meters, the waist straps are approximately 70 cm. Today, May-slings are available for sale with wide (about 20 cm), medium (15–20 cm) and narrow (less than 14 cm) straps. The straps and edges are padded with soft filling, which prevents excess pressure on the adult’s shoulders and relieves the baby from discomfort.

This device can be not only practical: the embodiment of modern design ideas in the May-sling has made it possible to turn it into a stylish accessory. Today you can choose a device of any color with original embroidery or functional pockets. Well-tailored, comfortable, matching the clothing style of the baby and mother, the May Sling will delight you with its comfort, beauty and the ability to redo a thousand things while the child is peacefully dozing or exploring the environment with interest. For added comfort and safety, many models also have a hood or high collar to support your head.

Experienced mothers highlight the following positive aspects of wearing a May-sling:

• the ergonomic shape and comfortable straps make it easy to put on, secure or remove the device;
• the wide, dense base provides the child with good support and reliable fixation of his body in the correct position;
• the load on the baby's hip joints in this position is minimal: the weight is distributed evenly along the spine and muscles, and due to the fact that the child's legs are widely apart, babywearing is a good prevention of mild forms of dysplasia;
• The straps of the may-sling help to evenly distribute the load on the lower back and shoulders of an adult, so heaviness and discomfort are not felt even when worn for a long time;
• The simple and carefully thought-out design of the straps allows you to adjust the position of the child for sleeping, observing others or feeding.

Sling consultants insist that you can carry a baby in a sling almost from birth, but doctors advise not to rush: the baby’s spine is still too weak, so it is extremely difficult to safely and comfortably fix the baby in an upright position, and an incorrect position can lead to serious problems with spine. The optimal age to start babywearing is about 4 months, when the baby gets a little stronger and begins to hold his head up confidently. The duration of use of the May-sling is individual and depends on the height, weight and health of the child, as well as the wishes of the mother.

How to choose a May Sling

When choosing a baby sling, you should take into account not only the age, height and weight of the baby, but also the build and physical fitness of the mother.

As already mentioned, the standard length of the waist straps of a May Sling is 60–70 cm, and the shoulder straps are about 2 meters. If the mother is curvy, it is recommended to have the device sewn to order, and the straps of such a product should be 30–40 cm longer than the standard ones.

The width of the back of the May Sling should be selected taking into account the height and age of the baby - on average it ranges from 35 to 45 centimeters. The older and larger the child, the wider the back of the product should be.

The height of the back of the device is 45–55 centimeters. A comfortable height depends on the baby’s behavior: an active and inquisitive child can choose a lower backrest; a calm child who prefers a sweet sleep on his mother’s chest can choose a higher height. At the same time, doctors strongly recommend models of slings with a headrest, which will support the baby’s head if he is still small or has simply fallen asleep.

If you plan not to sew a sling to order, but to purchase a finished product, you need to carefully inspect it. Rough fabric, hard or crooked seams, unraveling stitching, a strong unpleasant odor and staining fabric paint indicate that the May Sling is not only poorly sewn, but also unsafe. Durable, even stitching with strong threads, soft filling, soft color pleasing to the eye, natural fabric (linen, denim, cotton), lack of chemical smell directly indicate a worthy and conscientiously made item, which will certainly be safe and comfortable for the baby.

Rules for using sling scarves

If the sling is well wound, it is comfortable for both mother and baby. Then wearing it is safe for both and gives the joy of communicating with each other.

IMPORTANT! If even one mistake is made, the whole meaning of the sling as a mother’s assistant is lost.

Main mistakes when using a sling:

• incorrect position of the child;
• incorrect clothing;
• failure to comply with precautions.

Correct position in the sling

The position of the baby in a sling scarf is of great importance for safety and convenience.
If it is tied too low:

• the center of gravity will shift - balance will be disrupted;
• The baby will not be able to breastfeed.

If your baby sits too high:

• the center of gravity will shift;
• the child will block the view.

If the baby's legs are in the wrong position:

• the legs will interfere with an adult’s walking;
• pressure will be put on the baby's spine;
• the function of preventing hip dysplasia will be lost.

If the scarf is poorly laid out and stretched:

• the baby will sag;
• harnesses will cause discomfort to an adult: they will press hard, rub;
• It will appear that the baby is falling out.

To eliminate these shortcomings, you will have to rewind the scarf.

