Slings For Newborn Babies: An Overview

There are lots of different slings on the market. Finding the right sling for you and your newborn can feel overwhelming. Particularly when you find that some slings are age/weight/size specific, while others require the use of a newborn insert and there are some that can be adjusted as your baby grows. Here, you’ll find information about different types of slings for newborn babies, to help you pick the most suitable option for you and your family.

The aim of this post is to give you an overview of the different types of slings that are available. I will be writing about each individual type of sling in more depth later.

Once you’ve got an idea of which types of slings for newborn babies might work for you, why not head to your local sling library to try some on? Being able to experience a sling in person is a great way of making sure that it’s right for you. If you want to try the sling to see how it will work in your everyday life, sling libraries offer the ability to borrow a carrier for a small fee. If you’re in Nuneaton and Bedworth, or the surrounding area, you can find out more about our stock and hire costs on the Nuneaton Sling Library Page.

All of these slings are suitable for breast and bottle feeding in. There are additional safety considerations to be mindful of when feeding in a sling, which there isn’t scope to cover in this post. Please seek the advice of a babywearing professional for advice if you would like help with this.

Prices are stated as a guide only and refer to buying new. I will be writing a guide to buying a second hand sling.

Each sling comes with a weight range. Please consult medical and babywearing professionals if your baby has been born prematurely, has medical needs to take into consideration or if your baby falls outside of the weight guideline given by individual brands and products.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Stretchy Wrap £25-50

Stretchy wraps are long pieces of elasticated fabric. They are soft, mouldable and most closely resemble the experience of being in the womb. There are two different types of stretchy wraps – one way and two way. You need three passes of fabric over baby to use a stretchy wrap safely, regardless of whether you’re using a one or two way stretchy wrap.

A one way stretchy wrap stretches along the width of the wrap. Most people find that these work best when tied around baby, as in the video below.

A two way stretchy wrap stretches along the width and length of the wrap. These work best when pre-tied. You can pop your baby in and out throughout the day, without having to re-tie. Two way stretchy wraps are the most commonly used.

Generally, stretchy wraps are available in cotton or cotton/bamboo blends. Bamboo blends are particularly good in hot weather. Stretchy wraps come in a variety of different colours.

Strechy wraps can be used up until an infant is about a year old. However, most people find that they become less comfortable when their baby is about 6 months old.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Close Caboo £50-70

If a stretchy wrap looks like too much fabric, a Close Caboo might just be the option for you! Made from the same material as a stretchy wrap, these slings are designed to be put on and tightened through rings. There are two parts to a Close Caboo – the ‘X’ and the sash. The ‘X’ is put on over the head and arms put through the holes, a bit like a t-shirt. The baby is then put into the cross section, the same as with a stretchy wrap and then tightened through a set of rings each side. The sash is then tied around infant and caregiver, to create the third supportive layer over baby.

There are two main types of Close Caboos, the Lite and the +(in either Cotton or Organic). The biggest difference between the two types of Caboo is the fabric used. Both types of Caboo are put on in the same way and both require 3 passes over baby to be used safely.

The Caboo Lite is thinner and feels more elasticated, with an almost silky texture. The Lite version costs £50-55 and was designed in collaboration with the National Childbirth Trust.

The Caboo+ is thicker and has a lovely soft, supportive cotton feel to it. The + version costs £40-70.

The Close Caboo can generally be used up until an infant is 1 year old. As with stretchy wraps, many people like to transition to a different carrier when their baby is around 6 months old. Generally, the Caboo+ lasts a little longer than the Lite because the fabric holds up against a growing baby’s weight a little better. When deciding which Caboo is right for you and your family, it’s worth considering the time of year and temperature that you’ll be using the Caboo in. As there is quite a significant difference in the feel of the two different Caboos, it can be helpful to visit a sling library when making your decision.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Woven Wraps (£48 and upwards)

Woven wraps are great from newborn to preschool. They come in a wide range of materials, thicknesses, weights, colours, designs and sizes. A mid-weight cotton wrap (between 230-250gsm) is a good place to start. Saying this, you don’t have to start with an all cotton, size 6 wrap. My first woven wrap was a 50% linen blend, size 4 (base -1) Baby Monkey Symphony Woven Wrap. It was the perfect first wrap for me.

The first carry you will learn with a woven wrap is a front wrap cross carry (FWCC). There are a number of different versions of this carry.

A FWCC with a Lexi twist is a great newborn option with a base size wrap. A short FWCC TAS (ties at shoulder) is a great option with a base -2 wrap.

So if lots of fabric isn’t your thing, but you like the idea of using a woven wrap, a front wrap cross carry tied at the shoulder with s short wrap, could be just the thing for you.

I’ll talk more about sizing in a separate post. In general, a size 6 is a good option for longer carries and a size 4 for shorter ones.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Ring Slings (£40+)

Made from either woven wrap fabric or reinforced stretchy wrap material (so only one layer is needed), ring slings can be a fantastic option for newborn babies. They are quick to put on and are easier than some other slings to get your newborn nice and high on your chest.

It’s worth noting that the weight distribution is asymmetrical. This becomes more pronounced as your baby grows. A ring sling can be used by many people through toddlerhood and beyond. If you are looking for a sling that will take you through your entire babywearing journey, it’s important to consider whether this asymmetry will work for you later in your journey.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Tie On Carriers (£50+)

Tie on carriers, like Meh Dais, can be a fantastic option for newborn babies. They’re usually made from wrap style fabric and have straps that are tied together. They can be a great option if you want the feel of woven wrap fabric, with all the convenience of a buckle carrier.

There’s a lot of variety when it comes to the design of tie on carriers. When considering using a Meh Dai with a newborn, it’s worth looking the following things:

The height of the main panel – The top of the panel shouldn’t come above the nape of baby’s neck. There are some tweaks that can be used with some Meh Dais, by a babywearing professional, to adapt a carrier with a higher panel
The width of the base – You don’t want to be over extending a newborn baby’s hips. So it’s important that any Meh Dai you use with a small baby is able to be adjusted appropriately
The width of the Meh Dai’s straps – Too thick a strap and a newborn baby’s face can be obscured, making it difficult to monitor their airways

If you have any concerns about whether a particular Meh Dai is suitable for your newborn, check with a babywearing professional.

While Meh Dais are the most common tie on carrier for use with a newborn, it’s worth being aware that there are others.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Buckle Carriers (£79-155)

Buckle carriers are one of the most popular type of slings in the United Kingdom. Most people find them quick and easy to use. Buckle carriers come with various levels of padding. When it comes to carrying a newborn baby in a buckle carrier, there are a few options. Adjustable, inserts and newborn specific.

Adjustable buckle carriers can be a great option if you want one sling for your entire babywearing journey. They offer multiple carrying options and grow with your baby.

A number of buckle carriers that don’t adjust have newborn inserts. These are used to support tiny hips and keep a newborn high in the carrier. A newborn baby sits in or on a newborn insert. Each brand has a slightly different design of insert. Sometimes they come in a bundle with a buckle carrier, other times they can/need to be bought separately. Once an infant is big enough not to need the insert, the buckle carrier can be used as is.

A sling library is a great place to see the different types of buckle carriers in person, try a few options and find out what works best for you and your family.

Slings For Newborn Babies: Newborn Specific Buckle Carriers (£80-110)

In addition to standard buckle carriers, there are also newborn specific options available. These are made from jersey material, to be soft and snuggly for a newborn. Similarly to the Close Caboo and stretchy wrap, newborn buckle carriers are unlikely to last much more than 6 months.

What did you use to carry your newborn baby?