For every mama who needs both of her hands to put away the groceries, do her makeup, or push a stroller, how exactly will she make it work when she's got a little one constantly in her arms?
If you're like most mamas with tiny newborns, you're probably not going to want to put down your little babe for long (and they won't want you to, either)! But on the off-chance that you have a two-handed situation on your hands, baby wearing is going to make your life so much easier.
We're talking, like, cereal for dinner easier.
Setting aside the obvious convenience of having both of your hands free to get things done, there are lots of benefits for baby and mama when you decide to wear your baby. Studies have shown a decrease in overall crying time for infants that are worn even a couple of hours a day, and babies benefit a lot from moving around with you, too! Babies love the motion and listening to the sounds of your body-- it helps to stimulate those feelings of comfort that they felt while in the womb!
So if you're looking to wear your baby, ring slings or stretchy wraps are two options that our Cubby Moms love! Both of these baby wearing options will do essentially the same thing: use a strong, comfortable fabric to wrap your babe up and secure them to your chest. So if you're not sure where to start, or which option is going to work best for you, here's some info on both of these wraps!
Ring Slings
Ring Slings like the durable and beautiful Sakura Bloom are a great option for
mamas who are wanting different carrying options and a higher weight allowance. The Bloom can be positioned for front, back, or hip wearing, which makes it much more comfortable for older children without making them uncomfortable. The Bloom sling can be worn from newborn up to 35 lbs (my two-year-old isn't even at that yet, to give you some reference).
They are also quick to get in place, and easier to adjust than their stretchy counterparts. Another plus is the ring slings generally have a shorter tail, so for our shorter mamas out there who don't want a lot of hanging fabric, this may be a great option for you! Some mamas have some trouble understanding the ring threading at first, so check out our How-To Video to help walk you through it! You can nurse while using the Sakura Bloom, and it's quick and easy because of the ability to adjust the sling while wearing your baby.
You probably want to avoid this type of wrap if you have back or shoulder problems as the majority of the pressure will be felt there. You may experience a little more neck discomfort while wearing a ring sling compared to a stretchy wrap (depending on where you're wearing babe).
Stretchy Wraps
If you're thinking of going with a stretchy wrap, like the lightweight and comfortable Happy Baby Wrap, you'll be pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they are to wear, and the price tag will usually come in lower than the ring sling variety. The Happy Wrap is also super light, and made from a breathable fabric to make sure that babe doesn't get too warm-- Mamas love these wraps during the summertime!
While this is a lot of a fabric to deal with (4.5 meters), it can sometimes be a little bit of a struggle to get the thing on when you're in a hurry. But once you get the hang of it (check out our video if you're a newbie), you'll love wearing your little one both at home and when you're out and about. The stretchy wrap isn't as easy to adjust babe to a nursing position as a ring sling would be (depending on how baby is being worn) because of the way the sling is wrapped around the whole body to support babe.
Stretchy Wraps do have a lighter weight limit, generally up to 25 lbs, and there are fewer ways to wear babe. So if you're planning on using a wrap for older kids, or ones who are growing out of chest-to-chest wearing, this may not be the best option for you. Also, because of the amount of fabric, our smaller mamas may get annoyed with the long tail/extra fabric.