The baby is positioned correctly if:

• The baby's face is visible to an adult.
• An adult can kiss a baby sitting in a sling on the forehead or the back of the head.
• A lying baby's head is opposite the adult's chest (if necessary, the mother breastfeeds just like that).
• A lying baby's chin does not touch his chest.
• The baby's back is slightly rounded, the pelvis is lowered.
• The knees are spread as wide as possible, the baby clasps the adult with his legs.
• The baby's knees are located above the butt.
• The scarf is straightened, without folds, well stretched. The tension is not too strong (the child may suffocate) and not too weak (the child may move or fall out).

Babywearing clothes

Even when positioned correctly, the baby may still experience discomfort due to incorrect clothing.

When placing a child in a sling, you should not put him in onesies. It is better to choose soft pants that will not interfere with spreading your knees to the sides. Also, do not dress your baby too warmly. This may cause the baby to overheat.

For walks, it is better to use special adult sling jackets or sweaters that are worn over the sling.

Also suitable are items for pregnant women or just a slightly larger size.

It is worth remembering that a child is pressed tightly against an adult’s clothing, so it should be without small parts, clean, pleasant to the touch, not scratchy and made of natural hypoallergenic fabrics.

How to choose a size

To choose the right length of the sling scarf, you need to consider:

• body weight of the child and mother;
• scarf material;
• type of tying;
• density and type of fabric;
• canvas design.

There are scarves that are only suitable for wearing infants and newborns. They are characterized by high density, low thread tension and the ability to easily tie it both at home and abroad. If the fabric is too long or wide, the parent will not be able to hold the baby and at the same time fix the ends of the scarf, which is dragging along the ground.

The dimensions of an adult must also be taken into account due to the fact that some models of units may not be suitable. A large child can feel comfortable in a knitted bandage, since the main emphasis is on the lumbar region. Tightened fabric will cause discomfort to the baby.

There are several basic sizes of sling scarves that can be selected taking into account the physiological characteristics of the parent and child:

You can tie a sling scarf for newborns in any way, depending on the length of the fabric. In this case, it is worth paying attention to the density and structure - depending on the elasticity, the length of the scarf may vary slightly :

• Scarf fabric is the most suitable for any type of tying. It does not have elasticity, but is quite pliable when tied and twisted.
• Knitted fabric is made from small loops, so, unlike knitted or woven fabric (for a scarf), it stretches well. This is convenient when you need to tie a simple “pocket”. The fabric is not suitable for large children, as it will distort the created “pocket” of the required depth.
• The woven fabric is quite dense and thin - it makes strong “pockets” that do not lose their shape. Due to its lightness, it can be used in the summer season.
• The mesh is used in hipsters and ergo-backpacks. This is a synthetic fabric that is excellent for ventilation, but you need to choose a loosely woven fabric so that the child feels comfortable in it in the summer.

Some sling scarves (fabrics) are marked with sizing data that corresponds to international standards. Thus, lengths of 4.2-4.7 m correspond to sizes 2-6, and 5.2-5.8 m correspond to a size grid of 7-8 sizes. Scarves marked with a numerical value up to 5 may be suitable for those whose items correspond to sizes S, M. Size 6 is suitable in length and width XL, and the rest are XXL or 3XL.

Precautionary measures

When using a sling, you must adhere to a number of rules to protect your baby from danger:

• do not cover the baby’s face;
• do not make sudden movements or bends;
• do not allow potentially dangerous things within the child’s reach;
• do not use a sling instead of a car seat;
• do not drink hot drinks when the baby is in a sling;
• do not wear uncomfortable shoes or high-heeled shoes;
• do not forget about the child when opening doors, passing through doorways and turning corners;
• do not run around with a strapped baby without special care;
• do not insist on a sling if the baby protests;
• Don’t forget to consult with your pediatrician about the possibility of using a sling if there are any abnormalities in the child’s physical health.

Learning how to wrap a sling scarf correctly seems like a difficult task. And sometimes there is a temptation to choose a different type of sling, one that is easier to use. However, when choosing, it is worth considering that it is by winding the sling scarf that the tension in each centimeter of the fabric supporting the child is regulated.

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Let's sum it up

We found out that the May Sling is a baby carrier that is optimal for the summer. It is needed for parents to always be with the child, and at the same time have time to prepare dinner. It is not recommended to use a May-sling for newborns; it is better to start at 3-4 months. You can make your own My Sling and it doesn't require much effort.

Sitdikova A.V.

Article editor . In 2021 she graduated from the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “National Research Mordovian State University named after. N. P. Ogareva”, specialty “Pediatrics”.