Ring Slings , Pouch Carriers, Soft Structured Carrier or Wrap

Recently, I chanced upon this extremely informative local website which talks about the different baby carriers. You can search for the best carrier by style, age or brand. This website (http://www.babyslingsandcarriers.com/) also offers other types of babywearing accessories.

Yet I am here for a purpose! I am reading up about what kind of carriers I should adopt when my baby is born. It was here that I discovered that there are different types of carriers for babies of different ages. On their website, I found out that for preterms/ infants to 5 months;  I learnt that neck control is especially important for them as they have little control over their neck (Babyplus actually says that their audio device will help the babies to develop good neck control in the womb!) and their legs are actually bowlegged due to their position in the womb. Interestingly, the bowleggedness will correct itself by the 4th or 5th month!



Currently there are generally 4 types of baby carriers at the moment: baby ring slings, baby pouch, wraps and soft-structured carriers. This website made a table of comparison ( http://www.babyslingsandcarriers.com/carriers_newborn_to_5months) among the various brands that they have of these carriers using 4 criteria for comparison: age, discreet breastfeeding, life span of carrier and if it is suitable for pre-terms! Of course, every mother would like their child to be full term when born and yet if this ever happens, it is heartening to know that there is a carrier suitable for him/her.

For a long time, I kept studying this table. I didn't know which carrier is good for my future baby. I want a carrier where my little one will feel safe and secure and yet takes pity on my back. So I searched the Internet for more details and even went down to the Baby Slings and Carriers shop located in Square 2 mall. I was so glad that I did. The staff (actually I think she's the owner) was really friendly and extremely patient. She handled all my enquiries with a smile and explained for every carrier that I asked. This really allowed me to make a better choice after analysing the 4 types (please head to the website to view the pictures) :

Baby Ring Sling Carrier
In Asia, this is one of the most common and the most popular baby carriers. It is really a stretch of cloth and nylon rings. The price can range from cheap prices to really expensive based on the materials and the make. It is usually hung from one shoulder and can be extremely complicating to tie it well. Basically, you need a lot of practice for this. Yet it can be possible that it will put quite a strain on a shoulder especially when the baby grows bigger (and we all know how fast they can grow!). There are some mothers who found that the knot can be loosen after sitting down and will have to retie it. I also realised that to slip the baby in; you need to hold the baby in an awkward angle by using one hand to hold their legs firmly before you can slide them in successfully.

Baby Pouch Carrier
Truth be told, this was actually my favourite choice. Why? It looks so easy! No rings so no complicated tying process - all you need is a pouch, fold it and you are done! There was even a particular brand that sparked my interest due to rave reviews posted by some mothers - Pupsik. However, putting the baby in is not as easy as it looks. As above, you also need to hold the baby firmly with one hand with their legs crossed before you can easily slide the baby in. Interestingly, there were also mothers who stated that the babies felt hot in these pouches! Looking at the samples at the store, I am not sure about the heat but rather I do find there seems to be little support somewhat especially for the neck.

Wrap
I was trying to decide between this and the above. Yet I am hesitant as it seems so hot! Currently, the most popular brand seems to be Sleepywrap. There were a lot of mothers who complained about the heat and that it is only comfortable in an air-conditioned place. It is a long stretch of cloth that you wrap around your body a few times and place your baby inside. At the store, I felt the material and I must admit that it is stretchy... and feels kind of warm. It is made from sort of thick elastic cotton and that actually got me worrying a little.

It is said that this resembles a womb-like surrounding for your baby and the staff said that these babies somehow just grow up differently from the rest who use carriers, baby slings and pouches! Intrigued, I asked for further information and she said that she noticed that babies who use such wraps usually are more confident, cry lesser, more alert (it's beginning to sound like Babyplus, doesn't it!)

I wasn't sure till I met a mother who carried her baby using the wrap and I did noticed that he didn't cry at all. No fidgety behaviour, no tantrums... nothing! In fact, he was looking at me so curiously I felt embarrassed! Currently, there is an organic version which is supposed to be more breathable. Should I get this? I'm extremely tempted but I can only tell of its effects after my little one appears.

Soft-Structured Carrier
There was this brand , Manduca, that caught my attention. It was stated that the carrier was suitable for newborns and above and mothers have raved about it on the internet. When enquired, the lady advised only to wait for three months before slotting the baby in and above and though it is highly recommended; she preferred the Wrap as it provides a snug feeling and closer bonding than this. Furthermore, the baby will have to sit with his/her legs apart first. Some mothers also stated that their shoulders do ache after using such carriers (may not necessarily be of this brand) and the sight of buckles can be a turn-off. Well, it does the same for me too.

The wrap, the ring, the pouch or the carrier? Currently, my heart is leaning towards the wrap but I do worry about the heat (imagine being wrapped in at least two layers in Singapore with the baby close to you.) but yet the supposed benefits sounds intriguing. Who knows? Maybe I will end up buying more than one!