Considerations When Selecting a Baby Sling

Despite what sling manufacturers want parents to believe, there's actually not a single 'perfect' baby sling on the market. Baby carriers have strengths and weaknesses, and several that suit a family's needs much better than others at a given point in time. Baby Slings suits a newborn may not be one of the most convenient for a toddler. So parents have to consider carefully which child carrier to choose for their baby.

Comfort and security are obviously the most important criteria.

A good-quality baby sling should be designed with the baby and the parent's safety in mind. The baby must be safe at all time. It should be sturdy enough to be used every day for months without showing any significant signs of wear. The accompanying instructions should be simple, and illustrated with photos or videos so that the parents will be confident that they're using their child carrier properly. The child carrier should support the baby in a way that allows him to breathe comfortably. When using a baby sling with a small baby, the parent should always be able to view the baby's face. In the EU, look for the EU13209-2:2005 safety label.

Comfort is the second essential criteria when buying a baby sling. A well-designed baby carrier allows parents to carry their baby for a long time without any back, shoulder or hip pain, or any discomfort. The baby's weight is distributed evenly across the carer's body. As the baby is held high and snug against the parent's torso or back, the adult does not need to lean forward or back to compensate for the baby's weight. Even for asymmetrical hip or side carries, the parent are able to keep his spine straight therefore avoiding any back problems.

Safety and comfort - both for the baby and the parent - will be the essential criteria when selecting a new baby sling. There are other factors that parents can consider: whether the baby carrier suits both parents, whether it offers a wide range of carrying positions, or whether it can be washed easily.