Simply wonderful - Babywearing International

Traditional baby carriers
Simply Functional
Carrying babies in simple pieces of cloth or fabric
carriers with straps is a time-honored practice in
so many cultures because comfortable, hands-free
carrying opens the world to both babies and their
parents and other caregivers. Today’s savvy parents
are discovering that these traditional fabric baby
carriers offer unrivaled comfort, safety, functionality,
versatility, and beauty...often becoming their most
used and most valued pieces of “baby gear.”
Our mission
At Babywearing International, our mission is to
promote babywearing as a universally accepted
practice, with benefits for both child and caregiver,
through education and support.
Simply Versatile
Modern takes on traditional baby carriers allow a
parent or caregiver to comfortably carry a baby or
young child on the front, hip, or back, anywhere
they want or need to go. One carrier can fulfill many
needs and work well from birth through toddlerhood.
Simply Beautiful
Baby carriers come in an endless array of fabrics and
colors, from basic solid cottons to exquisitely embellished silks. Whether you’re looking for something to
use every day, a special carrier for an unique situation, or a variety of slings to match every outfit, the
choices are yours to make, whatever your style. Your
baby carriers can be both functional and attractive.
© 2014 Babywearing International Inc. | Photos with permission:
Front Cover: Melody Yazdani Photography, Daisy Jean Photography;
Inside: Hilary Yankello Photography, Kristy Garceau Photography,
BWI of Delmarva, BWI of SE PA, BWI of Houston
Bringing together babywearers everywhere
For information on carrier types,
safety and to find a chapter near you,
visit BabywearingInternational.org
Simply wonderful:
Modern takes on
traditional baby carriers
from around the world
Ring sling
Mei tai
Choosing a baby carrier
The array of baby carriers available today are
based on traditional carriers throughout the world.
Choosing one (or more) can be overwhelming, but the
Babywearing International Chapter near you provides
free help determining the best carrier for your family,
and instruction from our Volunteer Babywearing
Educators on using your carrier. Online help can be
found in forums such as TheBabywearer.com.
Ring Slings
In its simplest and most elegant form, a ring sling is a
shawl with a pair of rings attached to one end. The rings
replace the knot or tuck-and-twist method of fastening
used with traditional shawl carriers such as Mexican
rebozos or Indonesian selendangs. Ring slings are
available in a variety of fabrics from basic cotton to
luxurious silks. The adjustable tail of the sling can
be used for many things including as a sun shade,
nursing cover, light blanket, or hand hold for older
children when your hands are full.
Hands-free convenience
and a happy baby
Soft structured carrier
Wrap
Pouch sling
Mei Tais
Wraps
The Chinese mei tai (pr. may-tie) is the most popular of the
modernized Asian-Style carriers. It has a panel of fabric with
two shorter straps to go around the waist and two longer
ones to wrap over the shoulders. Modern mei tai straps
are often padded or made very wide wrap-style to provide
comfort for the wearer. Sturdy fabrics such as twill or
canvas are usually used, they are often embellished with
a decorative panel and most are reversible. They are a great
choice for sharing among multiple care givers, allowing
for a highly adjustable custom fit, and the ability to carry
a baby or toddler on your front, back, and sometimes hip.
Wraps are the most traditional of all carriers, but
still have modern appeal. They come in a variety of
lengths and fabrics and can be used to carry an infant
or child on the front or hip and woven wraps can
also be used on the back. The shortest are used on
one shoulder, while longer lengths can be custom
adjusted for two shoulder support. Learning to wrap
can feel intimidating, but can be mastered with practice. Special wraps are made in a variety of fabric from
knit for newborns, to synthetics for use in water, to
gauze for heat, and wool for the cold, but most wraps
are made from cotton or a cotton blend. Once you
have the skill of wrapping, you can use a bed sheet or
beach towel in a pinch to securely carry your baby.
Soft Structured Carriers
Also with a body panel and shoulder and waist straps, soft
structured carriers replace knots with buckles and add a
thickly padded waistband and shoulder straps. The result
is a different weight distribution and overall different look
and feel from a mei tai, putting this style of carrier into a
category of its own. These carriers offer the convenience
of buckles yet are vastly different from framed backpacks
in that they hold the baby securely against the wearer’s
body. Unlike framed backpacks, soft structured carriers are
suitable from birth through toddlerhood and provide the
benefits of body-to-body contact for the baby.
Pouch Slings
Simply a loop of fabric with a curved seam, a pouch
sling is worn over one shoulder like a sash and used
much like a ring sling. They are sleek and easy to
learn to use. Pouches are sized to fit the adult wearer
and what they lack in adjustability is made up in
convenience. Stash a fashionable pouch in your
diaper bag and you are always prepared to carry
a tired toddler or to safely and easily carry both
your groceries and your baby back to the car!